MB Tex vs. Leather
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Colorado
2012 C350 Coupe Loaded
I have the TEX. I have no problem with the material and its durability. But it seems to smell a little funny. It takes a long time for the smell to go away. Because mine still has it and it was built in July.
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Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
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Joined: May 2010
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2011 GKL
Interesting discussion although its been had over and over
However, I did opt for the leather.... Didn't really take into account the ease of cleaning, smells or anything like that.... i just figured if I were going to pay $40000+ for a car then i was getting leather interior with the lighting which makes it look so sexy....
other options I choose was Prem 1, and MM --- that's all I really needed, although I now wish I had gone with the Keyless go, but... oh well
However, I did opt for the leather.... Didn't really take into account the ease of cleaning, smells or anything like that.... i just figured if I were going to pay $40000+ for a car then i was getting leather interior with the lighting which makes it look so sexy....
other options I choose was Prem 1, and MM --- that's all I really needed, although I now wish I had gone with the Keyless go, but... oh well
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GLK350
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 11
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2005 Mercedes Benz W220 S400
I hate MB Tex
I own a 2006 S Class. I am looking to upgrade on to a 2010 E Class or 2010 GL Class but I really hate how cheap it looks compared to my car which doesn't have a single crack.
It cant be that better because then it would come standard in upper tier models.
It cant be that better because then it would come standard in upper tier models.
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 268
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From: Calgary, AB
2016 Golf R, 2014 GLK
The MB tex is great stuff. I have real leather in my VW and it looks significantly more worn already, while only 9 months older of a vehicle.
The only leather I've ever had that I thought was of really a high quality was in my pair of Honda S2000's back in the early 2000's.
Leather just isn't worth paying for in vehicles until you get into the really high end stuff from brands like Bentley, Ferrari or even Lamborghini to a lesser extent.
My company sells really high end dining room furniture (we have dining chairs that can cost upwards of $4,000 per piece) - the leather on these is unreal. Unlike anything I've experienced in a car.
The only leather I've ever had that I thought was of really a high quality was in my pair of Honda S2000's back in the early 2000's.
Leather just isn't worth paying for in vehicles until you get into the really high end stuff from brands like Bentley, Ferrari or even Lamborghini to a lesser extent.
My company sells really high end dining room furniture (we have dining chairs that can cost upwards of $4,000 per piece) - the leather on these is unreal. Unlike anything I've experienced in a car.
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 160
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Fj cruiser 2014 GLK250
and after 4 years we have no definitive answer. Both have good and bad points.MB tex costs less, wears better and is easier to clean
Leather smells better, costs more and adds to the vehicles value???? "Not sure about this one"
For me it was an easy choice I took the wife to the MB dealership and said what do you want and she chose.....Easy...
Leather smells better, costs more and adds to the vehicles value???? "Not sure about this one"
For me it was an easy choice I took the wife to the MB dealership and said what do you want and she chose.....Easy...
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
I have MB text on my C and CLK. Our E's CL and 126 have leather. The MB text holds up amazing! The leather I like more for a MB but man you do have to really be careful and clean it up very often! For a car that gets beat on like my C Class MB text works. Fir a weekend car like my CL with sub 50k miles on it Leather all around is the only way to go!
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
I hate them both!
I prefer a good quality fabric (which is available on Euro MBs) because it breathes better than either MB Tex or leather and it doesn't get as hot if the car has been sitting in the sun.
We were fine with the MB Tex in our GLK because we bought it mostly for our boxer, but between the two I think leather is a bit nicer.
I prefer a good quality fabric (which is available on Euro MBs) because it breathes better than either MB Tex or leather and it doesn't get as hot if the car has been sitting in the sun.
We were fine with the MB Tex in our GLK because we bought it mostly for our boxer, but between the two I think leather is a bit nicer.
Last edited by rmfnla; Jul 22, 2014 at 12:39 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
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From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
Wow, a four year old thread alive again! My 2 cents worth or IMO, we have the MBTex interior in beige. Its perforated surface is nice here in the Southwest. If you want a classy interior, go with the leather option. First noticeable is the upgrade over the standard cheap steering wheel. Second is the contrasting piping on the seats. What a difference the two make but especially the upgraded steering wheel. It's my wife's car & her choice. But if we go with the standard interior, one of the first things I will swap out will be the steering wheel for the nicer one found in vehicles with leather interior.
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Joined: Oct 2013
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2005 Mercedes Benz W220 S400
MB TEX
I really don't care if its real or fake leather I just want it be good quality. In my house we have my 2006 S400 CDI (Superb Interior), a 2009 Lexus RX (really good) and a 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser. All of them have much better looking leather than the current MB Tex Mercedes is using, even the 2006 Mazda6 I had in college has a better feel.
If you pay high end prizes you must have the best type of quality.
I live in the Caribbean and its summer year long, usually the only interiors that dont hold up are the ones that come from european vehicles.
If you pay high end prizes you must have the best type of quality.
I live in the Caribbean and its summer year long, usually the only interiors that dont hold up are the ones that come from european vehicles.
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
If people like to drink pepsi than coke while they are the same cola why argue? No one will win. It is all about the taste and priorities the same with real leather vs mb-tex. I for sure wont have NO car with real leather on the seats after experiencing mb-tex. Hell I wont buy any brand just because of mb-tex. Even if I can afford to buy a new fully loaded S-class right now but I wont order it if I cannot get a MB-tex on it. Am I stupid? Maybe, but logically sound as I do not want wrinkles on my seat and want a $100k car look $100k after 5 years.
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 49
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From: Long Island, New York
2014 Glk250 BlueTec
If people like to drink pepsi than coke while they are the same cola why argue? No one will win. It is all about the taste and priorities the same with real leather vs mb-tex. I for sure wont have NO car with real leather on the seats after experiencing mb-tex. Hell I wont buy any brand just because of mb-tex. Even if I can afford to buy a new fully loaded S-class right now but I wont order it if I cannot get a MB-tex on it. Am I stupid? Maybe, but logically sound as I do not want wrinkles on my seat and want a $100k car look $100k after 5 years.
Totally agree with you. The MB Tex is the perfect interior material and always looks great.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
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From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
Leather if maintained & that is a qualifier, can look very good for a long time. My last Saab with nearly 100K on it, had leather which still looked fantastic. Both leather & MB-Tex have their virtues. One other thing is that the latter which is perforated, would make it easier to add ventilated seats which I believe are optional in other markets. I simply love the look of the leather with the contrast piping. Very upscale which is what a MB is.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 105
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From: Boston , MA
GLK250 BlueTec- 2014
**got leather ....but**
Leather if maintained & that is a qualifier, can look very good for a long time. My last Saab with nearly 100K on it, had leather which still looked fantastic. Both leather & MB-Tex have their virtues. One other thing is that the latter which is perforated, would make it easier to add ventilated seats which I believe are optional in other markets. I simply love the look of the leather with the contrast piping. Very upscale which is what a MB is.
I have had LEATHER in other cars before and it REQUIRES a lot more work to UPKEEP/MAINT"CE though. So if you do some simple things as required for Leather - its remains glorious
- like the user above - I had a RS4 Audi (factory custom built 2001) and drive it as Normal car AND @ Audi Club meetings & the leather looks like new even TODAY !!
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Joined: Apr 2015
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cadillac
Mb Tex
As I plan on getting a MB this year, I'm concerned with the synthetic upholstery. I had the synthetic on a BMW Z4 once, and it was hot and uncomfortable to sit on. Didn't breathe at all. Although durability is an issue, what kind of comfort level is there on a black synthetic seat? Do those who have had both synthetic and leather feel a difference as I did on the BMW? I just hate the the feeling the unbreathing synthetic gave me on the Z4. My next one was leather, and there was a huge difference in comfort.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 334
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From: Northern California
2016 GLE300d 4Matic
I have had Mercedes with both and for all around ease of use, long life and good looks - it's hard to beat MB Tex. I can tell the difference in feel because the MB Tex has a very slight rubber like give - which actually assists in comfort.
If the leather isn't regularly conditioned it will get harder which will diminish comfort. Leather also abrades faster and easier than MB Tex.
My takeaway is leather is great if you take good care of it regularly and it has better snob appeal. I generally prefer the MB Tex but it's not a cut and dried choice.
If the leather isn't regularly conditioned it will get harder which will diminish comfort. Leather also abrades faster and easier than MB Tex.
My takeaway is leather is great if you take good care of it regularly and it has better snob appeal. I generally prefer the MB Tex but it's not a cut and dried choice.
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Joined: Mar 2015
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2015 GLK 350
I went with the appearance package instead of the leather package as my high priority option. IMO the difference in the look of the car with the Appearance package vs. without - is greater than the difference between MBTex and leather seats. For me it was a matter of getting the most bang for the buck and i didn't think the difference in the seats covering/stitching warranted another brick of money for that option.
