jonta_dj

I saw in the cla45 forum that people have reported a problem with stone chips on the sides of the car. Maybe his has been posted here already but i couldnt find it. This happens just behind the front wheels on both sides of the car. Im attaching a picture for reference.

The car has been cleaned thoroughly and this is not dirt.

The car has about 7000 kilometers on the odometer now. I drive mostly on paved roads and only a few times on dirt roads so far.
Front, right side of car

Back, right side. There are only a handful chips and the rest is reflections.

I have 18 inch wheels. My previous w204 had 17 inch wheelse and i did not experience the same problem.

My dealer will look at this at the same time as another serive issue in about a week. Definitely too thin paint on the sides as the white color beneat is coming through

Shadwell

The profile of the door panels (concave) presents a face to debris coming off the tyres.. so the cause is clear. To prevent you would need mud guards...
The fact it has chipped to base coat doesn't surprise me, factory colour and clear is very thin as standard.. its somehwat brittle too IME and I have had similar issues on front bumper (W204).. it was resprayed...
Best of luck with getting contribution from dealership toward respray... without paint measurement readings be demonstrably lower than standard they would normally decline...


All the best.

Shadwell

Also you notice its worse on the gutter side of your car.. of course due to more road debris on this side.. IF you can endevour not to drive in the gutters / far edge of the road.. again may help reduce..

jonta_dj

Update: This is absolutely a design fault and is covered by Mercedes for the first 2 years. Mercedes will pay for the paint job ONCE per year. I wish they had a solution or fix for this instead.

I have been offered to get the lower parts repainted. The dealer who can choose whatever paint shop they want can't guarantee that the paint will look exactly as the other parts of the car, but maybe 90 % good. He said Mercedes wont offer a new part painted form factory (debatable, pry dpeends on dealer).

I have already ordered mud flaps because this stone chipping will continue but should I go for a paint job or not?

MASSC450

I just ordered mud flaps for my C450 preparing for the Winter. I found a set of Chinese knockoffs that will fit on ebay for only $50.

Stone chips like these is yet another reason why I will NEVER own another black car again!

BF3PDZ

That is insanely generous from Mercedes, this kind of offer will never happen in Australia.

DBOC205

Ain't that the truth! Would be a miracle
OP should look at getting some good protective film on those panels.

Shadwell

OP, you can also see a swathe of swirls on your paint...



Your washing or drying (or both ) is dragging dirt around on your clearcoat and ruining your paint (I only raise it seeing as you seem to care about the paint by the nature of the post).

With respect, may i suggest you read up on improved vehicle maintenace techniques and materials to minimise this and other damage, it will keep your car looking much better for much longer.
http://www.autogeek.net/exterior.html

All the best.