ciparis

Looking at the current US SPC options, I found this confusing:

801: $1,370 (Premium Black Leather)
201: $1,620 (Black Leather)

-- am I missing something? Is there a difference in which surfaces are covered?

GregW / Oregon

Yes, you are. When you add the SPC charge of $250 to 801, they are the same price. But, that means if you order other special order items as well, you actually save money, in a way.

ciparis

I'm surprised they're the same price, even. Usually you pay more for nicer leather.

GregW / Oregon

Well, not sure because they slap a "Premium" label on it that's it's any nicer. Plenty good, though.

ciparis

With my last Lexus it was semi-analine leather, and much nicer. Dunno about MB, though.

xxGenericSNxx

801A is Nappa Leather which is the same stuff used on many AMGs. Definitely nicer than the 201 leather in my opinion which is not as soft or as small grained as Nappa leather.

ciparis

Can you get 801 with 401 (ventilated) seats? Or even 801 + 401 + 244 (sports seating)?

GregW / Oregon

No, 801 is only available with P95 Sports Interior, but ventilation is not compatible, and it only comes in black. Here is my 801/P95:

LazKat

Does anyone know what is used in the Designo interior?

GregW / Oregon

Cashmere goat skin hand-tanned by Tibetan monks.

xxGenericSNxx

Designo is Nappa leather- not sure if it's the exact same material as 801A but should be similar.

GregW / Oregon

801 does not seem as soft as the Nappa I'm used to (like in my BMW), but will likely hold up better. Nappa feels great but does crease easily.

xxGenericSNxx

Hmm 801A might not be Nappa Leather then. A CL63 that I just ran the VIN on a few days ago listed it as having 801A leather- which I think is Nappa, but not positive. On my R63, I have 501A which they call Exclusive Leather on the data card and is in fact Nappa. So perhaps 801 is not- I'd have to see it in person to be able to tell.

clk200

In accordance with German Price list (pages 23 and 36 attached), Code 801 is Napa Leather. It is cheaper than normal leather only because it is an upgrade of Sports Package, which already includes upgraded upholstery and some other items. At the same time, as correctly pointed out, it is only available in Black and only with Sports Package. In Europe, it cannot be combined with Ventilated seats, which probably applies to US as well.

Masterbuyer

As nice as the interior photos of GregW's looked, I didn't go for the Sports package since I wanted the multi-contour seats and vents....thinking the seat adjustments would be like the X5. Well, I was certainly wrong about that...they suck...and I now wish I ordered the Sports package instead.

The key thing is I was looking for is to have the side bolsters hold me snug, given that I also ordered ACTIVE CURVE and anticipated I'd need that support. Instead, any adjustment to the side bolsters feels more like lumps on either side of my back. I believe it's because MB uses air ballast that inflate, rather than mechanical action that brings in the side bolsters. Same with extending the seat bottom....rather than have it move out mechanically to support the underside of the legs, it inflates the front the seat, adding maybe an inch or so, but not much more feeling of support.

Adding to the problem is that the front of the seat will not tilt back when the seat is all the way down, as it has to be given my height. So, I can't create any 'under leg' support that way either.

Overall, the multi-contour seats are very disappointing. And on top of that, not reliable. I just had my ML in the shop for 12 days since they couldn't figure out how to fix the right passenger side air controls system that inflates the ballasts in the lumbar and sides and bottom.

I believe the Sports seats come with larger side bolsters. So, I imagine that would have worked out better. Plus they have the Nappa Leather, which is nicer. The standard leather does not feel very luxurious, as you would expect from a car this expensive...and not much better the the MBtex.

xxGenericSNxx

IMO 201 leather feels just like MBTex- no difference. The step up to Nappa Leather is huge- so soft and supple. If given the choice, I'd go for Nappa every day of the week provided it doesn't hinder the ability to get other options.

ciparis

I can't accept the loss of ventilation with the premium leather. That's unfortunate. I'll probably go for the multi-contour, which I had and appreciated on my E350 -- good for road trips.

My biggest problem with MBTex is that it's synthetic -- it will ever smell the way a car ought to smell.

xxGenericSNxx

Then get Designo. Leather is also nappa and you can get all the bells and whistles.

ciparis

Only problem with Designo is that the delay is really long -- several months it seems. My order is for mid-April.