Spot the difference - post repair seams!!

[PeterE320Cdi]

Evening all,

Got my car back from the body shop today, its been there the past 16 days.

The paint job looks great but I have noticed a difference in the seams around the bonnet.

Please take a look at the attached photos and let me know what you think, would you accept this as a warrenty repair?

First Picture is before it went into the body shop.

Second is how I picked it up today.

Third show a close up of the left and right seam.

Thanks, Peter.

 

[w124coupe]

unacceptable - reminds me of how Allegros looked!

get them to adjust the hinges.

 

[GazCaff]

Tell tem to adjust the hinges properly, it looks like they were trying to finish it before knocking-off time!

 

[PeterE320Cdi]

I think the problem is with the wing not the bonnet as the headlight surrounds match perfectly with the part connected to the bumper.

 

[reflexboy]

I certainly would not accept that as a "quality repair". Get back to the repairer and let us all know how you get on. If the repairer refuses to do anything, the entire gang of board memebers will be round to re-align the bonnet/wings of his car, and see if he likes it!

 

[pluggers]

That does look a nasty fit,I'd say that fit would be more associated with pattern parts than an original wing.

 

[SilverSaloon]

tell them that u are unhappy. a good bodyshop will sort it out.

 

[glojo]

Hi Peter,
From your pictures it is impossible to see the cause for the misalignment, but the certainly appears to be an unacceptable gap along the bonnet line? Could you tell us what repairs were actually carried out to your vehicle please?

Regards,
John

 

[PeterE320Cdi]

Thanks for all the replies.

To answer John's question, the car had new front wings and tailgate along with rust repairs to the doors and rear wings then an all round respray. I went to look over the car with the wings off and was pleased to see no signs of rust on the inner wings.

 

[bolide]

I'd go back to the bodyshop and say that you're really pleased with the paint finish and it looks great. But could they do something with the panel gaps that are maybe a bit uneven?

A little bit of psychology goes a long way here...

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[PeterE320Cdi]

I will give the body shop a ring today and let you know how I get on.

 

[stats007]

What bodyshop did you use Peter?

 

[neilrr]

When you sell the car a lot of people will immediatly think 'Accident!' & walk.

Not good enough.

 

[glojo]

I'd go back to the bodyshop and say that you're really pleased with the paint finish and it looks great. But could they do something with the panel gaps that are maybe a bit uneven?

A little bit of psychology goes a long way here...

100% agree. The pictures are not very clear, but if you are happy with the quality of the paintwork then I would do exactly what 'bolide' has suggested, however this car should never have been handed over with that gap. I dread to think of what they consider to be acceptable???

Good luck
John

 

[Flash]

I can see the gap and the bonnet is out of alignment and is totally unacceptable!

Good news is that if it is the OEM bonnet then it can easily be re-aligned by the "monkeys" at the bodyshop. How that passed any quality control inspection I don't know... Decent bodyshops are suppsoed to do a final quality test/inspection!

 

[PeterE320Cdi]

I have not had time to go back to the bodyshop yet, will try and get there in the next few days.

On a lighter note it's funny how this sort of thing makes you paranoid, I was looking at the car earlier and noticed that the E320 badge is closer to the edge of the tailgate then the CDi badge. Luckily I found a photo of the car before it went into the shop and they are in exactly the same place, so that saved me a red face from complaining about the correctly fitted badges.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Peter.

 

[PeterE320Cdi]

Hi Everyone,

Picked my car up from the bodyshop again today.

Its been in since Monday having the "little" problems sorted out.

They have now managed to put right the following:

Rear door handles have be change to the correct way up with the chrome strip on the top.

The bonnet gaps are now more even on both sides, still seem slightly larger then before.

Rear tailgate trim strip at the bottom has been refitted so the bow in the middle is not so bad

Overspray removed from the drivers side door trim and from under the windscreen.

The following has not been corrected:

Ridges under the paint on the rear bumper, not visible unless the boot is open.

Scratches over entire body in sunlight, looks like it was buffed too soon and they are waiting for the right pad to be able to redo it!

Overspray on the pasenger door frame.

Still left with dirty marks on the wheel and interior door trim.


I will post pictures after its had a wash.

Peter.

 

[Flash]

I will post pictures after its had a wash.

You would have thought that the body shop could have at least washed the car for you under the circumstances.

PS. My Sprinter also has to go back to the body shop again as I am not happy with one of the panels as there now appears to be a blemish in the finish (side cargo door).

 

[Glenn Smith]

As i've said before, it seems almost impossible to get a good paint job done these days, my C230K is just back from having its 3rd round of rust repairs, most of it's pretty good but certainly not top quality, still deciding whether or not too take it back, trouble being Mercedes don't have their own bodyshops, mine has to go 60miles and was away 4weeks whilst we had a smart car. Now i've got it back my Jag has to go back in for the 3rd time after damage to the door was badly repaired by an insurance approved company, now it has to have one whole side, bonnet and boot lid re-finished in an attempt to get the colour right. I have to say though that DCUK are doing a fantastic job in an attempt to put right these corrosion issues, they realy must be furious at MB putting them in this position, my car must have had about £4000 of warranty work on rust so far, working for a company that imports German made vehicles myself, i feel for DCUK as they are probably having to foot the bill themselves.

 

[Glenn Smith]

Evening all,

Got my car back from the body shop today, its been there the past 16 days.

The paint job looks great but I have noticed a difference in the seams around the bonnet.

Please take a look at the attached photos and let me know what you think, would you accept this as a warrenty repair?

First Picture is before it went into the body shop.

Second is how I picked it up today.(quote)

Absolutely unacceptable, repair procedures and tolerances are well documented and this job certainly wouldn't be considered right, there is no distinction between aesthetics and function when it comes to body repairs and all criteria should be met, ask the bodyshop to show you the repair procedure they followed and to demonstrate how the panel alignment on your car matches that!!
If they can't, or haven't used MB procedures question the integrity, safety and value of your repaired car.