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2024 GLE 350 - Loose Front Grill Insert - Common Issue?
Would appreciate the opinion of this forum re: a loose front grill insert I've recently noticed on my 2024 GLE 350.
Background
Approximately 6 months ago I purchased a 2024 GLE 350 with 10,000 miles from a Land Rover dealership that took it as a trade. Vehicle had a clean carfax and dealer warranted in writing it was accident free. Following purchase, I arranged to have to have my local Mercedes dealership inspect it (they of course charged me $400 ... go figure) so that I could then purchase an additional three years of extended warranty (7 years 160,000km total).
Loose Insert in Lower Bumper
The car has always had some slight misalignments with panels (ie doors don't line up perfectly, and front/rear bumper panels have some variances) which I attributed to lax Mercedes quality control based on reading similar posts in this forum. Fast forward to this week and I've noticed that one of the passenger panels/inserts in the lower part of the AMG-style bumper has come loose and now pops out ever so slightly compared to the equivalent drivers side insert. I'm able to physically push it back into place but it comes loose when driven. Here are the question I was hoping to run by the group:
Has anyone else had a similar issue with loose panels/inserts in their front bumper? Is this something that Mercedes would fix under warranty?
Is this poor MB quality control or should I be concerned an accident was potentially covered up/hidden?
I previously asked my Mercedes Service advisor about a misaligned panel I noticed on the car (I'm still within the 2 year wear and tear period) during my first service visit. He told me that's not something that would be covered unless discovered at time of delivery. Is that accurate or should I push back here? I've attached pictures of the misaligned panel for reference as well.
Many thanks to the members of this forum for their time and help.
This is the flush insert on the drivers side. This is the passenger side insert that has popped out.
A different angle of the passenger insert that has popped out.
Here's an example of a panel that is slightly misaligned. Just above the fender flare at the angel in the body panel. A different angle of the misaligned panel.
Last edited by GLEprospector; May 6, 2025 at 11:28 PM.
....... Background
.......
Following purchase, I arranged to have to have my local Mercedes dealership inspect it (they of course charged me $400 ... go figure) so that I could then purchase an additional three years of extended warranty (7 years 160,000km total).
.......
Just to clarify the $400 charge.
Not only did it include the inspection, but there is a cost to the dealer to underwrite the CPO warranty.
The costs to the Dealer are true no matter where you bought the car, but if you buy a CPO car from the dealership, it's hidden in the overall price.
A couple of years ago, my understanding was that the cost to the dealership to provide a CPO was about $1,125, including the required inspection and their contribution to the warranty.
If any deficiencies were found, such as pitted windshield or worn brake pads, the cost to remedy would be in addition to their actual cost.
But again, if you buy a CPO car from the dealership It's hidden in the overall price. So, yes, a CPO costs more to buy but it also costs the dealership more to provide it.
It's nice that you can get a CPO warranty for cars bought elsewhere, and also cars bought out of lease, since there's also a change of ownership there.
Technically that car is stil under the new car warranty. Those panels can be fixed just make sure there is no visible accidents. They will know when the car was in a collision when they start taking it apart.
Would appreciate the opinion of this forum re: a loose front grill insert I've recently noticed on my 2024 GLE 350.
Background
Approximately 6 months ago I purchased a 2024 GLE 350 with 10,000 miles from a Land Rover dealership that took it as a trade. Vehicle had a clean carfax and dealer warranted in writing it was accident free. Following purchase, I arranged to have to have my local Mercedes dealership inspect it (they of course charged me $400 ... go figure) so that I could then purchase an additional three years of extended warranty (7 years 160,000km total).
Loose Insert in Lower Bumper
The car has always had some slight misalignments with panels (ie doors don't line up perfectly, and front/rear bumper panels have some variances) which I attributed to lax Mercedes quality control based on reading similar posts in this forum. Fast forward to this week and I've noticed that one of the passenger panels/inserts in the lower part of the AMG-style bumper has come loose and now pops out ever so slightly compared to the equivalent drivers side insert. I'm able to physically push it back into place but it comes loose when driven. Here are the question I was hoping to run by the group:
Has anyone else had a similar issue with loose panels/inserts in their front bumper? Is this something that Mercedes would fix under warranty?
Is this poor MB quality control or should I be concerned an accident was potentially covered up/hidden?
I previously asked my Mercedes Service advisor about a misaligned panel I noticed on the car (I'm still within the 2 year wear and tear period) during my first service visit. He told me that's not something that would be covered unless discovered at time of delivery. Is that accurate or should I push back here? I've attached pictures of the misaligned panel for reference as well.
Many thanks to the members of this forum for their time and help.
This is the flush insert on the drivers side. This is the passenger side insert that has popped out.
A different angle of the passenger insert that has popped out.
Here's an example of a panel that is slightly misaligned. Just above the fender flare at the angel in the body panel. A different angle of the misaligned panel.
I am certainly no expert, however, it may be worth the cost to have your vehicle looked at by a reputable collision shop. This doesn’t appear to be a lax in build quality, more like a minor front end incident that could have been repaired and never reported to an insurance company. An expert collision shop should be able to tell if any damage occurred, clips were replaced or if anything doesn’t look original. Best of luck
I am certainly no expert, however, it may be worth the cost to have your vehicle looked at by a reputable collision shop. This doesn’t appear to be a lax in build quality, more like a minor front end incident that could have been repaired and never reported to an insurance company. An expert collision shop should be able to tell if any damage occurred, clips were replaced or if anything doesn’t look original. Best of luck
I agree. There also may be more hidden damage.
I would think a body shop would give you a free estimate.
I took the car to my local MB dealership and had my service advisor inspect, while also taking it separately to my official/authorized MB body shop. My dealer/serve advisor emailed corporate and was able to have the trim replace/repair taken care of under warranty. No other issues surfaced in the process so all seems to be well on that front. There was some mention that Alabama factory has some challenges with panel alignment etc by my dealer.
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