almost had my ML350 delivered
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Queens, NY
2014 Black ML350 4Matic
almost had my ML350 delivered
Hi everyone, I almost had delivery of my new ML 350 but as I was inspecting I found a couple of scratches in the middle of the face of the spoke of the passenger rear 19" AMG rim. I would love to know how that happened since the scratch is in a weird place. The salesman said they would have it fixed by wheel doctor or some vendor similar to that. I don't have experience with this so I'm wondering if the rim will look like nothing happened which I was told would be the case. If it does then I'm happy but if not do you think its reasonable to ask for them to just replace my rim? I think it would be.
I also found a small chip on the driver's side edge of the door which they are going to touch up and clear coat. My car is black and I could see fine swirl marks. I spoke with the guy in charge of the prep and he was saying how he knows how to do it right and take his time but the dealer is always pressuring them just to get the cars out. I find this disappointing as you would think they would take their time when someone is paying 60K+ for a new car or any car for that matter. They are going to redo that as well.
Besides that the car is beautiful and I love my almond beige/black leather seats. I hope when I go back to pick it up everything will be fine as I was disappointed with the 3 issues.
I also found a small chip on the driver's side edge of the door which they are going to touch up and clear coat. My car is black and I could see fine swirl marks. I spoke with the guy in charge of the prep and he was saying how he knows how to do it right and take his time but the dealer is always pressuring them just to get the cars out. I find this disappointing as you would think they would take their time when someone is paying 60K+ for a new car or any car for that matter. They are going to redo that as well.
Besides that the car is beautiful and I love my almond beige/black leather seats. I hope when I go back to pick it up everything will be fine as I was disappointed with the 3 issues.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
2014 ML550
It's ENTIRELY reasonable! It's brand new and should look it! Hold your ground and ask them to replace the rim if it doesn't meet your expectations when you go back. Same with the other issues. The car should be in perfect condition!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 27
From: Canada
2016 GLE 350d
Very frustrating! When I picked up my new 08 ML (back in 08) I got home before noticing a small paint chip on the door. I immediately took it back and was told it would be a bad idea to paint it as it would likely involve having the entire door repainted and they gave me touch up paint. It bothered me every time my eye caught it for the years I owned it (and it was the only damage that vehicle ever saw under my ownership).
Another time I went to pick up a new Acura MDX and was about to drive away when I noticed damage to one of the wheels. The sales guy got his manager and they suggested they would have it repaired. That was totally unacceptable to me and I made them take a new wheel off another new MDX on the lot and swap it out while I was standing there watching them. I hated that MDX anyway and got rid of it after 6 months.
Good luck and don't be afraid to hold your ground if not completely satisfied. I would also get them in writing to guarantee the finish on that rim for as long as you own the vehicle.
Another time I went to pick up a new Acura MDX and was about to drive away when I noticed damage to one of the wheels. The sales guy got his manager and they suggested they would have it repaired. That was totally unacceptable to me and I made them take a new wheel off another new MDX on the lot and swap it out while I was standing there watching them. I hated that MDX anyway and got rid of it after 6 months.
Good luck and don't be afraid to hold your ground if not completely satisfied. I would also get them in writing to guarantee the finish on that rim for as long as you own the vehicle.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 27
From: Canada
2016 GLE 350d
As for those swirl marks in the paint I would recommend finding a high end detailer in your area to do a new vehicle detail and paint sealant or wax. Dealership detailers suck. Especially with a black car I would pay to have it professionally maintained. I just had my 550 done last week and the paint feels so silky smooth, better than new!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
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A gaggle of MB's
1) Mercedes wheels by design are easily repaired for scratches, scuffs, een very deep wheel scrapes - a professional mobile wheel repair specialist has a specially equipped trailer equipment will have absolutely positively no problem "repairing" that wheel to 100% perfect.
2) Your paint "chip" happens to be murky water - on 040 black - the color coat is easily touchedup - however the Glazurit clear coat can "technically" only be applied by spray - I leave that to the judgement of your dealer and yourself - I am speaking from the perspective of having a MB Certified Collision Center at my shoulder
3) The question of your swirl marks - your MB has a "nano-clearcoat" and frankly the only way to have swirl marks are either (a) minor mini-marks, not deep at all, caused by a manual or mechnical brush during washing or (b) some idiot put a buffer to your car - which is outright dumb with a new MB or (c) original panel defect during painting.
Any new MB - proper paint care with new tech is wipe-on/wipe-off two stage process: Einszett Glanzwax Blue Top sealant - $20 a can from Amazon for sealant one section at a time on clean new MB - let sit/cure 30 minutes - then wipe off smooths out "microscalling' characteristic of the nano-clearcoat and provides foundation for better bonding if adding was top coats for added depth/lustre -Top Wax on top of Glanzwax any qualilty spray Carnuaba wax will do like EagleOne - $10 a bottle - so DIY on a new MB you are out $30 plus microfier towels and a short couple of hrs total
2) Your paint "chip" happens to be murky water - on 040 black - the color coat is easily touchedup - however the Glazurit clear coat can "technically" only be applied by spray - I leave that to the judgement of your dealer and yourself - I am speaking from the perspective of having a MB Certified Collision Center at my shoulder
3) The question of your swirl marks - your MB has a "nano-clearcoat" and frankly the only way to have swirl marks are either (a) minor mini-marks, not deep at all, caused by a manual or mechnical brush during washing or (b) some idiot put a buffer to your car - which is outright dumb with a new MB or (c) original panel defect during painting.
Any new MB - proper paint care with new tech is wipe-on/wipe-off two stage process: Einszett Glanzwax Blue Top sealant - $20 a can from Amazon for sealant one section at a time on clean new MB - let sit/cure 30 minutes - then wipe off smooths out "microscalling' characteristic of the nano-clearcoat and provides foundation for better bonding if adding was top coats for added depth/lustre -Top Wax on top of Glanzwax any qualilty spray Carnuaba wax will do like EagleOne - $10 a bottle - so DIY on a new MB you are out $30 plus microfier towels and a short couple of hrs total
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Queens, NY
2014 Black ML350 4Matic
Thanks fabbrisd1 and everyone for your replies. Well I finally took delivery of my ML after a 2.5 month wait! The rim was fixed and looked like new but unbelievably I found another scratch on another rim. The salesman to say the least was not very happy and neither was I as it wasn't there when I found the first scratch. I have to assume it was during the re-prepping as the salesman said the car was not moved to avoid this. Well they gave me a I owe you form to fix that rim and to bring it back and get a loaner when its convenient for me. There are no swirl marks either! 
Besides that I love the car so far it just looks so nice and the interior is awesome!
For those looking into ELW and PPM during the finance signing they offered me as a bundle 6/75 extended warranty for $2500 and 3yr A/B/C PPM for $974. The PPM I sounded good since it was lower cost than doing it as you go after I did the calculation. The finance guy though only wanted to do it as a bundle and wouldn't go lower on the warranty even though I did talk him down a few bucks.
Now my greatest fear is people parking next to me and dinging my doors or bumpers. lol
Besides that I love the car so far it just looks so nice and the interior is awesome!
For those looking into ELW and PPM during the finance signing they offered me as a bundle 6/75 extended warranty for $2500 and 3yr A/B/C PPM for $974. The PPM I sounded good since it was lower cost than doing it as you go after I did the calculation. The finance guy though only wanted to do it as a bundle and wouldn't go lower on the warranty even though I did talk him down a few bucks.
Now my greatest fear is people parking next to me and dinging my doors or bumpers. lol
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