Artico or real leather!?

[Dazzler]

Hi. How can one tell?
I've called mb uk and they won't tell me spec sheet for a car unless I'm the owner.
Car is being advertised as leather but I'm not sure.
Obviously makes a difference to value.
Any other way of seeing the spec sheet?

 

[KennyN]

Get the chassis number (lower passenger side of windscreen) and then get the Data Card information (from someone on here) which will confirm either cow or plastic.

Kenny

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Even bits are real leather there will still artico in places. If you can't tell, then I really wouldn't worry. Come to think of it, if you can't tell, then it's probably artico.

 

[GeeJayW]

Which model?

Can sometimes tell by the stitching/padding.

 

[uumode]

The grain or pattern looks too even and uniform.

 

[Dazzler]

Which model?

Can sometimes tell by the stitching/padding.

Its a 2011 350 cdi amg sport pack estate with cream sport seats.

 

[Mr Filipov]

Artico. Have not seen many with nappa specced on them.

 

[Alex225]

To be honest Artico from my experience lasts better.

I'm 99% sure the seats in my W211 are Artico, nearly 115k on the clock and they look virtually perfect.

My other half's SL has 75k on it and the sears I'm certain are real leather. Needed far more TLC to get them looking how I think they should.

Hard to tell the difference anyway other than how it wears.

 

[uumode]

I can positively say if you are looking at a W205, the cream and red are definitely leather seat facings (with artico backs, door trim and dash)

 

[James]

It's pretty difficult to tell by sight - standard leather is very grainy and akin to Artico, but I think there is more exposed stitching with leather. You can definitely tell the difference by feel - like comparing a leather jacket to a plastic one.
I am sure lots of customers in the used market are duped into believing that Artico is leather when it is just vinyl.

 

[bob6600]

Get the chassis number (lower passenger side of windscreen) and then get the Data Card information (from someone on here) which will confirm either cow or plastic.

Kenny

^^this

Even the REG should be sufficient

 

[BTB 500]

I am sure lots of customers in the used market are duped into believing that Artico is leather when it is just vinyl.

Pretty sure our C Class was advertised as having leather (as an Approved Used car). IIRC the salesman referred to it as 'Artico Leather' when we went to look at it.

Still more practical than cloth (and probably leather) with kids etc. in the car

 

[Londonscottish]

^^this

Even the REG should be sufficient

IIRC the technique Biglips showed me was to go the BMW warranty site and enter the reg number.

This then pops out the VIN.

Then you enter the VIN in a decoder to get the spec.

 

[alzieboy]

Couldn't bring myself to buy a Merc with Vinyl seats , only my view

 

[rf065]

Couldn't bring myself to buy a Merc with Vinyl seats , only my view

So you buy one with vinyl coated leather instead?

Russ

 

[alzieboy]

So you buy one with vinyl coated leather instead?

Russ

Nappa Leather

 

[whitenemesis]

So you buy one with vinyl coated leather instead?

Russ

Nappa Leather

Strictly speaking MB leather, even Nappa, is Polyurethane (PU) coated not Polyvinyl Chloride (vinyl) coated.

Artico is PVC (vinyl) pure and simple, well not simple but you get the drift..

 

[PobodY]

It's not a great deal different from applying "protective coating" to the seats yourself because it was sold to you as the best way to keep your leather looking good.

 

[Noelmc]

Some earlier cars (like w210) you could tell from the door card, if the insets were ruffled, it was leather, smooth not. As for later cars not sure.