Vrodman

Hey Guys,

As many of you know, I have had a few nightmares with the 2011 that were made worse by dealer blunders. The latest when they had my my 2011 for 3 months to replace muffler assemblies. During this fiasco they left the paint-perfect car in a lot under trees with birds sh*t*ng on it in the summer sun. Ugh. They spent 10 minutes washing and drying it before handing me the keys. It looked horrible. I then got to spend about 8 hours between clay-bar, polishing, and waxing to get it back to 95% of where it was.

I raised a bit of h*ll with them over it and threatened to switch dealerships and they stepped up and asked what could they possibly do to make it right. After some thought, I remembered that just about the only option my 2015 does not have that I wanted was the carbon fiber engine cover. I priced this back in April and it was a ridiculous $1400! So I didn't see the value then and passed. So I figured I would offer them this as a solution for "making it right". They didn't hesitate. It is on order and they are even going to swap over the signature placard and such for me!

Just thought you guys might find this interesting.

PeterUbers

sakodik

Very nice! Auto detailers ranges from 200-800 depending on what tier you want and to remove bird poop that has been sitting and restore your paint's finish. So good value on them getting you a cover. I couldn't fathom spending $1400 for it so I did the poor man's hyodrip.

Vrodman

BTW,

Here is the link to EVA1 up for sale. Am I allowed to post this on the site? Do I put it somewhere else?

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used...ting=218221399

FastWgn

Not fair.....

:-)

I'd love one of those, but not for the $1,400. There are a couple for sale in the Classifieds as well, at (to me) crazy prices. Not that they are priced wrong, the "value / cost" equation is just off for me.

FastWgn

any pictures of the results? Did you do it yourself or someone else did it for you?

sakodik

I did not. I had this shop do it for me in San Diego. It's not the same cf pattern you get from existing mercedes trim parts but it's good enough for me until prices go down for the real thing. So far it has held up fine in the engine bay with 3k miles on it in the summer heat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BicRmsZHkB-/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=cbxk8pgrmx7a

otakki

Love to see some pics after the CF cover is installed!

Vrodman

Hey C,

Not sure if your question might have actually been to me. YES I did it myself. I have been obsessed with the finish on my cars for decades! When I am done, no swirls or holograms in high noon sun! The finish is a mile deep. Check out the link above in this thread to Eva1 and you will sort of see the results. Pics never really show off black correctly though. When I bought Eva2 the pics looked awesome but when I saw her in person she had both swirls and holograms. But I knew I could fix them AND DID.

Comes down to the right tools, chemicals, and technique. Kind of perfected it over the years. The dealer offered to detail it for me after they screwed it up. But I have seen what their hack does. No way. So I worked them for the engine cover instead.

Vrodman

Here is the side by side of old vs new cover. Remember that this is with the UPD air kit and raised ECU. Fit is not perfect. But it's presentable.

Vrodman

One more, and better, pic:

otakki

Well done!!!