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http://www.edmunds.com/chat/freewaychat.html
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
I was checking over November posts and found yours re chipping.
What did you finally do to resolve the chipping problems on your red car? Did you get a red bra
My new C320 will be Obsidien Black as opposed to Black. I just found myself unable to break the addiction to Black after all. It is being built as we speak.
Miki
>As far as the chips, I've just quit looking!!
I am already training these eyes to look elsewhere, too. I have been looking for someone who might be able to install an invisible bra. Don't want to pick a name out of the yellow pages -- it should be a referral by a person who is satisfied with an installation methinks.
Anyone know how I can find a good installer in the vicinity of West Los Angeles? If I have to drive too far, I might get chipped
Miki
It's the thread about invinsa-shield
Love the Xen headlights. They look cool and are really bright at night. Heated seats are great also. No problem so far but brakes are squealing. Paid full MSRP but got free CD changer.
Thank you so much for the MB World link. There are several links there for the invisible bra. I see it is recommended that it be installed by a professional body shop. That points me in the right direction. I will call my body shop for info or perhaps when the car is delivered, the dealer will recommend someone who can do it then. I will advise if I come across anything important.
I cannot imagine how the paint under the bra stays the same color as the rest of the car or how you wax over it. Or why it does not accumulate stuff in corners or seams. Methinks the secret is a good installation.
Wonder why my doors get the chips more than the bumpers.
Again, thank you, thank you.
Miki
If you use regular carnauba wax, it does tend to accumulate on the edges. There are a few brands that don't do this like Blitz One Grand and S100. If you use polymer polish like Zaino, you also won't have a problem.
The paint underneath ages the same way because the bra lets UV rays through...
Give them a call...
just got back from my first"a" service.. asked them(prestige motors paramus nj) if they could do the tire rotation at no charge... he told me that the freebe was at 15,000..went to talk to the service manager... returns saying "uhhhh didnt you say you had a little shimmy in the front end?"(he was smirking)no,,,,oh! yesssss!!!!!... so they did it as a front end shimmy problem.. no charge... its nice when a business is willing to bend the rules just a bit... for the sake of customer service!
just like new!
"
I have always been concerned that the paint had been damaged and more prone to chips because of all that was done to it. Following is explanation.
Since my car was not detailed properly at delivery, all the scratches, flaws and paint lumps were pretty evident to me after I got it home and out of the dealer lights. I think I mentioned in a post that I drove the car 90 miles on its maiden voyage with 44lbs of air in each of the tires, which is the amount used for shipping. In the weeks that followed and in attempts to improve the paint surface, the car was buffed and polished four times in five weeks by the dealer. It was during one of these occasions that the first two door chips were found and touched up, but they were not there at delivery.
The last polish was extraordinary and something special was used to eliminate the swirls and the scratches. The car does indeed have a wet look and sparkles like a jewel. I asked what they used and was told they had a specialist there, who rubbed something over the car to fill in swirls and scratches.
During aforementioned last polish, however, I brought the car home with large flakes of black paint, white on the bottom, clinging to the car. I was concerned the clear coat had been damaged, but the MB rep went over the car with a tool that measured paint thickness and told me nothing was damaged. I don't recall their doing it on the door.
New question: I was always quick to touch up the rare chip on my former car because I was told that rust gets under the paint if it is exposed. Is this still true? My touch ups always looked good -- I used the soft end of a paper match to apply paint, used a gentle rubbing compound to blend it in, and then put a little wax on the spot.
One of your questions, Dennett, I cannot answer at this time.
I do remember your statements about the carnauba accumulating at the edges and the UV rays getting through to allow paint to age as rest of car -- they appeared in your product review on your web site. I guess I am concerned that if the installation is not 200% perfect, some moisture could accumulate under the material and cause harm. I have had a process done to my windows at home that allows the sun to come through, but not the harmful UV rays. If it is not done perfectly, it will lift away from the window and cause moisture to gather.
Do you know if Meguiar is a carnauba wax? Can your invisible bra ever be removed and if so, would the paint be intact?
I appreciate your help and apologize for shooting more questions at you.
miki
Can those of you who have taken delivery share your car's production to delivery time line?
I'm traveling to my parents for Easter and was hoping it would be my first road trip with my new C.
Thanks.
RugBug
Tarik
Left Hamburg on Jan. 25th.
Arrived Balitmore Feb. 7th.
Arrived via Auto Hauler at New Jersey Dealer evening on Feb. 14th.
Took delivery Feb. 15th by 8:00 PM.
Do you know if MBs for Minnesota also arrive at Port of Balitmore? I would think so for East Coast. Then train to Minnesota or Auto Hauler ?
Break-in recommended is first 1000 miles at varying speeds / rpms etc...
ps. I got mine at South Bay California ~ great service and friendly salesperson~ (some dealers were quite rude and give me a take it or leave it attitude which I hated the most)
well, good luck on you all~ and for all the new C owners (which include myself) enjoy it, and "Live a Lot" ^0^
Tarik, one more question. How many boats a week does MB ship to the US? What's the process like?
Thanks in advance.
I chose to pay the NYS & Luxury Tax upfront ($2272.72). Which reduced my payments from $596.87 to $546.29. There are deals to be made out there, as proved by me,"itaback" and other folks on this site.
2. Is it true that the Navigation CD is being upgraded as well?
Thanks!
Main production facility is Bremen, which is a main port and very close to Bremerhafen and Hamburg, from where most vehicles are shipped. How exactly the logistics work is beyond me, but AFAIK arrival ports along the east coast are Boston, Baltimore, and Jacksonville, correct?
Tarik
Don't forget to catch this week's Motorvision on Speedvision at 4pm Pacific!
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
http://www.m-benz.com/future/c32-02.html
http://www.m-benz.com/future/c320w-02.html
Meguiar's is Carnauba. I used to use their products extensively on my Integra.
On my ML, I use Zaino.
Most installers have a 1yr guarantee against lifting. If done right, it doesn't.
You can remove the material by heating a corner, then pulling it away from the paint. I've never heard of any damage to the paint, though cleaning the adhesive is a bit of a paian.
Miki
I am not good at making deals.
I have problems with my C320 seat memory, too. It has a will of its own and holds only one position setting. Programming a seat setting in one position puts the setting in all three memory positions. To have it work better, I was advised to disable the Exit mode.
I was told that there are fixes for both the seat memory and the smart key -- this info was given to someone I know at a meeting with the Mercedes representative in Illinois. How reliable this info, I am not sure.
Miki