You guys may remember my original thread where a guy with a bike rack did a number on my 2k mile 2023 E63S

https://mbworld.org/forums/w213-amg/...lue-claim.html

I had to go out of state to get it repaired as the shops locally weren't convinced they could get the matte paint done right. They wanted to repaint the whole side or the whole car. The shop I took it to, only painted the rear quarter and bumper and it matches perfectly from all sides and all angles. I'm like 99% happy with the whole work and that's because I'm very **** and saw a small panel gap (more than I think) it should have where rear bumper, quarter and tail light meet up. I asked 3 other friends if they could see anything and none of them did. Anyways, if anyone is looking for a shop that does good work with matte I'd recommend Ken Garff Mercedes in Salt Lake City, UT. Next step is going after his insurance for diminished value.

 

Was the rear door painted or feathered?

overall looks good, glad you don't have to see the ugliness of the damage anymore. That's a huge step forward. As Ronin once said, we don't own these cars, they own us.

 

They didn’t touch the rear door at all. Just quarter panel and rear bumper. Trunk was saved by ppf

 

Must be lighting ... looks like a fabulous job and seems like it you're giving it a 99%

 

great job !

 

Looks great.

 

did they replace or repair the rear quarter panel?

 

They did and this whole thing turned into a giant pain in the ***. I had to have the whole driver side repainted again after making this thread. If you look at the first photo there is a mismatch in paint between front and rear driver door that was visible in certain light and it drove me nuts. This is going to be the last time I ever get a matte car... just not worth it for the nightmare and hassle that I went through to get it to ~90% of how it was from OEM.

 

so I did see something discrepant in my earlier post - sorry for your ongoing troubles

 

so I did see something discrepant in my earlier post - sorry for your ongoing troubles



and I totally get the frustration personally - I had a fender bender in a palladium e550 and they could never get the tint correct so - it consumed me. I didn't own the car, per se, the car owned me.

 

No you were totally right. When I first picked it up I just looked at the blend between rear quarter and rear bumper as they told me they only repaired/painted those two panels that were hit. But after I saw your original comment I had my doubts. I went and looked at it and after looking at their paperwork I saw they also painted the rear door and it was way off. They ended up re-spraying the whole side except for the front bumper and trunk. Front between front bumper and fender is really good but under certain light you can still see some difference on rear trunk lid. Most probably would not notice but I see it and I don't really want to dick with it anymore so it's good enough I guess. My original statement stands though... I'll never get another matte car ever again. If you want matte, best would be to get normal paint and wrap it matte that way if you ever get hit at least it's going to be easier to match.

 

I'm glad you got it sorted out. I also thought some things that caught my eye as imperfections, but I didn't want to say anything. Your thread only confirms I was saved a big headach by NOT puying a car I was initially very interested in. I was super excited about an S63 with Designo Allanite Gray Mango, but I came across a couple post on the forum that warned againse matte paint finishes. Then the car sold overnight while I was pondering. I was disappointed in the beginning, but as time goes by, I'm even more thankful I didn't go through with it. Having said that; it truly is a beautiful paint job and amazing car, enjoy!!

 

You did it right man and I would also call that a bit lucky too. My wife called this the "divorce paint job". There were a couple of times where her and I got in a fight over the whole repair deal and me being too picky with the paint match (girls will never understand car guys)... 5 months I'll never get back and so much stress and wasted time. Not worth it ever again!

If I can find another car that I like more than the E63S I'm going to get rid of this thing but for now I plan to drive the wheels off it as it's 95% ish good enough and most would never be able to tell the difference.

 

I am going through the same thing right now with my E63s, I live in seattle any bodyshops you recommend? Also when you took it back in to have it re done because it didn't match was it by the same body shop and if it was did they charge you again for it?

Any other tips would be appreciated as well...

 

- repaint the whole car or the whole side or it's trial and error when you do one panel and "blend"
- consider never buying a matte color again
- when you go through insurance - your insurance carrier will work to make sure you're 100% satisfied before you would pay further out of pocket to the point where they may bring in a specialist in that color and sheen to expertly apply the paint in the local shop.
- this same phenomenon can also be and issue with traditional high gloss metalllic paint colors especially the grays .. hard to blend and match the tint, gotta keep pushing them till they get it right or you invariably get sick of waiting.

 

"you invariably get sick of waiting" - that's pretty much the point I got to. I got tired of the back in forth with the body shop and just said **** it. It isn't going to get better. I'm cutting my losses and moving on

Never again, matte paint!

 

I know it's silly but I only buy black cars now because of how easy it is (usually) to tell it's been repainted compared to any lighter color.

I want to own the car, I don't want the car to own me; and, no, I don't care about swirls.

 

That's funny you say that. I previously swore off getting black cars. I had a black mitsubishi eclipse GSX back in the day and I am too OCD for swirl marks. Lol

My next car when it's time to get rid of my F150 will be a black escalade and I'm going to wrap matte. I feel like it's the only appropriate color (black) on a caddy

 

Life is short, get the color you desire and enjoy it. OP glad you got the matte paint fixed/matched properly. Cheers.