gsrdude

My wife’s 2013 c250 looking like a 15 year old junker thanks to Defective paint and or application.

The hole car started peeling over a year ago. Just outside of warranty.

if you have a Mars Red Mercedes





You might want to think about getting rid of it sooner than later.....

Mercedes won’t offer any assistance or goodwill and the estimate to re-paint was $12,000!!

Anyone else have this problem with Mercedes paint?

Moto_Guzzi

Wow, this is rediculously bad if you bought the car new, have not driven or behind some toxic source spilling.

Adi-Benz

Haven't heard of this... consider vinyl wrapping over it while most of it is good

gsrdude

It's a very common problem with Mars Red, all models/years. The color has finally been discontinued, but there are MANY people with the same problem all over the world. Mercedes knows all about it and there is a TSB for it from Mercedes. For me they refused any assistance.

Clearcoat Peeling/Flaking/Bubbling
TSB #LI98.00-P-058914 Version 10, Date of issue May 23, 2018 ( yes, they are aware of it, fully)
MBZ: All vehicles with 590-Mars Red

Symptoms: Exterior clearcoat is peeling, flaking, or exhibits bubbles under the surface

Cause: Improper adhesion of clearcoat. Exposure factors like humidity or solar radiation may cause adhesion problems between base coat and clearcoat.

Remedy: Refinish affected areas only, according to WIS and approved paint manufacturer instructions.

MBENZTECH

Yep, they are fully aware. I had a GLK come in the shop today........... man, that car looked horrible.

xsever

This really sucks! Did you try MBUSA or just the dealership?

ChazThePhoenix

yeah I was going to say that's not the red, but the clear coat. Is it a different clear than other colors?

gsrdude

It’s the red, not the clear coat. Excessive moisture and/or some ingredient in Mars Red. The repair procedure spells out that all red must be removed to re-paint. Only the base primer layer is to be retained.

G_Money

Wow, I had no idea this was a known issue with Mars Red. When purchasing current C63, it came down to the gray one I bought and a Mars Red one... Doubly happy I got the Anthracite now!

And you say it's the clearcoat, aye..? I had an issue with the clearcoat flaking on my factory red brake calipers too, also a known issue... I wonder if there is any connection there?

Moto_Guzzi

There seems to be a lawsuit filed:
https://www.autobodynews.com/index.p...uit-filed.html

Janet Clark

I am aware of the class action suit involving Mars Red paint. Question: Would anybody consider buying this car with the paint issue? What is the fix? I mean...I know repaint, but it can't be Mars Red as MB has discontinued right?
Would it be a different red or completely other color? The dealer is still firm on $17,994 for a 2015 with obvious paint issues and a promise to fix. I love the car. Only 40k miles, but I am terrified of the paint and paying this price as the car is severely devalued at this point. Thoughts out there? Were other colors impacted or just the red?

Adi-Benz

Just red

Tom in Austin

I don't see many cars with this color where I live but fortunately haven't noticed one with the failing clearcoat. What a shame Mercedes won't take responsibility and do the right thing for its customers!

hyperion667

Sounds like class action to me!

MBpippo

I’d be looking for another car. You don’t want to be caught up in this mess.

Moto_Guzzi

Again, sort out which country, and you may have another take on it.

Davidincovingto

Would be interested to know if anyone has expierened the botching being temperature related. When first started was when it dropped to below 40: This Summer all the blotching disappeared. Came back at first cool snap. As for clear coat had to have trunk stripped to metal and repainted. Entire rest of car has tiny blisters. Have been randomly stopped recently by two other Mars Red cars to share misery. Benz NO help. Simply have to wait out class action suit. Been a very well maintained 2014 with only 40k on it. Looked into training in. Dealers are well aware and basically don’t want
the car.

pandy

I had a 2014 C250 same paint color - just pressure washed the clear coat off the car. Mercedes USA didn't care. They ran me around and told me to get a quote from the company that does work for Mercedes Benz Of South Orlando - quoted 9K dollars. Car was at 57K miles which is 7K miles out. Factory defect which have not been addressed. Poor me that I had to learn it hard way.

Added a link to my video

PhillRD

2008 C220 CDI SE Evo Panorama

ezshift5

To the OP,

I sure regret your having such a paint issue.

Here in NorCal we have multiple dealerships from which to choose.

I sure hope you find find a helpful dealer, a helpful paint shop et al - to deal with this.

ez

C250 coupe