Rust

[David Williams]

Hi all - My 97 CLK was bought from a dealer in Jun 2003 but within months it became obvious that the car had been resprayed at some point and the paint on both wings and the bonnet were bubbling badly - So in it went and everything was repainted, when it came out the bonnet was just about as bad as you could get from a respray... so in it went again. Now it's looking good. Unfortunately I have just noticed the front left arch has lost a two inch strip of paint and rust is well and truly established.

So my question is... How long should mercedes warranty their paint repairs for? (the service manager is not interested)

Is it right that after paying 25K for a prestigous motor car, within 3 years, have had the bonnet repainted twice, the wings repainted and the bootlid replaced!

Any advice appreciated..

 

[jberks]

Mercedes themselves aren't liable for this one. They paid for the original work in good faith. The work was done by (or likely farmed out by) the dealer and they are responsible. However, if its been 2 years since the work was done, no bodyshop will warranty it.

Its unfortunate, but all bodywork inc rust repairs are down to the quality of the bodyshop used by the dealer at that time. As you say, yours had to go back to be done again, which speaks volumes about their standard of work and their quality control. I was lucky, the firm used by the Leeds dealer is very well regarded and the work done on my 210 was always first class and very thorough, but I am aware that if the bloke assigned had had a bad night, things could have been different.

I'd make an appointment with the dealer principal and talk it over. Legally they don't have to do anything and it may be that they binned that bodyshop after a series of blunders in which case he has no leverage, probably won't pay himself and you're out of luck.

On the question about what's been done - no, and at 97 its unusual. If it were a 1998-2001 then it would be expected! (they've got their act together again now!)

 

[G3maw]

good body shop in Cheshire

Hope this helps anybody out there desperately seeking a prep/paint finish up to MB standard of the late '80's early '90's. I strongly recommend the following outfit :
New Platt Motors
off Chapel Street
Wincham
Northwich
Cheshire
CW9 6DA
Tel: 01606 331131
Fax:01606 331113
The firm moved from Crewe and retained its three ex-Rolls Royce paintshop employees......
Not cheap, but fabulous quality! Ask for Jonathen.

 

[piestore]

paint warenty

HI
As stated MB paid for the repair which must have been carried out bt MB approved paint shop Part of MB approved paint shop minimum standards is 5 year warrenty on any repairs, regardless of service managers attitude complain to directors office at MB milton keynes