Topic: First Drive: 2017 Mercedes-Benz C 300 4Matic Coupe

[Serniter]

I agree, but maybe excepting the previous generation CL-class coupe (2009-2015 i think) - IMHO they hit that one out of the park 

Agreed. That was a nice design!

[OliverD]

i see the same thing over and over again from the premium brands.  they either don't offer an alternative to leather or if they do, they will downgrade the seating configuration i.e. not offer the alternative in a sport seat config , or they will restrict the other options available with the "downgraded" level offered with the non leather seats.  jaguar just did this with the f pace.  they have faux leather but they aren't available in a sportier configuration, and the package they are offered in is very restrictive with other options.  they try to force you into higher levels.

Or it could be that they correctly perceive that there isn't sufficient demand for vinyl or cloth in higher trim levels.  Money talks.  If customers were clamoring for it, they would provide it.

Jaguar does offer faux leather but they restrict all the other options available with the faux leather.

This is a North American phenomenon. They are trying to squeeze as much cash out of each sale as possible. Import restrictions?

Huh? Many luxury cars are even more bare bones in Europe than they are here.

[ChaosphereIX]

That's my point. In Europe you have a lot more selection.  In North America, if you want a premium car, it means leather (animal hides) most of the time. I'm trying to suggest that this is an outdated idea.

  it sure is, right on man. There is a growing number of us that would prefer not to have dead animals covering our car, yet want a premium vehicle. I am happy that my new Tesla 3 [whenever I get it  ], will be available with a premium non-animal based interior. Tesla has gone to great lengths to keep their cars as eco-friendly as possible, hell they even have PETA members [for better or worse - even I don't agree with all of their policies] on their board. Other companies should follow suit, as, honestly, the growing number of affluent animal-friendly people are looking for such alternatives.

Alcantara mixed with faux-leather bolsters still looks rich and feels great, and lasts a long time. No need to kill cows to have a rich interior. Glad this is a growing trend, as leather is indeed an outdated idea.

[Jaeger]

Cows are delicious and their hides make wonderful material. So it's all good. I have enough plastic in my life. Real wood and leather add warmth and richness to a premium automobile interior.

[Jaeger]

Cows are delicious and their hides make wonderful material. So it's all good. I have enough plastic in my life. Real wood and leather add warmth and richness to a premium automobile interior.

hahaha  are you trying to tell me you are not changing your mind?

I'm not looking for a vinyl interior even on a fairly pedestrian mainstream offering. And I'm not looking to replace a good steak with synthetic proteins sucked out of a plastic tube, either.

The market will decide, though, regardless of our individual preferences. The market has decided that the manual transmission is a dead dinosaur that doesn't know it yet. Perhaps the market will decide that fully plasticized interiors are super awesome. I will applaud neither outcome.

Now get off my lawn! 

[ChaosphereIX]

those synthetic proteins are better for you and contain more protein per g, but...ah nevermind 

yes the market will decide, and with the quick rise in the numbers of eco-conscious people, and, dare I say, animal lovers [vegans], that market trend may change faster than you think [or at least I hope it will]. Cows are expensive and incredibly wasteful to raise, execute, and skin in order to cover seats. Faux-materials like alcantara are much better, and dont even feel like plastic! Yes plastic isn't perfect environmentally, but it is a damn sight better than cows.

I'm not gonna lecture about animal rights here, or environmentalism, just to say that there is a growing number of people who are concerned about such things and want our premium cars to reflect our ethics, and that is a good thing for all that we have a choice finally. Sure, still get your leather and real wood if you want it, but at least now when I am shopping for a car that is not the ONLY option when looking on the premium side. I will have my alcantara and faux-leather and carbon fiber thanks...because racecar.



I would never, ever touch your lawn sir. The grass looks so immaculate...do you level it with a laser? I bet you take a broom to it after you cut it don't you?....hey....now you put that gun down.....

[tpl]

So i probably should not mention that I am putting in a leather floor in the office/library of my new house........

Seriously?     I have never heard of that...unless you mean just a scattering of animal hide rugs.

[ChaosphereIX]

So i probably should not mention that I am putting in a leather floor in the office/library of my new house........

is that even such a thing? Yikes....

[Ex-airbalancer]

So i probably should not mention that I am putting in a leather floor in the office/library of my new house........

is that even such a thing? Yikes....

Looks great
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/leather-flooring-debuts-green-option.htm

[OliverD]

So any thoughts about the actual car or are we just going to argue about the merits of leather vs. vinyl? 

[ChaosphereIX]

So any thoughts about the actual car or are we just going to argue about the merits of leather vs. vinyl? 

I like it. I dont like it's engine. Turbo V6 would suit it better as a base engine.

[Jaeger]

you owe me a fancy espresso in downtown oakville for bring up the manual transmission.  wrt leather, there's 2 big issues. firstly, it's an animal skin.

As you may have gathered, that's not an issue for me.  And I'm down for coffee pretty much anytime. 

  the other is how the leather industry is operated, much of which is in india.  this issue should be examined harshly by all.  the working conditions are brutal and the toxic waste is obscene.  it's an issue the auto industry itself could apply pressure to improve.

Those concerns are hardly unique to the manufacture of leather. I think if we add up the sum total impact on the environment from the manufacture of plastics and related synthetics we'd stop whining about leather right quick.

So any thoughts about the actual car or are we just going to argue about the merits of leather vs. vinyl? 

Definitely trending toward leather / vinyl.     My thoughts on the car have pretty much been covered.  A lot of dough for a 4-pot, and I'd rather have an Audi anyway.

[Hannibalsmith]

These coupes are all nice, including the A5 and 428...however, the feeling I get when I see the base 4 cylinder versions is "all show, no go"...though I understand they are still quick.

[Jaeger]

These coupes are all nice, including the A5 and 428...however, the feeling I get when I see the base 4 cylinder versions is "all show, no go"...though I understand they are still quick.

I forgot about the 4 series - I like that better, too.

[OliverD]

So any thoughts about the actual car or are we just going to argue about the merits of leather vs. vinyl? 

I like it. I dont like it's engine. Turbo V6 would suit it better as a base engine.

Yeah I'm sure those girls I see driving C-class coupes around here are really clamoring for more power.

A turbo V6 is optional, so who cares what the base engine is?

[evil_twin]

Leather tiles

I'm a caveman but I like to be surrounded in wood, leather, and stone.

Hopefully those suckers can withstand the cabernet and ashes I will likely certainly spill all over them

[Jaeger]

So any thoughts about the actual car or are we just going to argue about the merits of leather vs. vinyl? 

I like it. I dont like it's engine. Turbo V6 would suit it better as a base engine.

Yeah I'm sure those girls I see driving C-class coupes around here are really clamoring for more power.

A turbo V6 is optional, so who cares what the base engine is?

You wanted to discuss THE ACTUAL CAR.  That is how THE ACTUAL CAR that is the subject of the article is equipped. 

[ktm525]

We put 5000 cows per day through our slaughter plant south of Calgary (one of many). As long as the tanning process is environmentally  responsible I can't see why we wouldn't use this byproduct to our beef industry. Using the entire animal is the responsible thing to do. Fake leather is just plastic with a fancy name.

[dave]

So i probably should not mention that I am putting in a leather floor in the office/library of my new house........

Cool.  Looks like I will have to dust off the ol' smoking jacket before my first visit.

[OliverD]

So any thoughts about the actual car or are we just going to argue about the merits of leather vs. vinyl? 

I like it. I dont like it's engine. Turbo V6 would suit it better as a base engine.

Yeah I'm sure those girls I see driving C-class coupes around here are really clamoring for more power.

A turbo V6 is optional, so who cares what the base engine is?

You wanted to discuss THE ACTUAL CAR.  That is how THE ACTUAL CAR that is the subject of the article is equipped. 

I am talking about the actual car. My point is, the typical C-class coupe buyer is not a performance buyer. The base engine is more than adequate for many buyers. There are multiple engine upgrades available for those who want them. There's no reason that the base engine in a coupe like this should be 300 hp +. The existence of the base model takes nothing away from the more performance-oriented options.