2006 C280 premature center armrest wear - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

haYnBenz · #1 08-05-2006, 02:16 AM

Greetings everyone,

My friend has a 2006 C280 and is experiencing what appears to be premature wear on the center armrest. She has the standard interior with leather inserts on the seats.

I used my microfiber towel and water to clean what I thought was a smudge on the top of the center armrest. After a few passes, what appears to be a semi-transparent film is coming off.

The car is less than a year old and is always garaged so sun and the elements are not factors. The interior is charcoal so that when the film comes off it takes on a white-ish appearance as do the edges where the film has come off and is very noticable.

Has anyone had this issue before and is it covered under warranty? The local dealer is saying that it might not be covered as the factory did not cover other examples of the same problem. My feeling is that if others have had the same thing happen, it is a design problem. But then again, I believe in the Easter bunny too. I will be taking it to them on Monday to see what they say. If anyone wants to see pictures, I can take some at that time.

Thanks in advance for sharing your input.

Best regards

Ferdman · #2 08-05-2006, 05:44 AM

I would address the problem exactly as you are doing. Insist that the local MB dealer remedy the problem, or regularly replace the center armrest. It's inconceivable that in a 1 year old MB the center armrest would be disintegrating. The quality of the new MB vehicles is disappointing for sure.

blueeagle289 · #3 08-05-2006, 07:24 AM

In some cars the whole armrest can actually be reversed (turned over) thus providing a new surface to view and rest on. (Or the cover can be removed and put back on with the former lower surface up) If that is the solution, I would put some kind of protectant leather treatment (like Meguiars Leather Wipes) on the newly exposed surface right away to avoid unusual wear. Of course, I agree that Mercedes should replace if it is a defective item that has a history of such discoloration.
Otherwise, it could be that the person resting their arm on it is transferring a chemical from their skin onto the armrest that causes such a problem. It could be a lotion or something like that?? Knowing Mercedes parts prices, that is probably a $100 plus item to replace or even a lot more.

Ethan · #4 08-05-2006, 12:40 PM

it should be a simple warranty issue. My friends 2002 BMW M3 while under warranty had a similar problem on his door handles. And it was taken care of under warranty.

If the dealer continues to give you a hard time, ask for a meeting between dealer, cars owner and MERCEDES REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE - I think they have to say yes to the meeting. Chances are once you ask for the meeting Mercedes will call the owner over the phone and try to rectify it for them.

And it isn't really important why the fabric peeled, it's a brand new car - and if they fix it buy dying the piece or replacement - it is easy to fix.

I'm surprised they left a doubt that it may not be taken care of. Sometimes dealers give C-class owners a harder time than they would an S-class owner.

ILUVMILS · #5 08-05-2006, 01:09 PM

If there are no obvious signs of damage, the dealer will take care of it.

haYnBenz · #6 08-05-2006, 02:02 PM

Thanks for your replies! Will visit my dealer tomorrow and see what they say.