Pulled the 580 SUV out of the garage this morning and put it in forward. Noticed the front camera picture was a little blurry and figured it was a spiderweb or water condensation on the lens. Went out to look and found that I had a rock chip right in the center of the lens. What are the chances of this happening? Probably going to be a expensive repair. Lol. 😇

 

Man, they're doing so much construction here in New Caney I see gravel and cement trucks on a daily basis. One got in front of me the other day and zigged zagged so I couldn't pass him in the merge lane. Big clumps started flying off his truck and hitting my brand new EQE 500. Luckily for the truck driver it was clumps of mud and not cement or the cops would have had to take me to jail for manslaughter. I would have pleaded temporary insanity to the jury though and probably gotten away with it.

So I guess the odds depend on where you live. Hopefully the repair isn't too expensive anyway. Probably a $30 camera that'll cost $300 to install. D'oh!

 

I live West of Houston between Fulshear and Brookshire and thousands of acres of Rice growing land is being put into new subdivision. When we moved out here years ago the population of Fulshear was 300 but is now 24,000 and growing. All the county roads and I-10 are dusty when dry and muddy when wet. My 580 SUV is also black so you know how that goes! Have a appointment for next Tuesday morning at Mercedes West. Curious as to what loaner I get.

 

or vandalism

 

This last week it was only parked in the locked garage here at home and at my weekend house. Between the two I never stopped in between the two locations.

 

This happened to my S coupe a couple months before I traded it in.
It happens...

 

Protecting forward facing lighting has long been a benefit of paint protection film used in these locations. With cameras now forward-facing, this may be an additional good application.

 

On past cars where I have had Expel applied it was cut out around the cameras and sensors. Will they work properly with a film applied? If so I may go that route….

 

I have not confirmed that yet, but Xpel has certainly protected my headlamps and fog lamps for years. It's as clear as looking through water (rain) and does not have any reflecting/nanoparticle/ceramic qualities of tint film to my knowledge. I suspect cutting around may have to do with surface adherence for the bumps/gaps, etc. But, a disc of film directly on the costly lens part may be protective.

 

At the dealership now. Estimate for new camera, labor and software installation $2,250. 😊

Happy I don’t need a special AMG front camera. Would probably be twice that much…..

 

Hmmm like a bullseye

 

Sorry to hear about this OP : (

 

The service advisor phoned me a few hours ago and said the current batch of these cameras being made were all going to the factory only but he found 3 in the U.S. at other dealerships. One was willing to let one go. He said dealerships are not required to share parts so I feel good one will be here in the Houston, Texas area in 2 days.

 

I thought this camera is shared by many MB models, surprised how little stock on hand. Given the size of the States as well only 3 is madness coming to think about it. It is even more rare than collectibles...

 

? so what Loaner did the Dealer provide ... curious ... glad to hear they are aggressively working in your behalf on the repair

 

New E Class Sedan with only 300 miles. I’m spoiled after three Sl550’s and my now 580 SUV. The E was underwhelming and lots of plastic looking material. Drives ok but nothing to get excited about. I have two other modern cars here at home to drive so I just needed something to get me home and back to the dealership.

If worse comes to worse I can always drive my yellow BMW! LOL

 

Aw they are very cute : )

 

Some dealerships provide EQ loaners, I forgot which of those were.

 

That would be cool! Maybe in the near future in my area. The MB dealership I go to owns 7 others locally and during the height of Covid when they couldn’t get new MB’s were using all sorts of well used other brands for loaners due to the shortage.

 

Maybe so but MB like other car manufacturers has parts built by many sources around the planet and whom ever makes the cameras may not be up to speed. Either that or MB is focused on using all available to get new cars produced to fill any backlog.

 

I always enjoy viewing pics of your collection

 

Thank you. It’s a tremendous amount of work and time taking a rusty hulk of old machinery apart down to every nut and bolt, refurbishing, painting and then reassembling but well worth the effort. Keeps me off the streets and out of trouble also. 😊

 

That is probably it, I believe it is the latter being more likely.

 

Picked up the SUV this afternoon and noticed the dealership had installed a new software download. Now on my main traffic screen I have a two bars at the bottom with what radio channel I am on and a quick button to get to the phone. Haven’t looked any further yet.

 

Do you mind posting the version number for us to compare?