How to tell MB-Tex from Leather?

[acrafton]

As I am looking at used R's it seems most non-MB dealers don't really know the difference between MB-Tex and leather. . .to them it is all leather. I looked at one today that appeared to me to be MB-Tex but I really don't know how to tell?!

I figure there has to be an easy way for me (without having the window sticker) to know if an R is MB Tex or leather. . .?

So, how do I tell?

Thanks

[lkchris]

If you're talking to a Mercedes dealer, they can run a VMI (vehicle master inquiry) which is a report that will show every option on the car (as well as other information, such as recalls performed, etc.). Not a bad idea to get a pre-purchase inspection at a Mercedes dealer, at which time you can request this printout.

There's some possiblity you can search here for the link to a "russian" website where you can input VIN number and get same information as regards installed options.

[RDriver]

Originally Posted by acrafton

I figure there has to be an easy way for me (without having the window sticker) to know if an R is MB Tex or leather. . .?

R Class equipped with leather seats comes as a package: You get leather seats, Burl Walnut wood trims (darker red wood than the brownish color of Bird Eyes Mapple wood that comes with the MB Tex seats), and interior ambient lights (soft lights on all door knobs and foot wells in 1st and 2nd rows). So if the car has darker wood trims and extra interior lightings, it has leather seats.

[vinceching]

Originally Posted by acrafton

As I am looking at used R's it seems most non-MB dealers don't really know the difference between MB-Tex and leather. . .to them it is all leather. I looked at one today that appeared to me to be MB-Tex but I really don't know how to tell?!

I figure there has to be an easy way for me (without having the window sticker) to know if an R is MB Tex or leather. . .?

So, how do I tell?

Thanks

on the side bloster on the front seats near the b-pillar you will be able to see a cloth tab that says "mb tex"

[zlk]

My dealer told me that the optional lether seats mean that the seating surface and back insert are leather, not the whole seat. The side bolsters on both the seat bottom and the seat back are still MB-Tex even with the leather option added. Would love to have that confirmed by any other members here.

[RDriver]

Originally Posted by vinceching

on the side bloster on the front seats near the b-pillar you will be able to see a cloth tab that says "mb tex"

I was excited about this but when I checked my car (R320, MB Tex), all I see were cloth tabs that label "SRS Airbag" on all seats.

Could you post a picture. You drive an R or ML?

[brucemendel]

Enter the vin here:

Mercedes-Benz Club Russia | Mercedes-Benz / VIN

That is the "Russian VIN Decoder" web site...sounds very KGB-ish!

[acrafton]

Originally Posted by brucemendel

Enter the vin here:

Mercedes-Benz Club Russia | Mercedes-Benz / VIN

That is the "Russian VIN Decoder" web site...sounds very KGB-ish!

This only works with pre 2005ish vehicles.