Paint/coating peeling interior console
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2013 E350 4MATIC
Paint/coating peeling interior console
I have a 2013 E350. The paint/coating on my center armrest/console is bubbling and peeling off. It looks to be coated plastic. I have attached a photo. Anyway, given that this car is only 1.5 years old, I'm wondering if this is something that would typically be under warranty -- and regardless of that, if this can be fixed/replaced.
Thanks, Jack
Thanks, Jack
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Had the same problem on my used 2011. See the pic I posted here. Carmax covered it under their warranty for me. Dealer also told me it would have been under warranty if I hadn't been over miles.
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Of course it would be covered under warranty -- it's not like you took a razor and did that yourself -- it's a defect in manufacturing of that part.
Get yer stealership on board and get it replaced, sorry that happened... so annoying this type of problem because now they have to tear up the center console and put it back together
Get yer stealership on board and get it replaced, sorry that happened... so annoying this type of problem because now they have to tear up the center console and put it back together
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2013 E350 4MATIC
Thanks for the replies. I contacted the dealership (with photos) and was told that the service manager needs to inspect it in person to "determine the cause." Not exactly the response I was looking for. I guess we'll see how much of hassle this is going to be. I do not ride around with buckets of paint thinner so I'm not sure how they are thinking they might have some sort of out..if that is what they are thinking.
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2013 E350 4MATIC
I don't see how paint peeling off on the interior can be normal wear after only a few years, even on the steering wheel. And even though this seems minor, it WILL affect the value of the car when you try to sell it. I find it kind of baffling that they don't use black plastic and instead use clear plastic with some sort of colored coating that will eventually come off and cause issues.
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
If they give you a hard time -- call MBUSA and file a complaint and let them negotiate with the stealership -- this car is only a year old!!! C'mon
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Thanks for the replies. I contacted the dealership (with photos) and was told that the service manager needs to inspect it in person to "determine the cause." Not exactly the response I was looking for. I guess we'll see how much of hassle this is going to be. I do not ride around with buckets of paint thinner so I'm not sure how they are thinking they might have some sort of out..if that is what they are thinking.
Sorry that this happened to you, but now I am glad I am not the only one who had this problem. Let us know how it turns out.
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From: Sugar Land, TX
2011 E550
Thanks for the replies. I contacted the dealership (with photos) and was told that the service manager needs to inspect it in person to "determine the cause." Not exactly the response I was looking for. I guess we'll see how much of hassle this is going to be. I do not ride around with buckets of paint thinner so I'm not sure how they are thinking they might have some sort of out..if that is what they are thinking.
I think this is standard procedure. When I wanted to get the trim replaced due to fading it was the same. You have to go in, they write up the service order and then have the tech verify it is faded. Then they ordered the replacement kit. A lot of effort but if you work through the system it usually works.
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2013 E350 4MATIC
Update: the dealer is going to cover this. They ordered the part and are replacing it in a few days. I did have to push it a little bit, but nothing major.
Women and children are relegated to the backseat where they can do minimal damage, so it wasn't that. 
Last edited by jjack100; Jun 10, 2014 at 05:48 PM.
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I don't see how paint peeling off on the interior can be normal wear after only a few years, even on the steering wheel. And even though this seems minor, it WILL affect the value of the car when you try to sell it. I find it kind of baffling that they don't use black plastic and instead use clear plastic with some sort of colored coating that will eventually come off and cause issues.
Thanks for the replies. I contacted the dealership (with photos) and was told that the service manager needs to inspect it in person to "determine the cause." Not exactly the response I was looking for. I guess we'll see how much of hassle this is going to be. I do not ride around with buckets of paint thinner so I'm not sure how they are thinking they might have some sort of out..if that is what they are thinking.
Of course it would be covered under warranty -- it's not like you took a razor and did that yourself -- it's a defect in manufacturing of that part.
Get yer stealership on board and get it replaced, sorry that happened... so annoying this type of problem because now they have to tear up the center console and put it back together
Get yer stealership on board and get it replaced, sorry that happened... so annoying this type of problem because now they have to tear up the center console and put it back together
This type of bubbling is often caused by oils (sunscreen, makeup, evil Armorall and the like) that finds its way under the paint under a minor scratch (caused perhaps, like a previous poster said, by a mistress in the throes of passion) and is technically not a manufacturing defect.
MB issued a bulletin a few years back about denying warranty coverage on similar issues caused by those vent clip-on air fresheners.
The good news is that most manufacturers will cover this type of damage as goodwill but it really isn't their fault.
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Still not as bad as BMW, I haven't seen one used beamer without the plastic rubbing off the steering and radio knobs, window buttons etc
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
This not as clear cut as you might imagine.
This type of bubbling is often caused by oils (sunscreen, makeup, evil Armorall and the like) that finds its way under the paint under a minor scratch (caused perhaps, like a previous poster said, by a mistress in the throes of passion) and is technically not a manufacturing defect.
MB issued a bulletin a few years back about denying warranty coverage on similar issues caused by those vent clip-on air fresheners.
The good news is that most manufacturers will cover this type of damage as goodwill but it really isn't their fault.
This type of bubbling is often caused by oils (sunscreen, makeup, evil Armorall and the like) that finds its way under the paint under a minor scratch (caused perhaps, like a previous poster said, by a mistress in the throes of passion) and is technically not a manufacturing defect.
MB issued a bulletin a few years back about denying warranty coverage on similar issues caused by those vent clip-on air fresheners.
The good news is that most manufacturers will cover this type of damage as goodwill but it really isn't their fault.
I understand the difference with the vents and the clip-on fresheners as the vents were not designed for that. However, if MB can't produce cars that don't have a musty AC smell, then they should consider a dedicated spot for clip-on fresheners.
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2013 E350 4MATIC
I agree that if you damage your car, it should not be covered under warranty. In this case, however, I did nothing that would cause this. There is no eating or drinking or suntanning or Armor-alling going on in my car. My guess is that this was caused by heat. I still don't see why they don't use a solid piece of black plastic as opposed to a coating that can come off. The dime they saved on that just flew out the window.
