Fading Wood Trim. I think I am getting screwed by MB Dealer.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 908
Likes: 19
From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
I'm not sure if there is a TSB out on this issue, but if there is the dealer will often do it under warranty. I would think that if you bought the car new from that dealership and you have a good relationship with them, they would do it as well. This is a well documented problem! Can't hurt to ask, the sooner the better. Regards. Ned.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Here is TSB and link to post about it.
LI68.30-P-053962 – 212 with burred walnut veneer wood finish (731) or burred walnut veneer designo brown (w60) UV can cause fading trim will be replaced, August 2011 clean point.
LI68.30-P-053962 – 212 with burred walnut veneer wood finish (731) or burred walnut veneer designo brown (w60) UV can cause fading trim will be replaced, August 2011 clean point.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 2
From: British Columbia
2011 E350 4 Matic
Mine were finally replaced after a 4 month wait. Anybody have suggestions which products actually work to reduce the fading of the wood?
303 UV Aerospace Protectant?
Meguiar's G4116 Natural Shine Protectant
Meguiar's G14716 Ultimate Protectant
i use Meguiar products but dont know whether they truly reduce the fading (bought this car used and had the fading already)
303 UV Aerospace Protectant?
Meguiar's G4116 Natural Shine Protectant
Meguiar's G14716 Ultimate Protectant
i use Meguiar products but dont know whether they truly reduce the fading (bought this car used and had the fading already)
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 269
Likes: 3
2014 W212 E350 4M
Mine were finally replaced after a 4 month wait. Anybody have suggestions which products actually work to reduce the fading of the wood?
303 UV Aerospace Protectant?
Meguiar's G4116 Natural Shine Protectant
Meguiar's G14716 Ultimate Protectant
i use Meguiar products but dont know whether they truly reduce the fading (bought this car used and had the fading already)
303 UV Aerospace Protectant?
Meguiar's G4116 Natural Shine Protectant
Meguiar's G14716 Ultimate Protectant
i use Meguiar products but dont know whether they truly reduce the fading (bought this car used and had the fading already)
The reason the trim faded was the MB supplier did not put a UV stabilizer in the finish. I had the trim replaced on my 2010 in August of 2012 and there were no issues after that. You should not need to treat it with anything. When my trim was replaced there was no backlog. I showed it to the shop foreman and a couple of days later when they received the parts they were installed. I do not believe there is an MB dealer conspiracy to not replace the trim. They get paid for it by MB, at a lower hourly rate than customer paid repairs but it is profitable. I have never been refused a warranty repair at my dealership or not provided a loaner. The service department makes money for the dealership.
I wonder if the MB supplier is providing the replacement kit to MB at no cost or is MB using a new purveyor.
Last edited by RSIKR; Jul 7, 2014 at 04:56 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: North Bergen
2011 E350
New W212 owner here
Hi everyone. Just came back to the forum after grabbing a 2011 E350 CPO. Been a few years since I sold my last 2001 E320 so now I'm back 
Always loved this forum.
Anyways, I have the same issue with the fading Walnut Burl Trim. I had read these posts before purchasing the car but the dealer that I purchased the car from gave me a hard time about replacing the wood. It was such a good deal though, that I figured I could find someone else to do the work after I got it. I still have a few months on the original warranty and my VIN is in the affected range so I am going to try to find a different dealer to look at the wood and fix it. Any suggestions for dealers in the Northern NJ area that will do this?
Also, one more quick question...I have the wood/leather steering wheel installed. Is this also part of the replacement trim kit?
Thanks
-John
Always loved this forum.
Anyways, I have the same issue with the fading Walnut Burl Trim. I had read these posts before purchasing the car but the dealer that I purchased the car from gave me a hard time about replacing the wood. It was such a good deal though, that I figured I could find someone else to do the work after I got it. I still have a few months on the original warranty and my VIN is in the affected range so I am going to try to find a different dealer to look at the wood and fix it. Any suggestions for dealers in the Northern NJ area that will do this?
Also, one more quick question...I have the wood/leather steering wheel installed. Is this also part of the replacement trim kit?
Thanks
-John
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
From reading other posts, the wood steering wheel is not part of the replacement kit. Not familiar with dealers in your area, but you may want to call MB customer care and tell them your experience. That way you have a record and maybe they can call your dealer and straighten it out.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 908
Likes: 19
From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
Hi everyone. Just came back to the forum after grabbing a 2011 E350 CPO. Been a few years since I sold my last 2001 E320 so now I'm back
Always loved this forum.
Anyways, I have the same issue with the fading Walnut Burl Trim. I had read these posts before purchasing the car but the dealer that I purchased the car from gave me a hard time about replacing the wood. It was such a good deal though, that I figured I could find someone else to do the work after I got it. I still have a few months on the original warranty and my VIN is in the affected range so I am going to try to find a different dealer to look at the wood and fix it. Any suggestions for dealers in the Northern NJ area that will do this?
Also, one more quick question...I have the wood/leather steering wheel installed. Is this also part of the replacement trim kit?
Thanks
-John
Always loved this forum.
Anyways, I have the same issue with the fading Walnut Burl Trim. I had read these posts before purchasing the car but the dealer that I purchased the car from gave me a hard time about replacing the wood. It was such a good deal though, that I figured I could find someone else to do the work after I got it. I still have a few months on the original warranty and my VIN is in the affected range so I am going to try to find a different dealer to look at the wood and fix it. Any suggestions for dealers in the Northern NJ area that will do this?
Also, one more quick question...I have the wood/leather steering wheel installed. Is this also part of the replacement trim kit?
Thanks
-John
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: North Bergen
2011 E350
Thanks Ned, I just found out that a friend of a friend is a service manager at Benzel Busch in Englewood.
I'm going to try there first and then maybe try Morristown, if needed.
BTW, love that area, i.e. Morristown, Morris Township, Plains, etc..
-John
I'm going to try there first and then maybe try Morristown, if needed.
BTW, love that area, i.e. Morristown, Morris Township, Plains, etc..
-John
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Hi everyone. Just came back to the forum after grabbing a 2011 E350 CPO. Been a few years since I sold my last 2001 E320 so now I'm back
Always loved this forum.
Anyways, I have the same issue with the fading Walnut Burl Trim. I had read these posts before purchasing the car but the dealer that I purchased the car from gave me a hard time about replacing the wood. It was such a good deal though, that I figured I could find someone else to do the work after I got it. I still have a few months on the original warranty and my VIN is in the affected range so I am going to try to find a different dealer to look at the wood and fix it. Any suggestions for dealers in the Northern NJ area that will do this?
Also, one more quick question...I have the wood/leather steering wheel installed. Is this also part of the replacement trim kit?
Thanks
-John
Always loved this forum.
Anyways, I have the same issue with the fading Walnut Burl Trim. I had read these posts before purchasing the car but the dealer that I purchased the car from gave me a hard time about replacing the wood. It was such a good deal though, that I figured I could find someone else to do the work after I got it. I still have a few months on the original warranty and my VIN is in the affected range so I am going to try to find a different dealer to look at the wood and fix it. Any suggestions for dealers in the Northern NJ area that will do this?
Also, one more quick question...I have the wood/leather steering wheel installed. Is this also part of the replacement trim kit?
Thanks
-John
I'm a little bit confused by all the trouble the dealers are giving to some customers about this fix. It seems to me this job is a factory warranty covered job by MB directly. Why would a dealer refuse a warranty job that they get paid for by the "mother company". I would understand if the dealer was directly MB owned but I thought we don't have those in the U.S....
Can anybody shed any light in this?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 908
Likes: 19
From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
If he doesn't fix it I would consider him an ex-friend! I live in Warren. I'm actually closer to Open Road in Bridgewater but had a Glen Gary, Glen Ross moment there when looking to buy back in late 2010. Got a great deal at Morristown so also get service there. Good luck. Regards. Ned.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 908
Likes: 19
From: New Jersey
2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
FYI. Some people have waited many months for the new wood set to come in. I was lucky in that they had it in stock. Regards. Ned.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: North Bergen
2011 E350
I wasn't too concerned that the dealer I purchased it from gave me a hard time. At the time of my conversation with them, I had not purchased the car yet and they DID say that after I bought it, they might be able to do the repair under warranty.
More importantly, I am ok with it because the dealer is in Queens and I don't particularly want to spend 12 dollars for the GW Bridge and 7.50 each way to go over the NY bridges just to get service. I had always planned on finding a NJ dealer anyway so I didn't push them on the issue.
Got a great deal so it was worth the hassle to get it there but, going forward, a NJ dealer is going to be my dealer of record.
More importantly, I am ok with it because the dealer is in Queens and I don't particularly want to spend 12 dollars for the GW Bridge and 7.50 each way to go over the NY bridges just to get service. I had always planned on finding a NJ dealer anyway so I didn't push them on the issue.
Got a great deal so it was worth the hassle to get it there but, going forward, a NJ dealer is going to be my dealer of record.
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land, TX
2011 E550
Good luck. I am still waiting for mine to be repaired. My dealer said they were running about 5 months to get the wood kit. Mine has been on order for a little over 2 months so I am half way there.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 507
Likes: 16
'11 E350BTC P2 Leather
BB is awesome, they have the best and most economical of all service departments.
They treat me like a king, and I didn't buy my car from them.
Hit their web page and bring the coupons, they help a lot.
They changed my wood trim, and told me that the customer has to point it out to them, they can not tell the customer that the wood needs replacing. It took them maybe a couple weeks to get the wood in, and the repair was fast enough.
I can't praise Benzel-Busch any more highly.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Since February??? You seriously think they even ordered the parts?
I think they are playing the waiting game for you to go away...
This BS, if it really is from MB, is just something that will keep me from buying another MB no matter how good the product is or is thought to be.
Save pennies, lose dollars...
I think they are playing the waiting game for you to go away...
This BS, if it really is from MB, is just something that will keep me from buying another MB no matter how good the product is or is thought to be.
Save pennies, lose dollars...
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 396
Likes: 7
From: Revere Beach
2010 E63 AMG
Mine is a bit cloudy and my steering wheel silver trim is peeling off too.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2012 E350
Bought a 2012 E350 well outside the supposed VIN Range. Wood looks bad. Took it to Park Place MB in Dallas and they ordered the trim for warranty replacement, no questions asked. Of course they told me it could be 6-8 months to get the parts in.
So my current question is: Any suggestions on making the faded wood look as good as possible until the replacement arrives?
So my current question is: Any suggestions on making the faded wood look as good as possible until the replacement arrives?
