We purchased Caroline's Mercedes E350 Coupe AMG Sport in February 2011.
New, finished in fire opal red with cream leather, most of the options including panoramic roof, Command, heated memory seats, HID lights and some others.
Over 4 years Nothing went wrong...so the 3 year warranty was not tested.
Last year the module that drives the glow plugs failed, a couple of hundred pounds, but no big deal.
This year, at the annual service, the dealer reported some issues with the paint. I'd not noticced anything, for a 5 year old car it looked good. But the car went off to the Mercedes body shop for a detailed check and we were informed that, indeed, there was a problem.
We were told that the car needed a total re-spray, based on a rub down to bare metal, re-prime, 3 colour coats and then clear gloss coat.
But don't worry, Mercedes would pay. £7500!
Some web research showed we were not alone. Many, many Mercedes cars, made in one factory between two dates, have developed this problem. It seems a component of the paint has reacted with primer used on steel pannels with the result micro bubbles form between the paint and clear coat and the clear coat lifts.
The car was booked in to the body shop, there is a wait as they are taking on one new one a week and it is a 5 week process...Mercedes stipulate extended curing and drying. We should have it back in early July.
One bit of bad news: the front wings are aluminium and there isn't a problem with them, so no re-spray. But red paint ages so ensure a perfect match we agreed to pay for a re-spray, about £400.
We also had the alloys re-furbished and the rubber trim that wipoes the windows replaced as the rubber was ageing a bit.
So all in all about £700.
I have to say I'm impressed: Mercedes say the bodywork has a 30 year warranty, providing the paintwork is inspected every year and any accident damage is repaired by a Mercedes approved bodyshop.
I'm usually cynical about these long term warranties, but they have delivered: a full respray and refurbishment for £750.... We have been inforrmed that the warranty remains in place and should any other body work or corrosion issues develop it will be covered.
We planned to keep the car until it is 10+ years old, so well worth the extra spend.
