Has Artico completely replaced leather?

[kusanku]

It certainly was not common on the 211 series, nor on the 203 series c-class. Mercedes have always had a plastic option called MB Tex, which Artico seems to have replaced, but the difference is that MB Tex was never that common, and it was always advertised as such, not passed off as leather. Artico appears to be standard on many of the current models, whereas real leather is an expensive optional extra that few owners seem to gave gone for.

 

[steve333]

Mine came with real leather - but it initially felt very plasticky and hard. Over the years it has now developed a real leather look and I do treat it every 3-4 months.
As for leathery smells - nope not really. Some cars with Nappa leather look so much more luxurious but after a few years it sags and creases.
Personally I would source a car with real leather - and heated seats.

Leather gets better with age imho,my previous w208 clk320cab had beatiful black perforated leather(still smelt & looked new at 8 years old),my current cls 500 has black nappa seats/dash/doorcards,didn't know it can sag & crease in time?

 

[The Pan Man]

My last word on this. Think back to when "MOST" cars only came with PLASTIC / VYNAL trim, pre cloth interior trim. In the sunshine they were unbearable to sit on even just in the summer horrible and sticky. Now it's still plastic what ever they want to call it. Now this will put the cat amongst the pigeons, I would take 1/2 Leather over Artico all day long if I could not get full leather.

 

[Miopyk]

I have a CLC with Artico which came as standard and while it's certainly not leather on a day to day basis you wouldn't know the difference. It doesn't get any hotter than leather in the summer and it a lot easier to keep clean than cloth.

I understand the reason for having leather on a more expensive model, I have a new boxster with full leather for that reason, but other than that I don't see what all the fuss is about.

Miopyk

 

[st4]

My last word on this. Think back to when "MOST" cars only came with PLASTIC / VYNAL trim, pre cloth interior trim. In the sunshine they were unbearable to sit on even just in the summer horrible and sticky. Now it's still plastic what ever they want to call it. Now this will put the cat amongst the pigeons, I would take 1/2 Leather over Artico all day long if I could not get full leather.

I actually miss my half leather seats from my old 211. Prefer the bolstering in the sport, they could stay artico but the central sections, I would prefer in the cloth

 

[bluevenetian]

cloth seats seem to wear or stain easily, leather creases, needs to be "fed" over time and if you keep the car long enough the colour on the bolsters (most wear) will probably fade.
M B Tex for me every day!

 

[NewMB]

enjoyed the Christmas markets?

We did. But enjoyed the bier cellars more! Such a civilised way of drinking and eating too much.

Love the christmas markets in Germany. Cologne has a very nice one and yes, we did enjoy it very much.

The food here is the best IMO.