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Hopefully others will receive a letter like mine, I was originally told 50% in the first letter sent, now it's 100% coverage.
I was coming to post that I got the same letter for my former 2011 increasing the coverage from 50% to 100%. Now if only I could contact the current owner - no idea who they are.
Got a phone call today stating the entire kit is no longer available.
But individual pieces are.
So, to do the entire interior pieces my cost would come out to just under $1800.
That's double the original cost.
To do just the faded pieces came out to about $800. Which is the long center piece dash and the center console, 3 pieces.
Anyways, if someone thinks I or we are being scammed we can forward this MB USA.
I replaced the faded front seat & dash wood by going directly to MB of San Rafael (CA) Parts & spending appropriately $1300, & having my indy
MB Body Shop replace the pieces for $600 or so.
I had purchased the 2011 E350 (W212) from MB of Santa Rosa in 12/20 & was flatly denied recourse by the dealer for the badly faded wood of dash, front doors & console.
if you don’t know the sad MB back story:
the factory changed wood suppliers who FORGOT to add the UV component to the varnish.
so, E Class vehicles from 2010 - 2016 have faded wood, varying as to garage or street kept conditions.
MB was finally dragged to reality by a recent class action law suit, which is why one can get just compensation if you follow the rules…
Check MBWorld for details & make MB do the right thing…
Jaxview
Originally Posted by skidaddyoo
Has anyone on this thread had their wood trim replaced by the dealer yet? My 2013 E-350 sedan has been approved for 55% coverage by Mercedes Benz. I went to my local dealer 2 weeks ago with my letter from MB, and I’m still waiting for a cost estimate. My service manager that I contacted twice already has not returned my calls yet. I’m getting the feeling that they would rather not do the work. I live in Fairfield Ca, and I would like to hear from anyone in the Bay Area that’s had the replacement done and what their out of pocket cost was.
Last edited by Jack McCarty; 08-17-2023 at 04:08 PM.
I made a separate thread listing the part numbers and prices for all interior trim in burled walnut and, if you're sick of fading trim like me, open pore brown ash. Hopefully the info there will help people decide if they want to pay the dealership for the discounted work, buy online and pay an indy, or do it themselves, perhaps only replacing some of the trim. Or skip the fading burled walnut and switch to open pore.
I visited my dealer in North Shore Mass, end of APR23. At first, the service girl I sat with said a customer had a similar replacement and the cost was about $10,000!! I got irate and said I would never get another Mercedes etc.. Then I went to a different dealer and they said it would be more like $1,800 and when I returned to the first dealer a different service girl said yea, $1800. She emailed me a quote but didn't mention that I would only be responsible for 45%. After some back and forth, I got an accurate repair order, stating I would be responsible for 45%.
Since then, they keep telling me the burl walnut trim parts are on back-order and they can't tell me when they will be in. It's coming up on SIX MONTHS since I requested service and still no word. I just spoke to the service manager today and he said the same. Is anyone else having this much difficulty getting the burl walnut trim settlement replacement? I saw Hogger went in to his dealer in July was it, and had it fixed in a few weeks (gratz Hogger).
Then, I'm planning to sell my car within a year or two and I'm wondering if I am going to get the $845 or so I spend on this back when I sell the car. I'm thinking anyone that knows these cars is going to ask, did you replace the trim yet? I have a few scratches and a ding in the left rear that cracked out a small piece of the left tail-light, so I'm thinking it might be a wash. Thanks all... AL
I visited my dealer in North Shore Mass, end of APR23. At first, the service girl I sat with said a customer had a similar replacement and the cost was about $10,000!! I got irate and said I would never get another Mercedes etc.. Then I went to a different dealer and they said it would be more like $1,800 and when I returned to the first dealer a different service girl said yea, $1800. She emailed me a quote but didn't mention that I would only be responsible for 45%. After some back and forth, I got an accurate repair order, stating I would be responsible for 45%.
Since then, they keep telling me the burl walnut trim parts are on back-order and they can't tell me when they will be in. It's coming up on SIX MONTHS since I requested service and still no word. I just spoke to the service manager today and he said the same. Is anyone else having this much difficulty getting the burl walnut trim settlement replacement? I saw Hogger went in to his dealer in July was it, and had it fixed in a few weeks (gratz Hogger).
Then, I'm planning to sell my car within a year or two and I'm wondering if I am going to get the $845 or so I spend on this back when I sell the car. I'm thinking anyone that knows these cars is going to ask, did you replace the trim yet? I have a few scratches and a ding in the left rear that cracked out a small piece of the left tail-light, so I'm thinking it might be a wash. Thanks all... AL
I recieved a second letter stating they would cover my '13 at 100% I have not gone in to schedule yet, it's been a busy year. I hope to get to this soon, like in the next month or so and will post what happens. My '12 is not faded at all yet, so I doubt they'll change it out.
This new wood is really beautiful. I'm not a big fan fan of glossy wood per say but the interior is such a nice place to be.
Now, how do i protect it properly?
Don't leave it out in the sun because these replacement pieces have the same deficiency.
Disclaimer: I had mine replaced under warranty and after a few years, even with diligent sun shade use, the center console where the knob is located has already started to lighten. Ugh.
Last edited by Fliplegend; 10-21-2023 at 11:39 AM.
I visited my dealer in North Shore Mass, end of APR23. At first, the service girl I sat with said a customer had a similar replacement and the cost was about $10,000!! I got irate and said I would never get another Mercedes etc.. Then I went to a different dealer and they said it would be more like $1,800 and when I returned to the first dealer a different service girl said yea, $1800. She emailed me a quote but didn't mention that I would only be responsible for 45%. After some back and forth, I got an accurate repair order, stating I would be responsible for 45%.
Since then, they keep telling me the burl walnut trim parts are on back-order and they can't tell me when they will be in. It's coming up on SIX MONTHS since I requested service and still no word. I just spoke to the service manager today and he said the same. Is anyone else having this much difficulty getting the burl walnut trim settlement replacement? I saw Hogger went in to his dealer in July was it, and had it fixed in a few weeks (gratz Hogger).
Then, I'm planning to sell my car within a year or two and I'm wondering if I am going to get the $845 or so I spend on this back when I sell the car. I'm thinking anyone that knows these cars is going to ask, did you replace the trim yet? I have a few scratches and a ding in the left rear that cracked out a small piece of the left tail-light, so I'm thinking it might be a wash. Thanks all... AL
If you plan on selling within a year or two, I wouldn't bother. Most people won't notice it when they're looking at the car. I didn't when I bought mine a couple months ago. The trim had faded to an almost uniform cappuccino-like color, so it didn't stand out. It wasn't until I made the mistake of joining the forum that I realized what it was supposed to look like! haha.. I could see getting it done if your car was mint and you wanted to keep that perfect appearance throughout, but if you already have a couple of items that a potential buyer will mark down on, I wouldn't spend almost 1k on the interior wood trim.
If you plan on selling within a year or two, I wouldn't bother. Most people won't notice it when they're looking at the car. I didn't when I bought mine a couple months ago. The trim had faded to an almost uniform cappuccino-like color, so it didn't stand out. It wasn't until I made the mistake of joining the forum that I realized what it was supposed to look like! haha.. I could see getting it done if your car was mint and you wanted to keep that perfect appearance throughout, but if you already have a couple of items that a potential buyer will mark down on, I wouldn't spend almost 1k on the interior wood trim.
Thanks MD. Yea, I've been on the fence about it. If I get a buyer that doesn't know the issue I would be fortunate. But if they know the issue, now that it's hitting 10yrs old, it just dropped to the next lower reimbursement level and will only get worse for them in the future. It's a difficult decision. I appreciate your point of view, thanks!
If I wasn't part of the class action can I stil get the wood replaced under the terms of the settlement? I have a 2011 E350 Bluetec
I believe the answer is no, you can of course always file a lawsuit, which I'd bet theyd settle, but only the people who filed for the class action are in the class action. Also, finding a dealer to do the work is not easy either, I was told by my dealer he would need the car for 6-7 weeks, no rental and they argued with me about the 100% coverage I got on the '13, then he told me I hadn't been to the dealer since 2020, couldn't I just take it elsewhere? Then he looked up my service record and told me I bought the car at another dealer in town, I should take it there! So they really don't want to do this repair.
I sent a message to MBUSA Customer Service via their website and got this reply this morning:
So it appears that even those not in the class action are being given the same consideration. According to the first post in this thread I would qualify for 50% - I'll see what the dealership will charge and see if it's worth it. The car only has 28,000 miles on it and I plan on keeping it a long time.
Last edited by E320BLUETEC; 11-24-2023 at 12:03 PM.
I have a 2014 e350 wagon with black wood trim and there’s a small faded section above the glove box. I took it to our dealer and they said it is not covered via the extension because it’s not burl wood. Is that right?
If I wasn't part of the class action can I stil get the wood replaced under the terms of the settlement? I have a 2011 E350 Bluetec
There seem to be some bizarre responses in this thread, so maybe I can add my recent experience.
I just bought a 2013 E350 in December 2023. I took it to a local MB dealer I had never been to and they replaced the wood under this settlement with NO PROBLEM while I sat in the waiting room. Out of pocket was less than $700. Several other dealers had different prices and had a 2 week back-order. i'd highly recommend making a few phone calls before spending money on this.
Last edited by 2013 E350; 01-13-2024 at 06:04 PM.
Reason: add iinfo
That's what I took to them. Seems I will need to go out of state to have addressed.
I am going through this as we speak. The dealer that MBUSA recommended is clueless and diddled around telling me that the wood is backordered - now that 5 months wasted has knocked me down one level on the settlement. I talked to another dealer yesterday that ordered it and it will be replaced next week. I am asking MBUSA to step in and give me credit for starting the process while I was still in the higher coverage.
It would be a real help if everyone could post their helpful or non helpful dealers. It really sucks that most people are afraid to offer this info. It’s the only piece of information that is valid in the entire thread. Nothing matters but a willing dealer, and we need to name and shame the scumbag lazy scammer dealers so nobody wastes their time with these lowlife fourth class animals.
Let’s help each other out and not hide from unscrupulous car dealers….
So, who’s been helpful? And who should we all never ever give one cent of business to?
I have a 2014 e350 wagon with black wood trim and there’s a small faded section above the glove box. I took it to our dealer and they said it is not covered via the extension because it’s not burl wood. Is that right?
My understanding is this class action only covers the Burl Wood, that's from the settlement itself
That's what I took to them. Seems I will need to go out of state to have addressed.
My regular dealer Mercedes of Mentor said the same thing to my 100% coverage letter, I had to make an appointment at another dealer to get this done, I am currently awaiting parts on backorder. Mercedes of Canton.
07-30-2023, 08:44 PM
