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Last weekend, I was washing my car and my small finger rubbed against driver's door handle causing a small skin cut! As I looked closer to see what could have caused this sudden and unexpected injury, I saw that edge of door handle chrome was slightly starting to lift creating a very sharp surface. Yes, my car has been on the road for 14 years now, but that type of finish is horrible, that thing should have been made of stainless metal, not plastic covered with stainless finish! This certainly reflects poorly on Mercedes Benz and its reputation as a luxury brand! I hope someone at MBUSA reads this to learn how their older vehicles are doing!
Was it chromed metal, or chromed plastic?
Peeling chrome is always very thin. meaning sharp.
I had that on chromed wheels, that have been done by US MB dealers, but never on MB trim.
Thanks for warning.
Still happens on newer cars. The coating peels off the plastic parts on the center console, door handles, steering wheel trim, seatback release handles, and will cut you badly if you catch it just right, it's razor sharp.
Customers like shiny chrome parts though, so that's what we get. If the parts were painted, it isn't an issue, but it's not as upscale without the metal coating.
Was it chromed metal, or chromed plastic?
Peeling chrome is always very thin. meaning sharp.
I had that on chromed wheels, that have been done by US MB dealers, but never on MB trim.
Thanks for warning.
I'm not really sure if it's plastic or metal. I didn't want to dig any deeper as not to disturb it. I guess I could apply magnet to check, but if it's hardened aluminum, it won't work!
Last weekend, I was washing my car and my small finger rubbed against driver's door handle causing a small skin cut! As I looked closer to see what could have caused this sudden and unexpected injury, I saw that edge of door handle chrome was slightly starting to lift creating a very sharp surface. Yes, my car has been on the road for 14 years now, but that type of finish is horrible, that thing should have been made of stainless metal, not plastic covered with stainless finish! This certainly reflects poorly on Mercedes Benz and its reputation as a luxury brand! I hope someone at MBUSA reads this to learn how their older vehicles are doing!
The poor quality and subsequent peeling/flaking chrome plating from plastic interior parts is very common among many higher end automotive manufactures of this era. I'm not sure about Mercedes Benz but there are other manufactures that replaced peeling chrome parts due to customer concerns via an extended manufactures warranty.
Sadly, I'm experiencing the same quality issue with my '06 E320.
I've attached a pic of chrome pealing off door handle, right above where key gets inserted. Checking on Fleabay, I can't find that part. If I found a donor car, same color, at my local junk yard, is this damaged part easy to remove and install, and does it involve messing with any door closing electronics?
That sure looks like screwdriver job.
Anyway, I took a look on my W211 and the chrome part might be separate from painted one, so if that confirms, you can get lock from any color car and replace it.
I did not remove locks on W211, but on older models it was just single screw on the side of the door and then handle will pop and slide out.
At least Al is having good junk yards in Bay Area.
That sure looks like screwdriver job.
Anyway, I took a look on my W211 and the chrome part might be separate from painted one, so if that confirms, you can get lock from any color car and replace it.
I did not remove locks on W211, but on older models it was just single screw on the side of the door and then handle will pop and slide out.
At least Al is having good junk yards in Bay Area.
Believe it or not, today I went to the local junk yard after I was notified a W211 was on the lot. The chrome damage on that donor lock is very similar to what I have. I removed that section with locking mechanism and it appears the chrome part is separate and could be removed, as shown in 2nd pic below. So, true, car color doesn't matter in this case, and would make the task a lot simpler. Thanks Kris!
I was able to dismantle the lock and was rather simple to do using a small screw driver. The chrome cap is made of ABS plastic! I will have to figure out a way to get mine re-chromed. Any ideas out there?
Years ago I used chrome shop in Oakland. I think it was on Broadway or the area, but doubt they will touch such a thing and if they do, not for less than new one will cost at the dealer.
Unless dealer sells the part only with whole set of locks for couple grands, what happens more and more often.
I'd just spend the $60 or whatever it was for a new door handle assembly and be done with it.
Yeah, I can't tell which part it is from that website, I wish Konigstiger or someone with EPC access could give you the right part number, seems like it should just be a $10-$30 part.
If you look at the picture in the link I posted earlier, the door handle is next to the piece that he needs so he doesn't really need a door handle. It's some kind of cap which is a lot cheaper.
07-31-2018, 03:51 PM
