Faded Walnut Trim - covered by warranty?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
sounds like a compromise on their part rather than warranty coverage. Their TSB calls for all the wood to be replaced which has been the case for those under warranty.
Understand if you accept what they did and don't want to pursue further with MBUSA.
Understand if you accept what they did and don't want to pursue further with MBUSA.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
I started this thread, and it probably ends for me here. I brought up the issue of the faded wood with the General Manager of the dealer, and today I got the car back. They did the strict minimum. They replaced the dashboard passenger side trim piece that was the most visible and most faded. And that was it. The remaining wood trim is not nearly so faded, but nevertheless is a mix of different degrees of light fading. This is where I leave it. I bought a used car, and accept that it is not perfect.
The dealers get away with doing the minimum because customers let them.
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2011 E-350 4Matic Sport
Your choice to leave it as is of course, but I've not heard of such a minimum level of replacement as the wood is all one kit for the entire interior. It's sad that the dealer would go to this length to avoid a suitable repair. When mine was done, they didn't bat an eye, replaced every bit of all of the trim in a 2 day turnaround.
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
I started this thread, and it probably ends for me here. I brought up the issue of the faded wood with the General Manager of the dealer, and today I got the car back. They did the strict minimum. They replaced the dashboard passenger side trim piece that was the most visible and most faded. And that was it. The remaining wood trim is not nearly so faded, but nevertheless is a mix of different degrees of light fading. This is where I leave it. I bought a used car, and accept that it is not perfect.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Mamaroneck, NY
1996 C280, 2010 E350 Previous: '52 300 Adenaeur, '59 220 S, '94 C180, '03 C320 4-Matic Sport
I kinda regret buying this car. We should have stayed with our C320 4-matic Sport - only 60k miles - a really great car that my brother will now enjoy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Banned
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From: SoCal
2016 AMG S65, AMG GL63, 2012 AMG E63 With AMS Alpha 9 Package, Renntech 200 Catted Downpipes.
I was told the time of wood trim replacement, these wood trims comes as sets, not individually trim pieces so I wonder how your dealer can only replace one piece of the wood trim and not the entire set.
Try calling another Mercedes service department and ask them to email you a quote on the wood trim and see if they can sell just one piece of the trim and not the entire set. If not, you will know your dealer is screwing you.
Good luck.
Try calling another Mercedes service department and ask them to email you a quote on the wood trim and see if they can sell just one piece of the trim and not the entire set. If not, you will know your dealer is screwing you.
Good luck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Call MBUSA
Even if a owned by MBUSA, the GM there may have different profit motives than the corporate office.
BTW, MBUSA is in process of moving from NJ to Atlanta GA, so may have some problems connecting with proper person.
BTW, MBUSA is in process of moving from NJ to Atlanta GA, so may have some problems connecting with proper person.
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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C320 & E350
I took my car in for service on Monday. I mentioned a few issues (Faded wood trim, engine noise carpet peeling off, and small ripped in the seat stitching) that I had uncovered through the W212 forums. I mentioned it to my SA and he said everything would be covered by warranty!
He called me yesterday and gave me an update on the vehicle; the driver seat cover was completely replaced and the wood trim was replaced as well. When I asked him if ALL the wood trim was replaced he mentioned that only the wood trim in the front cabin was replaced, he wasn't sure about the rear seats.
The only thing that would take a lil longer to fix was Engine noise reduction carpet. I guess its more work than it seems.
I should be picking up the vehicle soon and if the rear wood trim wasn't replaced and there is a difference in color I will make a complaint.
He called me yesterday and gave me an update on the vehicle; the driver seat cover was completely replaced and the wood trim was replaced as well. When I asked him if ALL the wood trim was replaced he mentioned that only the wood trim in the front cabin was replaced, he wasn't sure about the rear seats.
The only thing that would take a lil longer to fix was Engine noise reduction carpet. I guess its more work than it seems.
I should be picking up the vehicle soon and if the rear wood trim wasn't replaced and there is a difference in color I will make a complaint.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Mamaroneck, NY
1996 C280, 2010 E350 Previous: '52 300 Adenaeur, '59 220 S, '94 C180, '03 C320 4-Matic Sport
The official TSB/fix from MB is to replace ALL the wood. Now it will really look bad as that piece will stick out like a sore thumb. If you're OK with it then acceptance is better than bitter. When I had mine replaced there was just one piece that I felt really showed the fade....the piece in front of the driver. But when I got it back I realized most of the pieces had a degree of fade.
I got a customer survey request on the CPO Purchase transaction and was perfectly honest in my evaluation. It was not horrible, nor great; overall mediocre. I did not at this point get any reply back on my survey.
I wil no doubt compose a letter to MBUSA head.
I kinda cringe when I look at the wood in my car.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Correct. There is a flat rate, by the job, the dealers get paid for warranty work. I don't know how it works with extended warranties though. Usually the flat rate/reimbursement they get from MB doesn't pay well and is FAR below their usual minimum/hour charge so warranty work is a loser for them. They do it only because it's a requirement for them to keep the franchise. Complaints to MB that a dealer is not honoring warranty are serious. Once again, I don't know how it works with extended warranty and if that's covered by MB or just the dealer.
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Sacramento
2019 C43 AMG
My buddy is a service manager at MB of Sacramento and he said the trim is covered under warranty BUT only under the 4yr/50000 manufacturer warranty. It's about 6k in parts they replace for free
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Thanks for clarifying the warranty coverage. I think anyone buying this car out of factory warrany from an MB dealer (as a CPO or not) should try to negotiate the wood replacement prior to sale if it is faded. Stronger position than after the sale.
My car was 3.5 years old but 400 miles out of warranty and I was denied any substantial cost assistance or goodwill adjustment by dealer and MBUSA. I was quoted about $3,000 for the replacement kit and labor at my local MB dealer. Could have purchased the kit online fir DIY for about $1,700 IIRC.
My car was 3.5 years old but 400 miles out of warranty and I was denied any substantial cost assistance or goodwill adjustment by dealer and MBUSA. I was quoted about $3,000 for the replacement kit and labor at my local MB dealer. Could have purchased the kit online fir DIY for about $1,700 IIRC.
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
MB Extended Limited Warranty. Has anyone had the wood trim replaced with this warranty or tried to?
This is the one sold by MBUSA through MB dealers. Assume not exactly the same as a CPO warranty.
Not sure if mine is fading, but seems to me that it is. Dealership checked it out a couple of times when under regular warranty and said not fading.
I plan to push it so would like to know if anyone else has been successful. Thanks
This is the one sold by MBUSA through MB dealers. Assume not exactly the same as a CPO warranty.
Not sure if mine is fading, but seems to me that it is. Dealership checked it out a couple of times when under regular warranty and said not fading.
I plan to push it so would like to know if anyone else has been successful. Thanks
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
My understanding is if you have work orders while under warranty that claim "no problem found" for an issue not related to usage/wear and it manifests itself after warranty expiration they will honor the repair. Your wood obviously was not coated properly at manufacture.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
When I was researching the MB ELW, my SA at my local MB dealer said the faded wood was not covered under the ELW. While it is more comprehensive than the CPO, it does not cover trim.
Excert from terms: PAINT AND OTHER APPEARANCE ITEMS: Paint and other appearance items are not covered by this Agreement.
Old link to warranty term documents (may not all be there still): http://elmmbofaustin.wpengine.com/me...rage-documents
I agree that if your complaints are noted on the service record then that helps your cause. The fading is pretty noticable and you and the dealer should be able to spot it. Of course the dealer could be telling you it's not faded when it is. If you are very concerned, you could check with another dealer or post some pics here for other opinions.
Excert from terms: PAINT AND OTHER APPEARANCE ITEMS: Paint and other appearance items are not covered by this Agreement.
Old link to warranty term documents (may not all be there still): http://elmmbofaustin.wpengine.com/me...rage-documents
I agree that if your complaints are noted on the service record then that helps your cause. The fading is pretty noticable and you and the dealer should be able to spot it. Of course the dealer could be telling you it's not faded when it is. If you are very concerned, you could check with another dealer or post some pics here for other opinions.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
We'll see
When I was researching the MB ELW, my SA at my local MB dealer said the faded wood was not covered under the ELW. While it is more comprehensive than the CPO, it does not cover trim.
Excert from terms: PAINT AND OTHER APPEARANCE ITEMS: Paint and other appearance items are not covered by this Agreement.
Old link to warranty term documents (may not all be there still): http://elmmbofaustin.wpengine.com/me...rage-documents
I agree that if your complaints are noted on the service record then that helps your cause. The fading is pretty noticable and you and the dealer should be able to spot it. Of course the dealer could be telling you it's not faded when it is. If you are very concerned, you could check with another dealer or post some pics here for other opinions.
Excert from terms: PAINT AND OTHER APPEARANCE ITEMS: Paint and other appearance items are not covered by this Agreement.
Old link to warranty term documents (may not all be there still): http://elmmbofaustin.wpengine.com/me...rage-documents
I agree that if your complaints are noted on the service record then that helps your cause. The fading is pretty noticable and you and the dealer should be able to spot it. Of course the dealer could be telling you it's not faded when it is. If you are very concerned, you could check with another dealer or post some pics here for other opinions.
To me, this is more than an appearance item, especially with the TSB calling for replacement.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
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2013 Mercedes E350
I just took my car in for a 'B' service and asked them about the wood trim replacement. The SA said no problem. They will order a set from Germany and call me when it's in. The entire set will be replaced. Seems like they get these requests regularly, because I didn't have to explain much to him. Thanks to everybody here, otherwise I wouldn't have asked.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
so is there any official TSB about the fading on the 2012 and later models. The last TSB I saw covered 2010-11 models with a 'clean point' of August 2011. But I think there have been at least a couple of posts on here about faded wood on later models. You would have thought they would have fixed the supplier issue.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
LI68.30-P-053962 version 4 released 11/25/2013 Validity revised to “Affected vehicles: MODEL 212 with CODE (731) Burled walnut veneer wood finish trim MODEL 212 with CODE (W 60) Burled walnut veneer designo wood trim, brown.”
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Nyack, NY
C300 Sport 4Matic
So I called my SA and complained about the faded trim today ...he was like "yeah no problem. I will put the order in for you. Will take about 2 weeks to get it." He didn't even inspect the car lol
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
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2011 E550
Yeah I just want to add that someone (I think it was thefisch) recommended me asking for my wood panels to be replaced due to fading.
They ordered the parts before I even bought the car and 3 weeks later they arrived. I'm currently setting up an appointment to have it all replaced...
I would push harder. I'll also say that I was very friendly in my approach and i've always found that you get more bees with honey!
They ordered the parts before I even bought the car and 3 weeks later they arrived. I'm currently setting up an appointment to have it all replaced...
I would push harder. I'll also say that I was very friendly in my approach and i've always found that you get more bees with honey!
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 183
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From: San Francisco
W212, R171
my service advisor have been very helpful, however, after submitting the case for approval,
MB only decide to cover the labor on the repair, not the parts,
I wish it would be the other way around.
Currently I'm in the process of drafting an email to MBCC,
I'm going to try to push as hard as possible on this, but it's not a big deal,
I love the E class, and it's a fine automobile for a bargain price,
driving it on a road trip makes me forget every flaw it has,
however, I guaranteed this will be my last Mercedes Benz, as I'll be moving to PORSCHE + Tesla.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
cx876, sounds like a goodwill adjustment since you bought the car from them. Hopefully they will cover more, but I suspect when MBUSA makes these decisions they stand firm. At least that's what they did when the denied my request for consideration. Sometimes the wood bothers me, but most of the time I don't notice it.
Did they tell you how much the parts would be?
Did they tell you how much the parts would be?
