How are these trim pieces removed?

[philharve]

Hi All

I have a C230K that will go into the bodyshop at the end of April for some minor repair work to the leading lower corner of a rear door. I am also contemplating having the trim pieces on the B posts repainted because they are exhibiting early signs of rusting, mainly along the edges. It's a minor problem at the moment but the rust will spread. Since the car has to visit the bodyshop I may as well kill two birds and get the only remaining rust spots treated ... until I next wash my car and discover a new one.

These trim pieces appear to have a 'carbon fibre' effect on them to match the effect around the facia. This suggests to me that the outer surface of the trim pieces may be some form of transfer that is stuck on rather than painted. It's not immediately apparent to me how these trim pieces are attached to the B post. Are they pressed on and are there pegs behind the trim that fit into recesses in the B post? Repair would seem to be a very simple job?

Has any member had these trim pieces repainted/replaced? How easy is it and approximately how much is it likely to cost? I will have it done professionally so the repair should last a very long time.

Regards

Phil

 

[television]

What are your first 6 VIN numbers Phil

 

[philharve]

Hi Malcolm

I don't know off hand, I'll have to look it up.

Regards

Phil

 

[philharve]

VIN No.

What are your first 6 VIN numbers Phil

Hi Malcolm

The 6 figures are ... 202024.

Regards

Phil

 

[television]

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.asp?TP=1&F=202024&VIN=


I know the plates that you mean phil,cant find them on the above site,I will try my other computer later

 

[locket]

Trim

They are very simple to remove.
There are just two self tapping screws on the trailing edge of each one, just undo and then they come straight off.

When you put the new ones on brush some waxoil behind them.

 

[philharve]

They are very simple to remove.
There are just two self tapping screws on the trailing edge of each one, just undo and then they come straight off.

When you put the new ones on brush some waxoil behind them.

Hi locket

If they are held on by a couple of scews and assuming they are cheap to replace, then replacement would appear to be a cheaper option than having them repainted. Thanks.

Regards

Phil

 

[locket]

Trim

Hi locket

If they are held on by a couple of scews and assuming they are cheap to replace, then replacement would appear to be a cheaper option than having them repainted. Thanks.

Regards

Phil

They are £42 each from the dealer, depends what your interpretation of cheap is.

 

[hmang]

hey phil just a thought...
the similar parts on the 210 e-class come in 2 versions
...simulated carbon weave effect on the avantgarde model..
and..
...gloss black (almost black chrome effect) on the elegance model

i have seen quite a lot of the carbon effect suffering corrosion (mine included)
while the plain black ones seem to weather a lot better

if you are going to buy new and keep the car for any amount of time it might be possible to change your carbon types for the plain black. ( or even just paint yours)

i know it alters your car from what mercedes intended but personally i'm not a great fan of the false carbon effect.

 

[television]

Just an addition to hmang answer,if these are alli and you decide to paint, they should be etched primed otherwise any paint would soon come off, its an expensive paint mix though for 2 small items, with a shelf life mixed for 24 hours

 

[hmang]

my e- class ones are deffo not ally 'cos they're going rusty where the paint has chipped and if yours are rusting too they are prob not made of ally either.

it might be worth an ask at your friendly dealer to consider the corrosion warranty on these parts.

 

[hmang]

mine are rusty like yours and magnetic.
so not going to be ally.

consider painting or even corrosion warranty replacement.

 

[philharve]

My trim is beginning to rust

my e- class ones are deffo not ally 'cos they're going rusty where the paint has chipped and if yours are rusting too they are prob not made of ally either.

it might be worth an ask at your friendly dealer to consider the corrosion warranty on these parts.

Hi hmang

Locket quotes £42 each and the carbon fibre weave effect suggests painting is not an option. I thought it was a transfer. There is rusting, admittedly very slight, on the surface in a couple places but mainly along the edges. You have to go up close and run your fingers along the edges and they feel rough and broken. I conclude they are made of a ferrous material and definitely not aluminium. There appears to be a yellow coating, could it be brass?

I wonder if this trim is common to another model MB and made of a non-ferrous material having been redesigned after it was discovered the original trim rusted. Could I be this lucky?

I think my dealer's reply would be 'untreated stone chip damage, owner's responsibility'.They used this excuse to explain the rusting on the trailing edge and around the water jets on my bonnet. I paid for a professional bonnet respray myself - a superb job - and refinisher said the bonnet was suffering from thin paint BUT it was probably within spec' at the time of manufacture. It was the spec' that was wrong. Now the paint thickness on the bonnet will last the life of the car.

Frankly, I don't trust the dealership, they will try to wriggle out of their responsibilty and way they can. I have a full MBSH but when I bought the car from a non-franchised dealer they fitted new pads all round AND STAMPED MY SERVICE BOOK. The dealer jumped on this fact and claim I have a broken MBSH, therefore they are not responsible for honoring various warranties. If the non-franchised dealer had fitted the pads and not stamped my book I wouldn't have had all this hassle. This dealer is no longer in business.

All said and done, my C230K has proven to be a great car, very reliable, very comfortable. Not certain about the handling though. It is the level of support I receive from MB, or should I say the dealership, that is dissappointing.

When I bought my MB a couple of years ago, rust problems never entered my mind. But as many owners now know, it is a very serious issue. You would think MB would be falling over themselves to redeem their reputation for once unsurpassed build quality.

The original owner of my car has rust repairs undertaken at less than two year old. I still can't believe this was possible for a MB.

Regards

Phil

 

[hmang]

phil
i've got loads of non franchised dealer stamps for services on my vehicles and it has not invalidated the warranty side of things.

i got the impression that full mbsh was not strictly necessary so long as the work has been done properly.
i think others on this forum are more closley linked with the motor trade and will be more qualified to advise.
i think your guys might be trying to cop out. although goodness knows why...it's no skin off their nose to do warranty stuff surely

 

[philharve]

Hi hmang

phil
i've got loads of non franchised dealer stamps for services on my vehicles and it has not invalidated the warranty side of things.

This is interesting. It probably goes to prove that all dealerships are not alike. Some are more flexible than others.

i got the impression that full mbsh was not strictly necessary so long as the work has been done properly.

This is undeniably true. This is the reason I prefer to use the services of a MB Independent rather than a dealership. Both are obliged to perform the work to the same standard and only use genuine MB parts ... but the Indie is always cheaper manhourwise.

i think others on this forum are more closley linked with the motor trade and will be more qualified to advise.
i think your guys might be trying to cop out. although goodness knows why...it's no skin off their nose to do warranty stuff surely

Oh yes, many MBOA members have links with the motor trade. Some have links to MB.

'Trying to cop out' ... definitely!

Regards

Phil

 

[airbag]

Hi, did you get anywhere sourcing new trims? Did you have to go to a dealer , or did you end up painting.
I have a 2001 S203 model and both front doors have rust all down the rear edge of the trim and the carbon faded. I have seen the same model car in black trims and it looks so much smarter than my faded carbon ones.
Need to either paint, or replace, but with approx 6 to do on the estate model.. its an expensive process.

Perhaps I will try ebay or something for parts.. I dont know what to call them besides "door trims".