New Van Woe, Help request from someone at mercedes in the know

[a. waterfield]

Hi Guys,
I have a Nov 2011 Vito 113 CDI automatic, which has paint & body defects. It looks like it has been Littered in Mettalic fragments. They are inbedded in the Headlamps, bonnet, front wings and Mirrors and follow down the van getting less frequent to the rear.

I Have been to and fro with MB customer services, approved repairer and now their 'specialist'. MB Specialist has viewed today and said to the dealer 'external influences' which is yet to be clarified. I can find no reason for this, it is like extreme rail dust.

I purchased vehicle in jan as a pre reg(unused demo) from MB Croydon, and noticed the problem in march when i decided to wash it myself (rather than pay).

The more i look at the front of the van the more i am getting concerned/paranoid.

the front wings and bonnet are a shade creamier than the rest of the van, and with exception of the new shape looks it is still a pre facelift inside, with an audio 20 fitted.

It is an unusual spec; white, auto, xenon headlamps, parktronic & elec fold mirrors.

is it possible that mercedes have updated a prefacelift body to a new one? i see lots of vans registered before my van with the new steering wheel cruise control dials etc.. i am wondering if it has been sitting somewhere pre registration for a long period or been modified in a workshop... there is evidence the fron doors have been removed.

Does anyone have any information that could help... I am starting to tear my hair out as this has been going on for weeks and weeks.

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hi, I am sure someone had the same problem on the forum at the end of March, have a search, there may be something of use.

 

[Merc Owner 2B]

Hi, I am sure someone had the same problem on the forum at the end of March, have a search, there may be something of use.

Yes. Him.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/bodywork/128254-help-dec-2011-vito-paint-problem-rust.html

 

[brucemillar]

Well if MB are not helping and neither are the supplying dealer? You may have to go down the route of getting an independent vehicle inspector to check out and report on what the issues are. There was somebody else on this forum complaining of a similar issue with what he believed was in (as opposed to ON) the paint.

Good luck.

 

[Buster'stheboy]

OP, did you try this suggestion? (from the other thread):

Write to Drayton group.
I gave a deposit of £2k on 2 cars i wanted to buy. I canceled within 2 days as i decided i didnt want a merc (previously owning 4 new ones) and they tried to keep it! No contract and no options selected.
They said i can use the funds against services, but when i had a service done, they said i cant use the funds!

I wrote an email to Drayton group, and the branch in question called me straight back. (The director's secratary) She helped me get my money back.
check their link below and click on email right at the top
Drayton Group

Make sure you include your contact details and locality and just mention i have a problem with drayton group that you wish to resolve. I will be shocked if someone senior doesnt contact you within 48 hrs.

 

[a. waterfield]

unfortunately it is me on the other post! I'm not sure the drayton group have any say with my van?

independent inspection is next on my list, but i really hoped they would have sorted the issue rather than trying to dodge it. now would like to get some information regarding build date, delivery date etc. want to build my case/check my gut feeling before approaching MB again....

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I think there's a way to work out your build date by using the VIN, although I'm not too sure how it's done.

 

[grober]

You need to post the vehicle VIN number. It should then give a delivery date and options code. Remember this is not the "first registration" date as quite some time may elapse from delivery to registration. In terms of metallic fragments perhaps the van had been stored somewhere it was regularly showered with hot metallic particles this would possibly originate from industrial waste stacks, welding or angle grinding or other metalworking practice. Assuming the vehicle was stationary this could only give a directional result from a prevailing wind/ventilation direction [ stored in the open?] carrying such particles to the van.
Subsequent to this its been resprayed to conceal the damage. A paint depth meter would confirm any respray. If you are the first owner then you have a case but the difficulty lies in the fact its not a manufacturing defect. I think as has been suggested an independent third party vehicle inspection may be your next step.

 

[a. waterfield]

the majority of the damage is directional, paint tests showed around 1000 microns.. i am the first owner,(technically registered to dealer first) but it still had the stickers over the rear doors when i test drove it.

vin is : WDF 639 603 23581217

this whole situation is stressing me out big time...

 

[a. waterfield]

i have noted that the dealership have had a new steel building erected and that they have had new steel gates errected by where the vans were being stored... hmmm. of course im paranoid

 

[grober]

That VIN number gives an order number of 5 1 537 53718 and a delivery date of 26 05 2010
Vehicle colour of ARTIC WHITE 9147
SA CODE X21 Generation one.

Looks as if it has been stood around for some time, but that may have been reflected in its pre reg unused demo price - caveat emptor. Looking at the picture you posted and where some of the vans are parked I believe my scenario is not that far fetched--- proving it however is another matter!

PS I'm not too keen on those large stacks to the rear of that site either!

 

[brucemillar]

Okay

You need a metallurgist to have an analysis of what is in/on your paint. Once you know what it is you can get some samples from their gates etc for a match. An industrial steel cutter will fire red hot/molten particles over a reasonable range. If your van was in the firing line of any of this fall out it may well be what you are now experiencing. Which puts the problem back with the selling dealer (assuming you get a match with his gates etc)

 

[a. waterfield]

Cheers for the information lads, I shall enquire further with the new info

 

[Dieselman]

the majority of the damage is directional, paint tests showed around 1000 microns..

Do you mean 1000 microns or 100 microns?

 

[a. waterfield]

I Thought he said between 600-800 microns was normal.... i may have not listened as well as i thought?

I have found that my van was registered in yorkshire (where i dont know) and i am sure the dealer said he had driven down from somewhere, which would maybe account for the 252 miles on the van before i test drove it.

I make the assumption now that it has sat in a yard up north before being sent out to the dealer, thus crushing my theory that it had sat at the dealership when the work was going on.... MB have no new information for me today, so i guess i'll be waiting till next week.

going back to the VIN info can anyone help me understand : SA CODE X21 Generation one.

thanks to all who have put forth their views thus far!

 

[a. waterfield]

major edit. Scrap the yorkshire info. i miss read yt (london reg prefix) with (YG yorkshire) thats what happens when you research at work on your iphone!!!!

 

[Ian_Mac]

I Thought he said between 600-800 microns was normal.... i may have not listened as well as i thought?

I

Do new vans get a thicker coat of paint than cars? I'd expect a new car to be between 120 & 180 microns and if it were 1000 would suspect a respray.

 

[zenman63]

I think the stacks and the steel works prove it's fall out.
It will come off, did you give the guys a call in the link I sent you?

 

[Dieselman]

I think the stacks and the steel works prove it's fall out.

I very much doubt those chimneys are in use. Steel frame erections don't normally require welding or grinding, they are manufactured off site and only bolted together on site.

 

[a. waterfield]

i think the chimneys are no longer in use. i can only assume that the micron issue i must have miss understood what was said.

claybar didn't touch it. acid wash was discussed but approved repairer was quite insistant that it would not be enough, some of the particles have been embedded quite deep, some nearer the back of the vehicle i believe would acid wash off.

I wish I knew what had caused this.

Dieselman - Noted about steel frame construction...