"Diablo Red" Paintwork Issue

[Brian Ferry]

In December 2016, I purchased a used Mercedes C220 AMG from their franchise in Inverness. On collecting the vehicle they advised of a defect with the paintwork, advising that they would arrange the vehicle to be taken into their bodyshop and the matter rectified at their cost, including a respray if required ( I have a letter from them detailing this). Following several emails to them over the following months they took the vehicle for repair. The vehicle was with them for a period of 5 weeks. They returned the vehicle but the work was found to be unsatisfactory and returned to them. The vehicle was returned around May 2017 and at the time appeared satisfactory.
However, in August 2017, we found that the paintwork was again starting to show defects and following several more emails the vehicle is to go in for further paint work repairs.
My issue is that since purchasing the vehicle, this is the third time that the vehicle has had to go in for repair work on the same issue.
I have carried out subsequent internet searches and this would appear to be a common fault with red paint used by mercedes.

 

[Srdl]

There are well known issues with Fire Opal red. Just search for "Fire Opal" on this forum and you will find the sorry stories including some current active threads.

 

[peterws1957]

It's clear from owner experiences that only full bare metal resprays work. Inverness are fobbing you off with flatting off and painting. If it was me I would be getting the dealer to swap the car.

 

[Srdl]

I can't see that Diablo Red is a Mercedes colour so I assume yours is Fire Opal. As the problem was noted by them when they sold you the car less than 12 months ago I don't think they have a leg to stand on either for a full bare metal respray or a replacement car as @peterws1957 suggests. Others on this forum have had ongoing problems with various systems after the car was stripped down for the respray.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome Brian...as above

 

[A.J.]

Hi Brian, welcome to the forum, that is a frequently heard tale sadly, shame as it is a great looking colour.