What causes "old car smell" and how do you get rid of it? I've riden in a number of nice looking Mercs from the 80s and a couple of them have this smell that I can only describe as "old car smell".

I don't know what causes it. I know with my 1977 300D, it has a slight distinctive smell, which I happen to kind of like and my kids call it "new car smell". Some say that it is the MBTex.

I am a smoker and have had great luck with Fabreeze.

JCD

The old car smell belongs with an old car. At least I think
My BMW has the same smell it is from the carpet and the old style seat stuffing horse hair wood shavings etc.

Howdy All,
The old car smell is caused when the dog goes for a run then cools off in a mud puddle then jumps in the Jeep and shakes After the mud dries you have old car smell Good thing I have seat covers.

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Frank X. Morris
17 Kia Niro
08 Jeep Wrangler 4 door unlimited

I would think if you gett he carpets shampooed, and change out the horse hair seat pads, the smell will be much less.

How often do people get their car's carpets shampooed?

When I bought my car, first day I pulled all the mats out, washed them, and shampooed the carpets inside and all the trunk panels.

Car smelled fresh and clean.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

I've owned a couple benzes and each one has thier own smell that you just cant get rid of. I like it for the most part. My 300SDL smells like leather and upholstry, nomatter what I do, wash the seats, shampoo the carpet and clean EVERYTHING, the smell always comes back.

I think all old Mercedes have their own distinctive, yet very similar, smell to them. I like the smell!

Cleaning everything, carpets, ceiling, leather, etc, make the car smell "fresh" but also like the cleaning solution scent (not necessarily a bad scent)... but I do'nt think you'll ever get that smell gone, or the new car smell back.

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2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)