Headlamp hazing / crazing
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From: South Florida
2003 ML500
Headlamp hazing / crazing
The headlamps on my ML-500 (2003) are starting to haze over. My MB dealer says this is normal due to teh hot sun and acid rain and MB will not fix under warranty. Anyone else seen and dealt with this?
Regards
Mike
Regards
Mike
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Florida
2003 ML350
MB of Pomapano. I bought the car there, as a certified pre-owned, and even though many things broke, they have never declined a warranty claim.
The only re-curring problem I have is with the steering:
When the car is hot, at parking lot speeds, the steering wheel makes a whistling noise. The dealer has already replaced the steering rack twice, but now it's back. Good thing that I have one more year of warranty via the MB certified pre-owned program.
The only re-curring problem I have is with the steering:
When the car is hot, at parking lot speeds, the steering wheel makes a whistling noise. The dealer has already replaced the steering rack twice, but now it's back. Good thing that I have one more year of warranty via the MB certified pre-owned program.
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From: South Florida
2003 ML500
That's my dealer - I have just setup an appointment to see someone tomrorow about the issue.
No problems with the steering so far, but I have noticed a whistling noise that appears to be coming from under the dash when the car is cold. It usually lasts a few minutes and them dissapears. Havn't noticed it in summer.
No problems with the steering so far, but I have noticed a whistling noise that appears to be coming from under the dash when the car is cold. It usually lasts a few minutes and them dissapears. Havn't noticed it in summer.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Perthshire
Lancia Delta Hf integrale Evo 2, Vauxhall Astra Shopping car, MGF roadster
is this hazyness appearing on the surface or all the way through the glass?
Its just that my company car (which is only used in the desert) suffers from pitting on the surface of the glass, this was sorted out by buffering it with different grades of sandpaper and polish, dont know if this will help, but it works for surface imperfections.
Its just that my company car (which is only used in the desert) suffers from pitting on the surface of the glass, this was sorted out by buffering it with different grades of sandpaper and polish, dont know if this will help, but it works for surface imperfections.
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Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
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From: South Florida
2003 ML500
I believe it is on the surface. My dealer said it was absolutely NOT covered under warranty as they see it all the time. All service advisor's have a bunch of cards from a service that fixes the problem (for $250) and offers a five year warranty on the repair - longer than Mercedes new warranty - so apparently this is a problem that Mercedes refuses to fix. The 1-800-Mercedes rep I spoke to said it was "caused by the weather and hence wasn't covered under warranty". He basically couldn't care less and wanted me off the phone as quickly as possible, even after i told him this was my third and now probably my last Mercedes.
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 398
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From: In A Van Down By The River
2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
This product is supposed to work on hazing headlights http://www.mdwholesale.com/ 
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 626
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From: Los Angeles, CA
'03 E55 (My Daily), '01 ML 320 (Wifey), Twin Turbo '69 Camaro (In Progess)
I used a similar product on my wife's Ml with great success. Got rid of the hazing and yellowing and now looks new again.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 20
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From: Perthshire
Lancia Delta Hf integrale Evo 2, Vauxhall Astra Shopping car, MGF roadster
I believe it is on the surface. My dealer said it was absolutely NOT covered under warranty as they see it all the time. All service advisor's have a bunch of cards from a service that fixes the problem (for $250) and offers a five year warranty on the repair - longer than Mercedes new warranty - so apparently this is a problem that Mercedes refuses to fix. The 1-800-Mercedes rep I spoke to said it was "caused by the weather and hence wasn't covered under warranty". He basically couldn't care less and wanted me off the phone as quickly as possible, even after i told him this was my third and now probably my last Mercedes.
Good luck sorting it anyhow....
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 626
Likes: 3
From: Los Angeles, CA
'03 E55 (My Daily), '01 ML 320 (Wifey), Twin Turbo '69 Camaro (In Progess)
Is it any wonder why Mercedes brand loyalty and ratings have slipped so much in the past 10+ years? They have a real problem in the service they provide to the customer and I honestly hope that it bites them in the ***. The best thing that could happen for them would be continued strong economic pressure from the Japanese market to bring them down to reality. I don't sound pessimistic do I? 
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 268
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From: San Diego
ML430, Mini Cooper S and Porsche 911 Twin Turbo
Yep, been there done that....
that is complained about issues I was was having with my ML - took it all the way from SA to MB HQ in Germany.
Result - very polite letter saying basically get lost :-(
Result for MB ?
I now drive a Lexus because they know what quality and customer care is all about.
I put owning my ML behind me as a $50,000 lesson to never buy another MB product again - and I go out of my way to warn others....
Result - very polite letter saying basically get lost :-(
Result for MB ?
I now drive a Lexus because they know what quality and customer care is all about.
I put owning my ML behind me as a $50,000 lesson to never buy another MB product again - and I go out of my way to warn others....
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17
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From: Chilliwack, BC, Canada
2007 GL450, 2007 335i with a Cobb tune (435HP)
Yeah, after time the plastic gets pitted (which isn't really visible) and crap gets stuck in there--making it look dull and hazy. I've found that it can be pretty much restored with a very aggressive cut polish--say like Mother's Scratch Remover--and a lot of elbow grease. You don't have to worry about going too deep with it either 'cause there's no paint or clear coat to worry about. Should restore any outside dullness and can make them look almost brand new in many cases. To keep that finish up, regularly wax your headlights as you would the paint and cut-polish every once in a while to keep 'em sparkling.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 591
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From: Covington, WA
'96 SL600, '05 S55 AMG, '06 C230
I've had great success using Simichrome Polish...
http://www.simichrome-polish.com/
... followed by toothpaste. Virtually any brand of toothpaste will work. I know it sounds corny, but the combination works very well. The metal polish works on the plastic without scratching it, while the toothpaste buffs it up incredibly smooth. Doesn’t do much for pits, but does well with moderate hazing of plastic lenses.
Cheers,
Jeff
http://www.simichrome-polish.com/
... followed by toothpaste. Virtually any brand of toothpaste will work. I know it sounds corny, but the combination works very well. The metal polish works on the plastic without scratching it, while the toothpaste buffs it up incredibly smooth. Doesn’t do much for pits, but does well with moderate hazing of plastic lenses.
Cheers,
Jeff
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 398
Likes: 1
From: In A Van Down By The River
2014 RX 350 F Sport, 2007 Scion tC, 2000 ML 430 Money Pit Finally Gone! Oh Happy Day!
Bought this http://www.meguiars.com/?clear-plast...Cleaner-Polish @ Advance Auto last week. It worked as advertised and cleaned the mild yellowing film off the headlights. My 2 cents.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 52
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From: South Florida
2003 ML500
I've had great success using Simichrome Polish...
http://www.simichrome-polish.com/
... followed by toothpaste. Virtually any brand of toothpaste will work. I know it sounds corny, but the combination works very well. The metal polish works on the plastic without scratching it, while the toothpaste buffs it up incredibly smooth. Doesn’t do much for pits, but does well with moderate hazing of plastic lenses.
Cheers,
Jeff
http://www.simichrome-polish.com/
... followed by toothpaste. Virtually any brand of toothpaste will work. I know it sounds corny, but the combination works very well. The metal polish works on the plastic without scratching it, while the toothpaste buffs it up incredibly smooth. Doesn’t do much for pits, but does well with moderate hazing of plastic lenses.
Cheers,
Jeff
