Leather finish on the seats in my 420 doesn't seem to "sturdy" need suggestions.

[Ascension]

Really first noticed it today while cleaning up the inside and conditioning the leather. It's not to bad yet but will be if not addressed soon. In particular the side bolster on the drivers seat is beginning to show some wear and cracking in the Parchment finish as does the console lid.
The leather is one area in particular where these cars don't seem to hold up very well in particular in comparison with what I was used to with the Volvos. Don't know if it's the actual quality of the leather that's lacking in comparison or the finish process. Bottom line I must address this soon or it will start showing obvious wear and cracking.
Need suggestions here.

 

[gerryvz]

How about just transplanting the superior Volvo leather seats into your Merc?

Voila! Problem solved!


Sent from my iPad while sniffing a Charles Krug cork.

 

[Klink]

Really first noticed it today while cleaning up the inside and conditioning the leather. It's not to bad yet but will be if not addressed soon. In particular the side bolster on the drivers seat is beginning to show some wear and cracking in the Parchment finish as does the console lid.
The leather is one area in particular where these cars don't seem to hold up very well in particular in comparison with what I was used to with the Volvos. Don't know if it's the actual quality of the leather that's lacking in comparison or the finish process. Bottom line I must address this soon or it will start showing obvious wear and cracking.
Need suggestions here.

I mean, it has to be... But in the extremely remote chance that you're serious, just search Leatherique (no, it's not a dominatrix) and you will find a number of useful references throughout the forum. Karl C and some others have worked magic with the stuff.

 

[Klink]

How about just transplanting the superior Volvo leather seats into your Merc?

Voila! Problem solved!


Sent from my iPad while sniffing a Charles Krug cork.

Don't Bogart that cork! Take a hit and pass it around...

 

[clarkz71]

My 1993 is older, more miles (130,000) and the leather and armrest
are perfect. It's all in the maintenance, just like the engine.

Maybe the quick lube did the detailing on that car too.....?

I second the Volvo interior transplant.

 

[Klink]

My 1993 is older, more miles (130,000) and the leather and armrest
are perfect. It's all in the maintenance, just like the engine.

Maybe the quick lube did the detailing on that car too.....?

I second the Volvo interior transplant.

No pink in that pinkamino! Nice!!

 

[doolar]

180,000 miles (yes I know it's not the original interior, but it's been in the car for the last 180k, car's got 202k on the odo, pics taken BEFORE I reconditioned the leather):





It's all about care for your stuff. The side bolster is a "weak" point on all cars with bucket seats and a relative low seating height, the W124 is more like dropping down into the seat than actally sitting on it. That's one reason to the comfy seats. When you sit in, if you every time scrub your jeans or pants on that little piece of leather, it will tear after awhile, no matter car or material. As you see in Klink's photo he's probably got the seat to the bottom in the back, and tilted up in front, as I think most of us prefer. That will cause even more friction when one places his bee-hind there.

So what to do with yours? Sit nicely, watch Mr. Bergsma's vid on restoring a worn leather seat. Or, Volvo-seats.

 

[KarlC]

Really first noticed it today while cleaning up the inside and conditioning the leather. It's not to bad yet but will be if not addressed soon. In particular the side bolster on the drivers seat is beginning to show some wear and cracking in the Parchment finish as does the console lid.
The leather is one area in particular where these cars don't seem to hold up very well in particular in comparison with what I was used to with the Volvos. Don't know if it's the actual quality of the leather that's lacking in comparison or the finish process. Bottom line I must address this soon or it will start showing obvious wear and cracking.
Need suggestions here.

You must know that you leather, like the rest of your car, was not well cared for in the past. Its good that you have taken on the task of bringing your car back to what it should be, sounds like its time to start on the interior.

Clean and Feed your leather, you and it will both feel better.

.

 

[Ascension]

You must know that you leather, like the rest of your car, was not well cared for in the past. Its good that you have taken on the task of bringing your car back to what it should be, sounds like its time to start on the interior.

Clean and Feed your leather, you and it will both feel better.

.

Car was not driven much since new was kept in a heated garage the leather is clean and soft. The absolute first thing I did to the car was clean and condition the leather the day I got it. I have high end Lamb skin coats that retail for more than I paid for the car + wore leather and spandex on stage in my late 80's-mid 90's hair band days ( this was us BTW http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=2684714 ) so know how to care for high end leather.
The rub here is now that I am driving this car daily I am seeing the actual finish on the driver seat not holding up well. It's not very noticeable yet but I know well that once that outer finish deteriorates what happens to leather so have to catch this quickly.
Been a round enough of these old E Class cars to have seen that the leather in the "normal" cars is just not of the quality I am used to dealing with. The 036 cars and the S class is a step up here I have no doubt.

 

[Ascension]

How about just transplanting the superior Volvo leather seats into your Merc?

Voila! Problem solved!


Sent from my iPad while sniffing a Charles Krug cork.

In all seriousness it's something I have thought about as those front seats in my V-90 I miss BADLY as they ( its not just the seats the entire interior in the V-90 is in fact is on another planet) are vastly superior to these hard thinly padded things in the E-420. However won't do it and if I did do a swap it would be to a set of the Recaro 036 seats. Right now just looking to preserve these if I can.

 

[Ascension]

You must know that you leather, like the rest of your car, was not well cared for in the past. Its good that you have taken on the task of bringing your car back to what it should be, sounds like its time to start on the interior.

Clean and Feed your leather, you and it will both feel better.

.

Trust me here I know how to care for leather. This is my 98 V-90 with 200K and I have owned the car for 8 years now there is not a hint of bolster wear on these seats.


The leather in my 89 745 turbo wagon was the same as is my wife's 99 Chrysler 300M with 140K we bought new.
I was a little surprised yesterday when I cleaned and conditioned the leather in the E-420 with what I was seeing>
Again this car looks really good inside right now


However it won't down the road if I don't do something soon to repair that leather finish that is starting to deteriorate on the bolster.

 

[gsxr]

The problem is when buying a used car, you can't go back and properly maintain the leather for the previous owner, unless you have a working TARDIS in your shop. You also can't say if the poor condition today was due to shoddy materials, or if previous owners abused the interior and never cared for it. Most of the time, it's the latter, not the former...

 

[Ascension]

I mean, it has to be... But in the extremely remote chance that you're serious, just search Leatherique (no, it's not a dominatrix) and you will find a number of useful references throughout the forum. Karl C and some others have worked magic with the stuff.

Yes I am deadly serious here and looking Leatherique up now thanks bro!

 

[Ascension]

The problem is when buying a used car, you can't go back and properly maintain the leather for the previous owner, unless you have a working TARDIS in your shop. You also can't say if the poor condition today was due to shoddy materials, or if previous owners abused the interior and never cared for it. Most of the time, it's the latter, not the former...

Understand that well however looking at what I see as consistent interior wear on a number of these cars there is a pattern.
The S- series and 036 cars no doubt just used a better grade of material on the interior than the "pedestrian" 034 did just like Volvo did with their lesser cars. Got to find something to help restore that finish quickly as once the outer finish deteriorates on leather I know from experience it goes downhill fast.

 

[Klink]

The problem is when buying a used car, you can't go back and properly maintain the leather for the previous owner, unless you have a working TARDIS in your shop. You also can't say if the poor condition today was due to shoddy materials, or if previous owners abused the interior and never cared for it. Most of the time, it's the latter, not the former...

Do you have a tool number for that "TARDIS" tningie? I need one for my life! Or at least a "safe word"...

 

[Glen]

Richard, when you eat at a particular restaurant, do you tell the chef that the restaurant across town serves a better filet?
Or do you tell your mother-in-law that your mom's casserole is better?

It's one thing to ask how to care for your worn seats and another to say that your other brand car has higher quality materials. You don't KNOW how your E420 was taken care on in the past. You've been told what you want to hear, you weren't there as it was abused. Asking questions on how to restore a worn car is great and admirable, comparing to and putting down the marque based on your particular example is not. Everything you have brought up about your E420 points to a car that wasn't taken care of. The fact that it's as nice as it currently is, is testament to its quality.

So, ask for help and advice but quit comparing to your other brand car. It's just rude.

 

[Bogeyman]

I can think of a place where he can transplant his Vulvo interior...

 

[Klink]

Holy Cow Richard, these silly lads were singing about you all along! Skip straight to 4 minutes and 20 seconds!

[youtube]yu6AqHF90qc[/youtube]

 

[Ascension]

Richard, when you eat at a particular restaurant, do you tell the chef that the restaurant across town serves a better filet?
Or do you tell your mother-in-law that your mom's casserole is better?

It's one thing to ask how to care for your worn seats and another to say that your other brand car has higher quality materials. You don't KNOW how your E420 was taken care on in the past. You've been told what you want to hear, you weren't there as it was abused. Asking questions on how to restore a worn car is great and admirable, comparing to and putting down the marque based on your particular example is not. Everything you have brought up about your E420 points to a car that wasn't taken care of. The fact that it's as nice as it currently is, is testament to its quality.

So, ask for help and advice but quit comparing to your other brand car. It's just rude.

Agreed the Volvo vs Benz stuff it was a fun at first but has now kinda gotten out of hand.
On a serious note here on the leather the Leatherique stuff that Klink suggested looks like the answer so thanks man.
Have a serious question here in will a stock 036 set of Recaros drop in and wire up to the power seat controls in the 034?
It's no joke that I'm not in love with these stock front seats, their lack of support and padding for real are fighting with me on a longer road trip with the issues I have in my back and that is no chain yank!

 

[Klink]

Agreed the Volvo vs Benz stuff it was a fun at first but has now kinda gotten out of hand.
On a serious note here on the leather the Leatherique stuff that Klink suggested looks like the answer so thanks man.
Have a serious question here in will a stock 036 set of Recaros drop in and wire up to the power seat controls in the 034?
It's no joke that I'm not in love with these stock front seats as their lack of support and padding for real are fighting me on a longer road trip with the issues I have in my back and that is no chain yank!

What? I don't even get a thanks for post number 18? I think your band should cover it!

On a serious note, 036 front seats will drop right in. The only kicker is the memory if your car does not have that. All 036 cars have it, so the wiring is a little different, but none of it is insurmountable

 

[The Emperor]

Not to worry. Asstension will be receiving the Lightning Bolt treatment very soon.

Emperor Palpatine

:clarkz2:

 

[The Emperor]

No pink in that pinkamino! Nice!!

I expect nothing less from my best apprentice.

 

[clarkz71]

I'm almost speechless with this dribble.

The leather is identical on all models of the period.

S class, E class and R class used the same thickness and quality.

Owners of the more expensive models generally take better care of the
cars until they sell them.

We were constantly having to re dye the bolsters on drivers seats
during the warrant period, especially the R129. Lowest car so most
friction from owners getting out of all that model.

My interior is proof of the "Myth" that the 034 has a "cheaper" grade of leather is BS.



It WAS well maintained throughout it's life unlike the "OP's" vehicle

 

[Klink]

I thought post #18 on this thread was my best work on this site EVER, and I get ?

 

[Ascension]

What? I don't even get a thanks for post number 18? I think your band should cover it!

On a serious note, 036 front seats will drop right in. The only kicker is the memory if your car does not have that. All 036 cars have it, so the wiring is a little different, but none of it is insurmountable

Mine does have the memory so looks like I will keep an eye out for a Parchment set of 036 seats.
Song is a little light for us this is a little Christmas thangie we were toying with a little while back as we have been threatening to do a Christmas CD for a while now.
https://app.box.com/shared/qim033vcxp

 

[Ascension]

I thought post #18 on this thread was my best work on this site EVER, and I get ?

Didn't listen far enough in corrected the so .

 

[ymib4u?]

Confession time!
It’s not a matter of the quality of the leather on Mercedes vs. Volvo… It does certainly have to do with the care from day one, but it’s also a function of the side bolsters. On our W124’s, the side bolsters are designed to hold us in place when traveling at great speeds and they protrude out farther than the side bolsters on a Volvo. Our big butts scrape the side bolsters when getting in and out of our Mercedes more than they do our Volvos.

 

[Ascension]

Confession time!
It’s not a matter of the quality of the leather on Mercedes vs. Volvo… It does certainly have to do with the care from day one, but it’s also a function of the side bolsters. On our W124’s, the side bolsters are designed to hold us in place when traveling at great speeds and they protrude out farther than the side bolsters on a Volvo. Our big butts scrape the side bolsters when getting in and out of our Mercedes more than they do our Volvos.

Here it's the other way around with the 420 seats being much more thinly padded and having the smaller bolsters by far. Honesty it's just a German thang that most of these cars are a little on the hard and utilitarian side inside in particular with the seats. Not a dis on my part it's just part of the unique personality of driving a German car and that goes for pretty much all German cars. I was trying to have a little fun with that here and failed miserably so--.
I agree 100 on the care from day one and this car flat didn't get that care. She is now though!! Over the last few days for example I gave her a good wax then shampooed the carpets before I pulled a good bit of the trunk paneling and reinstalled it properly when I pulled and lubed the antenna. I also hit all my woods with a good double coat of the same high quality pure carnauba auto wax I use on the exotic woods of my high end guitars. Like this 20 year old Washburn USA CS prototype I was playing out last night.

All the wood is perfect in this car BTW. Next step is to change the cabin air filters and keep working on the leather.

 

[samiam44]

Maybe it's just too many rinstone studs on the blue jean pockets+)

To note, if the previous owners utilized silicone based sealers on the leather, it's dying slowly and leatherque may not have much effect. Armall seals the leather to where the conditioners cannot soak in.

Maybe a pair of V90 seats would help the 420? Rosy glasses

M

 

[Klink]

Maybe it's just too many rinstone studs on the blue jean pockets+)

To note, if the previous owners utilized silicone based sealers on the leather, it's dying slowly and leatherque may not have much effect. Armall seals the leather to where the conditioners cannot soak in.

Maybe a pair of V90 seats would help the 420? Rosy glasses

M

Obviously Michael, I cannot speak to the history of Richard's car, but after 30+ years of working on these things, I can tell you that there's been an abundance of silicone riding around in many of them...

 

[KarlC]

Obviously Michael, I cannot speak to the history of Richard's car, but after 30+ years of working on these things, I can tell you that there's been an abundance of silicone riding around in many of them...

Can you post some example of this ? I think it would help us all understand the real issue better.

 

[samiam44]

Would be easier for you to look at leatherique site or call George.

M

 

[Ascension]

Obviously Michael, I cannot speak to the history of Richard's car, but after 30+ years of working on these things, I can tell you that there's been an abundance of silicone riding around in many of them...

LOL!!
Hopefully it won't have had a few gallons of Armorall dumped on it over the years. I'm using right now a locally produced product on it which from experience is some pretty good stuff ( much better that the Lexol I had been using on fine leather) . Also have real saddle soap but worry it might darken the parchment. .

 

[Ascension]

Would be easier for you to look at leatherique site or call George.

M

Already been there and am looking at maybe trying 8 ounces of the Rejuvinator first off.