wml350

My ML is only a few months old and already the colour (Java) is turning to the colour of my jeans (blue). Has anyone had this problem?

What can I do to protect the leather.

Thanks

sosh

If its turning the color of your jeans the problem is most likley noy the leather but your jeans. Try cleaning the seats with saddle soap and don't wear anything that will bleed off onto the seats

kaze81

I had this problem too before. I though the quality of the leather is creep. I suggest just use a good leather cleaner and you'll be fine.

IMO, to protect the leather you need to apply the leather conditoner regularly. At least that what I did to my cars that have leather seat.

Good Luck and hope this info will help

KZ

Ron in SC

The quality of the leather at least in my 1999 ML 320 is to be tactful not good.

I have owned many MB over 20 years and I think I have a basis to compare. My 92 300E's light grey leather still looks great, the quality is far superior to my ML's

allenjdmb

that it ain't what it used to be, in any of the models. This is one of thsoe areas that MB can definetly save money in, and unfortunately it shows. The quality of this stuff, along with cheaper plastics, glass, and carpets, is just not what it used to be. And it ain't just in the ML's, it's in all models. Welcome to the the New MB/DC.

BudC

I keep asking myself why I want to replace my mint, low mileage 300E with a new Mercedes. I suspect my car will outlast just about anything I could buy now except, perhaps, an LS-430.

The leather in my car is like new and this year was the first time I ever did anything to keep it that way.

It appears that Mercedes begin going down hill in 1993 when the marketing people took over from the engineers.

Oh, I should mention that the I've had two problems with the Mercedes I've owned in the last 20 years or so. Mercedes had to replace the rear window regulators on our early 190D and I just had the head gasket replaced on my 300E. Otherwise, the only time my Mercedes have been to a dealer is to have the transmissions serviced.

There was one minor TSB on the 1991 300E's that I took care of myself.

GDawgC220

true that MB has suffered reliability numbers but in a recent JD Power survey, MB has gone back up in reliability on initial 90 day test now, which is a good sign IMO.

Hopefully MB will do better than last time in the long-term survey.

amb9800

I suspect it will outlast an LS430 by quite a bit - both condition and price-wise.

The Lexus will fall heavily in value, while the W124 E-Class has depreciated less than any mainstream luxury sedan sold in the US in the last 20 years. Many are still worth nearly half what they originally sold for, which is quite an achievement.

Not to mention that the car is literally built like the a tank - the bank-vault like door thud is testament to the quality and solidity of the car. The W124 was among the most reliable Benzes ever built, and when introduced, it outperformed MB's own S-Class by quite a bit, and at a lower price.

We used to have a '91 300E - sold with only 50k miles - put the money towards the '02 ML320.

BudC

I personally don't think the 90 day survey means much. It's the 1 to 3 and 3 to 5 year surveys that matter to me.

GDawgC220

while that is true, MB's initial 90 day survey was down last year as well, but it seems the stuff/material is more reliable in terms of the first three months of ownership. it shows something at least that their headed in the right direction.

my .02

wml350

Thanks Sosh,
went to the my benz dealer (Atlanta Classic Cars...Great Dealership) for some leather care products. The sales person confirmed what you said.

Hal H

another "tip" to help stop the color from coming off from new jeans

soak them (the jeans) with white vinegar, then wash them in warm or cool water - the chemical action of the acids in the vinegar will help the color "set" in the fabric and keep it from transferring.

A couple of years ago a friend had brand new black jeans and went on a road trip and I notice the black dye transferring onto my light color seats (Oyster) on my CLK.

Fortunately, a damp washcloth took the stuff off, but I haven't had that problem since - part of it was the leather has a matte finish (as opposed to a more slick surface) and new denim material that hadn't been washed all that many times yet.

wml350

Hal H...

That is a good tip. Will do so.

Thanks