qarl

I just picked up a new 2010 E350 at closeout pricing.

When I got home I remove the airbag sticker on the front dash (stuck on the burl wood trim) above the dash.

The wood underneath was MUCH darker than the surrounding trim. I imagine that the car has been on the lot for 6-9 months and the sun faded the rest of the wood.

It's noticeable just looking at it.

Should I ask the dealer to replace these pieces under warranty. I mean it's not broken, but it looks pretty bad. It doesn't matter that the car is physically 6-9 months old. I purchased it NEW so everything should be perfect.

What say ye?

reckrab

Is the MBtek part of the dash faded too? The wood has a pretty thick coat of sealant on it so the wood really shouldn't fade in that short a time. I would wonder if there is some kind of film build up on the exposed trim or if the clear coat somehow turned dull.

I would certainly consider bringing it to the dealer's attention.

220S

Yes, and the dealer will replace it (same thing happened to me.)

BUT: realize that the replacement piece will also be different. It won't quite match until it has time to fade a bit, too, plus it comes from a different batch. Dealer should warn you that it may not match exactly. (again, same thing happened to me; but after a year it's all looking the same....)

qarl

No, everything else is fine (ie MBTex). It's just that the sun bleached and lightened the wood. The sticker shaded the area and it looks darker because of it.

Thanks. I'll ask them to replace as much of it as I can get away with.

Q

220S

You can "get away" with all of it. It'll be covered; my dealer never even flinched and presto, the piece was ordered and installed. But if your dealer does balk then tell him you'll not do any service work with him and go to another dealer. And there's always 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES.

K-A

What the hell's wrong with the wood on these cars? There have been lots of reports of dulling wood (especially cars with that stupid sticker on the wood areas).

I've seen older M-B's go years upon years, sitting outside, etc. with the wood still having a new-like look.

Maybe they all just instantly sun-fade to a certain point, then pretty much stay at that hue?

220S

That's pretty much it. All wood (and the stains used) will fade to a certain degree. As long as it fades evenly you won't notice over time. That's why the pieces covered over with a sticker are noticeable; but they'll fade to match, too, once the sticker's off.

K-A

Ah. Yeah that makes sense then.

El Cid

I have a home that is 60 years old. Ironically, the real wood panelling is lighter underneath pictures that have been on the walls for years.
Apparently real wood gets darker as it ages.
Of course, wood in a car is probably different. Seems to me the car was poorly prepped when came in if all stickers not removed for this very reason. I test drove lots of different cars and I do not recall any with a sticker on the dash.

220S

fwiw, different species of "real" wood darkens or lightens over time. And wood used in homes, cars, etc., is not unfinished wood. A lot of that change can come from the varnish, sealant, stain, etc..

Mercedes veneer is real wood, btw. It's stained and then injected with poly. The Sellner Group is the vendor: http://www.sellner.de/

EDIT: sorry, I meant darkens or lightens......not fades or lightens (that's the same thing, duh)

Dema

I bought a bookshelf set. It is real wood, I chosen one set which looked better than others since had darker wood color. When I brought it home and unpacked I noticed that all shelf planks actually same white and only top one got darker color since was exposed to sun. So sun effect isn’t always as fading. BTW, my skin becomes darker in sun lights too.
Regarding OP problem, my car was sitting in dealer’s lot for 6 months too and under California sun too, however when I pilled sticker, I didn’t notice any wood color difference. I guess fading effect is more visible on black wood.

YYZ-E55

The Chevy dealer has some real nice plastiwood that probably won't fade. I'll stick with my laminate, thanks.

ysl6122

Hi, I got a 2010 E350 in July this year and also noticed the first day all the front seat wood trims were faded. It is very different in comparison with the back seat wood trims.

I have been working with my local dealer for the past 4 months and now they told me this is s common problem and MB is working on it and won't replace mine until they have a solution. They refuse to tell me when this is going to happen. What should I do?

I am very frustrated.

K-A

That's so incredibly unacceptable. The wood in 30 year old M-B's look brand new, without much maintenance. The fact that brand new cars are having faded wood, is insane.

Mine seems dark and rich as new, but my windows are dark tinted, so it's harder to tell.

I put a coat of wax on mine recently as well. My car is garaged though, and doesn't sit in the sun much.

RNBRAD

I've never seen real wood not fade to a point. If it doesn't fade it probably ain't real.

ysl6122

I agree with you. I asked them if they at least can replace mine for now until MB comes up with a long term solution. It just does not make sense to me at all.

K-A

Isn't Burl supposed to get darker though?

Unless they're "designed" to instantly fade up to a point, then stay that way.

RNBRAD

Well the sun bleaches most woods. I have plantation shutters, oak doors, different trims etc.. over the years and all have faded from a lot to a little. My shutters faded quick at first and have maintained. As for burl, I'm assuming it would fade, as most woods do. There are a limited few that darken, but according to these experiences it must lighten. But from my experience, they lighten to a certain point and stop.

hyperion667

AH HA!! the old ultimatum con, LOL........

qarl

My 2010 was purchased in late September.

I filled out my "new buyer's survey" a few weeks after I bought my car (via the web). In the comments section I noted that the wood on the dash was faded, and was especially noticeable around the area where airbag warning sticker had been removed.

I had not yet brought it to the dealer's attention or had any service done.

About 2 weeks ago, I get a call from my local dealer (where I bought the car) stating that my "parts" were in and to schedule a service appointment. I politely informed them that I hadn't ordered any parts or even brought the car in for service yet.

Apparently, Mercedes read my comments and ordered all new wood for the interior of the car. They gave me a loaner (C-class), and it took a service tech the better part of a day to install everything.

So let MBUSA know! There is a known issue with 2010s and a batch of wood that was installed without appropriate UV blockers in the lacquer... causing premature fading.

And I was informed that they can't replace one or two pieces.... they replace it ALL because the dash and related pieces are cut from the same tree so as to keep wood tone and patterns consistent.

To say the least, I was very impressed with the proactiveness of MBUSA.

Dema

Wow, really nice expereince. I haven't receive any survey and couldn't report the problem. I wish to buy MB from your dealer next time.

K-A

That's great to hear. Unfortunate that some don't have the proper UV protection though. Gotta wonder how those things make it past quality control.

When was your E built? I wonder if it affects certain dates, or if it's just a random batch.

My windows are tinted, and my car rarely ever sits in the sun. Kinda wondering now how I can find out whether I have the bad or good wood.

El Cid

Purchased mine in late November of 2009 and no problems with wood fading, etc. However, it is garaged about 85% of the time so that may account for it. Hopefully though I don't have the problem. BTW, don't recall getting a survey from MBUSA.

Brad S55(IN)

I noticed faded after a few weeks, and my dealership replaced every piece of wood within 2 days time, and it looks so good! I also had issues with the center console lid not closing all the way and now it works perfect. Be sure to push the issue, or find another dealership and get the car fixed. Each dealership seems to work differently. I'm wondering now about wiping on a UV protectant to put on the new wood.

K-A

Now that it's a known issue, and covered under Warranty, at that, I'm sure it shouldn't be hard to replace. MBUSA is aware of the issue.

How long is the Warranty on it? I take it, for the full period?