Cracks in Interior Wood (Birds Eye Maple)
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Nashville, TN
2013 G550
Cracks in Interior Wood (Birds Eye Maple)
I have an 03 with the sport package and birds eye maple (black) wood accents. I have two significant and very noticable cracks in on the cup holder cover and the storage comparment (in front of the shifter). Has anyone else had this problem and is it covered under warranty?
Thanks
Thanks
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
This is somewhat OT, but is that interior trim real wood, or is it a simulation? The facile answer is "of course it's wood", but my former E39 BMW supposedly had real wood trim inside too. I found that I could slid a fingertip behind this "real wood" in a few spots, like the sides of the dash, and when I did, I could feel that the "real wood" pieces were not solid - the were some kind of formed material maybe 1/8" thick. Sure looked nice, though. I haven't been able to similarly test the "wood" trim on my W211, so let me know if you get any slivers/splinters from the cracked trim.
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From: Treasure Coast
2018 Mclaren 720s, 2021 Aston Martin DBX
I helped a friend of mine refinish his solid wood pieces, off a benz I think from the 50's, but solid wood doesn't lend itself to todays cost cutting.
See the veneer at the dash trim where it ends at the door...there is no end grain, just the same wood pattern wrapping the corner.
I always thought it was at least a wood veneer, but now I'm not so sure. Look at the edge of the cover at the center cup holders and see the plastic backing and the edge of the finish....there is barely an edge thickness where they meet.
I have seen some steering wheels and trim pieces with a photographic process to duplicate the wood grain so this could be the same thing to be such a thin layer.
Appearance items are only covered in the original warranty, not Starmark or any other extended warranties, so get everything fixed before time or mileage becomes a concern.
See the veneer at the dash trim where it ends at the door...there is no end grain, just the same wood pattern wrapping the corner.
I always thought it was at least a wood veneer, but now I'm not so sure. Look at the edge of the cover at the center cup holders and see the plastic backing and the edge of the finish....there is barely an edge thickness where they meet.
I have seen some steering wheels and trim pieces with a photographic process to duplicate the wood grain so this could be the same thing to be such a thin layer.
Appearance items are only covered in the original warranty, not Starmark or any other extended warranties, so get everything fixed before time or mileage becomes a concern.
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From: NC
'03 Mercedes E320
I believe MB still applies a very thin veneer to a base of aluminum, so in the event of a crash the wood does not splinter. Unless it has changed, I believe they have done that for quite a long time, and the visible piece is real wood with a heavy protective clear coating.
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From: Red Sox Nation (No. Va. chapter)
2004 E500
Whether it's real wood or not, the thick clear coating makes it look like plastic. I would prefer a more natural looking coating similar to what is on a fine piece of furniture.
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by benzboy
Could be the effect of extreme sun coming through the windshield? 
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally Posted by BoSoxFan
Whether it's real wood or not, the thick clear coating makes it look like plastic.
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From: OUTSIDE PHILLY/bucks county
e500 4matic
I Am Sorry To Hear About Cracking Wood On New W211's.
My Last Car Was A 95 C36 And The Most Annoying Point
Of Ownership Was The Wood Trim That Kept Cracking!
While Under Warrantee, It Was Always Replaced For Free,
But Each New Piece Did Not Match Existing Trim Pieces!!!
In The End, It Looked Terrible. Dealer Tried Their Best, But Only
Replacing Entire Set Would Cure Problem And That Route Would
Not Be Covered And I Had Too Many Good Pieces To Flip The Bill Myself.
Now The Kicker!!!!!!!
Ordered My 2004 E500 4matic With Appearance Group And Wood Wheel............when It Arrived.........no Wood Wheel.....dealer Assured Me It Would Be No Problem And They Would Install At Dealership.....ok, Right.............wrong...........match Was Horrible, Almost Like 2 Totally Different Types Of Wood. They Brought In 6 Wheels From All Over Country Until We Came Up With A Very Good Match ( Not Perfect) As Variuos Shades Of Gold Or Green Grain Appeared In The Black Maple ( Mine Has A Greyish Grain Which Looks Good With Charcoal Interior ) Dealership Couldnt Believe The Variations Out There And Only Hope They Dont See To Much Cracking Of Wood Trim As This Is Going To Be A Real Nightmare To Them As They Stated.
Final Word........a Real Life Lesson
Treat Your Trim Right!
Replacing It Isnt As Easy As You May Think!
My Last Car Was A 95 C36 And The Most Annoying Point
Of Ownership Was The Wood Trim That Kept Cracking!
While Under Warrantee, It Was Always Replaced For Free,
But Each New Piece Did Not Match Existing Trim Pieces!!!
In The End, It Looked Terrible. Dealer Tried Their Best, But Only
Replacing Entire Set Would Cure Problem And That Route Would
Not Be Covered And I Had Too Many Good Pieces To Flip The Bill Myself.
Now The Kicker!!!!!!!
Ordered My 2004 E500 4matic With Appearance Group And Wood Wheel............when It Arrived.........no Wood Wheel.....dealer Assured Me It Would Be No Problem And They Would Install At Dealership.....ok, Right.............wrong...........match Was Horrible, Almost Like 2 Totally Different Types Of Wood. They Brought In 6 Wheels From All Over Country Until We Came Up With A Very Good Match ( Not Perfect) As Variuos Shades Of Gold Or Green Grain Appeared In The Black Maple ( Mine Has A Greyish Grain Which Looks Good With Charcoal Interior ) Dealership Couldnt Believe The Variations Out There And Only Hope They Dont See To Much Cracking Of Wood Trim As This Is Going To Be A Real Nightmare To Them As They Stated.
Final Word........a Real Life Lesson
Treat Your Trim Right!
Replacing It Isnt As Easy As You May Think!
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From: Richmond, BC, Canada
2010 Prius & Miata MX5 PRHT, 2010 Toyota Venza AWD, 05 C55 AMG, Yamaha 1100 Custom, Honda 250 Reflex
Yes, part is coverd under warranty. You should have no trouble getting it replace free of charge. 
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Joined: May 2002
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From: UK
E320 CDI Elegance auto
I suppose it is what you call 'real wood'. Is veneer not real wood. Any wood experts out there, i thought that veneer was quite difficult to do on curves etc like the E Class has.
Last edited by Apollo; Jul 28, 2004 at 01:44 AM.
