The White Dog

[Rashman]

Ha! Ha! Nice one rash, you have a better way with words than me. As I said keep posting, even the smallest of details as you rightly say they tend to be of most help.

I'm thinking of treating my car to a trip to the spray salon soon, so no doubt I'll be reverting back to this thread. :bannana:

Hey bud

Your car will love you for the spray treatment

My advice would probably be to search around and find someone who is geared towards custom work or working on high end cars.

I was alittle stuffed in the sense that I kinda had to use the MB workshop next door to the dealers I use. I really didn't want to use their bodyshop because of the hassles I had with my last car.

In the begining, I wanted a paint shop up the road from my dealers to do the painting (used them before and they did a great job on the couple of items I gave them) and the dealership workshop to do the installation of the new bumper.

But they told me that the approved MB bodyshop would have to do the paintwork because, going through Mercedes for the repair work, means they have to give first refusal to their approved bodyshop first.

Should they have declined the job (due to workloads etc), I could have then possibly had the painting done elsewhere. This is what I was told, anyway.

This is one of the reasons I have got alot of people involved in this bumper job - because of all the hassles I had with this bodyshop in the past.

But if you are in a position to be able to pick a bodyshop of your choice, then I suggest maybe trying to get opinions on prefered bodyshops from guys on here, or researching alittle.

The last thing you want is for the paintwork to be sub-standard over the whole car!

 

[Will]

Another point I would like to make, Will, is that it was also my intention to document the progress of this repair, from the moment of impact with the white dog to the moment I parked my car back in the garage fixed.

I felt it was important to share this entire experience with the other fellow enthusiasts on here to give them an insight into having bodywork repairs done through approved MB workshops.

It gives a blow by blow account of the good, the bad, the service provided by both the dealership and the bodyshop.

For this reason alone, I think it has a very welcome spot on this forum.

Sorry you don't agree.

There'll come a time when you yourself will need bodywork done (if you haven't already) and I'm sure you will make use of this forum in one way or another when that time comes.

Any information put up on this forum is potentially priceless to other users, even if people like you think it's "long winded".

Pretty surprised at your post to be honest, Will - especially considering how eager you were to jump in the passenger seat at Brooklands when I first met you!

Ok - I was wrong to comment. But three hundred posts and 20 pages talking about about a bumper that is yet to be fitted is normal, right?

It was only a comment that it was a very long winded thread, and I stand by that. There's been plenty of full restorations on cars recently with loads of picures, technical details, information etc that were a fraction of the length of this one.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/gene...today-its-looking-good.html?highlight=respray

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/bodywork/138614-my-c55-202-respray.html?highlight=respray

Anyway - hopefully it will all be sorted out ASAP to your satisfaction - and as said, it was only my opinion - I like to see more pictures and less rambling

No bad feelings on my part anyway

Will

 

[Rashman]

Ok, so next update..

Did I collect my car today?....

No

As it stood yesterday, they were correcting the bumper for the 3rd time and it was due to be checked and installed today if it passed the inspections from Darren and David at Mercedes (where it would then need to be checked by myself when I go down there to collect it).

I had a busy day at work so I buried myself in work and left them to it.

It got to about midday and I decided to contact Darren at mercedes.

He said that, funnily enough, he had just received an email from the bodyshop to say that they had finished correcting the bumper and that it was ready to be checked by the guys him and David.

Darren mentioned that David was off the premises until about 2pm, at which point they would then go round to the bodyshop to look at the bumper.

Although I was itching for the bumper to be check and then installed, I accepted this and Darren said he would call me as soon as the bumper was checked.

2pm came...

2.30pm....

3pm.......

I called John at the bodyshop. He said that the bumper was all done and he was waiting for Darren and David to pop over to look at it.

4pm.......

I called Darren.
Couldn't get hold of him on his phone.

At 4.30pm, I emailed Darren to find out what the state of play was.

5pm......

I called the main number at Mercedes and asked to speak to Darren.
He was away from his desk and in the workshop somewhere.

I asked to have him call me. David Skinner had apparently returned a few moments before.

I then received an email from David Skinner to say that the bumper was all good and that he or Darren would contact me with a timescale for completion tomorrow morning.

No call back from Darren but I suspect he has now spoken to David and now doesn't feel the need to call. Which I agree with.

So,

I am disappointed that things still haven't moved forward.
But by the sounds of it, Darren was waiting for David to return so that he could check the bumper too.
David seems to have returned back late, which would explain the bumper not being checked at around 2pm.

So I am expecting them to crack on and install the bumper first thing in the morning.

With out sounding all upperty, I say "first thing" because it has been nearly 5 weeks now.

Granted, they needed to source the bumper, but the bodyshop neglected to note that the bumper bracket needed to be ordered, which delayed things, and then went on to take 3 attempts at spraying the bumper to Mercedes/ AMG standards (let alone mine as I have yet to see it! lol).

3 attempts. Really?!

Maybe people just don't care when they get their car back from a bodyshop.

Is it just us enthusiasts that pick up on flaws in paintwork?

I'm sure after the 2nd attempt, they were thinking "what?! this is getting ridiculous!"

But the truth is, there were flaws in their work that were pointed out by the dealers (not me). Should the bodyshop not have spotted these themselves?!

It goes to show that they don't really inspect their own work and just churn it out.

Confuses me, because they/ John knew from the start what car it was for, the condition of the car, my standards, the briefing giving to them from Darren & David at Mercedes. Why the hell wouldn't they check it thoroughly before even declaring it "ready" for the 2nd time?!

So I am hoping that they will appreciate the inconvenience caused and look to conclude this asap - considering all they have to do is fit the new bits onto the new bumper and then install the bumper!

So my garage lies empty for another night.

I am not cross with Darren or David. It's not their fault. David was out and got back late and Darren was presumably waiting for David to return.

Am I annoyed at not being able to get hold of Darren or have my calls returned?... well yes, alittle.

But I can't deny how good Darren & David have been and I know Darren has been abit of a headless chicken at work recently, so I'm not beefing too much about it.

They've been really good and I know this.

Just alittle frustrated at not having my car back yet, that's all.

So I have taken the day off tomorrow. Would have taken a day or two off before to pop my head round the door at Mercedes but unfortunately work didn't not allowed this.

So I will wait until I speak to Darren or David tomorrow morning and see how things stand then.

If they say it will be the afternoon before it is ready, I will probably go uo there late morning to see how they are getting on... at which point I will probably find darts being thrown at a picture of my car! lol!

I say again.... I hope to have good things to report tomorrow.

 

[Rashman]

Ok - I was wrong to comment. But three hundred posts and 20 pages talking about about a bumper that is yet to be fitted is normal, right?

It was only a comment that it was a very long winded thread, and I stand by that. There's been plenty of full restorations on cars recently with loads of picures, technical details, information etc that were a fraction of the length of this one.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/gene...today-its-looking-good.html?highlight=respray

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/bodywork/138614-my-c55-202-respray.html?highlight=respray

Anyway - hopefully it will all be sorted out ASAP to your satisfaction - and as said, it was only my opinion - I like to see more pictures and less rambling

No bad feelings on my part anyway

Will

Hey Will, thanks for posting back up.

300 posts about a bumper that is yet to be fitted... indeed... wait until it is fitted! lol!!

But the thing is, the posts have consisted of peoples input, thoughts, suggestions, advice, experience. So the post count is always going to be larger than that of a thread from someone describing a project.

Besides, I recall a thread about "anyone seen any good number plates recently..." and that has a stupid amount of posts, views, pages.

Nothing against that thread by the way people!

Thanks for your well wishes and I hope to be able to share good news tomorrow.

As for wanting to see more picture and less rambling... sod the pictures, I want to see my car again!! lol

Darren at Mercedes did, however, send me confirmation by way of a picture to confirm my car's good health... rather like a kidnapper sending a photo to loved ones to confirm the kidnappees well being. LOL! .

Unable to upload picture though... must be in "kidnapper format"

 

[SavMan]

Rash

Bad news they have been less than truthful with you I just got back from a trip and was staying in Bamburg the buzz around the town was that 2 English guys had broken the lap record at the "Ring".
I asked what car and the local guy said it was a CLK63 AMG and the best news was they worked for a bodyshop and the owner did not even know they had the car. Apparently they called him to say that there were flaws in the finish so would need to redo then jumped back in for another lap!

 

[brucemillar]

Rashman

I popped in to MB Maidstone today. Saw your car. They have re-fitted the spoiler. Took a pic for you.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I know you love your car Rashman, that much is obvious, but to the body shop your car will just be another car to be repaired and sprayed.

I know a very good sprayer (he did my C36) and was having the craic with him about how it felt to work on a bit of Mercedes history and he replied "makes no odds to me, I've restored a DB5 before, it's simply a job that needs to be done and I don't treat any car different, they ALL get repaired to my high standards" which deflated me somewhat because I think it's special, not everyone does.

Hope you get it sorted soon, I can tell its starting to grate...

 

[Starky]

Hey bud

Your car will love you for the spray treatment

My advice would probably be to search around and find someone who is geared towards custom work or working on high end cars.

I was alittle stuffed in the sense that I kinda had to use the MB workshop next door to the dealers I use. I really didn't want to use their bodyshop because of the hassles I had with my last car.

In the begining, I wanted a paint shop up the road from my dealers to do the painting (used them before and they did a great job on the couple of items I gave them) and the dealership workshop to do the installation of the new bumper.

But they told me that the approved MB bodyshop would have to do the paintwork because, going through Mercedes for the repair work, means they have to give first refusal to their approved bodyshop first.

Should they have declined the job (due to workloads etc), I could have then possibly had the painting done elsewhere. This is what I was told, anyway.

This is one of the reasons I have got alot of people involved in this bumper job - because of all the hassles I had with this bodyshop in the past.

But if you are in a position to be able to pick a bodyshop of your choice, then I suggest maybe trying to get opinions on prefered bodyshops from guys on here, or researching alittle.

The last thing you want is for the paintwork to be sub-standard over the whole car!

Your right bud, I've done the re search, mainly on hear and plan on taking her to a place called Multie tech in chobam. I planed on doing the work as soon as I had bought the car but as I'm sure you know life isn't alwasys that easy.

I've got to first iron out a few minor issues, so I'm going to try and book her in with Olly, then if all goes well (doesn't cost to much). She will get a little TLC Courtesy of a nice spray,

I'm sure everything will be fine with your car, a little part of me is hoping they Do a cracking job, with which you are very pleased with, only for it to rain on the way home.... GOD FORBID ... A mate

 

[Rashman]

Rash

Bad news they have been less than truthful with you I just got back from a trip and was staying in Bamburg the buzz around the town was that 2 English guys had broken the lap record at the "Ring".
I asked what car and the local guy said it was a CLK63 AMG and the best news was they worked for a bodyshop and the owner did not even know they had the car. Apparently they called him to say that there were flaws in the finish so would need to redo then jumped back in for another lap!

Wahahahaha!!!

Glad to hear the beast was performing well on the Ring!

Thanks for the jokes dude... they keep me going while I go out of my mind waiting to get my car back!

 

[Rashman]

Rashman

I popped in to MB Maidstone today. Saw your car. They have re-fitted the spoiler. Took a pic for you.

Daaaaamn!!

That's a big 'ne !



I will make sure I thank them for this addition.

 

[Rashman]

I know you love your car Rashman, that much is obvious, but to the body shop your car will just be another car to be repaired and sprayed.

I know a very good sprayer (he did my C36) and was having the craic with him about how it felt to work on a bit of Mercedes history and he replied "makes no odds to me, I've restored a DB5 before, it's simply a job that needs to be done and I don't treat any car different, they ALL get repaired to my high standards" which deflated me somewhat because I think it's special, not everyone does.

Hope you get it sorted soon, I can tell its starting to grate...

Hey Lee

Yes, I am with you - and that's exactly how I look at it too. To them it is just another car coming in for work

This is why I have rattled everyones cage about it before the work even started.

I needed everyone involved to appreciated that this is not to be treated as just another job.

Darren & David know where I am coming from and they have been really good.

But even then, they have their own various jobs coming in just like the bodyshop, so no one car will ever truly get special treatment. Not to how the owner would like anyway.

But having said this, I do strongly believe that they have done alot more to accommodate me and my car. Like taking up the space in one of the workshop bays until the bumper is installed - as apposed to slinging my car in the parking areas out back.

I hear what your sprayer says.. and it is understandable. But he sounds like he knows what he is doing and applies that skill to all the cars he works on. This is great to hear. All you need is someone very competent and has a genuine interest in what they do.

Thanks for posting up bud, and yes, hopefully I'll have it back in the next day or two.

 

[Rashman]

Your right bud, I've done the re search, mainly on hear and plan on taking her to a place called Multie tech in chobam. I planed on doing the work as soon as I had bought the car but as I'm sure you know life isn't alwasys that easy.

I've got to first iron out a few minor issues, so I'm going to try and book her in with Olly, then if all goes well (doesn't cost to much). She will get a little TLC Courtesy of a nice spray,

I'm sure everything will be fine with your car, a little part of me is hoping they Do a cracking job, with which you are very pleased with, only for it to rain on the way home.... GOD FORBID ... A mate

Hahaha... you evil joker!

I've been keeping a keen eye on the weather. If all goes well and the car is ready tomorrow, I should escape the rain as it looks to be dry tomorrow



Sounds like you have done well with researching somewhere to spray your car. Fair play.

Olly will sort your car out. He's quite the wizard, as I understand.

Definitely post up pictures as and when you get the paintwork done. I'd love to see it.

 

[kamalpatel12448]

Hey Rashman, just seem this thread, I have been a bit busy. I'm truly sorry to learn of your troubles, and I know how annoyying bodyshops can be etc. Really hope they get it perfect and you are happy when you collect your baby. Hope to see you (and the car) soon.

Kamal

 

[Rashman]

Hey Rashman, just seem this thread, I have been a bit busy. I'm truly sorry to learn of your troubles, and I know how annoyying bodyshops can be etc. Really hope they get it perfect and you are happy when you collect your baby. Hope to see you (and the car) soon.

Kamal

Hey Kamal, hope you are well bud

Thanks for your kind words. It has taken a while to sort out unfortunately but I'm hoping to have the car back tomorrow.

Would be good to catch up again.

Take care for now bud.

 

[Rashman]

I didn't get a call this morning, so I decided to take a trip to the Dealers.

The car is still in the workshop bay, up in the air.

I spoke to Darren and he told me that he will contact the bodyshop next door to see when someone will be round to fit the new bumper.

Basically, the situation is, the bodyshop have alot of work on and they will send someone round to fit the bumper when they can get round to it.

I would have thought that, considering the paint work is done and that they have had 3 attempts at getting the paint right and caused delays, they would want to prioritise this and send someone over to fit the bumper to draw a line under the job.

Darren is going to call me when the bumper has been fitted.

I have yet to inspect the bumper myself.

I'm not holding my breath and it wouldn't surprise me if this drags on until next week.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Have they provided you with a hire car?

 

[Rashman]

Have they provided you with a hire car?

Hi mate,

No, they haven't.

I actually declined the option of a courtesy car as I have another car to use.

The main reason I declined a courtesy car is because I didn't want more crap entering the equation where they could potentially inspect the courtesy car when it goes back and start accusing me of putting marks or scratches in it.

Not Maidstone specifically.. I'm referring to any courtesy car being loaned from anywhere.

I just want things to go as smoothly and try not to add more variables to a situation.

I'm still waiting to hear from them to say the car is ready.

I called the bodyshop earlier and John said that the guy fitting the bumper was not back from lunch yet and that he would be carrying on fitting the bumper when he gets back....

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Taking the courtesy car can give the bodyshop more incentive to get on with your repair as they can be in short demand.

 

[horgantrevor]

Thx keep us posted thx


Hoping all goes well and ends soon and she is tucked away safe and sound

 

[Rashman]

Taking the courtesy car can give the bodyshop more incentive to get on with your repair as they can be in short demand.

Hey bud,

Yes, you may be right there. Something to consider for the future if I ever need lenghty work done on the car again.

Although I did note while at the dealers earlier that there is a £15 charge for taking a courtesy car too. Cheeky buggers.