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Someone probably already said so, but can you try a different dealer?
I did that last night.. I actually go to a MB dealership close to my house which is the one that declined coverage. My Service Advisor there s actually good at finding things that can bring it into coverage, but punted on this one. I emailed the GM of the dealership I bought the car from which is about 45 minutes away. As I said, I have had 3 - S550's from the same family of dealership, Park Place. The dealership by my house is an Avondale dealership.
I was an upholsterer in a former life and I used to fix things like this all the time. Once the leather hits a certain age and dryness it starts to shrink and not a damn thing can stop it. It's actually astonishing how much force drying leather can exert, that's why it was used as capital punishment back in the medieval times. It will take a year and a day to try and fix in place, it's not worth it. Back in the day I would sew up a new cover and replace but we were working on Rolls and SL's of the 80's, the stitching just was not as machine perfect as it is today. I would source a new cover from a full dash assembly and bring to a body shop- they have plenty of experience taking apart stuff like this when they need to fix airbag damage etc. It is still going to cost you but should be a bunch less than $6k.
Sounds like you have a designo interior FWIW. Once you have it repaired keep that dash treated. A black car/interior in Texas is a fish out of water...
At what point does the interior piece completely fail, fall off and hit you in the eye causing a multi hundred thousand dollar lawsuit. Absolutely bring it up as a safety issue caused by poor quality. I don’t care if the car is parked ON THE SUN, I’ve never had a garage, have always had old cars, and never have had a cracked dash. Loose interior trim is dangerous. It’s why the car comes assembled and not diy
good luck. Sounds like the dealer does not care that you are a repeat customer
At what point does the interior piece completely fail, fall off and hit you in the eye causing a multi hundred thousand dollar lawsuit. Absolutely bring it up as a safety issue caused by poor quality. I don’t care if the car is parked ON THE SUN, I’ve never had a garage, have always had old cars, and never have had a cracked dash. Loose interior trim is dangerous. It’s why the car comes assembled and not diy
good luck. Sounds like the dealer does not care that you are a repeat customer
I googled the General Manager of another dealership.. Its confusing as the dealership chain I bought it from sold and the name went with all the dearships except the one I bought it from which was renamed. The one that was renamed (the one closest to my house) was the one that declined coverage. The dealership chain that was sold but kept the name is the one I emailed. That General Manager asked me to give him a few days to see what he could do. He did agree that something is wrong but said he can't deal with it locally because of the cost involved to replace it. Assuming he goes to Mercedes directly, they have already declined me as well.. Maybe he has more pull than I did.. I plan to keep this up till someone fixes it.
lots of posts on moisturizing the dash, using solar shades in the window... I get it.. and will be more sensative to it in the future, but have had 3 S550's, a ML500, a Porsche Cayene, Lexus 350, BMW 3 series, Dodge Truck.. all in the same spot I part this car.. never had any interior problems.. I actually had a seat melt from the seat heater replaced outside of warranty after CPO.. I just have to believe the cost is a factor and they feel they have an out so they are taking it..
What's interesting is the hole (pictured) that doesn't exhibit any tearing. It's like the dash was worked on before and maybe a clip or screw that goes in the hole is missing.
MB history and carfax doesn't show any work on the dash or interior.. no wrecks either
How do I tell what interior I have? I looked it up and has this for Interior:
BLACK (040U) Upholstery EXCLUSIVE LEATHER - BLACK/ANTHRACITE (501A)
501A EXCLUSIVE LEATHER - BLACK/ANTHRACITE
500A EXCLUSIVE LEATHER TRIM
The dash looks pleated and has a very small area also releasing but not as bad in top
At what point does the interior piece completely fail, fall off and hit you in the eye causing a multi hundred thousand dollar lawsuit. Absolutely bring it up as a safety issue caused by poor quality. I don’t care if the car is parked ON THE SUN, I’ve never had a garage, have always had old cars, and never have had a cracked dash. Loose interior trim is dangerous. It’s why the car comes assembled and not diy
I think this is a little dramatic lol. This is a cosmetic issue.
I think this is a little dramatic lol. This is a cosmetic issue.
I'm not worried about the dash coming off, but it did make me think. I do know Service advisors can tie a repair to something else to get something fixed under CPO.. I'm wondering if the passenger Air Bags would properly function with the dash coming loose. Thought is if the top dash board came lose during a bag deplyment.
My 2018 sits in the Florida direct sun all day every day. I never garaged it. 5 years and no issues. No treatment, nothing. I’m wondering if OPs car has a defect in the dash…..
My 2018 sits in the Florida direct sun all day every day. I never garaged it. 5 years and no issues. No treatment, nothing. I’m wondering if OPs car has a defect in the dash…..
Well.. That is my issue with the dealership.. As I said, third black on black S550.. black on black Porsche Cayenne.. never had an issue.. There has to be some defect.. I do have the cars detailed from time to time and do have those silver round sun shades I put up when I remember to which is not as frequent as I like..
I have a 2017 S550 still under CPO.. Although it's been Hot in Texas seems strange that this is happening. My dash is releasing on both sides curling up and wrinkling across the dash. Picture attached. I took it into the dealership and they said its not covered under CPO.. estimate was $6K to replace the dash. I escalated to Mercedes corporate / Customer Advocacy and they also rejected coverage offering a 20% discount to replace.
A family member with a 2017 Cadillac Escalade was at his dealer for service and the Service Manager pointed out to him that his leather dash had a large bubble which he hadn't noticed before. The Manager told him it was a known issue (like on our Mercedes) and that they would replace it under warranty. And he doesn't even have a CPO warranty (he bought it new). That comparison doesn't speak well for Mercedes as a company.
So mine had a slight lift on 1 corner, Im in Nyc and went to 2 high end shops, 1 told me recover the whole thing at a cost of 4k. Total removal etc. 2nd told me they would pull the windshield stretch it and reglue at a cost of about 800. I keep my dash moisturized and usually use a reflective cover....But after a few 100 deg days in Nyc I noticed it.
Very common problem on Porsche 928s. The leather dash was standard in the early years and had all these problems and hugely expensive to replace. They made it optional in later years but very few cars had it.
Well.. went to another MB dealership and spoke to the GM Service Manager.. no go on any repairs.. Guess I need to find a way to get this done on my tab.
I’ve seen this happen on a few S class I looked at for sale, always with the leather dash. One was a cabriolet for sale CPO and the MB dealer waited months for a new dash from Germany. Another was sitting at an interior shop next to my favorite Mexican restaurant, not sure how that one ended.
My wife’s Audi Q8 also did this, and the long wait time for a new dash from Germany plus the service department screwing up the replacement over the course of a month led to a successful buyback.
My dash is definitely getting worse.. I think its getting where I can actually pull it off (not touching it)... I went to a body shop this week end that is actually trying to find me a dash pad.. $6K right now is a tough nut to swallow so was hoping to find a cheaper route out of this mess
I have the nappa leather on my new to me 15. No lift or anything. Many makes/modes have this issue. I have always tinted the windshield which really helps with these type of issues.
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