Hows your exterior holding up?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 446
Likes: 1
'08 C 300 Sport, '01 SL 500 & '08 Nissan Frontier SE Crew Cab 4WD
Hows your exterior holding up?
So hows your W204's exterior holding up as the miles roll on? I've got 16XXX miles YTD on my wifes C300 Sport. Our car is an early build, we picked it up new 8/15/2007 And I can't believe how speckled and nicked the front bumper is on the car. There are hundreds of tiny pits and a handful of larger gouges to the front bumper area from stones and road debris. The fog lights look slightly peppered too and the headlamps have each taken a large stone or two. Most disappointing is the "Sport" grille. I've got 3-4 gouges or scratches from rocks thrown up and hitting this area. **Knocks on wood** have not cracked or chipped the expensive oem windshield yet.
Also the fenders and hood have a chip or two also and today after detailling the car from a road trip the roof got tagged by a stone. Not sure if some of you with the 18" AMG wheels look at your wheels closely but in 16K miles my right front has 3-4 areas that have caught a rock and left a mark, the others have very small almost not worth mentioning. Luckily there is not one door ding or scratch yet but man is this car hard to keep super nice. My wife drives 44 miles a day to work though 90% highway. I know some of you either work in the city and never drive the highway or rarely drive your C.
-Ryan
Also the fenders and hood have a chip or two also and today after detailling the car from a road trip the roof got tagged by a stone. Not sure if some of you with the 18" AMG wheels look at your wheels closely but in 16K miles my right front has 3-4 areas that have caught a rock and left a mark, the others have very small almost not worth mentioning. Luckily there is not one door ding or scratch yet but man is this car hard to keep super nice. My wife drives 44 miles a day to work though 90% highway. I know some of you either work in the city and never drive the highway or rarely drive your C.
-Ryan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC
2008 Mercedes C300 4Matic
Mine's holding up really good. No complaints here.Curbed one of the rims a while ago but that was my fault. Front is still in tip top shape and I drive the car in the city on the highway and through alot of bad streets. Maybe they do small changes from build to build to correct minor issues? Got mine in Jan.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
That's why clear bra is a good investment. Also, get the x-pel headlight protection. Try not to tailgate. I know it's hard to stay back when you are on highway, but it really helps.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 418
Likes: 1
08 MB
Yep, my car stayed parked until I got a clear bra. No way to avoid a rocked chipped car in city driving especially if on the freeway with construction, landscape trucks, and tons of semis.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, New York
2019 GLA 250 - I am in purgatory right now...
Hey,
Good post, I was thinking of the same thing. You wife and I have similar commutes. Mine is 45 miles one way and all highway. I had the cruise control set at 80Mph for most of the trip this morning
I picked mine up Feb 14, 08 and to date have 10,500 on the clock. Your description of the front sounds exactly like my car. But I have chipped the windshield already
I guess zooming up behind a landscaping truck is not a good idea. I also scraped the rim on a curb, but I got it fixed by rim doctors right away, it looks awsome now. I was considering getting Safelite to fix the chip but I'm on the fence about it.
I'd love a clear bra, but I can't find a place that will install it.....
RickP
Good post, I was thinking of the same thing. You wife and I have similar commutes. Mine is 45 miles one way and all highway. I had the cruise control set at 80Mph for most of the trip this morning
I picked mine up Feb 14, 08 and to date have 10,500 on the clock. Your description of the front sounds exactly like my car. But I have chipped the windshield already I guess zooming up behind a landscaping truck is not a good idea. I also scraped the rim on a curb, but I got it fixed by rim doctors right away, it looks awsome now. I was considering getting Safelite to fix the chip but I'm on the fence about it.I'd love a clear bra, but I can't find a place that will install it.....
RickP
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 418
Likes: 1
08 MB
I posted how the dealers die cut clear bra is less than perfect but it may be an only option for some. I would give them a call and definitely haggle on price as they are to high for list as usual.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
Go here and type in your zip for installer location:
http://www.xpel.com/
I have installed clear bra on a number of cars, and I have to say, the bumper on the c class sport is very difficult. I gave up and called a pro. I don't have their type of training. It still took him about 2.5 hours. I di the hood with some cheap ebay crap that I am having the professional guy replace. The headlights are easy if you get the films with the proper relief cuts.
http://www.xpel.com/
I have installed clear bra on a number of cars, and I have to say, the bumper on the c class sport is very difficult. I gave up and called a pro. I don't have their type of training. It still took him about 2.5 hours. I di the hood with some cheap ebay crap that I am having the professional guy replace. The headlights are easy if you get the films with the proper relief cuts.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
E46 M3
i just had the Xpel put on my wife's car this weekend. Wow did I make a mistake. It only took this guy 2 days to install the 24" hood coverage, bumper, mirrors, door cup, trunk lip, head lights, and fogs. The guy seems to be slower then grass growing. how good is his work, its okay not great. I called a place recommended by a member here, was quoted 1K for the 24" hood and 1600 for full hood so i went with the guy I found on xpel.com ( paid 500.00). I saw another Mini done by a place around here. They cut into the clear coat on many spot while intalling the clear bra to help the install process. The person with the Mini is fighting the install company now to repaint the front of the car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,809
Likes: 4
From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
Clear bra was the best investment and the very first thing I did to my car. No matter what aftermarket mods or upgrades you do, if your car is all chipped up, it just takes away from the effect.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, New York
2019 GLA 250 - I am in purgatory right now...
Regards,
Rick
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
Darstar, even x-pel reps admit it's not always perfect, but damn, sounds like you got a goofball.
Rick, the quality of the stuff is great. It is clearcoated and invisible. I have a white C and I had to double check to make sure it was actually on the car bumper. Ask your installer if they know how complicated the new c class is. My guy had done one already, so he knew. He came to my place and he was really cool. It helps that he is an enthusiast.
Rick, the quality of the stuff is great. It is clearcoated and invisible. I have a white C and I had to double check to make sure it was actually on the car bumper. Ask your installer if they know how complicated the new c class is. My guy had done one already, so he knew. He came to my place and he was really cool. It helps that he is an enthusiast.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,809
Likes: 4
From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
One caveat though....if you're not strapped for cash, I'd seriously recommend doing a full cover and not just the 1/3 precut. I ended up doing a full hood, but the fenders were 1/3 and I'm regretting not doing full fender wrap around. the edges on the bra I've noticed get dirty easily and require lots of q-tip attention. When dirty, it clearly shows a dark line. Imagine a white car with a dark line going across the hood or fender. Ugly. I've now added a little bottle of q-tips in my car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
One caveat though....if you're not strapped for cash, I'd seriously recommend doing a full cover and not just the 1/3 precut. I ended up doing a full hood, but the fenders were 1/3 and I'm regretting not doing full fender wrap around. the edges on the bra I've noticed get dirty easily and require lots of q-tip attention. When dirty, it clearly shows a dark line. Imagine a white car with a dark line going across the hood or fender. Ugly. I've now added a little bottle of q-tips in my car.
I've never had that problem. Your installer must not have squeegeed (is that a word?) the edges that well, or the edge of the bra may be too close to the edge of your panels.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,809
Likes: 4
From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
It's the edge that sits in the middle of the panel/fender that gets the dirtiest. I see a line of dirt/dust after maybe 2-3 days of driving. They're a very reputable company and came highly recommended through many boards. I'll be taking it in for the 1 month checkup and I'll ask them about it then.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
'08 C350 Sport
I went out to cruise late night here in DC for a couple hours on the freeway and the front bumper was just covered with dead bugs. Since I waxed it the day I took it out, I just took a hose and easily just rinsed them off 
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
E46 M3
My wife's old saab after 50K miles driving in the DC area looked like it was hit by a gravel truck. I told myself that the next car would get a clear bra installed.
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 201
Likes: 25
From: Washington, D.C.
2016 GLC300 & 1991 500SL
Unfortunately, it's a tradeoff: harder (nano) paint to prevent scratches, or softer paint to prevent chips. These new nano paints are going to chip more easily, but scratch less.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Kirkland, WA
c300
Strangly enough, not a lot of chips in the hood paint, but the bumpers aren't holding up well ... not to mention having replaced the plastic lower grill twice now. Knock on wood, my fog light lens are in tact and holding up.
Driver's side mirror turn signal lense seal is blown and it's getting condensation in it all the time.
Driver's side mirror turn signal lense seal is blown and it's getting condensation in it all the time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
So hows your W204's exterior holding up as the miles roll on? I've got 16XXX miles YTD on my wifes C300 Sport. Our car is an early build, we picked it up new 8/15/2007 And I can't believe how speckled and nicked the front bumper is on the car. There are hundreds of tiny pits and a handful of larger gouges to the front bumper area from stones and road debris. The fog lights look slightly peppered too and the headlamps have each taken a large stone or two. Most disappointing is the "Sport" grille. I've got 3-4 gouges or scratches from rocks thrown up and hitting this area. **Knocks on wood** have not cracked or chipped the expensive oem windshield yet.
Also the fenders and hood have a chip or two also and today after detailling the car from a road trip the roof got tagged by a stone. Not sure if some of you with the 18" AMG wheels look at your wheels closely but in 16K miles my right front has 3-4 areas that have caught a rock and left a mark, the others have very small almost not worth mentioning. Luckily there is not one door ding or scratch yet but man is this car hard to keep super nice. My wife drives 44 miles a day to work though 90% highway. I know some of you either work in the city and never drive the highway or rarely drive your C.
-Ryan
Also the fenders and hood have a chip or two also and today after detailling the car from a road trip the roof got tagged by a stone. Not sure if some of you with the 18" AMG wheels look at your wheels closely but in 16K miles my right front has 3-4 areas that have caught a rock and left a mark, the others have very small almost not worth mentioning. Luckily there is not one door ding or scratch yet but man is this car hard to keep super nice. My wife drives 44 miles a day to work though 90% highway. I know some of you either work in the city and never drive the highway or rarely drive your C.
-Ryan
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,060
Likes: 0
From: Basel, Switzerland
Audi A5 Sportback + Cannondale Prophet
Tired of rock chips? Everyone knows that the only sure bet to avoid rock chips is this:
https://mbworld.org/forums/off-topic/84417-i-m-so-fed-up-rock-chips-front-my-car.html
Too bad the "evidence" is gone...
https://mbworld.org/forums/off-topic/84417-i-m-so-fed-up-rock-chips-front-my-car.html
Too bad the "evidence" is gone...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver
C350 4Matic
One caveat though....if you're not strapped for cash, I'd seriously recommend doing a full cover and not just the 1/3 precut. I ended up doing a full hood, but the fenders were 1/3 and I'm regretting not doing full fender wrap around. the edges on the bra I've noticed get dirty easily and require lots of q-tip attention. When dirty, it clearly shows a dark line. Imagine a white car with a dark line going across the hood or fender. Ugly. I've now added a little bottle of q-tips in my car.
Iv seen that before, cars that have the clear bra and dirt line across the leading edge. Makes it look like crap. But doing the hole hood and side fenders, that sounds like a good idea.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 648
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
C-300, XC70, Wrangler
Makes me wish I'd done that. The landscape truck spewing out rocks a lane over and 50 ft ahead (way back when) dinged the top of my hood, aft of the clear bra line. So the paint had to be touched up. If the whole hood had been covered, no problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 0
From: N. California
2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
+1
