How do you avoid door dings?
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
Don't worry my disability qualifies me for a permament handicap plate. It would be wrong to use if you do not qualify. I wish I did not qualify that way I could walk any distance and park at the end of the parking lot. But I cannot
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
I use many of the same methods as everyone else. I sometimes drive around for awhile looking for the perfect spot. At work I usually park in the same spot all the time which is at the end of a row and is extra wide.
When I am out with the kids I always remind them to open their doors slowly and don't hit the car beside us. I do this regardless of the car we are in as I don't want to ding anybody's car just as much as I don't want my cars dinged.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Yes, a lot of times it is intentional from people who just want to show you their a$$ about you owning the fine vehicle they never can afford. That is a fact.
It also is a fact that there is no way preventing this to happen. You can park your car in the most remote corner of the parking lot and one of these red necks will find out it is the best thing to park right next to you too close and possibly ding your sides.
I have been lucky but it can happen any day. Comes with the car I guess...
But I also have the dash cam mounted in the front ...
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
but it doesn't work. On my last car, most of the dings came in my garage from my own kids getting out of my wife's car next to mine 
. Before I brought this car home, we rearranged the garage to I could park farther away.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 323
Likes: 37
From: Dallas, Texas
2015 S550 4MATIC
No door ding thankfully, but lesson learned. A few day later I parked 20 spots away from the closest car, only to come out and find a car parked next to me. Plenty of other spots all around. Lots of good suggestions. I need to start applying them.
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 86
Likes: 9
From: Los Angeles, CA
2011 E350 4Matic Wagon
Resurrecting this thread from the dead... just to vent.
My E350 is my weekend car. I drive it a lot less than my daily. I take your basic precautions when possible: park far away, try to park sandwiched between a non-parking space (wall/curb) and the passenger side of another car, no valet, etc., but even so, I still managed to get 3 dings on my passenger side door in a period of a week. I had a dent removal guy come out and take out the first one and 6 days later, I got 2 more dings. WTH! You can never win! The Honda that I drive daily has had 1 ding in 8 years. 165,000 miles of "I don't care where I park" driving and have gotten only 1 small ding. I've driven the Benz for about 2,500 miles since I got it and it's gotten 3 dings. Feeling frustrated!
My girlfriend just chuckles and tells me to deal with it, dings are going to happen. I say no! I will not give up the struggle. I will drive in circles to find that perfect spot. But after the triple dings, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort.
Also, for those who do chose to park in no man's land, have you noticed that when you come back to your car, that it's not uncommon to find another car parked right next to you? Even when there's nothing around but empty parking spaces? Why?!
My E350 is my weekend car. I drive it a lot less than my daily. I take your basic precautions when possible: park far away, try to park sandwiched between a non-parking space (wall/curb) and the passenger side of another car, no valet, etc., but even so, I still managed to get 3 dings on my passenger side door in a period of a week. I had a dent removal guy come out and take out the first one and 6 days later, I got 2 more dings. WTH! You can never win! The Honda that I drive daily has had 1 ding in 8 years. 165,000 miles of "I don't care where I park" driving and have gotten only 1 small ding. I've driven the Benz for about 2,500 miles since I got it and it's gotten 3 dings. Feeling frustrated!
My girlfriend just chuckles and tells me to deal with it, dings are going to happen. I say no! I will not give up the struggle. I will drive in circles to find that perfect spot. But after the triple dings, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort.
Also, for those who do chose to park in no man's land, have you noticed that when you come back to your car, that it's not uncommon to find another car parked right next to you? Even when there's nothing around but empty parking spaces? Why?!
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 489
Likes: 9
2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
Resurrecting this thread from the dead... just to vent.
My E350 is my weekend car. I drive it a lot less than my daily. I take your basic precautions when possible: park far away, try to park sandwiched between a non-parking space (wall/curb) and the passenger side of another car, no valet, etc., but even so, I still managed to get 3 dings on my passenger side door in a period of a week. I had a dent removal guy come out and take out the first one and 6 days later, I got 2 more dings. WTH! You can never win! The Honda that I drive daily has had 1 ding in 8 years. 165,000 miles of "I don't care where I park" driving and have gotten only 1 small ding. I've driven the Benz for about 2,500 miles since I got it and it's gotten 3 dings. Feeling frustrated!
My girlfriend just chuckles and tells me to deal with it, dings are going to happen. I say no! I will not give up the struggle. I will drive in circles to find that perfect spot. But after the triple dings, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort.
Also, for those who do chose to park in no man's land, have you noticed that when you come back to your car, that it's not uncommon to find another car parked right next to you? Even when there's nothing around but empty parking spaces? Why?!
My E350 is my weekend car. I drive it a lot less than my daily. I take your basic precautions when possible: park far away, try to park sandwiched between a non-parking space (wall/curb) and the passenger side of another car, no valet, etc., but even so, I still managed to get 3 dings on my passenger side door in a period of a week. I had a dent removal guy come out and take out the first one and 6 days later, I got 2 more dings. WTH! You can never win! The Honda that I drive daily has had 1 ding in 8 years. 165,000 miles of "I don't care where I park" driving and have gotten only 1 small ding. I've driven the Benz for about 2,500 miles since I got it and it's gotten 3 dings. Feeling frustrated!
My girlfriend just chuckles and tells me to deal with it, dings are going to happen. I say no! I will not give up the struggle. I will drive in circles to find that perfect spot. But after the triple dings, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort.
Also, for those who do chose to park in no man's land, have you noticed that when you come back to your car, that it's not uncommon to find another car parked right next to you? Even when there's nothing around but empty parking spaces? Why?!
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 323
Likes: 37
From: Dallas, Texas
2015 S550 4MATIC
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 489
Likes: 9
2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
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From: Athens, GA USA
2011 E63, 2011 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 v8, 2013 GMC Denali XL, 1965 Ford Mustang, 2005 Merc. E500
Resurrecting this thread from the dead... just to vent.
My E350 is my weekend car. I drive it a lot less than my daily. I take your basic precautions when possible: park far away, try to park sandwiched between a non-parking space (wall/curb) and the passenger side of another car, no valet, etc., but even so, I still managed to get 3 dings on my passenger side door in a period of a week. I had a dent removal guy come out and take out the first one and 6 days later, I got 2 more dings. WTH! You can never win! The Honda that I drive daily has had 1 ding in 8 years. 165,000 miles of "I don't care where I park" driving and have gotten only 1 small ding. I've driven the Benz for about 2,500 miles since I got it and it's gotten 3 dings. Feeling frustrated!
My girlfriend just chuckles and tells me to deal with it, dings are going to happen. I say no! I will not give up the struggle. I will drive in circles to find that perfect spot. But after the triple dings, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort.
Also, for those who do chose to park in no man's land, have you noticed that when you come back to your car, that it's not uncommon to find another car parked right next to you? Even when there's nothing around but empty parking spaces? Why?!
My E350 is my weekend car. I drive it a lot less than my daily. I take your basic precautions when possible: park far away, try to park sandwiched between a non-parking space (wall/curb) and the passenger side of another car, no valet, etc., but even so, I still managed to get 3 dings on my passenger side door in a period of a week. I had a dent removal guy come out and take out the first one and 6 days later, I got 2 more dings. WTH! You can never win! The Honda that I drive daily has had 1 ding in 8 years. 165,000 miles of "I don't care where I park" driving and have gotten only 1 small ding. I've driven the Benz for about 2,500 miles since I got it and it's gotten 3 dings. Feeling frustrated!
My girlfriend just chuckles and tells me to deal with it, dings are going to happen. I say no! I will not give up the struggle. I will drive in circles to find that perfect spot. But after the triple dings, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort.
Also, for those who do chose to park in no man's land, have you noticed that when you come back to your car, that it's not uncommon to find another car parked right next to you? Even when there's nothing around but empty parking spaces? Why?!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,258
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From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
Getting dings removed is reasonable $. Have a guy in the next town over who does an amazing job.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,142
Likes: 1,294
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Resurrecting this thread from the dead... just to vent.
My E350 is my weekend car. I drive it a lot less than my daily. I take your basic precautions when possible: park far away, try to park sandwiched between a non-parking space (wall/curb) and the passenger side of another car, no valet, etc., but even so, I still managed to get 3 dings on my passenger side door in a period of a week. I had a dent removal guy come out and take out the first one and 6 days later, I got 2 more dings. WTH! You can never win! The Honda that I drive daily has had 1 ding in 8 years. 165,000 miles of "I don't care where I park" driving and have gotten only 1 small ding. I've driven the Benz for about 2,500 miles since I got it and it's gotten 3 dings. Feeling frustrated!
My girlfriend just chuckles and tells me to deal with it, dings are going to happen. I say no! I will not give up the struggle. I will drive in circles to find that perfect spot. But after the triple dings, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort.
Also, for those who do chose to park in no man's land, have you noticed that when you come back to your car, that it's not uncommon to find another car parked right next to you? Even when there's nothing around but empty parking spaces? Why?!
My E350 is my weekend car. I drive it a lot less than my daily. I take your basic precautions when possible: park far away, try to park sandwiched between a non-parking space (wall/curb) and the passenger side of another car, no valet, etc., but even so, I still managed to get 3 dings on my passenger side door in a period of a week. I had a dent removal guy come out and take out the first one and 6 days later, I got 2 more dings. WTH! You can never win! The Honda that I drive daily has had 1 ding in 8 years. 165,000 miles of "I don't care where I park" driving and have gotten only 1 small ding. I've driven the Benz for about 2,500 miles since I got it and it's gotten 3 dings. Feeling frustrated!
My girlfriend just chuckles and tells me to deal with it, dings are going to happen. I say no! I will not give up the struggle. I will drive in circles to find that perfect spot. But after the triple dings, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort.
Also, for those who do chose to park in no man's land, have you noticed that when you come back to your car, that it's not uncommon to find another car parked right next to you? Even when there's nothing around but empty parking spaces? Why?!
Luckily I have not experienced one door ding yet but did have someone roll a shopping cart on the corner of the rear bumper. That came off with the NuFinish and a power ball on a drill.
For the dings, if frequent, I would "collect" a few of them and then take the car to a ding guy.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 489
Likes: 9
2010 E550 4MATIC RENNtech Tune
There is no practical way to avoid the door dings. One way would be to have someone sit in your car when you go to the business you go to but this is not practical.
Luckily I have not experienced one door ding yet but did have someone roll a shopping cart on the corner of the rear bumper. That came off with the NuFinish and a power ball on a drill.
For the dings, if frequent, I would "collect" a few of them and then take the car to a ding guy.
Luckily I have not experienced one door ding yet but did have someone roll a shopping cart on the corner of the rear bumper. That came off with the NuFinish and a power ball on a drill.
For the dings, if frequent, I would "collect" a few of them and then take the car to a ding guy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,258
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From: East coast
2010 E550 4M P2 Distronic, CLK550 Cab P2
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 3
From: OKC, OK
2022 GLE 450;
I've been going out of my way to park further out in the lot when there are lots of spaces closer to the door. But lately, every time (and I mean EVERY time) I come out with a crew cab 4 door pickup next to me.
So I'm either going to park even further out - or pick a 'safe' car to park next to and at least I'm sheltered till they leave and someone else fills that spot.
So I'm either going to park even further out - or pick a 'safe' car to park next to and at least I'm sheltered till they leave and someone else fills that spot.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Western Cape, South Africa
2005 ML 270 CDI, 2004 E270 CDI, 2006 CLK55 AMG
I drive a ML, and often have problems parking because the spaces are always too small, I wish the shopping complexes would make wider parking some distance from the entrance, this would have a double purpose, all the 4x4's and bigger trucks could park there and if those truck owners were too lazy to walk the distance, this would encourage them to bring a smaller car which would in turn be safer for us people worrying about parking dents. Even when I park far from the entrance, away from everyone, someone will ALWAYS be parked next to me when I come back to the car, very annoying!!
Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 110
Likes: 3
From: USA
11' E350 PP SP
Dents-I can live with out them
I park next to the newest, nicest, and most expensive car in the lot when I can, but other than that I am just a underpaid chauffeur taking the oldest and very young of the family around to do their bidding so I have them either watch the car or have them pick up my needs. I freak out on any dings, so to maintain my sanity I do not frequent malls or shopping centers that do not have a North or South forty for me to park in. The few dings I have were made mostly by family and were taken care of by a friend who uses the butter-knife approach to push them out through the panel access plugs and uses select foam pads to cut, buff, out any visible imperfections. He drinks beer-Heineken only so a small ding cost me a case, usually about 40-45 bucks, he never gets a advance payment for obvious reasons.
