LZH

So you are telling us they the factory rep has already guaranteed you new PAINTED fenders ???
Well, please do me a favor and post photos of the new fenders at the dealer before they are installed. I asked my dealer, who I have a very good relationship with, they in turn spoke to the rep and said no. Getting fenders, UNPAINTED, might, might be a possibility. But getting them painted and shipped over would not be a possibility at all. Maybe you have a better dealer than I do...who knows. But, if they do it for you it sets precedent and they will have to do it for everyone.
Please keep us posted on your progress.

MACHC5

Hi Guys,

Two things: (1) to ask a favor and other (2) to inform.

1st, Please visit the poll I that is here in the BS Forum and Vote your fender issues.

2nd, I have been informed by the AMG product manager... that AMG USA and AMG Germany are looking into the fender crease issues right now.

Thanks for Voting (as politicians say... vote early & often)

luderule

Believe it or not it's totally up to you as it doesn't benefit me either way. Since you seem to love the creases according to your posts then why would you care? I simply brought up this issue to inform all the BS owners and potential buyers. As far as I know I am the first to bring this to the attention of MB North America/Germany.

LZH

I sense a hint of sarcasm that is totally out of place and uncalled for, dude.
First of all, it's apparent on many cars and doesn't look to be a dent, but a design aspect of the carbon fenders. Second, I never said I "love" the creases so please don't put words into my mouth or read too far into it. Third, I have simply stated that IF, and that's a big IF....the factory were to replace both front fenders, they most likely will not come PAINTED. As a result of that, one would actually be diminishing the value of the car by putting the new, creaseless fenders on, only to have them painted by someone other than the factory. In my eyes, that makes the car less valuable and is done so for cosmetic purposes only. I don't like cars that have had paintwork because you never know the TRUE nature of why the paintwork was done...
NOW - if what you say is true, and you conveniently dodged my question...if what you say is true and the FACTORY will paint the new improved creaseless fenders and replace them...well, that's a no brainier and I would happily do it. Why ?? Well, it's all done at the factory and under their warranty. And this logic exists because simply put....if I were looking at a used BS, I would buy the car with the factory creases over the one someone had painted because I have no idea who painted them. Call me **** and pessimistic, but that's the way I am when it comes to my vehicles.
So, my question to you remains unanswered....
Has the factory rep already guaranteed you new PAINTED fenders ??? Because that is what you're post below leads me/us to believe.

Lastly, you are not the first to notice it. I noticed mine the day I bought the car, as did my friend who was with me. I pointed it out to the fleet manager who is my very good friend at the dealer and sourced the car for me. He in turn spoke with the GM and they agreed to make a notation on my purchase order that they would fix it at no cost if it turned out to actually be a factory defect. Clearly, I have opted not to have it fixed by a third party. I even went so far as to take it to Beverly CoachCraft and have them look at it. Hence my reference to them previously in this thread.

Schiznick

It looks as if that may be one of the mounting locations for the fender. perhaps it was tightened down a bit too much upon instalation.

Jim Brady

Schiznick,

I think you hit the nail on the head. The carbon fiber fenders appear have a good deal of flex unlike steel and too much torque could cause them to pull the panel inward.
The next question is whether this is an installation problem or whether it manifests it self over time. If its the latter, just bolting a new fender on may not cure the problem as it may reoccur.

alexander stemer

As I posted earlier, I don't seem to have the creases. Seems to me that if they aren't bothersome, they are certain proof of authenticity and originality. As an owner, I hope that MB stands behind the replacement. On the other hand, If I had creases, I might not change them out. Never can tell what will be considered unique in the future.
I used to have a 1967 Excalibur SSK (2 seater, 365 hp, cr gearbox- unbelievable fun, written up on the back page of Autoweek) that had paint cracking on the exposed frame rails. This was attributed to frame flex, which I could easily believe. Turns out when I sold the car, it was important for those cracks to be there, as it was proof of originality. In the end,leaving the flaw alone was worth real money. If you think this is not representative of your wishes, I accept that. AS

LZH

Very well said...many of the early 60's Ferarri's had paint issues, waetherstripping problems, frame indentations and so forth that marked them as original and were part of the tell tale signs to collectors when looking at them thus representing the the cars originality and uniqueness.

JDB

I wonder how one could ever truly verify that the fenders were actually factory painted?

Seems that the dealer could receive the primed fenders, send them out to a local body shop for paint, and then, viola! Here you are, sir, your "factory" painted fenders.

Any ideas how to really verify the claim of factory painted fenders?

JDB

Jim Brady

JDB,
The factory painted fenders use Nano clear coat baked at 140 deg. Cel. I haven't found a body shop (non MB) that uses Nano clear coat and they can only bake at 80 deg Cel. Because of the ceramic particles in the nano they close on small scratches. Can you tell the difference from 5 feet, probably not, can an expert tell with a paint scope, yes.

Now that this is an issue, those anally motivated individuals will undoubtedly
be checking the front fenders ...with paint scopes.

JDB

Jimmy,

Point of clarification. Do any U.S. body shops (including U.S. MB approved shops) have the capability of an exact duplication of the factory method of applying the colored paint and the top coat of nano clear? Baking it at the same temps, getting the same finish and longevity, etc.?

JDB

LZH

I am not aware of anyone doing it now...
Here's a good article:

http://www.wired.com/science/discove.../2006/02/70117

Jim Brady

JDB,

Thats a great question. I've had body shop managers swear they can duplicate a factory finnish. Unfortunately, I've yet to see it. Many shops can get a better paint finish, but as far as getting the longevity, they are just not going to be able to duplicate baking the finish with Nano at 284 deg. fahrenheit. Half the recyclable parts would melt.

The factory spends millions in developing their paint process with perfect conditions and optimal ability to get to all the surfaces. MB authorized collision repair facilities are NOT restoration shops. They can bolt on the parts but don't expect them to perform something outside of their expertise.

Jimmy

LZH

Very well said.

OJwerks

well... if the factory is sending factory-painted crease-less fenders with documentation.... it woudnt really be decreasing the value of car, in any case..it would add to it with the proper documentation to prove that the fenders are defect-free & factory nano-painted.....

Schiznick

The question becomes do you really trust your dealer to replace these fenders?

If this is the result of instalation at the factory, I would not expect that anyone outside the factory is going to have a shot at doing a better job....

My dealer.... pulling seats ok.... pulling fenders and getting them back aligned and correct...... um um um um

MikeRPA

lol every1 go change for a cl63 so much better looking car , inside and outside but not as much fun to drive and not as exclusive so ye that's pretty sad crucked fenders

Schiznick

You can not even compare the CL63 and CLK63 Black Series cars.

MikeRPA

what do you mean ? like they are 2 different type of cars ? yes i know it's totally different class , but CL63 is the best looking amg out there , i live in brooklyn near Kingshighway and i must say the cl63 stands out more than any galardo , bentley gt , or quatraporte there , the clk is deff. a drivers machine you want to go and abuse it go into the corners etc , and it's very limited and sporty , but when i was at NY auto show and clk BS was right next to the 40th aniversary , the 40th aniversary looked like a 300 000 car with out a doubt , and BS looked deff cheaper but also sick in it's own way but i can't not to agree that the BS is 1 of the hottest amg's out there but just it sucks the fenders bent lol

Schiznick

My bad, I made an off topic comment. Never mind.

LZH

Thanks for adding so much to the topic at hand - well done.

LZH

What is the status with your fenders ? Are you still getting them painted from the factory ??

burner799

as far as telling if the paint is factory or not....at the bmw dealership we use a paint meter that tells us paint thickness when we place it against any body panel. Factory paint falls within certain parameters that (0.25-0.65 generally)
after market painters can not duplicate across the whole repainted panel.

LZH

Guess this never happened......

luderule

All those that cared already PMed me and got their answer and those that didnt care can go find out on their own.