TXBill, My seats have stiching that is the same width as the pleats would be. However, there are no pleats or perferation holes, just flat vinyl. Diesel in my area is running about $1.65 a gal. However, I am in US Air Force and I can buy my diesel on base for $1.60.
Capt Alex300, I didn't realize there were any SDs without a turbo. My car has a turbo with a 85 mph speedometer. I guess after 20 years there are going to be things that have no rhyme or reason. Like I posted earlier the only thing I can think of about my seats is that they may have been leather originally but were redone at some point in reg. vinyl.
420 SEL, I feel sorry for you having to pay such high taxes on your gas. We in the USA are definetly pampered in this regard. In Europe they pay about $4 a gal, most of which is taxes. If I am doing my math right I gues you are paying about $2 (US) a gal. That sounds like California gas prices. I know you drive a gas car, but what is diesel running these days up your way?

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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