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G'day from Sydney

Started by BenzTragic, 06 October 2019, 05:12 AM

BenzTragic

I've just taken delivery of a 77 450SE. Mechanically she is fairly sound having been previously owned by a mechanic. Aesthetically it's pretty rough. The exterior will definitely require a new paint job, the windscreen seals need replacing.

The green interior is in reasonable condition with the exception of the usual wear spots.

A question I do have is how do I tell if the upholstery I have is MB Tex or leather?
Current Mercedes
1977 W116 450SE
1988 W126 300SE
2001 W220 S430

Past Mercedes
1982 380SEL
1985 280SE

Randys01

Hey an other Aussie!

.....if it's MB tex it will look almost unmarked. If it 's leather there will be deep crease marks in the driver's seat..on the crease lines the colour will be gone and a brown line will present. If it's leather it will smell like a leather interior.  MB Tex is pretty inert.
Need to dig a little deeper? Take the backseat bottom squab out.  look in the underside and look for the where the stitching joins and little left over tails of the upholstery can be seen. if its leather the underside will be brown grain..MB Tex will look manufactured.
Alternative.   undo the zipper around the front centre arm rest.........brown and grainy?. leather..........If you can't decide after all of that, give it away!
A Merc specialist of 45 years experience remarked to me recently: post Armegeddon, the only 2 things left will be cockroaches and MB Tex ; it's remarkable.:D

BenzTragic

Quote from: Randys01 on 06 October 2019, 05:53 AM
Hey an other Aussie!

.....if it's MB tex it will look almost unmarked. If it 's leather there will be deep crease marks in the driver's seat..on the crease lines the colour will be gone and a brown line will present. If it's leather it will smell like a leather interior.  MB Tex is pretty inert.
Need to dig a little deeper? Take the backseat bottom squab out.  look in the underside and look for the where the stitching joins and little left over tails of the upholstery can be seen. if its leather the underside will be brown grain..MB Tex will look manufactured.
Alternative.   undo the zipper around the front centre arm rest.........brown and grainy?. leather..........If you can't decide after all of that, give it away!
A Merc specialist of 45 years experience remarked to me recently: post Armegeddon, the only 2 things left will be cockroaches and MB Tex ; it's remarkable.:D

Hahaha that's the 2nd time today I've heard that remark about Mbtex lol. I'll check it tomorrow in the light of day. I'm sure I've got leather. The car has that old leather Mercedes smell!
Current Mercedes
1977 W116 450SE
1988 W126 300SE
2001 W220 S430

Past Mercedes
1982 380SEL
1985 280SE

raueda1

When I first got my car I was disappointed that it was MB-tex, not leather.  Now I'm glad it's MB-tex.  Looks great and ever so practical.
-Dave
Now:  1976 6.9 Euro, 2015 GL550
Before that:  1966 230S, 1964 220SE coupe, 1977 Carrera 3.0