my 2006 c55 came with no paint behind front license plate
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
my 2006 c55 came with no paint behind front license plate
hey everybody, i purchased a black 2006 c55 amg from MB of San Francisco in october with 35k miles and a clear title. I finally got in my license plates about a month ago and before i put any of them on, i took of the whole front license palte holder becuase i was just gonna leave it off and noticed that there is about 3x5 inches of chipped away paint. i called the dealership and the first time i called they said they would take care of it (care is still in warranty) and my spring break is next week so i call to make sure i can bring it and he says he has to talk to the serivce advisor and this is what he emails me:
Dear michael
We did not repaint the front bumper of your vehicle which means the previous owner must have. The CPO inspection process does not call for technicians removing the front license plate bracket to inspect the bumper area underneath it so we would not have known there was an issue with it. Because of this we cannot offer to pay for repainting your front bumper. We can set you up with someone who could paint it for you if you'd like.
this email has ruined my life. i do not want to bring them to court, but someone please give me advice on what i should tell them.
Dear michael
We did not repaint the front bumper of your vehicle which means the previous owner must have. The CPO inspection process does not call for technicians removing the front license plate bracket to inspect the bumper area underneath it so we would not have known there was an issue with it. Because of this we cannot offer to pay for repainting your front bumper. We can set you up with someone who could paint it for you if you'd like.
this email has ruined my life. i do not want to bring them to court, but someone please give me advice on what i should tell them.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 852
Likes: 4
From: DE
2005 E55
Talk to a manager. That's bull****, plain and simple. They sold you a car with a portion of the bumper unpainted. What if you were transferring it to a state that didn't require a front license plate?
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From: Chicago
2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
Before I'd let such an email ruin my life - I'd mount the front plate and forget about it. It's plastic, not a rust issue, and if you ever end up in a state that doesn't require a front plate... paint it.
Life is short, enjoy the car.
Life is short, enjoy the car.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,510
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From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
thanks guys. if i ask them again and they say no i am definately going to contact mbusa. if they still don't, it's not an expensive fix, but i just don't think i should pay a penny. i like the enthusiasm about life being too shart kjb55, but hell, i just turned 19 and this is going to be my litttle show car so i'm trying to make the best of it while warranty is still in.
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none
Screw that.....
You pay a lot of money for a CPO car
and the inspection process doesnt include a thorough inspection of the car?
Thats **** poor quality management.
You dont think a peek behind the plastic license plate holder to check for paint dameage part of the CPO?
How did a repainted car make it past the CPO process in the first place.
Get back your money! You have no idea where that car has been.
You pay a lot of money for a CPO car
and the inspection process doesnt include a thorough inspection of the car?
Thats **** poor quality management.
You dont think a peek behind the plastic license plate holder to check for paint dameage part of the CPO?
How did a repainted car make it past the CPO process in the first place.
Get back your money! You have no idea where that car has been.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 308
Likes: 8
Screw that.....
You pay a lot of money for a CPO car
and the inspection process doesnt include a thorough inspection of the car?
Thats **** poor quality management.
You dont think a peek behind the plastic license plate holder to check for paint dameage part of the CPO?
How did a repainted car make it past the CPO process in the first place.
Get back your money! You have no idea where that car has been.
You pay a lot of money for a CPO car
and the inspection process doesnt include a thorough inspection of the car?
Thats **** poor quality management.
You dont think a peek behind the plastic license plate holder to check for paint dameage part of the CPO?
How did a repainted car make it past the CPO process in the first place.
Get back your money! You have no idea where that car has been.
For the OP, got to the used car manager, even if he agrees to have the bumper painted, it will more than likely be painted by a on the lot painter, and not taken to a body shop. If the paint on the bumper is good, I would just leave the front bracket on and go on with life. If it bugs you that much get a quote from a body shop for a front bumper repaint and see of the used car manager will help in the cost of the repaint. Good luck.
I bought my C55 with a front plate bracket, but I live in a non front plate state, so I have to pay for refilling the holes.
IMO enjoy the C55 it is a great car, and dont worry about it, because within the next 15k you will probably get hit or run the bumper over a curb and need a repaint anyway!
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What does Certified Pre-Owned mean to you?
If the car's bumper was repainted, 75% chance it was in a front end collision.
Even if it was cosmetic, you wouldn't be concerned that the bumper was painted in such haste that the body shop couldn't take the time to remove the plate to properly paint it? Youre seriously okay with that?
Do you know how much of an upcharge to earn a CPO status costs the consumer?
I would be frickin' livid if i found the bumper in that condition but thats just me.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 852
Likes: 4
From: DE
2005 E55
What are you? A CPO expert?
What does Certified Pre-Owned mean to you?
If the car's bumper was repainted, 75% chance it was in a front end collision.
Even if it was cosmetic, you wouldn't be concerned that the bumper was painted in such haste that the body shop couldn't take the time to remove the plate to properly paint it? Youre seriously okay with that?
Do you know how much of an upcharge to earn a CPO status costs the consumer?
I would be frickin' livid if i found the bumper in that condition but thats just me.
What does Certified Pre-Owned mean to you?
If the car's bumper was repainted, 75% chance it was in a front end collision.
Even if it was cosmetic, you wouldn't be concerned that the bumper was painted in such haste that the body shop couldn't take the time to remove the plate to properly paint it? Youre seriously okay with that?
Do you know how much of an upcharge to earn a CPO status costs the consumer?
I would be frickin' livid if i found the bumper in that condition but thats just me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 2
From: California
06 C55, 09 E350
The cars are inspected for collision damage during the CPO process , but they do not take the front bracket off. They check for all the stickers under the hood and and core support and use a tool to check if all the seems of the car are aligned. The car is still sold as-is minus the warranty and they do not have to do anything in this situation. I would suggest you look for other items that could have been missed by the CPO process and make sure everything is in line with the policy. You should have a book that came with the car, if you find something was not done to MBUSA's specs then you have a valid claim and they will most likely take care of your concerns without as much hassle, if you cannot find any more issues speak with the general sales manger. Also it might be worth a shot trying to find out what body shop did a half *** job painting the car maybe they will be willing to finish it.
Last edited by JonMBZ; Apr 1, 2010 at 12:18 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,510
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From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
thanks guys you're all really helpful. i'm calling up the service manager tomorrow and if he still refuses, all hell is breaking lose. believe me, i'm furious. i want it repainted cus here in california, cops don't enforce the front license plate law on high end cars. that's the reason why i'm pissed. it's just all way to much hassle for me as a full time student to have to worry about. i really don't have time to be BSing with the front license plate any other week besides my spring break(which is next week) and here they tell me "no, you seem like a nice guy so go screw yourself" i got a handbook as you said, i'll look at it right now.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
hey everybody, i purchased a black 2006 c55 amg from MB of San Francisco in october with 35k miles and a clear title. I finally got in my license plates about a month ago and before i put any of them on, i took of the whole front license palte holder becuase i was just gonna leave it off and noticed that there is about 3x5 inches of chipped away paint. i called the dealership and the first time i called they said they would take care of it (care is still in warranty) and my spring break is next week so i call to make sure i can bring it and he says he has to talk to the serivce advisor and this is what he emails me:
Dear michael
We did not repaint the front bumper of your vehicle which means the previous owner must have. The CPO inspection process does not call for technicians removing the front license plate bracket to inspect the bumper area underneath it so we would not have known there was an issue with it. Because of this we cannot offer to pay for repainting your front bumper. We can set you up with someone who could paint it for you if you'd like.
this email has ruined my life. i do not want to bring them to court, but someone please give me advice on what i should tell them.
Dear michael
We did not repaint the front bumper of your vehicle which means the previous owner must have. The CPO inspection process does not call for technicians removing the front license plate bracket to inspect the bumper area underneath it so we would not have known there was an issue with it. Because of this we cannot offer to pay for repainting your front bumper. We can set you up with someone who could paint it for you if you'd like.
this email has ruined my life. i do not want to bring them to court, but someone please give me advice on what i should tell them.
anywho, contact them one more time regarding it, otherwise, i would give the car back, if no actions is made, contact MBUSA.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 308
Likes: 8
Yes!
I will be a Master Certified Advisor for MB in about 20 days. I have been with MB for almost 4.5 yrs.
We repaint front bumpers all the time on CPO cars. Have you never had a rock chip or someone back into you in a parking lot?
He also said there was a chipped portion of paint, he said nothing about the bumper being repainted. Maybe the previous owner was hit by somthing just hard enough to remove paint, so instead of repainting the bumper they put the plate bracket on.
I will be a Master Certified Advisor for MB in about 20 days. I have been with MB for almost 4.5 yrs.
We repaint front bumpers all the time on CPO cars. Have you never had a rock chip or someone back into you in a parking lot?
He also said there was a chipped portion of paint, he said nothing about the bumper being repainted. Maybe the previous owner was hit by somthing just hard enough to remove paint, so instead of repainting the bumper they put the plate bracket on.
Last edited by BryanW203; Apr 1, 2010 at 09:01 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 2
From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
yea guys i'm definately not looking forward to when my warranty is up and i get my first repair bill, but i honestly don't think i'll ever have a problem with the car. i had a bmw x5 4.4 for my first car that we bought brand new and it was just TERRIBLE i'll never buy one again. my sister bought a w203 c240 in 2005 and she put about 70k miles on it and has had no problems at all. mercedes is in my opinion the most reliable car out there. if you treat them right, they'll treat you right. one problem, on my amg, every month or so a message will come on the dash saying to put a quart of oil at next fill up. is it normal for it to be that frequent? i'm positive i have no leaks or anything.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 2
From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
it's okay, the dealership after all the complaining from me is sending me a check for $175. and they're gonna take the front bumper apart and repair some cracks and fill in the screw holes. thanks for the support guys. p.s. my parent sdidn't pay a penny
