RE: Leather or Vinyl Seats
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RE: Leather or Vinyl Seats - 8/6/2005 10:29:44 PM
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crit1
Posts: 45
Joined: 8/6/2005
Status: offline
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Hi Lugnut,
You're a very knowledgable Mercedes guru. I just purchased a 1995 C280 and was told that my interior was 'parchment.' It looks like vinyl to me. Could it be MB Tex? Was MB Tex an option for this model or is it leather? I was assuming it was leather, but I'm not too sure. Please help if you can. Thanks.
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RE: Leather or Vinyl Seats - 8/7/2005 7:32:39 AM
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Lugnut
Rest In Peace 5/7/06
Posts: 3786
Joined: 12/31/2003
From: Georgia, USA
Status: offline
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I don't know. Your question is the same one I had/have.
One way to tell is to keep in mind that natural leather isn't perfect, and man-made materials made to look like leather look perfect.
The vinyl will have repeating patterns where each piece of real leather has unqiue patterns and possibly scratches caused by barbed wire when the animal was alive.
I think sleepwalker may be able to "run" your VIN and tell how your car is optioned. Ask him real nice and offer him a beer and some BBQ'd water buffalo.
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RE: Leather or Vinyl Seats - 8/9/2005 2:52:32 AM
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Kajtek1
Posts: 772
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Bay Area CA
Status: offline
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Don't know how much that would apply to MB, but latest trend is building recliner, automotive seats with combination. Leather in 21 Century is one of the worst materials available, but it sells (to nuts).
So new seats have only the center of the pads done with natural leather and all the sides and backing with vinyl.
I am very good in telling the difference, but quite often on new seats have to take a look on back side.
We had Volvo with fabric, that after 17 years and 170k miles got junked in perfectly running condition.
The car was beaten up in family driving, later in school delivery (bunch of boys) and the seats, never cleaned were still in good usable (although somehow dirty) condition.
When we ordered new Mercedes, we insisted on fabric. The dealer took a strange look at us, but what a nut would pay $3000 more for something of lesser durability?
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RE: Leather or Vinyl Seats - 8/9/2005 5:28:51 AM
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sleepwalker
Posts: 7080
Joined: 4/12/2004
From: Philippine Islands
Status: offline
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yeah, tell me the VIN and we will find out.
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RE: Leather or Vinyl Seats - 8/9/2005 10:38:03 AM
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Lugnut
Rest In Peace 5/7/06
Posts: 3786
Joined: 12/31/2003
From: Georgia, USA
Status: offline
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I don't like cloth seats. The newer, plusher leather seats are more comfortable to sit in.
- Cloth causes static electricity.
- It's difficult to slide on the cloth to get in or out.
- My pants always get "bunched up" on cloth seats.
- Leather looks better as it wears. Cloth looks worn as it wears.
- Cloth stains easier.
- Cloth retains odors.
- Cloth is harder to clean and it needs time to dry after cleaning.
It's been interesting over the years how cloth, leather, and vinyl have come into and out of vogue. There have been times when cloth was a more expensive option than vinyl, and vice versa. The prices have always been determined by the market.
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RE: Leather or Vinyl Seats - 8/9/2005 11:44:05 AM
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Kajtek1
Posts: 772
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Bay Area CA
Status: offline
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The MB cloth is fabric only in the center. All the sides and edges are vinyl. After 7 years no need for cleaning.
7 years old leather usually is due for replacement.
MB makes very good interiors. I've seen 3-years old leather in VW badly worn.
Than the leatherette in the 23 years old MB, that I used to have had only one rip on the driver seat.
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