JDoug500

Does anyone know the differences, aside from leather softness, of the standard versus premium leather on the 2012 E63? Does the standard leather not include the leather dash, door trim and arm rests? I'm looking to get a vehicle which is already in production, but it is spec'ed with standard leather, and I'm not wild about a $99k car with a plastic dashboard. Thanks in advance.

otakki

From what I have read, the dashboard is covered in MB-Tex whether you pick standard or premium leather. That's because MB-Tex is more resistant to heat and UV; that makes the material more ideal than natural leather for the dash.

vdubpower

i have premium leather, and yes the dash is tex , and i think the door cards and center console armrest are tex.

in terms of the seats, i dont think there is much difference, we have a 2010 S with premium and its actually softer in the S, so i dont know how much diff there is in the E class between the two.

JDoug500

Thanks for the replies guys. My dealer pulled up the build sheet for a standard and premium leather vehicle, and as you suggested, the dash was MB-Tex on both. As a result I pulled the trigger on the E63 which is slated to go into production 5/21. So now the wait begins.

otakki

What?!--Even the center console and door cards are MB-tex?! Heck, I thought those are natural leather. I guess I'm no leather connoisseur, then. Man, MB should just offer the tex as an option for seating surface. It will sure save a lot of hassle on maintenance, not to mention weight and cost saving.

vdubpower

I'm not 100% sure but I think so
Anyone know for sure

JDoug500

I'm thoroughly confused, again, as my dealer called "Distribution" who returned his call yesterday and informed him that AMG Premium Leather would in fact include leather on the dash and upper doors. The Build Your Own AMG website states that AMG Premium Leather includes leather door trim inserts, arm rests and head restraints (in addition to seats obviously), but no mention of dashboard or upper doors. Thus, one would logically conclude standard leather uses MB-Tex on those areas. It's a moot point now as the car is spec'ed with standard leather, but it will be a big disappointment to have a bare, plastic dashboard and doors after full leather interiors in my M5 and X5M.

Fracman

I have a 2012 with the premium leather upgrade... Mb tex on dash from what I can tell

otakki

It would be wise to still have MB-Tex for the dash and upper doors for the reason I mentioned above. Cracked leather on the dashboard is certainly more unsightly than just plain plastic dash.

As for me, I only like the MB-Tex on the dash and upper door plus the alcantara headliners just because all E63s after MY2010 has it--because MB f'up. Otherwise, I really don't mind the plastic dash and cloth headliners.

vdubpower

Mb tex really isn't that bad on the seats

You really can't tell once u are off and going

KEMA

I spec'd premium leather as well. MB tex on the dash but I believe the door cards and upper doors are real leather. Let me get a camera and shoot a few pics so we can settle this.

Ken

otakki

We need a leather expert on here to judge whether it's synthetic or natural. I can't even tell when I feel the material in my own car, let alone seeing it on photo.

vdubpower

Need to go back to a dealer and compare a premium vs non car

That should settle it. Maybe

otakki

Maybe I should source some of that MB-Tex stuff for a leather-lookalike jacket for myself.