mercsd

Why is it that I find the leather in A8 was much more " to the shape" or "uncreased" compare to S class leather seats.

After a similar age the S class leather looks wringled up grandpa IMHO.

jagata

Audi makes the best looking interior period.

laxexquis

I'm sorry, but I don't know how you could say that. Are Audi interiors nice? Yes, not bad. But the interior of the A8 doesn't come close to the interior of an S550.

As far as the leather issue, I recall there being a problem with the early 07 S550's leather stretching out. I'm pretty sure it's been fixed for a while now. But, yes if you look at used S550s a lot have stretched out leather. That one minor issue really has no proper reflection of Mercedes interior or leather quality. Mercs interiors are the best in the business (out side of the Rolls and Bentley world).

Here are two pictures: one of an early S550, (and you can actually see the leather beginning to stretch) and another of a top of the line Audi A8 W12 interior. Disregarding the minor stretched leather issue in the Merc, you're telling me the Audi interior is superior!? No way!

egauster

Agree 100 percent! Even with the leather issue, the S550 is MUCH more refined then the more plastic looking Audi, BMW, Lexus...

pmb600

Agreed, I love the S-Class interior. Even now, 5 years later, the S-Class interior holds it's own against the brand new 7 Series and A8. Although I do think they did a great job on the new A8 interior, it looks great. They seemed to stop there though, since the exterior is horribly boring.

jagata

Of course that would be the response from a Mercedes forum, I respect the brand loyality, don't get me wrong I love Mercedes; I owned 7 and currently 2 now. However as I said "best looking" Audi was the first to come out with contrasting double stitching and bi-color design as standard. The OP asked about the condition though, I would have to say it depends on the owners and how they maintained the leather for the answer.

mercsd

In my OP I was not comapring the design but the material. Sorry for any confusion I caused.

I had the A8 for 3 years and did over 150000 kms. The S class was bought for the wife a bit later and to date has done only 45600 kms. Plus I am much rougher and bigger than my lady.

Both cars receive same beauty treatments but the S class is visibly (and ofcourse comparatively) more wrinkled up. Thats a fact and so I just raised it.

On looks I agree totally and whole heartedly agree, the ambience in Sclass interior is far more grand and refined and that too is a fact.

Fraser

I find the A8's seats to be much harder on the backside than the W220/W221.

absent

I find the 2011 A8 interior superior to even S600,much more interesting and pleasant to be in.
MB has more comfortable seats though.
I ordered a new S-Class in the end,Audi (currently) has nothing to compete against S63.

lkirchner

I have enjoyed, with a smile, reading this thread on leather stretching. Before I get into the MB leather stretching, let me ask one question,

Do your 3 month old shoes feel as tight as they were when they were new? The honest answer is no and the reason is the leather has stretched. There was a poster on the SL thread who purchased a used SL500 and was sorely disapointed that the driver seat was wrinkled and was going to buy a new seat. Good idea if he weren't going to sit in it.

The amount of wrinkling is dependant on the type of leather in the car. You will see more wrinkles in the premium leather seats in the S class than the standard leather since the nappa leather is much softer as well as thinner than the regular leather. I owned a 560SEL for 14 years and there were limited creases in the leather on the driver's seat but the material used would have put saddle leather to shame---thick and firm.
My wife has an S550 with the Designo interior and the aniline leather is absolutely beautiful, smooth grained and soft to the touch but it is also very wrinkley. It is not her weight since she weighs 105 pounds it is the leather. We recently purchased a custom made leather Italian sectional with leather similar to the Designo and you'll never guess what --- it is wrinkling.

There is little that you can do short of not using the car that will eliminate the natural wear lines on a leather interior. If you can't stand it get MB Tex.

jemfrap

they need to put some recaros or brides in there

K-A

I see a lot of people saying that, but I fail to really see it. The new A8's interior is indeed great, but I've always preferred the M-B designs and ambiances. Maybe, part of that is due to the "family" effect, seeing as to how I am now accustomed to it.

eugene22n

My opinion is that Audi interior are better in pictures (like GM cars), but in reality the materials are far from top notch. Mercedes (regular) leather is not the softest but ultimately holds up FAR better than BMW or Audi.