Hello and what can I do about disintegrating Artico

[David Constant]

Hello, thank you for allowing me to join.

I have 2017 C250d. Only done 44,000 miles but in the 3,000 miles I've noticed that the artico on the passenger bolster is literally disintegrating - looks like a Peugeot with 200,000 miles on the clock. I bought it from a main dealer (Sandown, in Poole) and they refused to show any goodwill - they told me to try out some products from Halfords! Horrible after service - happy to sell you a car, but then not interested in doing the hinourable thing.

Has anybody else had this after so few miles? I've written to MB head office, but doubt they will do anything.

Actually looks worse than in the photographs btw

 

[mioba]

Get a leather cream on them with the same colour to at least hide.
Hardly surprising tbf as artico is just a plastic/rubber mish mash.

 

[David Constant]

Thank you, I'll try that. Unless MB decide to show some goodwill (unlikely). Wish I'd kept my old car now - that had real leather, which was so much better.

 

[mioba]

What are the recommended products actually to keep the artico conditioned.

Obv there are products for leather (skin) which is why lasts forever, I am just curious as to what the manufacturer says

 

[rifiki]

Have same problem with CLK, Artico is crap. I don't think there anything you can do.
Some time later I will remove the seat and take it a car upholster and replace the Atrico with leather.
MB quality? My 61 year old 190B has original MBTex, no cracks/splits only some stitching has come undone

 

[A.J.]

Have same problem with CLK, Artico is crap. I don't think there anything you can do.
Some time later I will remove the seat and take it a car upholster and replace the Atrico with leather.
MB quality? My 61 year old 190B has original MBTex, no cracks/splits only some stitching has come undone

Strangely I have never had a problem yet with Artico. However my previous W204 had only done 31,000 and my current W205 has only done 14,000. I guess they don't get the wear

 

[sug]

Another sign of the reduction in quality of MB sadly , and the unhelpful attitude of dealers now . Will soon be like Fiats except Fiats are much cheaper.

 

[mioba]

I guess parking a car outside as opposed to a garage will "dry" and detoriate artico much faster due to sun and light.

 

[DSK]

Sorry to hear about this but just goes to show, new doesn't always mean better and reinforces my sentiments about ethics and dealers.

I like the suggestion of a re-trimmer. They will have what is needed to either just turn it round and make it look reasonable or, you could go all out and have it re-trimmed which, again may not cost as much as you think.

 

[David Constant]

Another sign of the reduction in quality of MB sadly , and the unhelpful attitude of dealers now . Will soon be like Fiats except Fiats are much cheaper.

The garage were so rude. They agreed that the car was not like that when I bought it, but then said that it was 'wear and tear'. The fact that I'd only done 3,000 miles with the car didn't seem to have any effect on them. Their attitude was basically, 'you've bought it so not our problem anymore'. I sold a BMW for this - wish I hadn't now.

 

[jp williams]

The garage were so rude. They agreed that the car was not like that when I bought it, but then said that it was 'wear and tear'. The fact that I'd only done 3,000 miles with the car didn't seem to have any effect on them. Their attitude was basically, 'you've bought it so not our problem anymore'. I sold a BMW for this - wish I hadn't now.

Name and shame David and we can all avoid if we wish to.

 

[David Constant]

Name and shame David and we can all avoid if we wish to.

Sandown, in Poole, Dorset