brucew444

I have an '11 E 350. The laminate on the wood has disappeared. Any suggestions? Recalls?

cetialpha5

It's considered cosmetic. Only covered if it's still under factory warranty which I'm guessing is long expired at this point. Extended and CPO warranties don't cover it unless you just bought it as CPO and then maybe the dealer will cover it under goodwill. You can sometimes pick up pieces on eBay, the oem kit to replace it all is about 2k.

brucew444

Thank you C-5.
Do you know what the labor would be to install?

Does anyone know why this would happen? Seen it before?

konigstiger

Known problem see attachments for released bulletin and replacement procedure should you want to attempt DIY or get independent shop quote. Unfortunately, MBUSA only covers replacement under initial factory warranty (as mentioned), and dependent on dealer CPO & extended warranty. No affiliation:

https://www.ebay.com/p/Mercedes-Benz...293/1823745373

http://www.2040-parts.com/10-13-merc...1293-i1334751/

aquinob

If you are talking about the dark wood gradually turning lighter and bleaching out, uh, yeah, we've probably all seen it before. My car supposedly had the wood replaced before I got it and it is now bleached out as well. Cause is most likely a reaction between UV and the finish on the wood. The finish doesnt block the UV and the wood lightens up. The replacement pieces were supposed to not be affected by UV, but you cant prove that by me.
If you are handy/adventurous you could pull them off and replace them yourselves. Another option is some sort of wrap.

Or you could just live with it. That's my plan. As long as the car is running fine and looks good on the outside I'm pretty happy with it. YMMV

jonUF02

I did a vinyl wrap because I despise the old man walnut fake wood. Looks pretty good, search the forum for carbon trim wrap. Second option would be to find a set on eBay or a junk yard car that's still in good condition. I've seen sets around $500 or so when I was looking for the black ash trim to replace walnut. The labor is not that bad, see files shared above.

Rogue Leader

You do know its not fake wood, it is actual real wood. Thin and heavily treated, but actual wood. There are members here who have sanded it and re-stained it on their own.

jonUF02

Maybe on earlier cars, but I don't think so on this one. I took out all the pieces for wrap, and they seem like molded plastic to me. Either way looks very plasticy and "fake" to me.

Rogue Leader

Its definitely real. I don't know where the thread here is but there is a DIY on it. Sure buried in varnish it feels like plastic, and as I said, its thin. But sand that layer off, its wood.

Mercedes would have been sued for false advertising by now, if it wasn't.

jonUF02

I'll take some "wood inspired" trim with that "leatherette" seating please. LoL

Rogue Leader

Then you'd have a Toyota Avalon

MB calls it MB-Tex, never uses the word Leatherette.

cetialpha5

As long as we're butchering things, how about these lamentations?