E Class Coupe E350 C207 (2009-2016) Interior and Body Strips

[webbys]

MB Tex was the stuff they used in the 80’s lasted forever - all the beige Taxis had it. Artico is fragile in comparison and lasts about as long as the warranty...

I think I've mentioned in one of my previous posts that I'd spent a lot of time reading up about the coupe and I must say I came across quite a few comments about splits and tears in the front seat between the bolster and the main seat panel and these were all related to Artico.

 

[webbys]

Red and black on white car works well

I have the mid brown / mocha leather (and black)
I have seen a lot of black, but also mid grey, so keep an eye out, various leathers were ordered by 'new' owners
PS get a Pano roof!

I've seen the black with tan/black interior combination on quite a few so it seems popular and I like it but it is in third place behind cream and red
A Pan roof is high on my shopping list as I think it really adds that finishing touch and I've already passed up the chance to seriously consider several cars which had everything else I wanted except the Pan roof.
I'd take a guess that there are only around 5 to 10% amongst all the ones I've been looking at so it really narrows down my choice but I'm sticking by it at the moment.
I'd really like to keep to a maximum budget of 9k so I'm going to have to be lucky to find everything I need for that although I can go more, up to 11k but I'm in no rush so fingers crossed. I also prefer to have a limit of 120k miles which I'm okay with as long as service history checks out but obviously if I can get the miles down to a lot less I'd be happier, I've seen some which have more or less everything I'm looking for except the colour combination so I am hopeful I'll get what I'm after in the end but it might be 2020 by the time I get there .

 

[webbys]

The Chrome strips are indeed plastic, they are easy to remove with a hairdryer and just peel them off when the adhesive gets warm.

I removed mine in 10 mins, looks better IMO

Thanks for confirming the removal method as I intend to do that if the one I buy still has them as I think the car looks much better without them. I'd seen some references to removing them with a heat gun/hairdryer and then using fishing line to slip behind the strip and pull along to release it. It is useful to have someone from this site confirm it isn't too difficult.
Can you tell me what you used to remove the adhesive residue without causing any issues with the paint finish.
Cheers

 

[JBell]

Thanks for confirming the removal method as I intend to do that if the one I buy still has them as I think the car looks much better without them. I'd seen some references to removing them with a heat gun/hairdryer and then using fishing line to slip behind the strip and pull along to release it. It is useful to have someone from this site confirm it isn't too difficult.

My C350 with the strips removed



Just get them really warm and they peel off

Can you tell me what you used to remove the adhesive residue without causing any issues with the paint finish.

A cloth and AutoGlym SRP

 

[webbys]

My C350 with the strips removed

View attachment 53745

Just get them really warm and they peel off



A cloth and AutoGlym SRP

Many thanks for the tip about AutoGlym SRP.

IMO your car really does look so much better without the strips, nice colour and wheel combo too.

I see you have privacy glass which I must admit I just can't get used to. I find that when I'm in a car with it the world looks so much duller. I know some people prefer it for security reasons but I couldn't buy a car with it, another problem for me when looking for a car to purchase as a lot seem to have it and I believe if it was a factory option you can't do anything about it except change the glass which would be a bit of a bonkers thing to do IMO.

I'm still getting used to the club and I must say everyone seems very friendly and helpful which I most appreciate as I'm really a novice when it comes to understanding what cars are all about, I like my cars and I'm no dummy but fall way short when it comes to really knowing what matters.

I've been reading through the posts made by Connor and his search for an SL and it is a good read, a year or two ago it was my aim to get an SL as I love the car but all the potential costs for maintaining the car along with the road tax and MPG made me realise I really couldn't afford to run one even though I've used a very reasonable indi for years

Hence I've decided to go for a compromise with the E class coupe where I still get a good looking car, good MPG, less tax, good amount of grunt under the bonnet and two extra seats

I've picked up from the posts made by Connor and those who have replied that a decent amount of banter and humour seems to go down well and I like that too so hopefully my slightly less interesting journey to buy an E350 coupe my prove an interesting read in the end, perhaps if only for those who are a little bored! I'll continue my thread and how I get on as I'm sure I'll need some more advice as I come across confusing things I see on cars I may be interested in. Bear with me though as I may take some time because I've also got to help my daughter find a car as hers is in the process of being written off and my son is learning to drive so I have to help him look for one at the same time. Looking for a hat-trick of cars all at the same time, all on a tight budget, I need some luck, much time required on my laptop searching everything from EBay, auction houses, Auto Trader etc, etc. Still, I'm not a TV watcher so a good antidote to what the good lady wife is watching in the background

 

[Srdl]

As for privacy glass, I wouldn’t have chosen it but it was standard on my new car - and I don’t even notice it. The front windows aren’t any different from normal anyway and the pano sunroof helps keep things light even with the black interior (also standard with no choice!). I must say it is impressive from outside because you can’t see what’s on the back seat.

 

[webbys]

As for privacy glass, I wouldn’t have chosen it but it was standard on my new car - and I don’t even notice it. The front windows aren’t any different from normal anyway and the pano sunroof helps keep things light even with the black interior (also standard with no choice!). I must say it is impressive from outside because you can’t see what’s on the back seat.

It's useful to know you don't really notice it and it wouldn't be a deal breaker if a car has it that has everything else I want at the right price and as you say, if I manage to get one with the sunroof it could make all the difference. I've not been in many cars which have it and I can't recall what makes those were, but I wasn't keen, perhaps some are darker than others.

I agree the security side can be useful and regards not being able to see what is on the back seat, that would have been useful when I used to drop my kids off to school as most kids don't want to be seen with their embarrassing parents so they would have loved it but sadly those days have long gone, still, would be good so people can't see me having a kip at the services

 

[Blobcat]

If you were looking at an SL but couldn’t sleep at night then rather than go for a rag top E why not take a look at an SLK... Real leather seats (none of that fake Artico rubbish), a great folding hard top and reasonable to run with the right engine (late V6).

I will declare now that I’m biased

 

[webbys]

If you were looking at an SL but couldn’t sleep at night then rather than go for a rag top E why not take a look at an SLK... Real leather seats (none of that fake Artico rubbish), a great folding hard top and reasonable to run with the right engine (late V6).

I will declare now that I’m biased

Yes, I did originally start looking at an SLK as I thought it was a cheaper alternative to the SL and a very good car and I did like the styling but I'm 6'4' and I just thought it was too small a car for me.

I think it is something to do with years of trying to buy clothes off the peg and realising that every time I tried to they don't fit right, each time I look at a car I can't get it into my head that I could drive it unless the exterior proportions are of a certain size, anything smaller than my 'mental block' point just can't go into the 'might buy' category

The longer bonnet of the SL took it past my 'mental block' point, likewise, I think the C Class coupes really look nice and are cheaper than the E class but again, too small for me.

I don't like the rag top E coupe as I think the top ruins the lines which is why I want the Pan roof, when I decided I couldn't afford to run an SL I consoled myself by remembering that my thinning grey hair wouldn't look that great being ruffled in the wind when the top was down

 

[JBell]

Many thanks for the tip about AutoGlym SRP.

No worries, I am a pro at removing shiny stuff from cars, always de-badge them as I like the smooooooooth look

IMO your car really does look so much better without the strips, nice colour and wheel combo too.

Thanks, the chrome strip on the boot in now black as well.

I see you have privacy glass which I must admit I just can't get used to. I find that when I'm in a car with it the world looks so much duller. I know some people prefer it for security reasons but I couldn't buy a car with it, another problem for me when looking for a car to purchase as a lot seem to have it and I believe if it was a factory option you can't do anything about it except change the glass which would be a bit of a bonkers thing to do IMO.

Doesn't bother me at all, with a pano roof it will be lighter inside anyway. it is a preferred option from many people. I like it for my kids as it keeps them cooler and shades them

I've been reading through the posts made by Connor and his search for an SL and it is a good read, a year or two ago it was my aim to get an SL as I love the car but all the potential costs for maintaining the car along with the road tax and MPG made me realise I really couldn't afford to run one even though I've used a very reasonable indi for years

Hence I've decided to go for a compromise with the E class coupe where I still get a good looking car, good MPG, less tax, good amount of grunt under the bonnet and two extra seats

Lovely looking car the E coupe

 

[webbys]

No worries, I am a pro at removing shiny stuff from cars, always de-badge them as I like the smooooooooth look



Thanks, the chrome strip on the boot in now black as well.



Doesn't bother me at all, with a pano roof it will be lighter inside anyway. it is a preferred option from many people. I like it for my kids as it keeps them cooler and shades them




Lovely looking car the E coupe

Thanks for your comments JBell, I too like the smooooooooth look so I might try my hand at removing more of the shiny stuff if I ever get my car!