At the moment they have no answer or comment other than offering to repair the vehicle under warranty.
Here's what I found out from their body shop mgr, he too agree the paint is factory. I went to their sales mgr
with this report and kindly ask for a factory rep to look into my case for a replacement vehicle. He'll contact
the rep on Monday and give me a call then.

 

Don't mess around with your dealer too long. Either they're going to stand behind you or they're not. If not, escalate it to the 800 customer service # or call their offices in Montvale, NJ.

Clearly that is an awful job. It's very obvious even in the first pic you posted. Most body shops, even average ones, would have feathered the paint into the left front door and the rear quarter panel. It's hard to believe the factory would have done that kind of job. Perhaps the door was painted off the car.

Brilliant siver is a hard color to match. If you lined up different cars and models side by side you would see variations among them.

Another wild possibility - it's not the original door. Maybe the original was damaged at the prep centrer or at the dealer and they swaped doors with another vehicle. Sounds far fetched but it would explain the lack of feathering and would also allow your dealer to look you in the eye and say it was factory paint!

 

For the record, what is the 800 number that you guys recommend calling on service (or delivery) issues such as this?

I also understand your pain. I have had my silver E500 in for service 3 times, with the most recent one being for OVER THIRTY DAYS (and I still don't have it back). Long story which I will share with you later, but the fact is that I've owned this car for about 6 months, during which it has been in the shop for over 6 weeks.

The local dealership is trying to "fix" the car, and has offered some $ compensation for the non-use of my car... but I have reached the point where I either want a replacement vehicle or my $ back.

Of course, I always have the "lemon law attorney" option which I will only use after exhausting all other options.

I never imagined that my first M-B would be like this, and unless M-B does a quick about-face in how they're treating me, it will unfortunately be my last M-B.

 

1-800-FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372)

Over the years I've noticed when MBs develop major problems they stay that way. Get rid of that car and never look back. I know 2 people who had problem MBs, and to this day they spit on them at every opportunity. This is gut level hatred to beat the band.

 

hi

thats awful what they did to your paint on your E.

ive had some problem with my paint on my C320 due to acid tape residue left on my car. i have clear vertical marks allll over the sides of my car. i have noticed it 2 months after i bought it. ive tried to remove it using clay and 3m removing agents but to no good. i am finally taking it to my original dealer (1 hr away) to fix the problem.why must this happen to MB? its a pretty deep problem im suspecting because i could feel dips in my paint when i run my fingers through it!

ughhh!!!!!! and my parents were looking at an E class. now they are looking at a Lexus GS300 (the car company i absolutely HATE do to its aesthetics) i dont know... Dad said if i have anymore issues especially serious ones my car is gone and lexus here we come!

i hope everything goes well. now i understand why people turn to lexus. so many problems i read. i hope it stops soon or else its no more MBs for the family

 

tell your dad to get an 04 E.....all of the bugs will be fixed by then, and he will have no probs...also, tell him that the GS is outdated, and they will change it in a couple of years....so his value for the car will go down if he buys one now, and tell him the Ejust came out this year, so its value will hold much better

 

bmms8

hi

my dad keeps his cars for a long time so value is not really a big deal as we will not sell it in 4 or 5 yrs. its not just about the bugs i mean, the overall quality seems to be low and for my dad its just now worth it especially when he works so hard to buy a car in the 40s 50s and 60s grand category. i am major lexus hater due to there lack of designs but i am starting realize that they are a great car company.

the other day there was a lexus GS and a new E320 parked side by side and when my dad looked at both cars from the front he said "why is the front of the NEW E almost identical the the OLD Lexus when the GS came out 6 yrs ago?" i couldnt answer his question. no offense to E class owners i think the E is beautiful car, but the distinction is gone

 

i know what your saying, i wanted my dad to get the ls430 like CRAZY!!!! he said he wanted a quiet car, and i loved the LS....but a mercedes is more than a car...lexus is all luxury, no sportiness to it all all...and bmw is all spot, no luxury, but MB blends both...also when you dad asked why does it look the same.....its because in 96 when MB came out with the timeless idea of the two circular headlights....everyone copied them...kia, hyandui, and others, including lexus...so basically, MB is sticking to its roots, while lexus copies MB...its the same year after year..the roof on the SC is just like the CL...thats why we chose MB over the lex...MB is in its own category

 

I didn't read all of the other posts in this thread, but you must insist on a new car. On a new car, ANY damage/repaint has to be disclosed to the customer. They have to disclose that damage was present and exactly what was painted, where, and how bad the damage was that caused it to be repainted at the VPC. My best friend is a General Sales Manager at a BMW dealership, and if you have any questions on what to do that haven't been answered PM me and I'll ask him. Even though the cars makes are different, I imagine the laws and procedures would be the same. In any case, don't take this lying down, they're trying to screw you and you paid good money to get a high quality product.

 

i remember reading some of you old threads about lexus versus MB debates and you always had a love for lexus and defended it. i think it was the one where it was S class vs LS430. cool debates to be honest i hate the LS. the only lex ill consider is the GS and im starting to like SC but i hate 2 seaters. the IS is just nasty. i dont even consider BMW has they have the ugliest interiors and like you said have little luxury. i dont know about 7 series though.

ill be the first to admit that 90% of the reason i got my C is because i love the way it looked and drove. i also bought it largely for show, safetly, reliablilty and comfort. although lexus doesnt have that WOW factor or show capabilities or brand name i think it does the other features well or close to MBs.

MB is on its own league. i dont think bmw or lexus or any car has competition against them. the CL500 is my absolute favorite car and i will own it one day. but if there is going to minor annoyances and problems owning a car this high maintanance id ont think its worth it. that why im hoping benz will get here **** together.

i compare MB to a really hot girl. they are both absolutely georgous to look at. great headlamps and rear . great to drive or f*** if its the girl. but when it comes down to thousands of dollars of repairs or 80dollar oil changes( i change mine every 4 or 5) or buying high end Tiffanys bracelets etc. also both mb and the hot girl will give you **** that pisses you off. ie sunroof problems etc, nagging on the girl part. etc etc. you get my point. i dont want a beatiful high maintanance women who nags. and i dont want a beatiful high maintance mercedes to have paint issues, sunroof problems or other problems where you are pulling your hair out.

i am hoping to keep my car for about 8 to 10 years so will test MBs to see what they are made of. if i see a serous issue with my car i wont hesitate to sell it.

-Ed

 

Quattroleap,

Bring your car back to your dealer and ask a new one -- this car obviously went to a low quality body shop and repainted it. You may need to send this picture to

1. your dealer
2. mbusa
3. bbb
4. your lawyer

but you should find it at the date of your car delivered because you may need to prove you did not paint your car after it is delivered !!!

the second problem is quite common due to the low quality of mb audio gateway. it can be replaced and fixed it, I have the same problem -- it should not happen in this level of car but mb lets it happen.

Otto

 

his dealer has said the paint was from the factory, so thats not a factor

 

One should really not have to "jump through hoops" to get proper service/treatment from any business let alone on something you just spent over $50,000.00 on. MB factory and customer service is getting worse and so are the cars quality (see latest JD Power info #15th, getting a lower score year after year). The dealer needs to stand behind its product and preserve its reputation as an honorable place of business. How many of us would purchased the cars we are actually driving if we knew at the time of sale that a door/hood/trunk etc was entirely repainted or worse? Would'nt we have asked for another? And to make matters worse the match of the color looks to be quite poor. MB needs to check its records at VPC and find and write-up #1 the person that did the painting and the #2 the person that signed off on the car prior to delivery to the dealership and #3 the person at the dealer that gave it its pre-delivery quality check. I don't know why so many car dealers have such poor reputations, I mean they always pay a very fair price for your trade in and give great discounts on the car you want, they never ever lie and never try to screw you with the financing... right?

 

I have visited a couple of car factories and know that whole car is painted at the same time by the same paint -- no way to have this kind of the color on the rear left door. (dealer is not honest obviously according to the picture but this car was parked under the shadow of building and light is from the left rear so it it hard to tell by one single picture but the color is different between the the left front door and rear door.)

is not acceptable. when dealer said that this means dealer knows the color is not right and dealer should help his customer to make it right. (you should call the mbusa and complain this irresponsible statement -- this dealer should be taken out of his dealership if he said that. you buy the car from dealer, not from factory. dealer makes money from you. don't tell me the factory story. what if mb factory said it is caused by the paint factory and paint factory said it is caused by its supply factory ...

we buy the quality of mb and we buy the services of mb. show me the quality and services.

 

That's exaclty what I'm looking for with my 03 CLk 500, 2800 miles 5 months old and already 36 days out of service for warranty repairs + the factory rep (even though I've requested) has never agreed to a meeting, the service mgr and director that with the first repairs seemed great are now offering sub par levels of custmer service. MB needs to show me the quality and service as I SHOWED THEM THE MONEY! and they took it with a big smile.

 

In Ohio, your car would qualify as a lemon since it has been in for service for 30 or more days within the first 18 months / 18 K miles. So you may want to check the lemon lawa in your state.

There are lots of attorneys who go after auto manufacturers at no cost to you (they make their money from the manufacturers), and many offer a free case evaluation.

I will be taking this option if I do not reach a amicable settlement this week with my dealership and MBUSA.

 

I will go the Lemon Law route, first I'm going to give MB one last chance to make all this right. What's wrong with your E?

 

Lots of little things that haven't really bothered me too much (audio system static causing the GPS antenna to be replaced, CD changer went out once, a visor broke, moonroof inop, etc.), but the main thing is a noise of some sort coming from the bottom rear of the vehicle, almost sounding like a loose exhaust component which is noticable when I shift into drive after backing up. This is what they've been trying to fix for the last 30 days, which has resulted in the rear axle being removed/replaced, the differential being replaced, and God knows what else that I am not aware of.

 

Could the noise be a loose exhaust heat shield?Got one of those on my clk 500, kept hearing a rattle in the car that seemed to come from the passenger door when it was being shut, but I traced it muself to a heat shield (had to crawl under the car for a listen and I was able to isolate it). Anyway it really sucks when you have major components changed on a brand new car as well as lots of little things too...it all adds up. Check out the E55 section and read about the poor guy with a 700 mile new E55 with a grenaded engine

 

This thread (and the many ones like it) scare me.

I was all set to put in an order for an '04 E, but I keep hearing about all these problems with the 03's. I think I am going to wait until the spring to see what kind of reviews the '04 E generates, and if it is more of the same, I might have to get an LS. Rumor is that they will have a "keyless go" type option for next year too.

What a shame.
What unfulfilled potential.

 

most of the E problems were in the beginning production models. you can get a late model 03, or an 04, im sure both wont have any problems, please dont get a LS you wont like to drive it then

 

You echo my thinking completely. I am not new to MB's automobiles (driving them since 1977 280E) but I am to this Forum. I am amazed at the stories I have read about the quality problems with the "new" E Class. This thread is about the worst. I cannot believe a dealer delivered this car!

I was looking to replace my '98 E320 wagon with the 320CDI sedan or a new wagon. However, I am now not so sure. There is no way I will order a new E at this point in time. Maybe in the spring after I see what users report about the latest edition.

What a sad commentary on Mercedes Benz. My '98 was not up to the quality or feel of previous wagons, SL's, and sedans, but nothing with my present E compares to what I have read in the past few days.

I hope MB will honor your request for a replacement...if not, get a good lawyer and make it happen!

Jack

 

I hope you are right.

My dad drives a 2000 E320 (still a beautiful machine) and with my new job, I thought I would treat myself to the new E500. I test drove the LS first and was pretty impressed with the solid feel and build quality of the car, and the ergonomics of everything, but I wasnt too impressed with the exterior, or the price when you load it up. Also, have you seen how much an oil change costs on that thing?

I then went next door and test drove the E500. No need to sell you on that experience...you all know what the ride is like! It didnt have the voice activated nav or the steering wheel controls or the "roominess" of the LS, but that drive more than made up for it! Plus, the '04Es will have the nav as an option.

We are getting close to the end of the model year, and people who took delivery a matter of weeks ago are still finding the same problems (alignment, radio, strange noises, etc) Will it be magically better in 04? I sure hope so. An E would look so sweet in my garage. But I need a reliable car.

 

Quattroleap - So what was the final result???