Cracked Dash
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1
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'98 E320
Cracked Dash
Help. I have a 1998 E320, which is still under the Starmark Warranty. I have just noticed two small cracks in the dashboard in the center, near the windshield.
Will this be covered by the Starmark warranty?
Any suggestions on how to repairthe cracks?
Any suggestions on preventing future cracks?
Thanks for your help.
Will this be covered by the Starmark warranty?
Any suggestions on how to repairthe cracks?
Any suggestions on preventing future cracks?
Thanks for your help.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 379
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From: Cleveland, OH
1999 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel
This is VERY VERY common on E class down here in FLorida with the intense heat and UV's. One way to prevent the cracks is to keep the dash clean and conditioned with a protectant, and the best thing to do if you park outside is to get one of those window sun-shields. MB makes them (they are cheap too) to fit each model. Sorry to hear about the cracks!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
Likes: 6
From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
I don't know how to repair them but I agree about the sunshade to prevent them. You may also try Costco as they have an awesome, double insulated, very thick sunshade with a velcro strap for storage for cheap. I don't have my car with me right now and forget the name of it but they only have one kind so you can't confuse it...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 379
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From: Cleveland, OH
1999 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel
I have the MB E-class sunshade and it was a very cheap accessory, I want to say $39? It fits perfectly needless to say, and has a little cotton carrying bag you can put it back into once you fold it up. When combining the sun shade with my 20% tint, the interior temps are drastically reduced when I have to park outside, as the windshield is the only 'weak link' as far as blocking the sun's concerned...that black top section of the dash gets incredibly hot(too hot to touch), makes my radar detector make all kinds of weird sounding chirps, lol....
Banned
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 708
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From: Kansas
96 E 320 and 87 560 SL
I use a tailor fit dash cover. It will protect the dash from damage and/or cover and keep existing damage from grtting worse. Those sun shades are just too much of a pain in the a** to put up and take down. It gets hot here in Kansas but nothing like Florida or Texas. The dash covers are relatively cheap, available in lots of colors and can even be personalized.
here is the link: http://jcwhitney.com/catsubpic.jhtml;$sessionid$HXWTOOAAAAJFSQSNDV1CFFCCJUOXKIV0?CATID= 166815&BQ=jcw2
here is the link: http://jcwhitney.com/catsubpic.jhtml;$sessionid$HXWTOOAAAAJFSQSNDV1CFFCCJUOXKIV0?CATID= 166815&BQ=jcw2
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
1999 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel
Lol do those dash covers come with matching dice for the mirror?
Good luck on your dash, I hope they cover it. It's certainly a known problem with these cars, and could reasonably be argued that it's a design defect... It's sad to see that these cars just aren't made very well. My jeep wrangler was left out with the top down in florida sun (and rain) for years, and 150k miles, and nothing cracked. That was a $18k vehicle. You'd think a MB would be at least as durable...
Good luck on your dash, I hope they cover it. It's certainly a known problem with these cars, and could reasonably be argued that it's a design defect... It's sad to see that these cars just aren't made very well. My jeep wrangler was left out with the top down in florida sun (and rain) for years, and 150k miles, and nothing cracked. That was a $18k vehicle. You'd think a MB would be at least as durable...
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12
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From: Marlboro, MA
E420
cracked dash
I too had the same problem with my 1997 E420, which is also still under the Starmark Warranty. I had 4 cracks, 2 of them were right by the air bag and the other 2 were on each side of the dash. I brought it to the dealership where I bought the car and complained. They told me it was from the sun and that it wouldn't be covered. I complained some more and mentioned that the 2 cracks by the airbad could affect the operation of the airbag (I guess it could happen). They ended up replacing it under warranty! Saved me like $1500 plus labor.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
1999 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel
Dealers get paid a lesser labor rate for warranty work by mb, than the customer labor rate. They'd much rather charge you. Ahh, the beauty of stealerships
You guys that had your dashes crack - had you been keeping it coated with protectant like meguiars or armor all? Do you park long hours outside in the sun?
You guys that had your dashes crack - had you been keeping it coated with protectant like meguiars or armor all? Do you park long hours outside in the sun?
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: CA
After the dash was replaced, I have been trying to keep the car in shaded areas or I keep the sunscreen on.
Tried armor all once because of their no crack guarantee but it just made the dash look too shiny. Didn't like that look so I stopped using it.
Tried armor all once because of their no crack guarantee but it just made the dash look too shiny. Didn't like that look so I stopped using it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,546
Likes: 6
From: SFV, SoCal
2022 CLS450 AMG 4Matic
Originally posted by Lightman
armor all has a low-gloss version, but I prefer meguiars. Its not shiny. Griots garage also has some non-shiny protectants...
armor all has a low-gloss version, but I prefer meguiars. Its not shiny. Griots garage also has some non-shiny protectants...
Thanks,
- Jimmy
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
1999 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel
The one I'd been using for dashes and tops of doors was meguiars gold class vinyl/rubber protectant. I use a different leather conditioner, but that stuff on the dash. Its not the greatest in my opinion, but is easily available and keeps the dash conditioned..
