05 C class leather isn't comfy

[Blackbird1]

It's the Avantgarde and although it's all leather I'd rather it was cloth or velour like I had in an old Cavy many moons ago. The seats aren't even soft or supple, I prefer the cloth ones in my old golf, so much for a "luxury" car....moan over!

I also read recently that a businessman in England bought an new E class that cost either over 30 or 40000 and was pissed off after sending a sample of his "leather" to a lab for testing and came back as being Artco (or whatever the name is) to cut a long story ect....Merc refunded him. A lawyer he spoke to said the they and others better be careful and should reword their advertising.

 

[DSM10000]

Artico (or Faux leather) has been used by MB for years and is usually very clearly marked as such. MB Leather does tend to be quite taut and the C Class seats are quite poor in shape and support. It took me a long time to find a position on my previous C Class that was acceptable although I would never have described them as comfortable.

 

[Blackbird1]

I never thought i'd say but if keeping it I'll happily swap them for cloth, black obviously, I know I'll probably lose the electric stuff attached but hey ho.

I think they're lying on their laurels from years ago as probably some others too. It's unreal and ironic that seats in a 16 yr old golf to me are better.

 

[Eddy77]

Mercedes artico leather is a fancy description for vinyl seats! It’s a bit of a con as people see the word leather and think cow. It’s not - it be synthetic!

It does a pretty good impression of leather but it isn’t the same. I prefer cloth seats too....less slippery and more comfy! Oddly in Japan wool seats are seen as the luxury option....the Toyota crown century is the old fashioned looking Toyota limo only sold in JDM but only comes with wool seats as that’s the ultimate in luxury.

Mercedes S class back in the 80s came with velour seats iirc. It’s only since the 90s that leather became the must have. I remeber my dads w123 had MBTex cloth which lasted very well! But leather’s bling, innit?!

 

[markjay]

Mercedes refer to Artico as 'man-made leather', which makes it quite clear what it is.

The problem is that many dealers just advertise the car as having 'leather seats', either because they are dishonest, or because they have no idea what Artico is.

I would prefer real leather, but personally I am also OK with Artico and cloth. I had all 3 on different cars in the past.

The issue arises when you think you bought one thing but in reality got another.

 

[lfckeeper]

I drove a 2000 mile round trip to Berlin in an 05 C class.with 'leather' seats ... I actually thought it was a very comfortable car.... Guess everyone is different

 

[Rory]

It's the Avantgarde and although it's all leather I'd rather it was cloth or velour like I had in an old Cavy many moons ago. The seats aren't even soft or supple,....

The softness and suppleness of the seats in mine - Avantgarde estate with optional full leather - is fine, but the seats aren't comfortable due to lack of lumbar support - I drive with a rolled up towel at the base of my back.

I've always found the suspension harsh too, and it's only on 16" wheels so doesn't have the optional sports suspension - although it does sit very low. When I first got the car (at 5mths old) it was on Bridgestone tyres and it was like I was driving on iron rings. Michelins all round made a noticeable difference.

 

[markjay]

...When I first got the car (at 5mths old) it was on Bridgestone tyres and it was like I was driving on iron rings. Michelins all round made a noticeable difference.

My W204 is still on the Bridgestones it came with, and the car can only be driven normally when the tyres are inflated to the lowest figure in the range (36psi all around). Anything higher than that and it feel like a Rodeo ride in an amusement park. I intend to replace the Bridgestones with Dunlop Sport BluResponse, had them before and they are good tyres.

 

[Blackbird1]

Cost cutting from makers again eh and leading buyers into false information thinking they're getting proper leather when they're not. I know it's not just Merc, they're probably all at it using whatever fancy names they'll get away with.

It was a couple of days after I got it and not even doing a lot of miles and thought I'm not very comfy and was moving about. I then thought some poor bugger paid £35ish 000 -/+ for this in 05 thinking they've got a nice comfy cruiser, wrong!.......well maybe to some but most I don't know so.

As I said above, if I'm keeping it (and really don't know as the 530d is better) there will be cloth seats put in or some kind of proper leather padded cover put in. I had a 99 C 280 sport about 14 years ago and don't remember the seats as hard ect as this...it's a backward step for Merc.

 

[markjay]

Not sure that this is a simple case of 'cost cutting'.

MB had their own vinyl upholstery since the sixties, it was one of their well-known trademarks... originally called MB-Tex.

It was especially popular with taxis across Europe and in third world countries - it was cheap, durable, and washable, and looked and felt much better than the cheap shiny vinyl found in other cars of the era. And it was in great demand.

So it would be wrong to classify Artico as a simple 'cost cutting' exercise. There's still demand in the market for it.

 

[markjay]

See also:

What is MB-Tex Seat Upholstery? | MB-Tex vs. Leather

 

[whitenemesis]

My 05 C class avantgarde sports seats were supportive but they were leather-twin, which basically means leather panels and Artico bolsters. Hard not at all luxurious. I had them retrimmed with Nappa leather. Much nicer!

 

[clk320x]

I'd rather it was cloth

No offence but why buy the car then? I’m sure there are a few C classes for sale with cloth seats.

 

[Blackbird1]

Because I didn't know how hard and uncomfy they were till I was using it daily, simple

I went for it as I was after a decent car and auto diesel est for a certain price and there wasn't a lot at all unless I wanted to go well over 300 miles which I wasn't doing so settled for this. Don't get me wrong, it's fine in every other way, just the bloody seats

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Get the seats retrimmed in cloth or nappa leather, and sell your original seat covers. Life is too short to “put up” with stuff you can change.

 

[Blackbird1]

Depends how much might need reppadded too

 

[Petrol Pete]

OP. Sell the car buy something else. Re covering the seats will leave you out of pocket and still sitting on the same frames and pads, swapping the whole lot is just as pricey. Good luck either way.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Depends how much might need reppadded too

I agree. If you’re not happy, and it’s more than just the Artico/leather, sell it and buy something else following a decent test drive so you ron’t Make the same mistake twice.

 

[DSM10000]

Cost cutting from makers again eh and leading buyers into false information thinking they're getting proper leather when they're not. I know it's not just Merc, they're probably all at it using whatever fancy names they'll get away with.

As I said above, if I'm keeping it (and really don't know as the 530d is better).

A 530 is hardly comparable though, bigger, more expensive, aimed at a different market, I realised just how bad (to me) the seats where in the C Class when we acquired the E Class, larger, better shaped and with Nappa leather.

 

[Blackbird1]

I agree. If you’re not happy, and it’s more than just the Artico/leather, sell it and buy something else following a decent test drive so you ron’t Make the same mistake twice.

I got what I thought a good drive beforehand but you're watching and listening for other stuff and wasn't concentrating on the seats at the time, it's using it daily after buying that I felt it.

A 530 is hardly comparable though, bigger, more expensive, aimed at a different market, I realised just how bad (to me) the seats where in the C Class when we acquired the E Class, larger, better shaped and with Nappa leather.

I know it's but it's the other one I've got

I guess the C is more the equivalent to the 3 ser