Interior Rearview Mirror problems of the 1999 Mercedes Benz 170

The inside rear view mirror in my 1999 mercedes-benz slk 230 (r170 model) is an electro chromic self-dimming mirror that has no manual backup. The mirror contained a fluid which leaked out causing the self-dimming mirror to fail to provide dimming against rear approaching headlights resulting in the driver to either be blinded or to have to turn the mirror away which greatly eliminates rear view capability in the interior. There are many documented cases of these mirrors failing in various makes and models as a result of usually from the internal fluid leaking. I contacted the oem mirror maker, and spoke with a steve chenlo, from magna donnelly (his direct line is 616-786-7495), who refused to take ownership of the problem. His advice was to purchase another mirror at approximately $200, and pay for installation, which was approximately $100 from the dealership. About a year ago, I have documentation that magna donnelly was replacing these mirrors for free but stopped for unknown reasons.