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View Poll Results: Which is better, MB-Tex or Leather?
I think leather is better. 10 22.22%
I think MB-Tex is better. 32 71.11%
I don't care, my interior is thrashed and the springs are cutting into my flesh. 3 6.67%
Voters: 45. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 03-17-2004, 08:00 PM
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MB-Tex or Leather, which is better?

I'm looking for some opinions on the subject of MB-Tex and leather. I did a search but I didn't seem to find enough about it to get an idea which is better to have. I have MB-Tex in my '85 300D and I only like it since it seems to be quite duarable and that it has held up in my car all these years without a single tear or crack. The only thing I don't like about MB-Tex is that it is too hard to sit on for a long trip. I've seen leather in newer MB's and it was cracked and/or torn. Leather does seem to feel softer.
So, which is better, MB-Tex or leather?
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Last edited by lietuviai; 03-17-2004 at 08:05 PM.
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  #2  
Old 03-17-2004, 08:41 PM
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Nothing like the feeling of seat springs going up your a$$.
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  #3  
Old 03-17-2004, 09:20 PM
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Most cows would vote for MB Tex...

...but old leather (that has been painstakingly cared for since new) is just plain wonderful. Any fool can have nice looking new leather. When you see an old car with old leather seats in good condition... that's pretty impressive to ALL your senses.

MB Tex reminds me of Pittsburgh trolley car seats when I was a kid. Nearly indestructable---and not really bad looking either. I can see them lasting through many years of taxi cab use. There is some beauty in function, you know.
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  #4  
Old 03-17-2004, 10:10 PM
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neither?

i have to say the grey market/europeans have it here...

IMHO i love my blue cloth hounds tooth inlay flanked by dark blue vynal/MB Tex...breathable, soft, comfortable, durable (slight fade).
not hot or sticky in the summer, not too cold on a cool night...

when ever i look at another w123 i am turned off a bit by the monocromatic stale leather or MB Tex interiors...no personality to me.

Just my two cents
Jake
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  #5  
Old 03-17-2004, 10:13 PM
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I saw an option list for the '82 W123's and velour was available but it cost about as much as the leather.
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  #6  
Old 03-17-2004, 10:33 PM
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The reason I love MB tex is the same reason I hate it!

I love it because of it's plastic qualities that wears like iron (in my 79300SD, the interior looks BRAND NEW) However, with durability of plastic comes the problems of 'breathing'...I find that I sweat a lot more on the vinyl than the leather.

Overall, I prefer MB tex as I am a cosmetic guy and can live with a little sweat.

Anthony
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  #7  
Old 03-17-2004, 10:54 PM
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Perhaps I'm lazy, but leather just requires so darn much work to really keep it looking and feeling good for the long haul. This is why you see it shot so often after not very long, most people don't know or don't care. And mine is leather in reasonably good shape, no cracks or tears, it's not hard but not soft either.

I'd vote for tex, looks about like leather, feels about like it, and would be worlds easier to care for.

I've seen the velour on a w116 or w123, dark red I think, it was pretty. Looked like it'd be hot in the summer, but it was different looking.
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  #8  
Old 03-17-2004, 11:23 PM
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HOW IN THE HELL DID IT COME ABOUT THAT LEATHER IS A LUXEREY ITEM? if I was in position of buying A brand new porsche I would chose cloth, who the hell wants to be slipsliding around getting hot in summer cold in winter it's stupid but because it cost money than it must be good. But back to the question I would chose mbtex over leather any day! I also hate people when you go into their car and they say '' yeah it's leather isin't great'' when you can clearly tell that it;s firggen VINYL and I don't care that it is it's vinyl it;s them trying to put on A front that really bugs me
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  #9  
Old 03-18-2004, 12:06 AM
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I have tex in my 450SL and it looks new; spent a lotta $$ to replace the leather in the SD after the original covers fell to pieces trying to replace worn out crappo horsehair pads. Now that it's done, I would have to say the leather is more comfortable to sit on (esp in hot AL summers), but the low maintenance aspect of tex would make me go for it given the option. Maybe it's because my tex is navy and looks "richer" than lighter colors, but it looks almost as good as my new leather. I think for the convertible tex is the ONLY way to go.....just put a couple of towels in the trunk so your legs don't burn to the seat in August.... Clean up requires only a damp towel.

On a side note, does anybody treat their tex? I have used Prestine (sp?) clean from Leatherique to clean and condition periodically. It doesn't leave any film or slippery sheen, but it's kind of expensive. Leather conditioners seem to leave a film.
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  #10  
Old 03-18-2004, 12:25 AM
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I have had people think my MB-Tex was leather. Both of my TDs have the blue interior and with a dressing of Vinylex looks absolutely brand spanking new. One of the things that makes a car look tired and old is a worn out interior.
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  #11  
Old 03-18-2004, 01:17 AM
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My 240D has navy leather . I really like it but you can see the wear in it. It is, however, super comfy. I do kinda wish it had tex because of the amount of use the car gets and has had. There are no rips in it, just cracks.
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  #12  
Old 03-18-2004, 01:35 AM
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I like sheepskin covers. I couldn't afford the custom fit ones, but the ones from Sam's club feel and look pretty nice for a good price. I like the durability of mb-tex---seems to go hand in hand with the 617's longevity in my mind.
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  #13  
Old 03-18-2004, 01:50 AM
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I agree with Jeremy that cloth is the best. Sheepskins are great too. Otherwise I choose MB-tex because it's more durable and doesn't come from animals. I have to admit that until recently I thought I had leather but thanks to this board I now realize it's most likely MB-tex.
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  #14  
Old 03-18-2004, 02:58 AM
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I'm a bit suprised that so many people perfer mbtex over leather.I have two MB's with mbtex and two with leather and much perfer the leather.My latest 81 SD has black leather that in amazing condition and my 86 SE has blue leather that is a bit faded but no cracks and is still soft.Any opinions on the best conditioner for MB leather.......

William Rogers......
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  #15  
Old 03-18-2004, 09:58 AM
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Tex all the way! I've had both while living in Dallas. I expected the tex to be hot and sticky during the summer months, but surprisingly it was no worse than leather. I don't think the upholstery material has any affect at all on the comfort of the seat; that's determined by the springs and pad.

Given the indestructable nature of tex and the complete lack of care required, I'm there.

- JimY
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