A Mercedes ML320 CDI at around 100,000 miles -- bought from new, owner loves it, doesn't like the newer models. Swirl marks from a previous bad machine polish, a couple of smart repairs, four-stage buff, Fireball Dok Do ceramic coating, leather seat off to the trimmer, double deep clean interior.
The owner of this Mercedes ML320 CDI bought it from new. He loves it. The newer ML models do not appeal to him -- he has had this one through the family years, and now he is keeping it for himself. At around 100,000 miles the engine and mechanicals are fine; it is the cosmetics that need attention. So rather than buy new, he brought it to us.
The Paintwork
The paintwork had a lot of swirl marks -- not from wear, but from a previous machine polish that was not done correctly. Whoever did it left buffer marks across multiple panels. We see this regularly; a machine polish done with the wrong equipment or wrong technique leaves tiny scratches in a pattern. We used our four-stage random orbital system to remove them properly this time.
There were also a few scratches and a scuff on the rear bumper -- the owner admits he nudges it against the wall occasionally and has promised to stop. Smart repairs on those. One panel had a previous repair that had not been blended well; we flattened and polished that back to match. The headlights had some oxidation that needed attention.
After four passes of polishing, the alcohol wipe-down, and the examination under direct light -- Fireball Dok Do ceramic coating went on. Seven to eight years of protection. The paint looks like a mirror. Gary's summary: it is shinier than it was when it was new, and it will stay that way.
The Interior
The leather was dirty throughout from years of use. The driver's seat had a large hole in the side bolster -- too far gone for a cosmetic repair, so the seat went to our trimmer. They remove the cover, unpick the stitching, cut a new leather panel from the original as a template, sew it in, and then the whole seat can be recoloured to match. The seatbelt was frayed at the edges; the owner ordered a replacement through his mechanic. The carpets and interior had our double deep clean -- full detail and extraction, dried completely, then done again.
The wheels had been refurbished recently by a good company, so we just put a ceramic coating on those. The number plates were replaced at the same time.
Gary's closing line: he's had it from new, done all the family stuff, and now he's got it back like new again. It is a 58-plate -- about 12 years old at the time. There is no real reason to change it. See our modern car restoration service and Fireball Dok Do ceramic coating.
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