ABC, overheating - Harrow specialist garage

[FunToy]

Greenoaks and Hughes both looked at my CL600 and having paid £850 to both for rodeo test and various diagnostics(different things for each dealer and see if they highlighted other issues), I was handed a rectification bill of £3,700 - £4200 WTF...
Started towing my car to several specialists in the Thames Valley area until I came across this garage in Harrow. I emailed them dealer findings and quotes and asked what they thought was the problem. The guy told me exactly what ended up being the problems in the end on the phone before he even saw the car. Having confidence, I had my car delivered on a truck as the pump, pipes etc were all leaking, with the car kangarooing if I tried to drive it.
Anyway, they fixed it and returned the car the following day at less than a third of what the dealer was charging.
Engine coolant temp sensor replaced and a few other items at a very reasonable price. The main thing is, I had a peace of mind.
When I was a kid, i used to watch a program called the A Team - 'if you have a problem and no one else can help .....'
IMHO you can call Sapphire Autos. Merc specialists.
Serviced my car, MOT'd it and left me a very happy CL600 W216 owner.

 

[oldguy57]

Sounds like you got a good deal and you obviously had the advantage of being able to take the car to several garages . Sure people will want to know what work had to be done to rectify the various leaks. How are you finding owning the car in general?

 

[markjay]

Glad you found a reliable independent .

Should you need any further help, our forum sponsors Terry in Harrow and Olly in Horndean are highly recommended independant Merc specialists.

 

[FunToy]

my CL600 is fortunately a second car and dont really use it to take friends to football matches (have 4x4 toyota for that)! My break down cover company helped me move the car twice and twice I paid a private transporter £50 from Reading to Harrow - thats a deal!!
When I bought the car, I had one ABC pipe replaced by dealer and then a 9 months later more leaks. According to the dealers, all my ABC pipes need replacing. So I did!
My indie got me all the ABC pipes manufactured from Hopespare or somewhere - apparently those have a higher PSI handling capability and had heat sleeves etc placed on the pipes. All those were taken to Sapphire and they did the rodeo flushing etc, replaced all the ABC pipes. They garage went the extra mile in explaining that ABC could be effected by wheel balancing etc, so they got that sorted for me.
Yes, I might have spent over £10K if I didnt find the right people but now I have, I dont worry about keeping my beloved CL600. Of course my bill came to quarter of what dealers and some specialists were quoting!
Would I have my friends Lambo or this Merc, hands down - CL600. Every time I take it out , i come back thinking it was like the best sex I ever had hahaha - excuse that comment pls..

 

[FunToy]

awesome Markjay, I didnt find Terry previously and always good to have two amazing Merc brian surgeons available to get help from when needed.

 

[FunToy]

sorry, I received and email about where to get ABC pipes made. Im no mechanic, so here's my thoughts. Spend a bit and get from Mercedes - if they can get the right engine and pipe diagram. Then second choice, go to somewhere that makes hydraulic pipes for you - google search ones like hopespare. Each branch has different machines to make the pipes. They will only make the pipe if you give exact size and if you have a U bend, the clamping machine might not make the pipe. I had a private indie take all the pipes out and take time to have replications made, only because i wanted the higher pressure and sleeves put on over the pipes. Finally, the Merc pipes quoted for my car was approx £1,500 inc vat. Via hydraulic pipe manufacturers, approx £250.