R-Class prone to rock chips?
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Folsom, Ca
R KLASSE
R-Class prone to rock chips?
When we got our car over a month ago the front end was flawless. Judging by the low mileage and rock-chip free bumper and hood the PO likely never drove on the highway and just stuck to city driving. Anyway my wife drives All- Highway to work 26 miles each way. In just over a month our hood is peppered with small tiny chips. Our car is the deep red so maybe it just shows more? but seems like this car gets a new chip every day she drives it to work. Also got one on the glass (didn't crack or break) but it's a decent chip and I'm scared to think how much that glass is going to cost when something bigger hits it. Anyway my gripe is I think the R-Class is prone to rock chips because of the huge rake on the hood and the ginormous window. Anyone else notice this or is it just me.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 279
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From: Western Canada
S320 GL350
I noticed something similar - actually the front nose is so low to the ground that it takes the brunt of the small stuff (like sandpaper). So I focus on waxing and washing it during summer to keep bugs off it the same day they get on it (bugs are called "aggressive contaminants" in the manual).
The other thing is heavy and frequent waxing for the hood and nose areas (as well as the rest of the car). Even so, I sustained a rock chip on my hood during winter last year, and another high on the windshield near the top moulding that I can't see.
My impression however is the windshield's low rake results in rocks just glancing off rather than impacting and cracking, due to the steep angle.
The other thing is heavy and frequent waxing for the hood and nose areas (as well as the rest of the car). Even so, I sustained a rock chip on my hood during winter last year, and another high on the windshield near the top moulding that I can't see.
My impression however is the windshield's low rake results in rocks just glancing off rather than impacting and cracking, due to the steep angle.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: United States
2008 R350 & 2008 C300
All the Benz's I've had have had the stone chip problem regardless of model. Seems to be quite common with all makes now that they have to use the water based stuff.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Chicago
2008 Audi R8; 2004 Lexus RX330
You might want to try one of the invisibile films for hoods and other front-end bodywork, such as those made by 3M. I've seen them being put on cars, and they really are virtually invisible.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: South Florida, USA
2006 R500
I do not see much chips on my 2006 R500. I would think because the 2007 onward front ends are lower in height and more car-like, they are prone to rock chips? I guess it depends on the area you are driving too.
Once there was truck driving in the next lane little forward to me and suddenly one of tires started shredding and pieces are flying all over and some landed on my R500 and flew over to back. I checked for any damage to hood but no scratches or marks at all.
PS: I typically like to boast about my R500, though
Once there was truck driving in the next lane little forward to me and suddenly one of tires started shredding and pieces are flying all over and some landed on my R500 and flew over to back. I checked for any damage to hood but no scratches or marks at all.
PS: I typically like to boast about my R500, though
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Dallas, Texas
R350 4-matic
No real chips or nicks on my '06 R350 from highway driving. For the first year I drove 16k miles, and 90% of it was highway.
I did however, chance a car wash once, and lo and behold, came out with a nice long scratch on the hood.
I did however, chance a car wash once, and lo and behold, came out with a nice long scratch on the hood.
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