CLK55 AMG, CLK63 AMG (W208, W209) 2000 - 2010 (Two Generations)

Anyone else have paint chips on hood?

Old Sep 14, 2004 | 11:27 AM
  #1  
Stiggs's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
Anyone else have paint chips on hood?

Someone in the ML forum got me thinking. My 2003 CLK55 has a few paint chips on the hood already. They're not too big, but definitely noticable. Does this seem right to have paint chips so soon? I do drive the car on the highway some times, but I guess you can get rock chips on the back, country roads also. I'v ehad the car for a little over a year.
I know my dealership probably won't give two craps about it, but hey, I even have that stupid siminoze system that the dealership threw in there for me. I'll have to check that out and keep you guys posted.

I thought the paint should be a little stronger than that. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2004 | 11:41 AM
  #2  
Brunelleschi's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 13,969
Likes: 0
From: Florida
In the market
I whole-heartedly agree! I expect a few chip from ordinary wear and tear, but I feel like too many have appeared too quickly for a paint job that you would expect to hold up the highest standards.

Oh well...what can you do?
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2004 | 11:43 AM
  #3  
Kar don's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Sorry bud, completely normal.... espcially since you have black (makes them even more visible). The pre-nano paint is very soft and chips EXTREMELY easily. People have said nano-paint is more durable regarding chipping but I have no experience with it. This is why you see the surge in popularity of the clear bra (for cars).
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2004 | 12:42 PM
  #4  
Stiggs's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
I don't think I could ever get myself to buy a clear bra or other film coatings for my car. It just isn't my cup of tea...no matter how many rock chips I get...its better than a bra on my car!!!
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2004 | 01:57 PM
  #5  
Chappy's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,734
Likes: 65
From: Hotlanta
AMG
None on my hood....and exactly three chips on the front end (I know cause I detailed the crap outta the CLK last weekend for a car show).

They key is to not tailgate and allow 3-4 car lengths from the car in front....less rocks/stones hit me that way.
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2004 | 02:45 PM
  #6  
AndyAMG's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: OC
MB & BMW
Just get it repainted.. Costly though!!
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2004 | 05:35 PM
  #7  
cte430's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
Originally Posted by AlBoston
Sorry bud, completely normal.... espcially since you have black (makes them even more visible). The pre-nano paint is very soft and chips EXTREMELY easily. People have said nano-paint is more durable regarding chipping but I have no experience with it. This is why you see the surge in popularity of the clear bra (for cars).
hey Ali, how are you? I was just thinking about this whole "nano" thing the other day. I had less chips when I had my E500 (pre nano) for the year I drove it, than I have now on my E55 that I got in May. The E500 was my daily driver. The AMG is not. If the nano is supposed to be harder to chip, i'm not seeing it.
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2004 | 05:56 PM
  #8  
Stiggs's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,894
Likes: 8
From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
After re-reading this thread I just came to the realization that I sound like a whiner!
To be honest...I don't care about the paint chips. They don't take away from the look of the car (IMHO).
But what I am worried about is the possibility of those paint chips rusting. Now that would suck. What do you guys suggest.....just waxing the hell out of them??? I refuse to put touch up paint on them. That could look worse.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 14, 2004 | 06:01 PM
  #9  
AMG///Merc's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 458
Likes: 1
From: Oxford, Pa
03 CLK55
Thumbs down I agree, the paint does chip far too easily...

I haven't taken an exact count, but I'd bet that I have more than a dozen chips on the front ehnd of my car, which is a 2003 with just over 14,000 miles on it. I think that while it may be normal, as Alboston mentioned, but I think that it is unacceptable for an $80,000 car. I go through a considerable amonut of effort to avoid chips too. I always keep a fair distance behind the cars in front of me, I won't drive anywhere near gravel trucks, or any large truck for that matter, and I am always careful to drive slowly on back roads that are dirty. Despite all of that, my front end is peppered with paint chips, enough to where a friend of mine who owns a body shop thought that Mercedes Benz should repaint the car under warranty. I think what is most telling is the fact that MB has "new, more chip resistant paint" for the 05 CLK55...


Best regards,
Matt
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2004 | 07:05 PM
  #10  
mnymakr's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: MN, MS, AZ, and now OKC
2001 CLK55
Talking

I am in total agreement I just waxed my car the other day and its seems like theres double the chips than the last time I did it!! Thats nutz IMO I was given the clear bra option and I turned it down and a repaint although necessary is money better spent elsewhere on the car I am nearing the 50k mileage mark and it gets worse everyday. I sure hope they dont start to rust since now I could be drivin through snow .


I dont even want to think how much a new paint job would cost; course I could switch the color then ; get away from the norms maybe.

Reply
Old Sep 14, 2004 | 09:26 PM
  #11  
Kar don's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 11
From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Originally Posted by cte430
hey Ali, how are you? I was just thinking about this whole "nano" thing the other day. I had less chips when I had my E500 (pre nano) for the year I drove it, than I have now on my E55 that I got in May. The E500 was my daily driver. The AMG is not. If the nano is supposed to be harder to chip, i'm not seeing it.
hey chris, im doin very well. Thats odd, i know awiner (Adam) said he has less chips now with his 03. I know my BMW sucks with paint chips, the side skirts are awful! I need to get them resprayed... but it wont be for a while. Nexttime im in NY (which is soon) I'll let u know.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:38 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE