[Fatboy1]

So I am dumping my 560SEL at the MB dealers for a rebuild of the rear suspension and some other items (shifter bushings,front end work) and I was waiting in my car. Got to looking at beautiful grey leather seats and begain to wonder.....is the material on the doors, like under the windows etc. leather too? Hard for me to tell. I know that in modern cars there is a very THIN slice of leather on seating surfaces and that is about all you get for a "leather interior". If MB really wanted a classy looking interior on my car it should have been that blue/grey leather all the way.....on dash where wood is now and the entired dash. Now THAT would be class.

 

[Chadahar]

Gen II cars have slated leather door cards, the leather cards under the windows. Gen I has vinyl, or MB Tex.

 

[Dr.Grillz]

The above post is not entirely clear as not all Gen II cars had leather. There are 2 versions found on Gen II cars, one is the 1986-1988 and the other is 1989-1991. The 1986-1988 model years had perforated MB Tex (vinyl) inserts while the 1989-1991 model years had leather with diagonal stitching.

 

[Fatboy1]

Well well well......I guess I have an "early" model 560SEL since it i a 1987 vintage car with Astral Silver/grey leather.
Perhaps some day I will be as knowledgeable as sclassV8. And as proud of it.
Thanks fellas.
Looks like I have MB tex. I'll know better next time I go shopping. Ha!

 

[Chadahar]

Sniff, sniff, I smell REX!

Dr. Grillz is right, but the cut off date for MB's is Sept not June. Gen I was from Sept. 1979 to Sept. 1985. Gen II from Sept. 1985 to Sept 1991 and yes there is a difference between the Sept 1985'-Sept. 1987 and the Sept 1988-Sept. 1990 MY's.

My Gen II's were both 1989 MY. and had the slated leather insert cards.

 

[Fatboy1]

Okay, lets continue this discussion for just a bit.
I have heard the "early vs. later" argument a few times but here is my question for those familiar with the 126 series, which I admit I am not:
What do YOU think makes a 1987 126, like mine, better or worse than a 1991 version of same car? My instincts tell me that a later car version MUST be better vehicle BUT I have seen the opposite happen too. I expect the later version will have features mine does not have.....i.e. passsenger side airbag.
But which is a "better" car? Aha......now the fun begins.

 

[w126Sam]

well in the US traction control wasn't available until 91 right? Anybody with asr have any opinions on it?