2013 E350 Mars Red Paint Problem
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2
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e350 Convertible
2013 E350 Mars Red Paint Problem
Anyone else encounter this? Went to the dealer for something else and noticed cloudy bubbles under the clear coat in the rear left QP. Service guy says we'll let the mechanic check it out. Two days later they tell me they had found them all around the car and that they had to REPAINT the entire vehicle! According to the service manager, Mercedes corp. didn't even hesitate because they knew this was an issue.
My next question is what will this do to the value of my car? If they have to remove every body panel I can't imagine it will be as tight as it was from the factory when they put it back together. Three weeks in and another two to go. I'm getting sick of this little 350 SUV they gave me. NOT the same.
My next question is what will this do to the value of my car? If they have to remove every body panel I can't imagine it will be as tight as it was from the factory when they put it back together. Three weeks in and another two to go. I'm getting sick of this little 350 SUV they gave me. NOT the same.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 387
Likes: 4
From: Boston, MA
2010 E550 Coupe
Wow, that is surprising to hear. I can't see that you have a lot of options in terms of alternative solutions. I imagine it would be a (long, long) uphill battle to get them to exchange the car for one of similar specification.
Have you raised your concern to the dealer?
Have you raised your concern to the dealer?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2
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e350 Convertible
Yes I have. They swear this won't show up on carfax, which is the first thing they pulled when they noticed the paint problem. I was sitting there when he did it. They also said nobody but a Mercedes dealer could pull this up since it's a warranty repair. You can bet I'll go over it with a fine tooth comb looking for over spray and blemishes. Oh well at least I get rid of a couple of rock chips in the front and hopefully one tiny door ding I just noticed.
If you have a Mars Red Mercedes, I suggest you closely inspect the paint. The service manager claimed he has had three more in since mine. Sadly, I imagine Mercedes pays the body shop a LOT of money to do this. That would suck the motivation for swapping it out.
If you have a Mars Red Mercedes, I suggest you closely inspect the paint. The service manager claimed he has had three more in since mine. Sadly, I imagine Mercedes pays the body shop a LOT of money to do this. That would suck the motivation for swapping it out.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 332
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte
2012 C63; 2011 E350 Coupe
One more thing. When it comes time to trade, most dealers use a paint gauge to determine if there has been any repaint work. The car fax may not show it, but the paint gauge will be a dead giveaway that the car has been repainted and there goes your resale value.
The dealer will never be able to match the paint thickness originally applied by the factory robotic painter.
The dealer will never be able to match the paint thickness originally applied by the factory robotic painter.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Landenberg, PA
mercedes benz 2011 e350
One more thing. When it comes time to trade, most dealers use a paint gauge to determine if there has been any repaint work. The car fax may not show it, but the paint gauge will be a dead giveaway that the car has been repainted and there goes your resale value.
The dealer will never be able to match the paint thickness originally applied by the factory robotic painter.
The dealer will never be able to match the paint thickness originally applied by the factory robotic painter.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 387
Likes: 4
From: Boston, MA
2010 E550 Coupe
I would definitely be pleased to get a Mercedes certified respray on my 2010 E-Coupe, but would share your same concerns.
I can't say I have ever come across the paint work being tested during a trade in. Regardless, if you have the certified documentation to prove the work, I think it would be a very minor issue.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 332
Likes: 4
From: Charlotte
2012 C63; 2011 E350 Coupe
In many cases when the dealer appraises a trade-in, they will take the car to another location on the lot to make those determinations. You will not see them test it.
This happened on two Porsches I traded in. They found the RF fender I had repainted on my 996TT and the LR fender on my wife's Boxster.
I've traded in three MBs and I'm not sure if they tested the paint.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Landenberg, PA
mercedes benz 2011 e350
In many cases when the dealer appraises a trade-in, they will take the car to another location on the lot to make those determinations. You will not see them test it.
This happened on two Porsches I traded in. They found the RF fender I had repainted on my 996TT and the LR fender on my wife's Boxster.
I've traded in three MBs and I'm not sure if they tested the paint.
This happened on two Porsches I traded in. They found the RF fender I had repainted on my 996TT and the LR fender on my wife's Boxster.
I've traded in three MBs and I'm not sure if they tested the paint.
Jim
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,632
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Reference bulletin LI98.00-P-058914 - improper adhesion of clear coat, dealer will refinish affected areas under warranty see here https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post6039468
Last edited by konigstiger; Dec 4, 2014 at 06:43 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
C300
This just happened to my car out of the blue today. I parked it in an open spot in the morning and it was fine. 8 go after getting off in the car and paint is all bubbled up and having white spots up and on the rear. Got pissed and yelled at the dealer that they lied to me and the car was painted now I feel bad and that this could be a paint defect and not a lemon car.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1
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2013 C250
I just purchased my first (and maybe last) C250 a little over a month ago from a large dealership in the DFW area. I chose it over a BMW...which leaves me doubting my decision, primarily for its color-Mars red. Last weekend I noticed a bubble which turned out to be a baseball size area on the front passenger side door where the clear coat and paint was missing. The dealer says they can't do anything about it because I didn't purchase the "additional" interior/exterior insurance. Now customer service from MB tells me it's not covered under the manufacturer's warranty. I haven't even made my first car payment and I am dealing with this nightmare. Any suggestions are appreciated!
Last edited by Moms1stBMW; Feb 3, 2016 at 05:45 PM. Reason: left out important information
Super Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 781
Likes: 72
From: Ohio
2017 E400 Coupe & 2018 GLC43
One more thing. When it comes time to trade, most dealers use a paint gauge to determine if there has been any repaint work. The car fax may not show it, but the paint gauge will be a dead giveaway that the car has been repainted and there goes your resale value.
The dealer will never be able to match the paint thickness originally applied by the factory robotic painter.
The dealer will never be able to match the paint thickness originally applied by the factory robotic painter.
even carmax does this on all trade ins (paint gauge). plus the durability will never be that of a factory finish. sorry to hear of this.
Super Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 781
Likes: 72
From: Ohio
2017 E400 Coupe & 2018 GLC43
~ ditto! ... a tape line, waviness in the paint surface when looking down the car, heavy compound in the cracks, paint/overspray on the piece of trim, orange peal, sanding/dna marks, fish eyes, etc... a paint gauge doesn't lie no matter the extent of preparation.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,632
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2
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From: Trussville, Al and Pensacola,FL
Mercedes Benz E350 CV 2013 Red
Paint issues with my 2013 E350 CV ~ RED
I am so happy to have found this forum. I noticed 2 days ago that the paint on the trunk and side panels have white swirls....it is definitely the clear coat. I am worried it will effect the value of my car~
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2018
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may buy e350 coupe 2013
Mars Red Paint problems in 2018??
Hi, I am thinking of buying a used 2013 e 350 coupe in mars red from a local GM dealership. It is six years old, but the paint looks great. Carfax shows it has been well maintained. I have read a number of posts on the internet about problems with the mars red color, that there have been severe paint problems with that color that sometimes don't appear for years. I can't find out how common it is, or if this car would be out of the woods, since it is 6 years old. Do any of you have some info to enlighten me. I called MB headquarters in US, but the lady in customer care said she personally wasn't aware of problems, but I noticed someone on this site had posted a MB service bullitin about it from several years ago. I believe, at one time, affected cars still under warrantly were being repainted. This car, of course, is completely out of warranty. I just wanted to know if I was asking for trouble with that color, or if I am worrying unnecessarily this many years out. I appreciate your help.
Monica
Monica
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Joined: Apr 2018
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CLA 250
I have a 2014 CLA 250 with only 47k miles on it. It is RED. About a month ago the paint started bubbling up after being in the RAIN. The whole front end is a mess now. The car is like 4 months out of the 4 year warranty, but this is clearly a defective paint job. The dealership has tried some really shady stories when I contacted corporate. Not sure what to do next? I have contacted a law firm, and they are baffled as to why they wouldn't just handle this, rather than deal with all of the negative publicity, I mean, even me driving the car around is negative publicity, but I've posted photos all over social media. Every time it rains it gets MUCH worse! I've barely had this car for ONE YEAR. Any ideas?!?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 681
Likes: 69
From: SWFL
2023 BMW M340i, 2025 MB CLE53 AMG
I have a 2014 CLA 250 with only 47k miles on it. It is RED. About a month ago the paint started bubbling up after being in the RAIN. The whole front end is a mess now. The car is like 4 months out of the 4 year warranty, but this is clearly a defective paint job. The dealership has tried some really shady stories when I contacted corporate. Not sure what to do next? I have contacted a law firm, and they are baffled as to why they wouldn't just handle this, rather than deal with all of the negative publicity, I mean, even me driving the car around is negative publicity, but I've posted photos all over social media. Every time it rains it gets MUCH worse! I've barely had this car for ONE YEAR. Any ideas?!?
