I'm sitting here crying as I type this post. August 26, 2024, my husband purchased the 2024 GLE 450 that he ordered for me April. That same day I noticed an imperfection/defect on the rear passenger door. Dealer scheduled us an appointment to have it looked at and possibly fixed August 30th. On September 5th my husband asked for a complete refund as we paid cash for the GLE 450. After a little back and forth and opening a case with MBUSA, the dealership agreed to give a full refund. we completed the paperwork and about 2 weeks later I picked up the check. My husband ordered another GLE 450 for me. Production date is November 13, 2024. I'm stuck again driving our extra car which is a 2023 Escalade with third row seat. Its a land yacht...for real.

REAR PASSENGER DOOR

 

Really, a refund for this? I would understand that if you got Tesla quality, but that’s just overreacting IMO.

 

I honestly don't know what to make of this....

While it is more possible than not to miss something during the inspection process before you accept delivery (I assume is what happened here), how did this escalate from a small defect that does NOT affect drivability, functionality or safety, all the way up to returning the vehicle?

Where's the rest of the story so that sense can be made of the situation? Context is needed so we can get the complete picture and formulate valid opinions. Otherwise, the post comes across somewhat pretentious (paid cash, car returned due to a minuscule body imperfection, stuck driving another luxury vehicle of the current year ((God forbid))). I say this with the utmost respect.

Mercedes-Benz is the most recognized luxury brand in the world and as such, customers are very demanding and their expectations are extremely high. I am one of them....
So I get you and I'm with you for being upset, but to return a vehicle one has been waiting months for over a bent body panel that is actually smaller than the width of a fender gap (as per the picture posted) and then order and have to wait for another one, makes absolutely no sense.

Looking forward to the complete story.

 

The picture is too blown up to really show anything. I see a minor paint imperfection. Is the door itself bent so it doesn't close or seal properly? Could it have been damaged in shipping with a new door installed at a later point? If that car is painted with the diamond white metallic, that kind of color is very difficult to match.

 

Let's not pile on here. We don't know the entire story, and there must have been some merit to the complaint or there wouldn't be a refund.

To me it looks like a questionable respray.

 

Yes! A full refund for this. I am not overreacting...I guess I'm just a big baby. I even have pink kleenex to wipe my tears. And, like my husband said he knows I dislike driving the Escalade, however I should consider myself blessed to have a car to drive.

MY SECRET IS OUT...I'M A SPOILED BRAT & A BIG CRY BABY! Blame my husband.

Have a sparkling day.

 

"The best or nothing."

 

When the dealership told my husband they would have to file a claim with MBUSA to repair the door & they did not know how long that would take. Also my husband was told the door would have to be removed, repaired, and the entire door repainted. Thats when he decided a refund would be the best fix & just order another one. Not to mention I do have a car to drive. YES! He's well aware I dislike the Escalade. HA HA! He told me to put on my big girl panties, stop acting like a baby and drive the damn Escalade.

 

 

Here is another picture.

 

 

Probably needs a new skin.
You are doing the right thing IMO.

Otherwise you're looking at decreased resale value due to a respray and a probable hit on your Carfax report. Assuming of course that the repair is acceptable, which is yet to be seen.

Thanks for reporting.

 

I see. Makes sense now. I would have definitely given the dealership the opportunity to make it right as, looking at the latest picture you posted, it appears the paint was peeling from the edge of the door. For sure a complete re-spray of the door.

Did you spec the new order the same way the one returned?

 

I have a BMW X5 in Mineral White that was has a door that was resprayed before I inherited the car. Pretty easy to tell in was repainted because the distribution of the glittery stuff in the paint is a little different. I wouldn't accept a car that arrived new from the factory that needed a respray either.

 

Everything is the same on the new order. My husband did add soft close doors. I did not go with my husband when ordered the new GLE 450. I really liked the car. It was definitely me. I'm sure things will be fine with the nex one. 🤞🏼

 

Gotcha.
At least you are getting a second chance and adding additional equipment. Congratulations on your new order .

As demanding as I am, I would have kept it and enjoyed it. Maybe I'm not seeing the problem for what it really is or may become in the mid to long-term (3 mm paint imperfection). Having to wait another 6 months or whatever the current average is would have given me the perfect excuse to try another brand (Porsche).

By the way, when I picked up my current GLE, I noticed the left rear fender flare had deep scratches which the dealership wanted to "buff out". That was a dealbreaker for me so it was replaced before I took delivery. There's absolutely under no circumstances any color difference with the rest of the car which by the way, is Emerald Green metallic (hard to match). This was verified by my detailer who performed a polish prior to ceramic coating.

 

Yes, that is a much better pic. Looks like a paint bubble or dent…if it’s a bubble, it will eventually peel. I’d reject it too…MB QC or the dealership make ready department should have caught that.

 

My husband should've caught it too. He feels so bad that he missed the imperfection. I'll give him a pass because he has been traveling & playing a lot of golf with clients. 😊

 

I can't tell if we are being trolled or someone would complain brag this much. Awkward and sad.

 

HUTCH,
Are you trolling me? I think so...if you don't like my post or comments just move on, its that simple.
GO FIND YOUR HAPPY. 😊

Have a sparkling evening!

 

An Awkward and Sad comment, for sure.

There's a defective car out there for you to jump on - @BenzNika has just refused hers. Hurry. Repainted, re-skinned door, probably with a deep discount.😀

 

hutch300 can have the GLE with the defective door. 😀

Check out the picture of my NEW GLE 450 order sheet.

 

I suppose it all depends. Since I lease vehicles and they are gone in 3 years, I would have less problem with a sprayed door than I would waiting several months. But the simple fact is that QC should have caught that and it should not have left the factory or passed the VPC. For those who expect MB workmanship and have a vehicle to drive (even an Escalade), I do not believe the OP was unreasonable. And it was perfectly reasonable to share her experience.

 

1000%. OP is holding MB to their motto... the best or nothing.

 

THANK YOU❣️
The best or nothing for me.🙂