Am I wrong!

[Tom McMenamin]

Isn't this MB-Tex not leather?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7938512733&category=42612&sspagename=WDVW

[KirkVining]

Looks like leather to me, but I am basing that on what my own text looks like, which has a checked pattern on the inserts.

[GermanMarque]

MB Tex is quite distinctive by having a hole pattern all over. The outer sides on the E-Bay item is plain and looks like leather. So two now concur, looks like leather, bit hard to pass off vinyl unless his hide is thicker. Just confirm with seller that it is as described before commiting a bid. Tried sniffing the monitor, but alas no leather smell!

[Litton]

It loooks like leather to me. I blew the pic up 400X and there does not appear to be the distintive hole pattern lit the MB Tex in my 280SEL. Additionally, the sellers comment about it being "faded" also suggests leather as the MB tex doesn't seem to fade very easily. Still a bit of a guess. You might as the seller for a pic of the backside.....see if there is fabric on the back.

Also tried the sniff test to no avail.

Originally Posted by Tom McMenamin

I believe this is TEX! What do you think?

Looks like MB tex, same color as mine in the 87 300D. I have seen where they do fade in sun light too, especially the dark tan color.

Leather I have seen in a 124 has a little different design pattern from my mb teex in the 87 300D and features a boarder running with the piping, right to left, under your thighs, where as the mb tex center panels run fore and aft to the piping without boarder. However, the leather in the 80 450sl (lt.gray) is patterned like the mb tex in the 300D rolleyes: BB

[ctaylor738]

Look at the crease on the inside lower bolster. I don't think I've seen tex do that.

Originally Posted by ctaylor738

Look at the crease on the inside lower bolster. I don't think I've seen tex do that.

You are absolutely right on! That is leather!

I just enlarged the picture, didn't do that the first time. Also note the chafing on the outer bolster of the seat back! MB tex doesn't do that! BB

[bobbyv]

it's Memorex!

seriously, I believe that is leather. MbTex does not have scuff marks/fading like that portion on the upper right part of the seatback. And also, MbTex does not crease like that.

Originally Posted by Tom McMenamin

In all the searches I come up with nothing distinctive when attempting to determine the difference between the two.

The most discussed is that Tex has pleats back to front and leather does not. In the two examples I have posted, both have pleats front to back or top to bottom.

The second photo indeed has a wrinkle on the bolster but it is said that the interior is Tex. I can't tell from anything on the site. This is real important as I am going to dye my seats and I need to know what I have!

Anyone got photos that compare the difference?

I'm sorry if I confused you. But after I looked at the photo close-up, I didn't do that on my first post resonse, but I am now of the same opinion as the last couple of posters, leather//LEATHER**leather leather leather!!! iiiitttt''ss
leathhhhhher!!!!!!!!!!!! BusyBenzzzzzzzzz

[RickM]

I say leather...

[GermanMarque]

I don't believe it ! I now wait for the next post of "Is it the "Genuine Mercedes Leather"? Is it from the farms where Mercedes breed their own cattle and don't have barbed wire fences, so the hides don't get scratched?
How can you tell? If I were an alien reading this, I would believe Mercedes owners were a strange breed of human, they could never leave their homes because they had no backbones to ask direct questions and were otherwise confined to their vehicles due to this affliction and lack of ability to be able to smell, touch and recognise leather as hide and not MB Tex! I await the onslaught from the "jellybacks". This is a great site for information, just sometimes..........

Originally Posted by Tom McMenamin

Many thanks for your kind comments.

Last time I checked this was called a Forum. If someone has a question they Post it for an answer. My question was posted because of my objective of dyeing the seats and it matters as to the make up of the original material.

My ignorance was prompted by many, many folks who attempt to sell products that are not as they are listed for sale. Few ads for 560 SL state anything but Leather!!! and the point is that it is very hard to discern the difference.

The appropriate way to determine is to take your body codes to the dealer and have them tell you from the code what your interior is. This is the only sure way to tell. and then it is questionable as it could have been changed by a previous owner.

In my case, the seats I have are Leather. (See second photo posting).

I have now learned that the best definition is to find a way to locate someone who will answer the question posted with a logical explanation. That's the reason I Posted and thats what every one else attempts to do. Find the way to get the right answer. (Thanks to Gilly for reminding me of the body codes)

Your response, however, has prompted me to delete this post tomorrow. Why, because if one person feels it is ridiculous or a waste of time, then I have taken space that could be better served by someone else with a more valued question or inquiry.

Thanks for your candor! I apologize to the board!

It appears that the slogan "No question is dumb" doesn't apply here!

With exception to the last poster before Tom here, I, nor anyone else, who posted a response to you question here did I get the impression that your question was not taken seriously, or answered inappropriately. They gave it their best shot, based from their own individualities, and a single photograph!

In a time when there is much tension here in this country, and around the world (a lot of sick things going on) it is my nature to add humor! However dumb it may be or sound, I always add it in a light hearted fashion. It is what keeps me alive! It is a part of my human nature that I cannot change, nor should I feel the need for anyone else to apologize for what is my human nature. I'm not ashamed of myself, nor should I be.........................

Lighten up..............please!!!! BB