WTF! Plastic Fenders?
12-15-2017, 09:25 AM
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
WTF! Plastic Fenders?
I wasn't expecting carbon fiber but I'm a bit surprised that my 2016 E63s has so many non-metal body panels. Used a magnet and found out the hood, trunk and front fenders are not metal. Used magnet on my GLE 63 and only the hood was non-metal.
12-15-2017, 12:23 PM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Oh well, I thought I was superior to my neighbors BMW. He had an accident and the front fender cracked instead of dented. LOL 
12-15-2017, 06:43 PM
#7
Out Of Control!!
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,629
Received 1,990 Likes
on
1,393 Posts
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ecu tune; edok tcu tune; BB intakes; dyno tuned
Trending Topics
12-15-2017, 06:49 PM
#8
Super Member
12-15-2017, 07:41 PM
#9
Out Of Control!!
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,629
Received 1,990 Likes
on
1,393 Posts
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ecu tune; edok tcu tune; BB intakes; dyno tuned
12-17-2017, 08:33 AM
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
What do you mean.....? The fenders are aluminium and so is the hood and trunklid. The front fenders SHOULD be CF or plastic because they're so damn weak they dent so easily. They weigh NOTHING though. I doubt CF could be much lighter. There are CF hoods for the W212 but honestly I've heard alot of horror stories about CF hoods flying away unless you get hood pins, which on a classy Merc, would be ridiculous and ugly. They do save alot of weight though.
12-17-2017, 10:09 AM
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
My old CL65 had "composite" (plastic) fenders and developed a crack over the front wheel arch (probably from someone leaning into the engine bay or using the fender for leverage when changing the tire). Kind of ****ty for a car that had an original MSRP of $185K.
12-17-2017, 10:59 AM
#13
Super Member
Believe it or not some hoods that are aluminum aren’t that much heavier then carbon fiber. Wouldn’t be worth the money to change out aluminum for carbon fiber. The steel parts are the roof the quarter panel and the unibody. Honestly I never checked to see if the doors were aluminum
12-17-2017, 01:23 PM
#15
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
12-17-2017, 03:04 PM
#16
Super Member
taje a lot for aluminum to corrode. Even when Raw. Things that would considerably improve the W212 weight would be aluminum cross members. What kills me is there are some low end cars with aluminum cross members that are far lighter then steel. We would save a considerable amount of weight. Just can’t understand why they didn’t
12-19-2017, 08:59 AM
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
Aluminum develops an aluminum oxide layer on the outside which is hard and doesn't allow the inside to corrode sort of like a barrier. It's not like iron's rusting.
taje a lot for aluminum to corrode. Even when Raw. Things that would considerably improve the W212 weight would be aluminum cross members. What kills me is there are some low end cars with aluminum cross members that are far lighter then steel. We would save a considerable amount of weight. Just can’t understand why they didn’t
Because over time aluminium will develop fractures and fail. The subframes are not a place you want to save maximum weight while compromising strength. You need them to be really strong. Actually, how do you know they're not aluminum? I will check tomorrow as I have one out of a car because the last time I lifted one it seemed very light.
taje a lot for aluminum to corrode. Even when Raw. Things that would considerably improve the W212 weight would be aluminum cross members. What kills me is there are some low end cars with aluminum cross members that are far lighter then steel. We would save a considerable amount of weight. Just can’t understand why they didn’t
12-21-2017, 11:02 AM
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 0
Received 51 Likes
on
41 Posts
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
Just in case you didn't realize it, this is not your Father's Benz. That's not a good thing by the way.
But it is the world we live in. Weight, ability to recycle, and most importantly, $$$, is what matters now.
We will never see again the quality of raw materials (and not just panels--I mean glass, plastics, leather, and fabrics) that we saw on the old 126's, 129's, and 124's.
But still far better than most everything else on the road. Probably.
But it is the world we live in. Weight, ability to recycle, and most importantly, $$$, is what matters now.
We will never see again the quality of raw materials (and not just panels--I mean glass, plastics, leather, and fabrics) that we saw on the old 126's, 129's, and 124's.
But still far better than most everything else on the road. Probably.
12-21-2017, 08:21 PM
#19
Super Member
Aluminum develops an aluminum oxide layer on the outside which is hard and doesn't allow the inside to corrode sort of like a barrier. It's not like iron's rusting.
Because over time aluminium will develop fractures and fail. The subframes are not a place you want to save maximum weight while compromising strength. You need them to be really strong. Actually, how do you know they're not aluminum? I will check tomorrow as I have one out of a car because the last time I lifted one it seemed very light.
Because over time aluminium will develop fractures and fail. The subframes are not a place you want to save maximum weight while compromising strength. You need them to be really strong. Actually, how do you know they're not aluminum? I will check tomorrow as I have one out of a car because the last time I lifted one it seemed very light.
Last edited by Cifdig; 12-21-2017 at 08:23 PM.
12-24-2017, 08:27 AM
#20
Senior Member
Aluminum has been a standard in auto manufacturing for years. Audi initiated this in 1982 on the development of the eventual A8. I'm not sure why there is such a rush to outrage without doing any research but that is the world we live in.
12-25-2017, 03:06 PM
#21
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
However, I am surprised that the W212 chassis has less metal panels than the W166 chassis.
12-25-2017, 10:02 PM
#22
Senior Member
I'm happy the parts are aluminum. The research was done here - this thread. That's why my thread title was a question. Grateful to now knowing the answer and I also learned that magnets don't stick to Aluminum.
However, I am surprised that the W212 chassis has less metal panels than the W166 chassis.
However, I am surprised that the W212 chassis has less metal panels than the W166 chassis.
It's not worth further argument. The subject raised is not accurate.
12-26-2017, 11:41 AM
#23
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
I disagree... "WTF! Plastic Fenders?" is faux outrage. The vehicles have the same amount of metal - because both steel AND aluminum are metals. Why would you buy such an expensive car without doing research prior to purchase?
It's not worth further argument. The subject raised is not accurate.
It's not worth further argument. The subject raised is not accurate.
12-27-2017, 04:14 PM
#24
Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 33 Likes
on
27 Posts
2018 E63 S (white wagon), 2016 Viper ACR Extreme, 2005 Porsche GT3 Cup race car,2020 GLE
Shhhhhhh no body tell him Alcantara isn't suede. Its just some man made polyester and polyurethane material
