A180D SE in Jupiter Red - Paint Defect

[alexanderfoti]

Yes unfortunately both versions of red are affected. I have been drawn my many a modern red MB but have had to steer clear.

Every one I check with the detailing lamp in the workshop has microblistering in some form or another.

 

[Trickythemerc]

When I was looking for my CLK my mind was set on fire opal. I struggled to find one but eventually found a mint low mileage one, couldn't get the right deal so moved on. I then went to see one in Tenorite Grey which to be honest was pretty much the colour I least fancied, however on seeing it in the flesh and all minted up I loved it, did the deal paid the money and drove it away. So glad I didn't buy the fire opal one.

 

[alexanderfoti]

It's funny, I had the same experience with Tenorite grey as well.

 

[Chrishazle]

I had a lacquer peel problem with Carneol Red (2008 vintage) on bonnet and roof, MB not in the slightest interested, had to get it re-sprayed myself, cost £500. Still have a couple of small areas on the top of the tailgate.

 

[Shirley67]

I have an issue on my 2012 Fire Opal red. Lacquer peeling. I’m it’s second owner so no idea of previous issues as bought from a garage. FSH. It’s a mess in an otherwise beautiful car. Had some panels re sprayed. MB not interested.

 

[MESHAW]

I believe that "Fire Opal" is the same thing as "Mars Red". The paint defect with this colour of red paint is a well known problem. I believe that a successful class action in the US meant that all owners with problems with this paint had their cars resprayed for free. Your Service Manager should be able to organise a respray for you free of charge.

 

[MESHAW]

I have an issue on my 2012 Fire Opal red. Lacquer peeling. I’m it’s second owner so no idea of previous issues as bought from a garage. FSH. It’s a mess in an otherwise beautiful car. Had some panels re sprayed. MB not interested.

I believe that "Fire Opal" is the same thing as "Mars Red". The paint defect with this colour of red paint is a well known problem. I believe that a successful class action in the US meant that all owners with problems with this paint had their cars resprayed for free. Your Service Manager should be able to organise a respray for you free of charge.

 

[GillyC63]

There is a problem with Fire Opal but MB do not recognise it, so I would suggest there is a problem with Jupiter Red that MB won't recognise.
You need to visit your MB bodyshop who hopefully are fully aware of the paint issues & will do their utmost to get you a full bare metal respray, you can also mention that it is all over MB forums & show them some of the threads.
From memory you must have owned the car at least 6 months. They will measure your cars paint thickness & will not cover any previous paint work.
The bodyshop should then get in touch with MB to tell them of their findings & hopefully push through the paint work as defect rectification, they do not paint the bumpers, skirts, mirrors etc, those you pay for yourself.
If your MB bodyshop say they are not aware of any problems just show them the internet search results.
Make sure you approach them pleasantly but be firm, show your evidence & be prepared to stand your ground.
I know this from experiemce, having got my 2012 plate C63 a full bare metal respray a couple of years ago.

 

[MESHAW]

I have an issue on my 2012 Fire Opal red. Lacquer peeling. I’m it’s second owner so no idea of previous issues as bought from a garage. FSH. It’s a mess in an otherwise beautiful car. Had some panels re sprayed. MB

The first URL below states that Mars Red and Fire Opal are 2 names for the same paint.

The second URL refers to the successful class action which resulted in Mars Red owners being entitled to a free respray.

My car is Jupiter Red (different name but same problem).

Mercedes-Benz Mars Red Paint Defect Lawsuit Filed

A Mercedes-Benz Mars Red paint defect lawsuit alleges the clear coat is prone to peeling, bubbling and flaking in models built between 2004 and 2017.

www.autobodynews.com

Home | Pinon et al. v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC et al.

 

[MissScarlett]

Blatantly untrue. Problems with Jupiter Red have been identified before, and there have been posts on this forum over the years. Use the search button here and you will find them.

Hello, just registered today.
When my lovely E220 Convertible started to peal, I got in touch with my local Mercedes-Benz dealer, they took photographs TWICE and I eventually received a reply to say "because of the age of my vehicle Mercedes-Benz would not repair as goodwill"!! My car is a 2016. That was in January of this year.
I sent a long letter to Head Office at Milton Keynes and a copy to Germany, told them, in my view, goodwill had nothing to do with this problem, inferior paint was used on my car. I had heard cars in America had been "repaired", so why not the rest of the world!! Should I have known about this problem, would have stayed away from red models!!
It has taken this long because Mercedes-Benz obviously lack communication skills!!!! My car was away from me for almost FIVE weeks, they would not issue me with a courtesy car, my goodness, NEVER want to be without a car ever again, was really stressful. Anyway, it appears the only parts stripped and resprayed were the metal parts, no plastics were touched, those big panels below the boot and headlights, which they refer to as bumpers and the sills. My car does look stunning now, I am so happy with it....now the fight to have the rest of my car complete because it's worth nothing when those panels go the same way :-(
Of course, this all happened late Friday....emails to Mercedes-Benz were sent to Milton Keynes and Germany.....let's see how long it takes them to reply, will not hold my breath!!!!
Anyone out there with the same problem.....stick to your guns and send the correctly worded letter to the right departments and Good Luck!!

 

[oldguy57]

Hello, just registered today.
When my lovely E220 Convertible started to peal, I got in touch with my local Mercedes-Benz dealer, they took photographs TWICE and I eventually received a reply to say "because of the age of my vehicle Mercedes-Benz would not repair as goodwill"!! My car is a 2016. That was in January of this year.
I sent a long letter to Head Office at Milton Keynes and a copy to Germany, told them, in my view, goodwill had nothing to do with this problem, inferior paint was used on my car. I had heard cars in America had been "repaired", so why not the rest of the world!! Should I have known about this problem, would have stayed away from red models!!
It has taken this long because Mercedes-Benz obviously lack communication skills!!!! My car was away from me for almost FIVE weeks, they would not issue me with a courtesy car, my goodness, NEVER want to be without a car ever again, was really stressful. Anyway, it appears the only parts stripped and resprayed were the metal parts, no plastics were touched, those big panels below the boot and headlights, which they refer to as bumpers and the sills. My car does look stunning now, I am so happy with it....now the fight to have the rest of my car complete because it's worth nothing when those panels go the same way :-(
Of course, this all happened late Friday....emails to Mercedes-Benz were sent to Milton Keynes and Germany.....let's see how long it takes them to reply, will not hold my breath!!!!
Anyone out there with the same problem.....stick to your guns and send the correctly worded letter to the right departments and Good Luck!!

I don't think anyone has been able to get the plastic sections resprayed on a car with paint defects such as yours, but good luck. You did the right thing in pressing the complaint. Just shows that perseverance can pay off.

 

[MissScarlett]

I don't think anyone has been able to get the plastic sections resprayed on a car with paint defects such as yours, but good luck. You did the right thing in pressing the complaint. Just shows that perseverance can pay off.

Thank you, well, car wouldn't be worth much in that state :-(
Oh dear, well, crossing everything!! Germany just sent a one liner reply to my latest email to them...."what is your Country?"!!!!!!!! I think when I referred to Milton Keynes and Sunderland, that was a big clue, or they could have even Googled it....

 

[grober]

A 180d in JUPITER RED - Paint Issue

www.benzworld.org

New Merc owner - Jupiter Red Paint Problem

newbie to the post might need everyone's help looking at taking merc to court depending on my cars engineer report 👍

www.aclassclub.co.uk

 

[philld]

Please could you give me more details. I have opened a case with TMO (The Motor Ombudsman) and now I have to submit lots of supporting evidence, but, due to the poor Trust Pilot ratings for TMO, I am not optimistic about a favourable outcome. Was your car within the 3 year warranty when you raised the issue? How did you succeed in getting Mercedes to take responsibility? Thanks.

I've recently made a claim through the county court for my Mars Red C220 cdi. Mercedes are going to defend the claim in full. I do not hold out much hope but at the end of the day the USA has set the ball rolling. A recognised [by Mercedes] paint fault is not a warranty issue, so whether the warranty of the car has ended should have little to do with it. It's caused by the manufacturers of the paint. Within reason the paint is supposed to last the life time of the car. Many modern cars have paint warranties exceeding 20 years these days.

Jupiter Red Paint Problem

www.aclassclub.co.uk

Can you contact me please with perhaps an update on this issue as I've said, i've lodged a claim in the county court for up to £5000

Thanks

[email protected]

 

[markjay]

I've recently made a claim through the county court for my Mars Red C220 cdi. Mercedes are going to defend the claim in full. I do not hold out much hope but at the end of the day the USA has set the ball rolling. A recognised [by Mercedes] paint fault is not a warranty issue, so whether the warranty of the car has ended should have little to do with it. It's caused by the manufacturers of the paint. Within reason the paint is supposed to last the life time of the car. Many modern cars have paint warranties exceeding 20 years these days.

Jupiter Red Paint Problem

www.aclassclub.co.uk

Can you contact me please with perhaps an update on this issue as I've said, i've lodged a claim in the county court for up to £5000

Thanks

[email protected]

Best of luck.