Who's got leather

[ivegotcclass]

Had everyone got leather interiors?

I'm thinking of the C-Class SC Sports Edition and wasn't that fussed for spending extra on Leather. I'd rather use my budget for the Panoramic roof.

I also notice that the electric dimming mirrors are not as standard with this package, anyone tell me that they are really worth it?

 

[flagstaff]

in my opinion, leather is pretty much a must-have. like an auto gearbox, really.

 

[nicky]

Yes,,,, count me in for the leather as well,dont like cars without it...

 

[kit820]

If you were going to spend decent money on a decent car, why not getting those optional extras like 'leather' for that little extra? Panaromic roof would be good too. Its not just a matter of aesthetic or class status, these stuffs are there for a practical reason too.

I recently did some window shopping at a used car centre and to my amazment, I saw a lot of Japanese small family vehicles like civic and sunny being equipped with leather. A Mercedes without leather is like having a stereo head unit but without the disc changer. Whilst it gets the job done, it always feels like something is missing.

 

[ivegotcclass]

The current 'Sports Edition' trim does not come with leather as standard and the price to install it takes the price of the car over my pre-determined budget. I have the choice of the Panoramic roof or leather seats and so far it is swinging towards the roof.

The last three cars I've had, none of them MB, have all had leather and I've found that fabric seats are actually more comfortable. I expect that a "sports" car such as the 'Sports Edition' doesn't have leather as standard as it is not that much of a desired option in a 'sports' model.

I understand the point that without the leather I would feel that something is missing but I would certainly feel worse if I went without the panoramic roof. I would be telling my friends that this is a great spec'ed car but they also do a model with the panoramic roof that I couldn't quite budget for. If the difference for leather was a few pounds per month, I would order it but the difference over three years is £17 per month.

I would want the automatic gearbox and I feel that the AMG bodystyling is more desirable to me than the covering of the seats inside.

I appreciate all the feedback, anyone else got any other comments?

 

[kit820]

I understand your issue. Does your car have climate control as standard? And if it does, would it make you reconsider whether or not to have the panaromic sunroof?

Don't get it wrong, I love the sun roof on mine but with Mercedes leather, it generally wears very well (or in fact none at all). On my W210 almost on its 10th birthday, the seats look as good as they did when the car came out of the factory... definitely not like those I have seen on other vehicles. My family's only regret was that we did not have the electric seat option.

As for the AMG styling, with my C sports COUPE my dealer did persuade me to go for a set and it wasn't that expensive neither but then I found the C as already pretty sporty by its nature and given yours being a sports version means that you already get a lower suspension and 17" wheels, don't know if the AMG effect would enhance that much potency?

Automatic: definitely. Mercedes is not best known for their manuel transmission.

 

[ivegotcclass]

There is climate control as standard on the Sports Edition. I like the panoramic roof, it gives more if a roomy feel and is certainly an extra that I seem to have taken to. I do also like the choice of fresh air or conditioned air. I feel that too much air conditioning really does dry my eyes out.

The car will be business leased so I'm not fussed about long term wear as it will be returned in a few years. I know this is a major plus point to leather

I love the lines of the exterior of a car, I certainly see the difference between the coupes with the AMG styling and without and I agree that both with and without the cars are very sporty in appearence anyway.

I'm in a dillema, I like the 'sportyness' of teh Sports Edition but I really would like Leather inside as well but I simply can't stretch to it as I also need some of my budget to have an iPod kit fitted.

 

[littlebrooklyn]

I think leather is an essential part of a Mercedes. When we were looking to buy our car we hardly bothered glancing at the ones with fabric seats, sorry but they just don't look classy.

We also have the auto dimming mirrors and I think they are pretty good, saves you getting someones headlights glaring in your eyes at night. Would we have paid extra for them.....no I don't think so :roll:

 

[blassberg]

The sport edition C Saloon comes with sports seats in Black Leather Twin as standard.

Leather twin is part leather, part manmade - I have it in my car. When I tell people it is not the pukka leather option they say it looks brilliant and cannot tell which parts are leather and which are not.

Is it not included on the SC Sports Edition?

 

[fionanallan]

Sorry...can't agree! We chose fabric for ours purposely. Having had leather in previous cars we felt it showed signs of wear and tear quicker than fabric. Also not pleasent to sit in on a hot summer's day! We also don't think our car looks any less 'classy' than the identical model with leather! Fabric for us...any day of the week. It's much more practical and keeps it's appearance longer. There was quite a lengthy thread about this whole fabric/leather issue not so long ago, but we can't seem to find it! I'm sure someone will remember it!

 

[ivegotcclass]

I would love to have the 'Twin' or 'Artico' man made leather in the SC Sport Edition. There are only two options for the SC Sport Edition, cloth as standard or upgrade to full genuine leather. No option for the man-made stuff.

I'm not sure if a Merc without leather is any less classy. I think if it is a MB then it is classy enough without the leather. This is also relected in the fact it is a sports coupe, it is probably sporty enough withoutthe AMG bodykit.

I do agree that leather on a hot day can be uncomfortable and when I think back to my last 5 cars, the two without leather have actually been a more comfortable seat although the three with leather have been prestige cars, if I try to think of them as less classy without leather then I can't.

I thought the dimming headlights could be slightly gimmicky, I'm not really that bothered about these unless someone can convince me otherwise?

 

[fionanallan]

As you say, the car is not going to look any less 'classy' without leather! It's a fantastic car and it's going to look 'classy' by design! If it was our decision...and this is only our opinion!...think we'd opt for the panoramic roof...which looks the dogs b******s! Don't have one...but wish we did! The auto dimming mirrors are beneficial and certainly worthwhile. We also have a 4x4, which does'nt have the dimming mirrors, and we have to say the difference in nightime driving is amazing! Leather just does'nt float our boat I'm afraid, so we'd choose the other options...but then again we chose manual 6 speed deisel...and fabric seats!

 

[tom7035]

I just make do with a leather-scented freshener!

 

[ivegotcclass]

I just make do with a leather-scented freshener!

I seen the Magic Tree ones of those for the first time the other day. I'll try them out!

:-D

 

[jberks]

Leather in a new car is lovely. Leather in a used one looks tatty. I've been looking at a lot of used E's recently and been put off by the saggy, shiny and cracked seats at only 3 years / 40k old. Leather in any car wears badly, or at least not as well as fabric which on mine at 5 1/2 years and 65k on supporting my large backside, look almost new.

Amusingly, the expensive real nappa leather doesn't wear half as well as the cheapo man made stuff they use, but even this is looking tired after a short period.

There is a lot of snobbery around having leather upholstery and as an MB is a snobby car, it seems to matter on the used market. As above, most people prefer it, I just can't see why. On a hot day its impossible to sit on in shorts, you sweat and get wet as there is no absorbsion (may as well sit on a bin liner) and on a cold day you need to have electric heaters to make them comfortable. What's the point. Sure it smells lovely for the first 2 years, but then it doesn't. As I don't buy new cars any more (you guys can pay the depreciation), I'm only interested at 2-3 years and at that point they are tatty.

Personally, I think everyone has been brainwashed. I like leather in the jeep, but as its a mud and hay wagon (some of them are - really!!) its easy to wipe clean. That said, its 3 years old and the drivers seat is crazed at the edges. Sure we think it looks classier but thats just an illusion put out by the marketing boys. Leather is worse to sit on and worse to maintain, but we all insist on it - why?

However, in answer to your question, if you're not bothered about leather, then I suspect that the addition of the panorama roof will make a similar difference to its used value as the lack of leather (neutral) so its just what you are happier with.

Oh and auto dipping mirrors - brilliant invention - wouldn't be without it. This, plus the ambient lighting, are the main reasons I can't bring myself to look at a classic model.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

this seems an easy choice. you are erring on the non leather so go for the panoramic roof and enjoy your car.

i have leather, and i order leather coz it is so easy to clean. unlike fabric.

and the expensive nappa is only 200quid dearer on a 2 seater. it is obvioulsy better quality tho. whether it wears better or worse will probably depend on how often you drive it.

not having leather on a merc makes it a slight bit more difficult to sell, same as manuals. but with the car you are getting i would get auto. any snobs should buy a BMW and get off our planet.

 

[ivegotcclass]

I think I've changed my mind altogether and I've started to think more towards going for an Evolution Panoramic Trim rather than the Sports Edition.

This will give me all the toys that I would like and I can also get the Artico/Twin simulated cow included without any further charge.

Seems the easiest choice, my dealers were struggling to get me one of these inthe colour I wanted so this is why I was leaning towards the Sports Edition.

Still not 100% sure, it is a very difficult decision to make on what is not really an important issue. I suppose I'm now in the world of German cars, where nothing comes as standard and there are so many options. :-?

 

[squealinneil]

I've had leather and cloth Mercedes and prefer the cloth. It's cooler in Summer, warmer in Winter and just nicer to sit on. It breathes, leather sticks to you. MB cloth is pretty much indestructible, while the leather attracts 'patina' rather faster. My kids aged 8, not influenced by the snob appeal of leather, both prefer the cars with cloth seats.

Leather being a must is only a recent thing. In fact, it used to be the help sat on leather while those being driven sat on cloth.

If you like cloth spend your £$£$ on the roof - it's going to be your bum in the seat.

 

[littlebrooklyn]

On a hot day its impossible to sit on in shorts, you sweat and get wet as there is no absorbsion (may as well sit on a bin liner) and on a cold day you need to have electric heaters to make them comfortable. What's the point. Sure it smells lovely for the first 2 years, but then it doesn't.

I have to say I don't agree there, I don't find the leather too hot in the Summer or too cold in the Winter. We don't have electric heated seats and I've never found a need for them.

As I don't buy new cars any more (you guys can pay the depreciation), I'm only interested at 2-3 years and at that point they are tatty.

We didn't buy a new car but one that was just over 2yrs old and the leather is absolutely immaculate, not tatty at all. I don't think there is even one scratch on it.

 

[kit820]

The condition of the Mercedes leather is very much dependent on how it is looked after. The occasional clean and leather cream treatment can keep it looking new for a long time. My 1996 w210 being a good example. The car spent much of its earlier life braving the Alpes heavy snow and the south of France heavy sun without any trouble. Now that it is in Hong Kong (the climate being very humid and hot), I certainly have no complain of the leather. However, I could see there being a problem if the A/C was not switched on.