Materials Quality . . ?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 133
From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
Materials Quality . . ?
While I love my '550 from the driving experience perspective, I have to say I'm disappointed with the choice of materials and/or the quality of the materials. My car is only 8 months old and has just over 8K miles on it, yet things like the door sill aluminum (completely scratched) and the lug nuts (rusty) look horrible. Things like this on my 2000 SL are still almost perfect after nearly 8 years. This is a $60K car! Come on MB.
Has anyone else noticed the noticed things like this on their ML? Is it an MB phenomenon or just an US build/supplier phenomenon?
- FD
Has anyone else noticed the noticed things like this on their ML? Is it an MB phenomenon or just an US build/supplier phenomenon?
- FD
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 898
Likes: 9
From: Woodstock, IL
His 2019 RAM Cummins Turbo Diesel Laramie; Her's 2007 ML320 CDI P3; Mine BMW R1200R
Mine are the exact same way. I thought the lug nuts were rusty from our Chicagoland winter salt, but now that I think about it, I have never had this with any other vehicle, and this car is always washed.
That is a shame.
Wonder if they would warranty?
As for the door sills, I do have a few light scuff marks, but nothing as bad as yours.
I agree, for $60K, this shouldn't be an issue.
That is a shame.
Wonder if they would warranty?
As for the door sills, I do have a few light scuff marks, but nothing as bad as yours.
I agree, for $60K, this shouldn't be an issue.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Suzuki Burgman Executive
audi still does, i bought my audi with a salvage title with only 1k on the clock in 2002 for 10k put another 5 in repair and had a great car now with 100k miles i wish i used oem paint as well as oem body parts the paint is **** on the car now you can see bare metal but no rust on it what so ever
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,348
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
Mine aren't as scratched as yours, but the problem is that they are using plastic in a lot of places that used to be metal. From the grille to the skid plates to those, it's all plastic that doesn't really stand up to the test of time.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: AZ
2008 ML550; 2005 SLK55
I was vacuuming out my baby the other day and the sill got scratched from contacting it with the plastic vacuum attachment! Never mind what rocks and shoes are going to do to it. I still love it though.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
2007 ML 500
While I love my '550 from the driving experience perspective, I have to say I'm disappointed with the choice of materials and/or the quality of the materials. My car is only 8 months old and has just over 8K miles on it, yet things like the door sill aluminum (completely scratched) and the lug nuts (rusty) look horrible. Things like this on my 2000 SL are still almost perfect after nearly 8 years. This is a $60K car! Come on MB.
Has anyone else noticed the noticed things like this on their ML? Is it an MB phenomenon or just an US build/supplier phenomenon?
- FD
Has anyone else noticed the noticed things like this on their ML? Is it an MB phenomenon or just an US build/supplier phenomenon?
- FD
doesn't matter what they call it, just as long as they replace the things.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
From: Copenhagen, Denmark, Europe
2011 E-class coupe, 2012 C-class
I agree, everything seems less solid on the ML compared to my E-class. Even the paint is easier to scratch on the ML, as I accidently did with my wristwatch when entering the car. The bottom of front/rear bumber and sideskirts are not painted and they are dull and grey to look at, I have to spend almost a whole hour treating them with wax after my carwash. In my experience German build quality and suppliers are better.
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Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: AZ
2008 ML320 CDI
well this doesnt have anything to do with outside material quality, but a gripe none the less.
My ML320 is a month old, and i noticed that when i fill it up the gauge only shows quarter of a tank. now when i bought the car they filled it, how did they not notice that it was only 3/4 full on the gauge?
My ML320 is a month old, and i noticed that when i fill it up the gauge only shows quarter of a tank. now when i bought the car they filled it, how did they not notice that it was only 3/4 full on the gauge?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Suzuki Burgman Executive
well this doesnt have anything to do with outside material quality, but a gripe none the less.
My ML320 is a month old, and i noticed that when i fill it up the gauge only shows quarter of a tank. now when i bought the car they filled it, how did they not notice that it was only 3/4 full on the gauge?
My ML320 is a month old, and i noticed that when i fill it up the gauge only shows quarter of a tank. now when i bought the car they filled it, how did they not notice that it was only 3/4 full on the gauge?
didnt you know that i can fill my mini till full my a4 my ml to 3/4 and my sprinter to 3/4
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 133
From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
Yes, indeed, the dealer replaced the lug nuts just for asking. MB must have a lot of extra nuts these days. They said that the rust would return and there is nothing they can do about it. MB's older solution was to recess the lug nuts so the rust didn't show, but they went back to the long lug nuts on the ML. My wife's Acura RDX is two years older and has no rust on the lug nuts (or scratches on the door sill) whatsoever. Hmmm.
As for the door sill, MB says I'm S.O.L. on that - "it's just a cosmetic issue". Don't they mean a cost issue? My SL has stainless steel door sills. The ML has stamped aluminum door sills (much, much cheaper both for the materials and for the tooling to do the stamping).
But, what the hell, at least my nuts aren't rusty. . .
- FD
As for the door sill, MB says I'm S.O.L. on that - "it's just a cosmetic issue". Don't they mean a cost issue? My SL has stainless steel door sills. The ML has stamped aluminum door sills (much, much cheaper both for the materials and for the tooling to do the stamping).
But, what the hell, at least my nuts aren't rusty. . .
- FD
