Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Floor Mats Review
We all focus on how the precocious four-stroke V-2 engine from 1889 aged into present day's 300 plus horses of raw power... But is this perpetual development all that's important? CocoMats, WeatherTech, and Mercedes-Benz itself don't seem to think so.
This article applies to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class C250/300/350/400 W204/W205 (2007-Present).
It was Grandpa Joe who said, "I never thought that I would be slap in the lap of luxury." Awestruck upon hearing those indelible words from producer David L. Wolper's 1971 film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, I thought to myself, "you know what? I could use this in an article someday." And, lo and behold, here it is! But what does it have to do with what you're reading?
Well, nothing really... However, such as Charlie raved through the candy-coated streets—golden ticket flying in hand, iconic of life's quirks of serendipity and persistence—here we wave the gleaming metaphorical stub of industrial-automotive-aftermarket-and-original-equipment-manufacturer product ratings, reviews, and information.
OK, so up 'til now we've written about the owner complaints of quasi-leather "bleeding" MB-Tex vinyl-made seats, the oft-malfunctioning COMMAND system notorious for problems too many to count, as well as the pros and the piquant packages—the sheer & smooth interior wood trim and the elegant & classy look Mercedes-Benz has practically trademarked, manufacturing vehicles that rank first in category of luxury and comfort amongst all passenger vehicles in the automotive industry (from history to present day). And although we've reviewed and nit-picked the most obvious of parts, like the sleek and distinct curvature of the C-Class exterior, the roaring bi-turbo V-6 engine, and the interior ambient lighting that would make all drivers and passengers feel as if they were floating to the aether, there's one thing we've missed. An interior component so overlooked and undervalued—something that has been around since the advent of off-the-line, individually owned and driven transportation—must be given its due respect. It withstands the brutality of unforgiving weather conditions to protect your vehicle's interior countenance and what it consists of demands nothing but the highest of quality material with a tasteful look to complement not only your customized trim, but your uniquely bold (or mundane) personal sense of style.
So what is this "part" that, for the sake of my writing this extensive article, requires not only a simple mentioning but a glorified review for the ages to come and appreciate? Floor mats.
Yes... Floor Mats
CocoMats |
WeatherTech |
Mercedes-Benz OEM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
|
|
|
| Material |
|
High-Density Tri-Extruded (HDTE) composition |
Polyethylene rubber compound |
| Color Options | Several |
|
|
| Warranty | 1 year | 3 years | N/A |
| Looks | Hinreißend (fantastic!) | Schön (nice!) | Schön (nice!) |
Best Value: WeatherTech — for delivering on low prices without sacrificing quality or aesthetic appeal
CocoMats
Price: from $435 to $870 (plus tax) for a complete set
Material: coconut and sisal fibers, seagrass, wool, and phthalate-free bonded vinyl
Color Options: "24 coco colors, 9 sisal colors, 2 seagrass weaves, 7 wool colors, 9 Fürstil C/B colors," which stretch out from a coral-striped design, to a checkered black and green pattern, to a solid black, red, or olive
Warranty: 1 year
We should consider this first—Coco Mats are old. We’re talking vintage 1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A Speedster old, when Coco Mats were one of the very few automotive floor mats ever to set foot in cars. For some added perspective, this decade of the '50s sought the emergence of Rock-n-Roll and the re-emergence of Jazz, with artists such as Buddy Holly and Miles Davis reaching the pinnacle of their popularity. During these "olden" times for cars, cabin floors were made from only rubber and not of molded carpeting; and that's where Coco Mats came in. These floor mats paved the way for OEM (and aftermarket) carpeted mats as being the optional factory accessories offered in nearly all German vehicles such as BMW, Triumph, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz.
Although the CocoMats brand has been in and out over the years, opening and closing in areas like Southern California, Georgia, Illinois, and Germany, since its birth Coco Mats have had a reputation for not only longevity, but quality and variety as well—from a checkered black and orange design made from sisal natural fibers to the conventional solid tan, brown, and grey colored mats made from wool or high-strength vinyl. Several other colors and materials are offered as well—way too many to list here. But bright colors and vintage patters aren't all CocoMats deliver. Jay Leno himself has the black and subtle red mats to complement his '55 Gullwing 300SL coupé, just one amongst the millions of exotic cars in his garage.
The cons are scarce with these mats. Other than MBWorld forum members claiming that Coco Mats are a “PITA” to clean (pardon the French) and a bit on the pricier side, these reasons seem hardly enough to persuade me in the red. So if you’re looking for custom, non-OEM looking mats, these are your best option. I don’t recommend at all not choosing these.
Featured Video: Watch the Review by Jay Leno and President of CocoMats
WeatherTech
Price: from $220 to $300 (plus tax) for a complete set
Material: High-Density Tri-Extruded (HDTE) composition, which includes a rigid polyethylene core and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) top and bottom layers
Color Options: black, tan/beige, and grey
Warranty: 3 years
WeatherTech FloorLiners are the brainchild of MacNeil Automotive Products Ltd., a company that has manufactured aftermarket and OEM car accessories since 1989. This company is headquartered in Illinois, which plays a significant role behind its success and personality. Founder David MacNeil, opting against practical business strategy, or what some economists might say, "conventional wisdom," cannot be swayed by the low labor costs attainable through the outsourcing of product development and manufacturing. Rather, MacNeil took the side of keeping things local, opening up employment in the U.S. to produce high quality floor mats using advanced technology, software, and American-made machinery. In return, this tactic has thrived more than most have predicted. Domestic shipment is more reliable than international, and in-house manufacturing is ideal if you're looking for a reliable product.
So, aside from WeatherTech's admirable upbringings, what is it really that grabs the shoes of C-Class owners? It's simple! The WeatherTech DigitalFit FloorLiners are laser-measured to mold each nook and cranny of nearly every Mercedes-Benz interior floorboard. They are made from a High-Density Tri-Extruded (HDTE) compound with rubber-like top and bottom thermosplastic elastomers (TPE) and a strong polyethylene core. OK, maybe that isn't so simple. But in short, these floor mats are as heavy-duty and high-quality as they are cutting edge, paralleling the progression and complexity of the C-Class itself.
The only negative barely worth mentioning is that these mats can "feel a bit slippery at times." The prevailing public opinion, however, is that WeatherTech floor mats are excellent at keeping the "winter" off of the carpets—effective (to say the least) in catching water, gravel, slime, sludge, mud dirt, debris, snow, ice, grime, grease, salt, contaminants, etc. These FloorLiners have two-inch high edges to protect sidewall carpeting, and grommets allow them to snap right into place for a solid fit. Fill these "bucket" liners with water and you can watch your goldfish grow old right on the cabin floor. I say this jokingly of course, as WeatherTech—being ISO 9001 certified—would be appalled at the speculation. Building on the ethos of the International Organization for Standardization, this manufacturer abides by worldwide commercial regulations and keeps in mind the importance of environmental awareness.
Lastly, whereas Coco Mats have gained a long-standing reputation for originality and personal touch over generations extending way back when, WeatherTech's FloorLiners are relatively new. And as MacNeil has demonstrated, new isn't always bad. I'm sold on this brand just for its line of drink coasters.
Featured Video: Here's How WeatherTech Did It
Mercedes-Benz OEM
Price: $245 (plus tax) at most for a complete set
Material: polyethylene rubber compound
Color Options: black, tan/beige, and grey
Warranty: N/A
Although they are also a bit on the pricier end, the Mercedes-Benz branded OEM W204/W205 floor and cargo mats you might be able to finagle from the dealer.
These all-weather front and rear floor mats are constructed from a polyethylene rubber compound for easy cleaning. Additionally, the deep wells (deeper than the WetherTech FloorLiners) of their honeycomb design trap an overwhelmingly large amount of dirt, water, salt and slush to prevent the carpet underneath from staining; also, their straight and sunken channels resemble the waterways of the river Rhine, restricting any water and debris to surging nowhere but the vast Black Sea. The cargo tray is made from the same rubber compound but without the channels; it does, however, have two-inch high outer edges to prevent spillage.
One drawback of the boot tray is that it's only offered in black. Fortunately though, the cabin floor mats are available in black, grey, and beige, which disappear into the floor providing a finer color-matching quality than the other mats listed—for obvious reasons. Lastly, aside form those few rubber [floor mat] kickers, C-Class owners have highly-touted the Mercedes-Benz OEM floor mats, which have been deemed a popular and venerated choice. After all, what better way to represent Mercedes-Benz than by stamping their logo on your cabin floor?
Featured Video: A Short on Mercedes-Benz All-Weather Rubber Floor Mats
Concluding thoughts...
" These are floor mats we're talking about, not engine modifications. Floor mats protect the carpet, catch and hold dirt and water, and look awful after a winter's season of use. They are not a critical component, just something to help protect the carpets from filth. When they get dirty, you take them out and wash them, then put them back in." —MBWorld Forum Member
To this I cannot disagree more. Floor mats don't simply fall under the scoff-worthy group of automotive parts like the brakes or the transmission. They are all the more significant, a commodity and investment that not only protect the resale value of your prized C-Class, but determine whether or not your glum and rainy day will get a whole lot gloomier.
By now it should be made clear how important this selection of floor mats really is. So ponder on it, take the night off, or maybe save it for the weekend. Don't make the snap decision of pulling off the isle an overly-pliable, one-size-fits-all, generic floor mat merely because Target credit card holders receive five percent cash back on all store purchases. Remember this—when asked about the children who didn't make it to the floating glass elevator, Wonka said "...they'll be quite all right. When they leave here, they'll be completely restored to their normal, terrible old selves. But maybe they'll be a little bit wise for the wear."
Live and learn—you've gone this far. Your next step might literally be the most important decision of your life. Viel Glück (good luck)!
Related Discussions
- WeatherTech Floor Liners - MBWorld.org
- C400 Floor Mats - MBWorld.org
- What Kind of Floor Mats Did You Buy? - MBWorld.org
