Help guys!!
How do i tell the difference between MBTex & Leather??
Im not sure what my car has. If it is MBTex, what can i use to keep it looking great?

MBtex would be a little harder than leather and has a certain aura that comes with it.
Leather has a softer feel and the smell is distinct.

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

I always assumed 99% of all US spec 300Ds were MB Tex.

Best test is: if surface is cracked, it's leather.

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George Stephenson
1991 350 SDL (200K and she ain't bent, yet)
former 2002 E320 4Matic Wagon - good car
former 1985 300 CD - great car
former 1981 300 TD - good car
former 1972 280 SEL - not so good car
a couple of those diesel Rabbits ...40-45 mpg

Try to look on the underside of the cover. I was able to kind of peel back the rear "skirt " with the seat fully forward. If it looks like fabric (canvassy) it's MB Tex.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Thanks for the info guys, looks like it is MBTex.

Yuddy:

How are you? There is a lot of material on this forum about the maintenance of MB-TEX. I will briefly reiterate some of the best advice that I have applied, with great results.

For maintenance, try Vinylex. Its about 8 bucks each, but well worth it. I had to search a bit for it, but finally located it at one of the local Pep Boys. Some have it, some don't.

Here's what I did when I first got my 79 300CD from a guy who loved to cart his two big Labradors around in it. First with some warm water mixed with a little dish soap, scrub the seats and door panels. I tried not to use too much water, but enough to get into the grooves and texture of the MB-Tex. Followed quickly with a towel drying. That got rid of ALOT of dirt.

Then after the seats were completely dry. I let the Vinylex do it magic. I followed the directions and applied it to the dash, wood, seats, door panels etc (no glass or clear plastic). What a change ! It brought that interior back to life.

You will see the difference. Use clean cotton terri towels. It has a distinct smell, but just cruise around in your clean car with the windows down for a bit, and it will take care of that.

I hope this helps.

Good Luck,
James

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James

85 300SD 285k
Charcoal Gray/Grey MB-Tex

79 300CD 142000mi "Rabenshwarz"
Black / Black MB-Tex, Burlwood Int. TOTALLED - 10/24/02 --

James,
Hey Neighbor!!!
Thank you for the advice, i will try to find some at the pep boys at Busleton Ave.
I have a whole interior i bought from Joe Taylor (had a MB shop for 40yrs up on Huntingdon pike) that is in perfect condition, as is the interior in my car now,just want to clean it up and make sure it stays that way.
Thanks Again!!

Hi Ed,

I have found that the Tex is softer than leather. The only one out 3 MB`s with leather that is soft is my SEC. The others feel like cardboard.

My wifes new Audi A4 3.0 feels like cardboard also. There Tex was soft as a baby`s bottom, but none of the cars we wanted had it. I would have preffered the Tex on this car.

John

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President Minuteman Section MBCA
www.mbca.org/minuteman

I was told that leather can be told from Tex by pressing it with your finger. Leather will wrinkle. Tex will not. Try this in an area not hardened by the sun or through use. Works better on finer leathers like the stuff in Jaguars. Wish those Germans would find a soft cow! But that Tex stuff is bulletproof. Looks great forever.

It's amazing that MB made a vinyl that is so close to leather, that most people can't tell the difference. For the age of your car Ed, if the surface doesen't have cracks, it's MB-Tex. The Tex in my TD is rather soft.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

That's a real pretty 123! Judging by the photo of your interior, you have MB TEX. You can tell because with MB Tex, the seat channels go all the way to the front of the seat cushion. This is true as far as I know for a Mercedes from late 70's to the 90's.

MB Tex is basically bullett proof. It will hold up better over long periods of time than leather. I would use Vinylex once or twice a year and mild soap and water the rest of the time.

Take care of that li'l beauty!

Bill

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Mr. BILL

91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)

Thanks Bill,
I'm Real proud to own & drive this beautiful example of engineering and craftsmanship, she needs alittle tranny help right now,but that will be solved shortly.

I was lucky enough to find a wrecked 300d with the same exact interior, only had 101,000mi. on it and it looks brand new, so i bought the entire interior, (everything) and will save it until needed (if ever).

I was thinking about upgrading to euro-lights and newer looking rims, not sure yet though.

This is my first benz, and rest assured i will take good care of her.

Well, my personal opinion is, a 123 looks just fine the way it rolled off the assembly line. But heck, it's your car.

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Mr. BILL

91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)

Yeah Bill,
I'm leaning that way to, the more i think about it, the more i want to just leave it as is.

My toddler jumps all over the backseat getting into her car seat, usually with MUDDY boots on.

Got tex? Yup! Wipe it, and it looks like new.

I LOVE tex, and lament it's demise. Makes me want to hang onto my 98 forever, just for the tex. Way better than leather, IMHO.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif