Merc R - Why alcantra

ninty9er

Looking through Carzone at the moment about 80-90% of the R Classes have alcantra rather than leather....presumably it's aimed at being a load carrier for the rich, why skimp on the f*ing leather...it's muche easier to wipe stuff off of.:rolleyes:

colm_mcm

Merc "leather" usually isn't real leather anyway it's usually MB-Tex, or leatherette. Alcantara is hardly bargain basement stuff.

Guy:Incognito

Velour is the way forward. In tastfull burgundy of course

Eoin

I have an alcantara interior, and wouldn't consider it "skimping" by any means. Leather isn't the be all and end all - it's sticky in the summer and cold in the winter.

ninty9er

eoin_s wrote: »

I have an alcantara interior, and wouldn't consider it "skimping" by any means. Leather isn't the be all and end all - it's sticky in the summer and cold in the winter.

But would milk, fruit juices etc not stick to alcantra?

Eoin

ninty9er wrote: »

But would milk, fruit juices etc not stick to alcantra?

I'm sure it would - I am just pointing out that it's not really considered a cheap alternative which your "skimping" comment clearly implied.

ninty9er

with leather @ €5k and what is actually classed as suede by Carzone @€;2,400, it is a significantly cheaper option, not that there's anything wrong with it, just thaought it strange for an MPV.

Matt Simis

ninty9er wrote: »

with leather @ €5k and what is actually classed as suede by Carzone @€;2,400, it is a significantly cheaper option, not that there's anything wrong with it, just thaought it strange for an MPV.

Alcantara is much harder wearing than leather. A lot of the German sporty cars have it as an option mixed with leather (ie your ass is on the Alcantara, leather either side). As above I never thought of it as skimping.




Some random Audi S4 price list I found (dunno how old):

Alcantara/Pearl Nappa Leather - Silver £0
Silk Nappa leather - Black with Silver Piping £525
Silk Nappa leather - Silver with black Piping £525
Silk Nappa leather - Crimson Red with Black Piping £1,100
Audi exclusive-Fine Nappa leather/Alcantara - Any colour £3,750
Audi exclusive-Fine Nappa leather - Any colour £3,750
Alcantara/Pearl Nappa Leather - Black £0


Seems to be on par price wise.

bazz26

Didn't know anyone even bought the R Class.

Anan1

colm_mcm wrote: »

Merc "leather" usually isn't real leather anyway it's usually MB-Tex, or leatherette.

That certainly was true up to the early 90s. In recent years though, MB leather, although cheap, is generally real.

craichoe

ninty9er wrote: »

Looking through Carzone at the moment about 80-90% of the R Classes have alcantra rather than leather....presumably it's aimed at being a load carrier for the rich, why skimp on the f*ing leather...it's muche easier to wipe stuff off of.:rolleyes:

Planning on driving around the Docks at night are we