[kobe8]

Saleperson told me that the C has upgraded leather ( supposedley the same grade as the put in Mercedes vehicles.

1. What is the difference in Quality from the Premium leather from the C to Limited, Touring..

2 I am havign a hard time finding a comfortable seating position as it always seems like I am sitting on the crease and it is very noticeable, does this loosen up over time to become more comfortable and or is anyone else experiencing this. Thanks

 

[eudaman]

Saleperson told me that the C has upgraded leather ( supposedley the same grade as the put in Mercedes vehicles.

1. What is the difference in Quality from the Premium leather from the C to Limited, Touring..

2 I am havign a hard time finding a comfortable seating position as it always seems like I am sitting on the crease and it is very noticeable, does this loosen up over time to become more comfortable and or is anyone else experiencing this. Thanks

it doesnt seem like really that hi grade leather in the C. id be surprised if it was any different at all from the leather in the C to that of the touring/limited et al. in fact i rented a touring last month with leather and didnt notice a difference.

im surprised you are not comfy cozy in the 300....for me it doesnt get any comfier...and im coming from driving an e430....which was fine and all, but the C is comfy cozier easily

 

[urbanchemist]

the leather is much diffrent from the mercedes i have been in. my mother has a SLK500 and her leather seats are much more plush then my leather seats. they are a lot softer. i have had leather seats in other vehicles and i would say the C's leather seats are just as nice.

 

[Cdnhemi]

I find the leather seats OK but not great, the seats in my 2001 300M were better but then Chrysler went cheap after that and the seats were not as good in the after years. I find these seats a bitch to keep clean, never again for the light coloured seats.

 

[bigvrodder]

The leather in our Cs are from some of the cheapest hydes available anywhere. I would compare the leather to those found on sofa and love seats sets sold in discount chain furniture retail stores selling for $499 complete. Chrysler really came up short on the seats and should think seriously about either upgrading or offering an option for better seat coverings. Also, why would they leave off the power seat recline on the passenger seat and supply us with a cheap pull handle. Great car but many changes are needed to perfect this great automobile.

 

[5point7]

With upgrades comes price...and that is what makes this car what it is...
There is really not much leather on these seats to begin with....didn't aspendog say that only 25 to 30% of the total area was leather, and the rest vinyl?

 

[bigvrodder]

With upgrades comes price...and that is what makes this car what it is...
There is really not much leather on these seats to begin with....didn't aspendog say that only 25 to 30% of the total area was leather, and the rest vinyl?

I agree that upgrades generally will mean higher prices. I'm quite sure I'm not the only one that would say that the C is a bargain and I for one would have spent a few more bucks if it meant better seats design, improved leather etc etc.
Don't get me wrong, I love the vehicle, but Chrysler execs have to get away from the typical domestic type thinking and make a product that not only is beautiful on the outside but the same attention to detail should be found inside the cabin as well

 

[Jasper]

I find the leather seats OK but not great, the seats in my 2001 300M were better but then Chrysler went cheap after that and the seats were not as good in the after years. I find these seats a bitch to keep clean, never again for the light coloured seats.

Well, apparently Dieter agrees with you... From the Motor Trend COY article:

"Take seats. We're getting seats that suck. The same suppliers deliver okay seats to other manufacturers, so you can't blame them. It's not about cost, it's about being clear in your expectations. So now we'll pay 10 percent less and get better quality. We got screwed because we didn't ask for anything better."

http://motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0501_zetsche/

 

[dynodon]

I am not sure about the differences between the limited and Touring and the C, but the leather in my 300C is OK, but it sure isn't up to Mercedes standards.

American cars for the most part get leather that has a slick coating to the surface that seals all the pores in the leather. That is why it feels harder and slicker than most europeon and japanese cars where the leather is dyed and softer.

The downside to dyed leather is that it can soak up sweat, spills and can generally stain much easier. Some Europeon cars have "American style" leather, for instance the 97 540i sport that I sold to buy my 300C.

I wish also they had put power recliners in the passenger seat, but that low sticker price has to come from somewhere. Basically when I drive my car though, I feel like I am in a $50,000 car instead of one that stickered for $35k.

As for the seam in the seat hitting kobe8 where it hurts , Have you tried adjusting the lumbar support to maybe move you to a different location? OR tilt the seat bottom up or down and adjust the seat back to change the contact point? As a last resort, buy one of those beaded seat covers that are so popular with cabbies?

 

[Flying Fossil]

You always have the option of getting the seats re-done at a quality shop. Bring a few bucks with you.

 

[5point7]

22Elite has a GB on some covers...

I did see a newer Sebring the other day (02 or 03?), guy was drooling all over my car and had to show me his...all black, with black leather, the seats were MUCH nicer than the C seats.

 

[watchout]

Go with sheepskin covers. Cool in the summer and they protect the leather better than anything!

 

[rdmac]

Like my seats. They are nice and comfy. Will say they get dirty pretty easy - but it does wipe off. Remember the idea here was a full size American car with all the show and go. I would personally classify it as a near luxory car vs a luxory car. It is not the same as up scale Lexus or Mercedes but is a cut above most "American" cars. In its own niche.

Bob

 

[Dutch]

When I was looking at 300Cs I was disappointed in the quality of the leather. It was on a par with the leather in my Mustang, which is as crummy as leather gets.