Elite Certified Collision Repair - Cosemetic & Structural
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Charlotte, NC
2011 ML350 4Matic,2002 CLK 55 AMG; 2008 C350; 2005 E320
Elite Certified Collision Repair - Cosemetic & Structural
If you or someone you know owns a W205 C class it is extremely important that you understand how specialized this vehicle is. This is the first all aluminum vehicle Mercedes-Benz has ever made. This vehicle MUST be repaired by a Mercedes-Benz Elite Certified Collision Center, there are only about 10 Elite Certified shops in the USA.
Mercedes-Benz USA offered certain shops in specific areas to become Elite Certified, no shop could request to become Elite Certified. It requires specific tools, equipment, training, and experience only a handful of shops in the USA posses. Mercedes-Benz requires aluminum structural parts be restricted, so before a structural part can be ordered but the Elite shop must provide a special number to the dealer - who then provides that number to Mercedes-Benz which is then checked and then the part is drop shipped to the Elite shop; never the dealer.
Training requirements include a 2 week course in Stuttgart, Germany at the SLV were Mercedes-Benz sends it's own techs that work on the assembly line to become Certified. MB requires those who posses the structural aluminum welding certification be re-certified every 6 months. Multiple classes at the MBUSA Training Center in Houston are also required.
When you go on to MBUSA, choose Owners at the top right corner, scroll down under Service & Care and click Certified Collision Centers, then at the top right enter your ZIP Code and locate the closest certified shop. Any Elite Certified shop will have "Elite Aluminum Certification" under the name of the shop. If you do not see this designation under the shops name they are not Elite Certified Click the link and under Caldwell Collision you'll see and example of what it should look like: http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/dealer...yZip&zip=28227
Caldwell Collision services the Carolinas, most of Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, etc. If you or anyone you know own a W205 C class in this region our facility or Mercedes-Benz will have the vehicle towed to our shop at no cost to the consumer if it requires internal/structural repairs and on a W205 anything that isnt bolted on is considered a structural part.
For any questions on the Elite Certification Program or W205 repair please contact Joshua Caldwell from Caldwell Collision, 1 of the 10 Elite Certified Collision Centers, at josh@caldwellcollision.com or 704-283-0700.
Mercedes-Benz USA offered certain shops in specific areas to become Elite Certified, no shop could request to become Elite Certified. It requires specific tools, equipment, training, and experience only a handful of shops in the USA posses. Mercedes-Benz requires aluminum structural parts be restricted, so before a structural part can be ordered but the Elite shop must provide a special number to the dealer - who then provides that number to Mercedes-Benz which is then checked and then the part is drop shipped to the Elite shop; never the dealer.
Training requirements include a 2 week course in Stuttgart, Germany at the SLV were Mercedes-Benz sends it's own techs that work on the assembly line to become Certified. MB requires those who posses the structural aluminum welding certification be re-certified every 6 months. Multiple classes at the MBUSA Training Center in Houston are also required.
When you go on to MBUSA, choose Owners at the top right corner, scroll down under Service & Care and click Certified Collision Centers, then at the top right enter your ZIP Code and locate the closest certified shop. Any Elite Certified shop will have "Elite Aluminum Certification" under the name of the shop. If you do not see this designation under the shops name they are not Elite Certified Click the link and under Caldwell Collision you'll see and example of what it should look like: http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/dealer...yZip&zip=28227
Caldwell Collision services the Carolinas, most of Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, etc. If you or anyone you know own a W205 C class in this region our facility or Mercedes-Benz will have the vehicle towed to our shop at no cost to the consumer if it requires internal/structural repairs and on a W205 anything that isnt bolted on is considered a structural part.
For any questions on the Elite Certification Program or W205 repair please contact Joshua Caldwell from Caldwell Collision, 1 of the 10 Elite Certified Collision Centers, at josh@caldwellcollision.com or 704-283-0700.
