MB TEX vs. LEATHER

[keesing]

How can you tell the difference between MB TEX an LEATHER just from a photo... What are the visible differences???
 :oops:

[Douglas]

There's generally a more pronounced grain to the Tex. I understand that Roser leather used to have that grain as well, but over the years it tends to flatten out.

Certain colors are easy to spot--black and red, for example. Also, if it's original leather, there are always creases to varying degrees, even on the most pristine examples.

I'v also noticed that the piping on Tex can discolor and lighten over the years. This happens on the places most exposed to UV like the headrests.

Oh and one more thing -- the early Tex is the easiest to spot. The seat insert has a totally unique pattern that is completely different from the familiar leather pattern. The transition happened during the 250 SL. I'll let the 250 experts comment further.

[A Dalton]

<<Oh and one more thing -- the early Tex is the easiest to spot. The seat insert has a totally unique pattern that is completely different from the familiar leather pattern. The transition happened during the 250 SL. I'll let the 250 experts comment further.>>

 Basket Weave ... very nice.
 Replaced with Pin Cushin on later chassis.

[Chad]

The basketweave pattern is reproduced exactly by current GAHH reproductions. The texture otherwise was very similar to the four decade old vinyl, but who knows what it was like new?  

I actually like the basketweave and am very satisfied with the GAHH vinyl.

[sunilga]

Chad is the basket weave pattern available in vinyl from GAHH. From my research they do that in leather not vinyl/mb tex.
Pls advise

[Flyair]

I think that one of the easiest ways to tell the difference is the amount of sweat on your back and elsewhere (as you can imagine) that you gather seating on the MB Tex vinyl as opposed to leather, but some sweat no matter what they are seated on, anyway...
Stan

[zoegrlh]

The smell will give leather away.  Especially if you have just put in new leathers.  I had just finished replacing my leathers and on that weekend took the SL to a car show,  It rained some that day, so I had to close the car up.  When judges came by to inspect, and opened the doors and smelled the new leather, wow, I won my class at the show.
Bob

[KevinC]

GAHH most definitely does the basket weave in vinyl

quote author=sunilga link=topic=4797.msg87913#msg87913 date=1276727314]
Chad is the basket weave pattern available in vinyl from GAHH. From my research they do that in leather not vinyl/mb tex.
Pls advise
[/quote]