I live in Tampa FL. I just took my 2005 C230 coupe to the dealer to have some parts looked at. Specifically the headlights and the back tailgate (Clear plastic part). The headlights have clouded over, and the tailgate plastic part looks like it has clear coat coming off or something.

I was just told this is "Sun Damage" and sun damage is not covered under the warranty. Does this seem correct?

Take it to a different dealership. If your car was out of warranty they might say this, but under warranty they shouldn't have any problem replacing stuff.

Hm... that's a lot of yellowing plastic. Just wondering, do you ever go over your plastic parts with a buffer when detailing your car?

I would definitely try another dealer.. Can you go to the one you bought the car from? OR did you not buy from a MB dealer?

^ that floor looks just like a rodger penske floor lol

word take it to a diff dealer and than try to compound the lights and see if that works

Roger Penske ftw.

The headlights are sprayed with a clear lacquer for UV protection of the polycarbonate lenses. They should be cleaned with a clean dry cloth only. If you used any detergents like Dawn, or used any polish with any grit in it, you might have removed the lacquer. Washing with clear water and car wash soap is allowed, but not with hard scrubbing.

The Germans learned to make water based clearcoat that would not unlink in sunlight and flake off around 1990. Your cars rear plastic spoiler might have been repainted at the dealer or the PDC, and improper surface preparation might be the problem.

Sun damage is not covered under warranty. The factory didn't tell you to take it out in the sun. If you were to suggest to them that the sun would not have damaged the finish had it not been for a factory defect in the application, you might get better service.

lol. i would know that floor, i have been to the dealership enough times!!!

Anyone willing to make a paypal wager of any amount that floor is not Penske ??

It is Mercedes of Bedford, OH. Outside of Cleveland. I bought the car from Ebay. I live in Florida

Sun damage in Tampa, wow, what would happen in a place that's really sunny like So Cal? Would the car shrivle up? I had my coupe for 3 years, never had any yellowing/fading/peeling/clouding of the headlights or hatch window issues. Sure, Florida is warm but it's far from being as sunny, arid or hot in the summer as the desert southwest.

If it's under warranty, they have to make good on it and just because this is a common issue that fails on all cars in the area doesn't make it right. Ask them to setup a meeting with the zone rep.

Also post your complaint on the National Highway Traffic Safety website (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) since these are safety related and enough people complain it could trigger a recall. Let the zone rep know you filed a complaint as it's safety related and your next step if they don't fix it is the state attorney general's office and Florida Bureau of Automotive Repair.

What? are you saying that floor is or is not a Penske floor?

Ahhh ok .. You got me.. I thought there was a dealership named Penske..
I had no idea it was owned by the corporation.

Someone else said they had been there a bunch of times, yet their profile said CT..

You were right, would you like your paypal wager now or later?

What is strange about it is that the taillights were in perfect condition, but the part on the trunk was having an issue. Surely they were exposed to the exact same conditions.... Well good news, they decided to replace the clear window piece on the trunk. It is on order and I'm just waiting for it to come in, so I'm pretty satisfied with their service now.
Unfortunately I didn't get anywhere on the headlights. At one point I was told that it was caused by "Antifreeze" leaking on them. I just had to chuckle and pretend I didn't hear that. I'll fight the headlight battle another day. They aren't terribly bad (I've seen a lot worse), I'm just a little picky, and expect more from Mercedes in terms of quality.

lol, damnit i was going to say i'll bet u 1 million dollars too! yea Penske Auto Group, used to be United Auto Group. The guy owns like 300 dealerships in the US and internationally. http://www.penskeautomotive.com/

Just Purchase some MEGUIARS PLASTX and polish the lens/plastic

A Good coat of wax once the lens is cleaned and One should not have any Problems with the Lens

https://www.meguiars.com/?clear-plas...Cleaner-Polish