LILBENZ230

My car has paint blends but they are not visible to me, no matter the light. Maybe it's the color? Then again the shop that did the work on my Benz was absolutely excellent.

Glyn M Ruck

With the Glasurit, PPG & similar water based metallics used by Benz the common practice is to feather/blend the base coat to fool the eye if the flake does not lay down as original & then clearcoat the whole panel.

That's why you can spot repair so successfully. I'm told by Dent Magic in Cape Town that John's colour & the dark green metallic are the most difficult to get right & the range of silvers the easiest. The two spot repairs that have been done to my car are totally invisible. Even the clearcoat on my car was spot applied & buffed.

Front fender & corner of rear bumper have been spot repaired. If you think you can see something - clean your monitor screen

LILBENZ230

Mine was a bumper replacement and paint blend.

Glyn M Ruck

If the plastic parts of the car are not primed properly they can appear to be a slightly different colour even if the same paint is used.

Audi

Another thing - If a car sees a lot of sun. The newly clearcoated area can make the paint colour look slightly brighter than it should. This will fade in over time. PPG, Glasurit et al will not admit it but the clearcoat does yellow with age ever so slightly & develops very slight opacity. Only us **** types would notice.

MW_ATL

Glyn, I think you have identified why I haven't liked blending when I have seen it done. The ones I have noticed were either fresh, or I can think of a couple that must have just been very poorly done and the metallic didn't match at all.

I have a place on mine that needs a spot repair, courtesy of a key, I believe.

johnand

After a thorough detail recently, and closer inspection, the blend and color match are damn near perfect. The perception of color difference is because the right front fender is so pitted from rocks chips it appears different in color, in reality it is not. Touch-up, and full correction is on tap for this spring.

Still not sure what to do about the pitting in the chrome grill. I am either going to paint the main frame of the grille body color, or may just replace the grille with a new OEM one at ~$140.

Glyn M Ruck

Give her a nice new grill. I can't imagine you driving a car with a modded grill. We have not met but it does not sound like you.

LILBENZ230

I'm with Glyn on that. That would unfortunately knock your car of the pedestal that I have put it on.

MW_ATL

+1

johnand

Today is a good day. Just logged in to MB Financial and made the final payment on my car. I now officially own my W203

In a week and a half, the car will be owned by me for 4 years. I am still putting together a summary complete with a total cost of 4 years of ownership.

johnand

It's unanimous. A new factory grille is coming soon.

TruTaing

woah woah woah - I think this is the first time ive actually seen pics of glyn's car I spy 05+ lighting, bix, and parking sensors

mskembo

Trust me my brother in Diamond Black Metallic... you don't want to know the total cost

I'm glad your girl got fixed up right.

Midnight Koop

me too... i want to see more. are those the SL wheels?

samaritrey

The only thing not original to his car are actually the Mirror turn signal lights. It took some harassing but he ordered them when I bought mine and showed them off. Oh and the Rims.
Got to love how the turn lights are old foggy style but it has the clear bix and fogs. Mercedes was crazy one day i will Finnish my car and get the clear fogs.

tommy

Your car's paid off now. Live a little and think outside the box.

Glyn M Ruck

Nice feeling isn't it - I don't owe any money & choose to live that way.

Glyn M Ruck

Tru - I don't want to mess up John's thread - See second page here.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...me-debate.html

johnand

So, I just got a letter yesterday from the licensing department saying "Congratulations on paying off your car. Your title will be mailed to you in 6-10 weeks.

Then, after starting my car after stopping for lunch. I put the car in reverse, and it bucked really hard. Then, in drive, again a really hard buck. Then took off, and guess what, only 2nd gear....limp-mode. Don't have my STAR with me, but this could be bad. This may just be the last draw with me. After 4 years, I absolutely still love the car, but it's lack of reliability, is starting to frankly, really **** me off.

I am heading out a little early today, and if it still is in limp mode, it goes over to the dealership to let them take care of it and rape me in the process. If it is not in limp mode, I will try to get it safely home the 36 miles, and run STAR and see what is up. If it is really bad, I can always have Roadside tow it to my dealer. I looked at all the service bulletins for the 7G, and mine is outside the serial numbers of all of them, so I have no clue what the issue may be.

LILBENZ230

Oh no!

One thing it can't be in this case is neglect. I love your car, as well - think it is the perfectly optioned and best looking car on the board - but I don't have the time/patience to put up with a car that is unreliable, either. The fuel pump issue would have likely been the final straw with me. This kind of thing is inexcusable for a 2007 model that is perfectly maintained and south of 100k miles.

Keep us posted.

mskembo

Sorry to hear that, I hope that I have a better experience with my C230 7G.

Glyn M Ruck

Sorry to hear of your problems John. I hope it is electronic constipation.

Good luck

W203E35

Wow and you recently did a fluid flush too right? Sorry to hear man.

johnand

Drove home yesterday the 36 miles, and the car shifted like butter, as usual, and had no weird noises or smells.

Plugged in STAR and got code 2767: The signal from component Y3/8n2 (Internal speed sensor (VGS)) is not available. Remedy: Replace Electrohydraulic control unit. Are you F-in kidding me?!?!?! Replace the whole valve body assembly for a $1 hall sensor! Good old MB German engineering.

Not sure what I am going to do at this point. Local dealer wants $2200 to fix

mskembo

Why do they always have to make things so freaking complicated... Ugh, I feel for you John.