MARS RED paint bubbles and whiteness on C300 sports edition
#52
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I am thinking of filing a petition. I had a disgraceful response from Mercedes hq stating that They are repainting the car and that is as far as they will go event hough they know the paint quality might not match the paint on a car that is painted by a robot under controlled conditions in the factory. They seriously told me they could not help me out. They fail to realize that this warranty defect affects the resale value of the car
#54
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C300
My mom has a Mazda red, my uncle has a BMW 5 series in red and another friend owns a red audi, none have these issues or complaints and these cars are 2012 or older.
#55
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#58
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JP and Skazmi, have either of you discussed with the dealer about them replacing your car with a similar 2014 car as opposed to replacing it with a brand new car? If so, what did they say they would or wouldn't do?
#59
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Yes I did not ask for a new car. Same specs model with similar miles even if used. But they refused saying their paint job is the only thing they could provide even though they understand the fact that it is not painted as it is painted when it comes from a factory.
#61
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Man, it me that really sucks as replacing the car with something equivalent that wasn't repainted seems very fair. Well, at least to me it does. I understand they feel they are correcting the problem and going forward you should not have a repeat of the issue, so they are "making you whole", so to speak. On the other hand, I would think anyone expecting a brand new car for that trouble is way overboard. But unless that is one hell of a paint job I can't imagine a sharp eyed car buyer not being able to tell it was repainted. And it certainly would be obvious to anyone in the car business it was repainted. I would have to think that would devalue the car once it would be time to trade it in, so through no fault of your own you are losing some value to your purchase.
I hope it works out for you in the end.
I hope it works out for you in the end.
#62
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2014 GLK 350 AMG Package
More disappointment
We spent much of our holiday dealing with Mercedes Benz corporate, local dealerships, etc and were constantly beaten back down to a repaint. There are rumors of a recall but this is different from a mechanical defect. In this case the value of the car is greatly diminished. They offered us half as much as we paid last year with $8k incentive. I would happily take a replacement car of same year but they insist on repainting the car and extending the warranty an additional 25k miles. We asked for this in writing and in the write up they said that they might do this rather than that they will. Being a car and racing enthusiast and a mechanic, I find this to disgraceful and unacceptable of Mercedes Benz. The biggest problem is that there is a tsb for this paint problem for Mars red, that existed prior to these cars' manufacture or sale; yet Mercedes Benz still sold the defective cars.
#63
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We spent much of our holiday dealing with Mercedes Benz corporate, local dealerships, etc and were constantly beaten back down to a repaint. There are rumors of a recall but this is different from a mechanical defect. In this case the value of the car is greatly diminished. They offered us half as much as we paid last year with $8k incentive. I would happily take a replacement car of same year but they insist on repainting the car and extending the warranty an additional 25k miles. We asked for this in writing and in the write up they said that they might do this rather than that they will. Being a car and racing enthusiast and a mechanic, I find this to disgraceful and unacceptable of Mercedes Benz. The biggest problem is that there is a tsb for this paint problem for Mars red, that existed prior to these cars' manufacture or sale; yet Mercedes Benz still sold the defective cars.
#64
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2014 GLK 350 AMG Package
I agree with you. A petition or protesting a dealership or going to the news would expose their behavior. We haven't gone the litigation route yet but have been extremely persistent. I feel bad for those that just take it. The "widowed grandmother". They might charge her for the paint job! I did see a late model mb in Charleston SC that was sporting primer. Perhaps it was previously Mars red or Black!
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2014 GLK 350 AMG Package
Man, it me that really sucks as replacing the car with something equivalent that wasn't repainted seems very fair. Well, at least to me it does. I understand they feel they are correcting the problem and going forward you should not have a repeat of the issue, so they are "making you whole", so to speak. On the other hand, I would think anyone expecting a brand new car for that trouble is way overboard. But unless that is one hell of a paint job I can't imagine a sharp eyed car buyer not being able to tell it was repainted. And it certainly would be obvious to anyone in the car business it was repainted. I would have to think that would devalue the car once it would be time to trade it in, so through no fault of your own you are losing some value to your purchase.
I hope it works out for you in the end.
I hope it works out for you in the end.
#66
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2014 GLK 350 AMG Package
I would definitely take a 2014. Just not red or black haha. They want to paint and give loaner car as it takes about 5 weeks.
#67
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Skazmi,
How is your car coming along since it was already in the booth several says ago?
I'm a lawyer, and I can think of a whole lot of issues that would be raised in any sort of formal proceeding, but it seems to me the key question - assuming paint is in fact a warranty issue - is the extent of MB's legal obligation to address a defect of that sort. In other words, what is a legally-sufficient "fix." In most cases it's a new part. Paint is one case where "new" is not as good as original. Any mechanical part is as good at new. But paint is not. Without research, I cannot answer my own question. But I would be very surprised (shocked, actually) if another car, new or used, is an obligation. I'd also be surprised (but not quite as shocked) if paying for diminished value is legally a part of warranty coverage. MB knows they have lost you as a customer. At some point this is probably more aggravation to your life than it's worth. But I want to stress one point - arguing that aftermarket paint is not as good as factory paint is an argument you will probably lose. But that is a totally different issue to me than actual, visible defects in the new paint job. This has to be a top notch job. Inspect it for as long as takes before you accept it. If it has defects, then you have something to argue about.
How is your car coming along since it was already in the booth several says ago?
I'm a lawyer, and I can think of a whole lot of issues that would be raised in any sort of formal proceeding, but it seems to me the key question - assuming paint is in fact a warranty issue - is the extent of MB's legal obligation to address a defect of that sort. In other words, what is a legally-sufficient "fix." In most cases it's a new part. Paint is one case where "new" is not as good as original. Any mechanical part is as good at new. But paint is not. Without research, I cannot answer my own question. But I would be very surprised (shocked, actually) if another car, new or used, is an obligation. I'd also be surprised (but not quite as shocked) if paying for diminished value is legally a part of warranty coverage. MB knows they have lost you as a customer. At some point this is probably more aggravation to your life than it's worth. But I want to stress one point - arguing that aftermarket paint is not as good as factory paint is an argument you will probably lose. But that is a totally different issue to me than actual, visible defects in the new paint job. This has to be a top notch job. Inspect it for as long as takes before you accept it. If it has defects, then you have something to argue about.
#69
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C300
There is nothing wrong with your black but per discussiobs, complaints and released bullittens, complains have been heard in that color so it is a fair warning for new buyers as I would not want any enthusiast to go through what I am going through.
#71
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2014 GLK 350 AMG Package
Mars red paint
We have experienced very poor customer service. They sold us a Mars red car knowing there were problems with it. We would have taken same year same body style car exchange but they said we would have to do it as trade and it would depend on our trade in value haha. One place told us additional 18k. At this point we are waiting for its paint date and without a car. MB won't even give us a loaner or rental until it goes in shop in 3 weeks and that is unclear as well. 45 dollars a day is what they said towards a rental and to keep our receipts. This has been a disgrace. And so much time wasted. The pressure on MB case managers is coming from top down-upper management. They are just receptionist that do MB dirty work. They have promised certain things and then not delivered. The said re paint would have some kind of warranty and then reneged on statement. The shop told us MB said to only paint panels affected. You know what that means??? Wow. Good luck to all. I feel bad for all of you and those to come with their paint falling off their new cars. I went into another MBdealership yesterday and he said with repaint he wouldn't give even close to the trade in value from up north and really pushed us to buy new car. Again disgraceful.
#72
Exact same issue discovered a few days ago
I noticed the exact same thing a few days ago....first the bubbles and then the white patches popped up all over the sides, top, and back of my 2011 GLK-350. I took it in because someone had rubbed it a little in a parking lot and the clear coat started peeling off. When the clear coat started peeling off the door I really got concerned. I had Mercedes give me an estimate during a return "B" service and they said they would just have to buff the rub and replace the clear coat for $350. I really hope they had no idea about this and that they just didn't tell me. I took it in today to find out what the heck the white patches are all over and was told that something wasn't right and that I should take it to the service department for them to look into. I'm waiting a response from them now but I'm sooo glad that I googled the problem. Good luck everyone!!! I love the Mars Red, no other car looks like it but if this is the problem they can give me a black paintjob
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#73
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2014 GLK 350 AMG Package
Mars red
I noticed the exact same thing a few days ago....first the bubbles and then the white patches popped up all over the sides, top, and back of my 2011 GLK-350. I took it in because someone had rubbed it a little in a parking lot and the clear coat started peeling off. When the clear coat started peeling off the door I really got concerned. I had Mercedes give me an estimate during a return "B" service and they said they would just have to buff the rub and replace the clear coat for $350. I really hope they had no idea about this and that they just didn't tell me. I took it in today to find out what the heck the white patches are all over and was told that something wasn't right and that I should take it to the service department for them to look into. I'm waiting a response from them now but I'm sooo glad that I googled the problem. Good luck everyone!!! I love the Mars Red, no other car looks like it but if this is the problem they can give me a black paintjob
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#74
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C300
That is the reason why I strongly stresses to the OP to document the entire procedure as I have a feeling things will not look the same. If it is my car and if the entire paint needs to be stripped I am talking first to MB corporate first regarding compensation before the procedure will be done as guaranteed workmanship will not be the same compared to factory done paint job. If they are just doing a panel I think that is fine but if they are stripping the entire car it is a whole different ball game. I just saw 2 mars red being sold at a MB dealership yesterday and one of the cars has this problem and my salesman told me to stay away from it.
#75
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I noticed the exact same thing a few days ago....first the bubbles and then the white patches popped up all over the sides, top, and back of my 2011 GLK-350. I took it in because someone had rubbed it a little in a parking lot and the clear coat started peeling off. When the clear coat started peeling off the door I really got concerned. I had Mercedes give me an estimate during a return "B" service and they said they would just have to buff the rub and replace the clear coat for $350. I really hope they had no idea about this and that they just didn't tell me. I took it in today to find out what the heck the white patches are all over and was told that something wasn't right and that I should take it to the service department for them to look into. I'm waiting a response from them now but I'm sooo glad that I googled the problem. Good luck everyone!!! I love the Mars Red, no other car looks like it but if this is the problem they can give me a black paintjob
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