vandal scratches

[tonytup]

My S320 was left for a week in the office car park for a week while I was away on an overseas trip. On returning I found long scratches on both sides of the car - possibly done with a key.

I took it to MB Watford and was advised to come back on Monday to get an estimate. A local body repairer says silver is the worst colour to repair... And MB Watford says they've seen many MB cars with vandal scratches...

Can anyone comment on the possible motivation of such act? The MB girl says they just do it for the sake of it, but my wife says it could be that my car became a subject of some environmental extremists who targeted it to issue a warning that people should not drive such a high emission car...

Anyone had similar experience? And can anyone recommend a good body repairer? Thanks.

 

[Unleashed]

Little bastards - I've heard of plenty of people doing it just for fun, be it because of jealousy, an effort to look big in front of their friends, or whatever. There's generally no particular reason for it.
To me, it's one of the nastiest things someone can do, because without a full respray, it'll never look the same.

 

[tom7035]

Just another result of the ban on corporal punishment, particularly the birch, and other work of so-called 'do-gooders'. Just my opinion, and I'm sticking to it. Yobs who commit this type of vandalism don't have the IQ to understand the environment. (or much else, come to that).

 

[Ray J]

Some years ago I had my Grandad done like you tonytup, both sides. The car was on my drive during the night.

I turned out it was a woman on her way home from the pub. She'd been banned for drunk driving.

She got done for it. She was spotted doing it to other cars on my estate.

By the way R-R call them envy lines :roll:

Ray

 

[littlebrooklyn]

I think that's a terrible thing to do to someone's car and sadly I've heard it happening a lot to prestige cars. I live in Watford and quite frankly since we have bought our car we are a bit dubious about where we leave it.

We used to leave our Peugeot without a second thought, but in the few weeks we've had the Merc we haven't even dared leave it in the Harlequin Centre. I am not saying that this town is bad for this kind of thing, more that every town has people that can't stand to see someone having something nice.

 

[nicky]

This will have been done by someone who dosent even own a car and is envious of people who have done well for themselves.........These idiots cant see anything nice and must bring it down to their level...

 

[fwb44]

My S320 was left for a week in the office car park for a week while I was away on an overseas trip. On returning I found long scratches on both sides of the car - possibly done with a key. Can anyone recommend a good body repairer? Thanks.

Whereabouts are you located?

 

[mjtray]

I don't agree with the comment that it will never look the same without a full respray........As long as the bodyshop is top notch and they spray the complete side of the car or blend it into the other panels, it should be as good as new.

If you are in the Reading area, I can recommend a body shop that does all the Mercs from the dealers in the area and they really are very good....I've just had some vandal key marks taken out of the side of my car for £480.

I doubt the little S**t who key'd your car was doing it to make an environmental statement....I sadly reckon it was just pure envy from a small minded little git who has a hang up about people being more wealthy than they are.

Saying that, the amount of key'd 4X4's I've seen going through auction recently does send out a clear message to me that 4x4's are being targeted by people jumping on the band wagon from all the bad press coverage that 4x4's have been getting recently.

 

[tonytup]

Whereabouts are you located?

I am in Watford.

 

[tonytup]

Thanks for your replies. I'll just have to be careful where I leave my car. It's also a warning for all Merc owners to be alert for anything of this nature.

mjtray thank you for recommending the body shop. I'll see what MB Watford is quoting me today and may need your help to contact the Reading repairer.

 

[tonytup]

mjtray: Could you let me have the contact details of the body shop in Reading?
Sorry but I am not allowed to send a message to you privately.

 

[mjtray]

Tony,

Pleasure......speak to Paul @Wigmore Auto's on 0118-941 7886

Address: Wigmore Auto's Ltd, 20 Stadium Way, Stadium Industrial Estate, Reading, RG30 6BX.

PS: I have nothing to do with this company other than being a satisfied customer of theirs!

 

[telletubby]

I'm so lucky to live in rural France. Not only do I not have ency lines i usually leave the keys in the car (and the house unlocked) overnight. Most people do here.

By the way anyone want to buy a lhd W124 320 cabrio with only 45000 miles?

 

[fwb44]

By the way anyone want to buy a lhd W124 320 cabrio with only 45000 miles?

How much are you asking?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I've noticed a scratch on our car tonight that I fear may be an envy line, but probably isn't deep enough to have been done maliciously. More likely we been a touch to close to a bush, but I don't want to admit it!!

Anyone got any tips, or bodyshop experience, who can advise what to try before handing over money for a professional paint job? All thoughts gratefully appreciated.

Could "mopping" help? Heard it dropped in conversation, but not spoken to anyone who can actually tell me what's involved!!

 

[tom7035]

You may be able to polish it out using 'T-Cut' paint restorer. Follow instructions on the tin. It is a 'cutting compound', so use care.

 

[The Editor]

General rule is.... If you can feel the scratch with your thumb nail then it WON'T come out without professional polishing !!

You can try a 'harsh' hand cutting compound like McGuires Scratch X but leave any machine polishing to a pro.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I've noticed a scratch on our car tonight that I fear may be an envy line, but probably isn't deep enough to have been done maliciously. More likely we been a touch to close to a bush, but I don't want to admit it!!

Anyone got any tips, or bodyshop experience, who can advise what to try before handing over money for a professional paint job? All thoughts gratefully appreciated.

Could "mopping" help? Heard it dropped in conversation, but not spoken to anyone who can actually tell me what's involved!!

Got the scratch polished out by the mobile guy my dealer recomends. Did a sterling job. Can't see a thing now. He's based in South Staffordshire. PM me if you're interested.

 

[Oxmerc]

info needed

I'd be interested in knowing the name of the Reading bodyshop.

Fergus

 

[angus falconer]

My S320 was left for a week in the office car park for a week while I was away on an overseas trip. On returning I found long scratches on both sides of the car - possibly done with a key.

I took it to MB Watford and was advised to come back on Monday to get an estimate. A local body repairer says silver is the worst colour to repair... And MB Watford says they've seen many MB cars with vandal scratches...

Can anyone comment on the possible motivation of such act? The MB girl says they just do it for the sake of it, but my wife says it could be that my car became a subject of some environmental extremists who targeted it to issue a warning that people should not drive such a high emission car...

Anyone had similar experience? And can anyone recommend a good body repairer? Thanks.

My C43 was done a few weeks ago. But so was the old Fiesta next to it. It's all a bit random. I am in West London. Think it was kids as it looks JUST shallow enough to polish out.