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Seems like we might be, if the darker wood pieces are "more red". OP might be unaware of the types of wood available???
Ok, for the record I have the burl walnut in both cars, my '12 is still perfect very red, my '13 faded in ten days of vacation in Naples FL. but just this last year. I actually like the gold tone on the fade better than the red tone on the non-fade for the black interior in my grey '13. Quite frankly I think it will look ok in my tan interior of my blue '12 as well. I think a lot of the reason that my '12 is still perfect is garaged at home and at work, not left outside very often and 30k miles.
But anyway so much for the "I waxed it yearly and its fine"
I really would like to see pictures. At this point I am unsure what kind of wood trim we are discussing (black wood, black ash, dark wood, etc). I wouldn't be surprised to see that we're discussing the known Burl Walnut issue.
Here is his interior. This is the black ash.
Never heard of this fading.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; Feb 24, 2021 at 01:09 AM.
I'm thinking mine is starting to fade but not completely sure what it should look like. Here is what mine looks like:
You can open the doors and look at th the last two inches of the front door panels to see if it's different colors, also my back doors are still very reddish compared to the fronts, dash and center console. from looking at your picture, looks like all the reddish tint is gone on the dash at least.
Here is the driver door panel, I see what you mean by red, just a few spots left
Yes, like that. mine is a little more prominent in my '13, also my wife leaves her center console open halfway and the last section which never sees the sun has the darker and redder hues. You can make it look nicer with furniture polish, I wax mine once a year with car wax, usually Meguires ultimate, I though that had something to do with both my cars not fading, but that theory went out the window last September after ten days in the Florida sun!
Last edited by pierrejoliat; Feb 26, 2021 at 01:45 PM.
Mine has been in the sun more often lately because of mother in laws passing we inherited "stuff" that's in the garage. I try to cover it but I think it's too late now. Is this something MB will replace? I guess that's reason for the thread.
Mine has been in the sun more often lately because of mother in laws passing we inherited "stuff" that's in the garage. I try to cover it but I think it's too late now. Is this something MB will replace? I guess that's reason for the thread.
Your OEM factory warranty applies, if it has not expired. I had my trim replaced under warranty without hassle.
Beyond that, It's up to the individual dealer whether they good-will the trim replacement.
Ok, for the record I have the burl walnut in both cars, my '12 is still perfect very red, my '13 faded in ten days of vacation in Naples FL. but just this last year. I actually like the gold tone on the fade better than the red tone on the non-fade for the black interior in my grey '13. Quite frankly I think it will look ok in my tan interior of my blue '12 as well. I think a lot of the reason that my '12 is still perfect is garaged at home and at work, not left outside very often and 30k miles.
But anyway so much for the "I waxed it yearly and its fine"
This is interesting point of view as I have come to the conclusion that as much as I like the original finish, it won't look "that bad" fully faded against the beige interior.
This is interesting point of view as I have come to the conclusion that as much as I like the original finish, it won't look "that bad" fully faded against the beige interior.
The issue with this (based on when I was looking for my W212) is that the wood doesn't fade evenly. The dash might be one tone, the front doors another, the rear doors another.. I saw several where none of the burl walnut had faded evenly and almost every piece was a different hue.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; Feb 26, 2021 at 02:31 PM.
This is interesting point of view as I have come to the conclusion that as much as I like the original finish, it won't look "that bad" fully faded against the beige interior.
That's why I was not sure at first about the fading because it didn't look "that bad". But maybe I didn't observe the initial state when I got the car 3.5 years ago.
And I am past OEM warranty, a few months left on CPO warranty.
The issue with this (based on when I was looking for my W212) is that the wood doesn't fade evenly. The dash might be one tone, the front doors another, the rear doors another.. I saw several where none of the burl walnut had faded evenly and almost every piece was a different hue.
Eventually it is all faded and grey again not that bad against the beige.
The issue with this (based on when I was looking for my W212) is that the wood doesn't fade evenly. The dash might be one tone, the front doors another, the rear doors another.. I saw several where none of the burl walnut had faded evenly and almost every piece was a different hue.
this was my issue...Dash pieces had faded so much, they had a sandy gold appearance, tops of the front doors were a little darker, bottoms of the front doors and the rear door pieces were very dark, almost new looking. ctr console was different shades as the original owner left the cup holder open all the time.
Sorry it took so long guys, but here you go. The whole front of the car - dash pieces and door pieces - are all like this. In the dash pic on the very right side you can see a couple of dark splotches that are still the original color. Darker splotches in the door panel are the original color. At first the panels showed light splotches in the dark woodgrain so it was very noticeable (and ugly). Now it's just all ugly. Very sad my Mercedes would do this. I know it's a long shot, but I think I will try to contact MB corporate while I'm still under CPO. Not sure what else to do...
Sorry it took so long guys, but here you go. The whole front of the car - dash pieces and door pieces - are all like this. In the dash pic on the very right side you can see a couple of dark splotches that are still the original color. Darker splotches in the door panel are the original color. At first the panels showed light splotches in the dark woodgrain so it was very noticeable (and ugly). Now it's just all ugly. Very sad my Mercedes would do this. I know it's a long shot, but I think I will try to contact MB corporate while I'm still under CPO. Not sure what else to do...
Interesting first time I have been aware of black trim fading. Given that your car is a 2016 it's worth a shot reaching out to corporate.
Oh there was never any question about the burl walnut W212s.. those suffered the entire model run. But I believe OP has the glossy dark ash wood? That I have never known to fade.
You are a better reader that I am. Getting very ADD in my old age.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
Very sad my Mercedes would do this. 
