paint job - advice needed

[nickg]

Hi

Advice for someone who doesn't have a clue about painting cars.
My SL500 has:

1) stone chips all over the bonnet
2) typical bubbling paintwork at the bottom corners of the hard top (pano).

Car is dark metallic blue 129 MY2000

1) What should I want doing to the bonnet? Full respray or is there a simpler way to rectify it? I want it back to "good as new" - any ideas on cost (London prices) ??

2) Same again - both of the painted panels have rust at the bottom. Will they both need taking back to bare metal and respraying?

Anyone care to recommend an excellent bodyshop in NW or central london?

N

 

[Will]

I've seen good reports on Ital coachworks who are somewhere in NW London - Harrow/Wembley way IIRC.

There's a great place that I use in Sunbury if that's not too far from you, I reckon he'd do a good job of that for you. Not the cheapest but he's fairly priced for what he does IMHO.

Will

 

[khimani_mohiki]

anywhere well known will be expensive, there will be loads of back street bodyshops, visit a few and have a look at their work and get quotes. Somewhere small with low overheads and a lot of experience will do a good job for a decent price.

 

[Charles Morgan]

These chaps - Tony Fowkes in Park Royal - did a very good job on respraying my BMW and were not expensive by London standards egregious. They have experience of restorations too, so can sensibly advise on the best/most cost effective way of getting what you want done. They were recommended to me by my brother in law, no other connection.

 

[d w124]

Hi there mate.Not NW but i highly recomend this guys Prestige Autos 2007 Ltd - Specialising in Mercedes Benz, BMW, Volkswagen Audi Group and all other makes models in South East London

 

[nickg]

Thanks d, but from where I live it would be quicker to drive to leeds than to SE23 !!

 

[d w124]

Thanks d, but from where I live it would be quicker to drive to leeds than to SE23 !!

Is worth to travel,for the right place http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members/d-w124-albums-w124.html

 

[nitro_media]

If it was my car I would get the bonnet and hard top resprayed and get them to blend it, but im not a body shop professional! my dads sl is bubbling on the hard top at the rear aswell??

You could go to autobody technic in Langley I've delt with them before and I had no problems with my car! They gave me good advise with no pressure. which is always good! and when i saw the many ferraris and porsches I knew my car was safe!:bannana:

this is there webby below
:: Autobody Technic ::

 

[mercedesmanleed]

Thanks d, but from where I live it would be quicker to drive to leeds than to SE23 !!

I have just had mine painted in leeds front wing and bottom of door .

 

[AndyPCD]

Another place to try is APR cars in ruislip they do a lot of work for the local mercedes and honda garage

They have done quite a bit of work for me and have never been unhappy with the work

 

[stats007]

The Panoramic roof corrosion is covered by your Mobilo Warranty. Phiness Coachworks in Esher used to handle all od MB Woking's work before it was redirected to Brentford and the dealership relocated to MB World.

 

[nickg]

The Panoramic roof corrosion is covered by your Mobilo Warranty. Phiness Coachworks in Esher used to handle all od MB Woking's work before it was redirected to Brentford and the dealership relocated to MB World.

Really? The car is 10 years old. Are there any conditions on warranty coverage?
ie full MBSH?

 

[stats007]

It has to have been maintained according to MB's guidelines, so although a full MB history isn't required, it helps .

Age shouldn't be a factor at this stage.

The information should be in the Mobilo manual...

 

[nickg]

1st engagement in the battle: spoke to a bodyshop guy who does work for a local MB dealer. His response: not covered because for cars over 8yrs old Mobilo only covers critical parts of the vehicle. Things like detachable tops not covered.
I didn't bother arguing and until I find out how much it could cost don't think I have the strength to engage further.

 

[stats007]

Well that would be for you to decide, however given pretty much all of the R129 corrosion claims are for the hardtop I'd be surprised if you didn't get an Eskulab approval from MK.

 

[jeremytaylor]

We've used Tony Fowkes in Park Royal before with good results too.

 

[nickg]

Well that would be for you to decide, however given pretty much all of the R129 corrosion claims are for the hardtop I'd be surprised if you didn't get an Eskulab approval from MK.

Eskulab?

 

[Ted]

Eskulab is a german abbreviation for elektronische kulanzabfrage.
which stands for 'electonic fair-trading queries'

I googled it

 

[stats007]

It's basically an internal report for warranty claims.

 

[SG CL500]

Nick

My 2000 CL was accepted for rust claims around the wheel arches and c pillars a couple of years ago without blinking - they said at the time that they had to get it in quickly as it was close to the eight year limit and (despite it being accepted) I had a full on 'discussion' with them in the middle of the Cambridge showroom about how their warrant for paintwork issued at that time was for 30 years - paid dividends last year when I needed further work...

At the same time I was quoted £600 + VAT for a full front end respray (stone chips and a minor scuff on a wheel arch) - that was from the approved (and attrocious) bodyshop they use here.