Has Artico completely replaced leather?

[kusanku]

Over the last few weeks I have been looking into getting a c-class, probably a 204. As is often the case, I am really struggling to find something with the spec I would like, which is probably because MB believe in charging for so many things as optional extras. What really surprises me is that I cannot seem to find a single 204 c-class with real leather: even the ones which state full leather interior in the advert turn out to have Artico "man-made" leather, which has never even met a cow.

Have I got the wrong impression, or is it virtually impossible to find a current model c-class with a genuine leather interior? At this rate I can see myself opting for a 203 instead.

 

[mbenz76]

Leather was optional on my E350 Sport - an option which I went for - couldn't be doing with fake leather on a £50k car!

There does seem to be a lot of the fake leather about now - never understood it personally.

 

[steve333]

Over the last few weeks I have been looking into getting a c-class, probably a 204. As is often the case, I am really struggling to find something with the spec I would like, which is probably because MB believe in charging for so many things as optional extras. What really surprises me is that I cannot seem to find a single 204 c-class with real leather: even the ones which state full leather interior in the advert turn out to have Artico "man-made" leather, which has never even met a cow.

Have I got the wrong impression, or is it virtually impossible to find a current model c-class with a genuine leather interior? At this rate I can see myself opting for a 203 instead.

Real leather was/is an option on the new c class,just seems that a lot of artico equipped models are out there?

 

[gaz_l]

I went to look at an A200 turbo the other day, which had the "half leather" interior, which I've never seen the point of, TBH. Leather, yes, cloth - no problem with that, it's just the half and half that I don't get.

The so-called "leather" half turned out to be Artico, and to my mind it's just not nice. Yes, it might be hardwearing, but it doesn't look or feel special. Proper leather is the way to go..

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[kusanku]

Totally agree: I do not like Artico, and have no intention of buying a car with it. The problem is that I cannot seem to find a single 204 c-class with with a genuine leather interior. Maybe I won't be getting a 204 after all.

 

[st4]

Totally agree: I do not like Artico, and have no intention of buying a car with it. The problem is that I cannot seem to find a single 204 c-class with with a genuine leather interior. Maybe I won't be getting a 204 after all.

I was reserved about artico but my 211 has it and I cannot feel, tell the difference.

For a genuine leather interior, you may have to look at C320's etc as they'll have been bought by a more affluent buyer who may well have optioned it.

I was casually looking at 204s and spied that hardly any have xenon lights, a lot have very bright blueish head lights, but none with proper xenons.

Thats why sticking to the E sized of car makes more sense, niceties like xenons (could not be without them) are standard, and not optional like they are on the lesser cars

 

[Sonny Burnett]

down with artico...!!!!!!
you could always get the car retrimed my white 202 had that crappy artico had it all done in a white and black leather, SOOO much better... brought the feel of the whole car up a notch

 

[Mavster]

How can you tell the difference between real leather and the fake stuff?

 

[steve333]

How can you tell the difference between real leather and the fake stuff?

Go into any mb dealership & they have samples of both in various colours,look & feel both especially the designo real stuff

 

[st13phil]

Have I got the wrong impression, or is it virtually impossible to find a current model c-class with a genuine leather interior?

As Artico is standard on the Elegance and the real stuff is best part of a £1k option very few people seem to spec it. On the Sport, it's half cloth / half Artico but on that model the real stuff costs even more (circa £1.3k) so again, very few people it.

I've only seen a handful of W204's with real leather and they have tended to be C320/350 CDI's with virtually every option box ticked.

 

[kusanku]

As Artico is standard on the Elegance and the real stuff is best part of a £1k option very few people seem to spec it. On the Sport, it's half cloth / half Artico but on that model the real stuff costs even more (circa £1.3k) so again, very few people it.

I've only seen a handful of W204's with real leather and they have tended to be C320/350 CDI's with virtually every option box ticked.

I suspect that is the case. I am quite happy to go for a C320cdi, but unfortunately there are hardly any of them around either, and the ones I have seen also have Artico rather than real leather.

 

[markjay]

As Artico is standard on the Elegance and the real stuff is best part of a £1k option very few people seem to spec it. On the Sport, it's half cloth / half Artico but on that model the real stuff costs even more (circa £1.3k) so again, very few people it.

I've only seen a handful of W204's with real leather and they have tended to be C320/350 CDI's with virtually every option box ticked.

Indeed. Artico is standard on Elegance, cloth is standard on SE.

Mercs of old had very successful vinyl interior option, which you could easily wash, and which was very popular with taxis due to its durability.

Somehow, it skipped the w203, and on the W204 it became 'posh' man-made leather.

I have no argument with those who like it, but most dealers don't bother and just advertise the car as 'leather interior', which I find annoying. I have no issues with Artico, for those who want it, but it is should NOT be advertised as 'leather'.

You can tell the difference because while it looks like leather, it smells like plastic... while real leather - on any car - has the distinct leathery smell if you put your nose close to the fabric.

 

[st4]

True you do not get the lovely leather smell and its false advertising.

Was looking at 204's today, all artico and worse still, hardly 1 in about 50 with bixenons, and it had every option bar leather seating!!!!

 

[GP801]

Artico is the new equivalent of MB tex. Ive no experience of artico but the old MB tex was much harder wearing than the real thing and is now sought after on the older cars. Easy to clean but then so is leather.

 

[NewMB]

Artico is the new equivalent of MB tex. Ive no experience of artico but the old MB tex was much harder wearing than the real thing and is now sought after on the older cars. Easy to clean but then so is leather.

MB Tex still exists and are mostly (perhaps even exlusively) used on taxi's. It is not the replacement for Artico.

 

[markjay]

MB Tex still exists and are mostly (perhaps even exlusively) used on taxi's. It is not the replacement for Artico.

No, but it does seem that Artico came to life on the back of the success of MB Tex...

 

[NewMB]

No, but it does seem that Artico cane to life on the back of the success of MB Tex...

Perhaps a cheap copy?! I had Artico on my C class and regrettred everyday that I did not pay extra for "real" leather when I opted for almost everything else!

 

[kusanku]

I have come accross a 2008 220cdi elegance, which claims to have full leather. The spec (on autotrader) said Artico, but I emailed the dealer who says it is full black leather and not Artico. It's only about 25 miles from me, so will probably venture to see it at the weekend. Spec sounds good, although I asked about 5 questions and the only one the dealer answered was the one about the leather, which does not fill me with confidence.

As I have not seen a 204 with genuine leather, am I right to assume that the real thing still has perferations as on all the earlier Mercs, whereas Artico does not?

 

[NewMB]

As I have not seen a 204 with genuine leather, am I right to assume that the real thing still has perferations as on all the earlier Mercs, whereas Artico does not?

Don't think the real leather in a 204 is perforated. At least not in any pics that I've seen shows this.

 

[Pappilo]

MB Tex still exists and are mostly (perhaps even exlusively) used on taxi's. It is not the replacement for Artico.

I dont think so. MB Tex is Artico. I believe different areas have the same material called different names.