AMG GT-R issue - help required

[Simon737]

Hi,

First post so bare with, I’m after some advice/help.

I own a 2017 (67 plate) GT-R. Car was purchased at the end of April ‘23 from an independent (prestige ) dealer, car has done 17000 miles. Towards the end of June (can’t remember the exact date) I got the amber engine warning light - took it to my local MB dealer for diagnosis, reset O2 sensor values cleared fault to see if that rectified it. Two days later the fault came back - after second diagnosis and data being sent back and forth to MB UK - they (MB) recommended both catalytic converters to be changed because they’d melted!

Now, as far as I’m aware this is not a common issue, it is not covered under any warranty as it’s classed as wear and tear - as I’m only 4 months into ownership and with my terms of sale/consumer rights act, as I understand it the dealer should fix the fault at their cost (after 30 days but within 6 months of the sale). They’re obviously trying to wriggle out of it as there is a fairly hefty price tag attached to sort it.

There’s a bit more detail to the story but in a nutshell the above is where I’m at and the car is currently off the road AND currently switch the dealer who is trying everything they can to get rid of it back to me.

Thoughts….?

Cheers, Simon.

 

[ALFAitalia]

I had my doubts whether a cat should be considered a wear and tear item....but having checked with the insurers organization, it is. It's not in my view but there you go...it is what it is. The question now is since you passed the 30 days for rejection, will the sale of goods act cover a wear and tear item. I've read through the rules and it is far from clear to be honest. Best of luck.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hi,

First post so bare with, I’m after some advice/help.

I own a 2017 (67 plate) GT-R. Car was purchased at the end of April ‘23 from an independent (prestige ) dealer, car has done 17000 miles. Towards the end of June (can’t remember the exact date) I got the amber engine warning light - took it to my local MB dealer for diagnosis, reset O2 sensor values cleared fault to see if that rectified it. Two days later the fault came back - after second diagnosis and data being sent back and forth to MB UK - they (MB) recommended both catalytic converters to be changed because they’d melted!

Now, as far as I’m aware this is not a common issue, it is not covered under any warranty as it’s classed as wear and tear - as I’m only 4 months into ownership and with my terms of sale/consumer rights act, as I understand it the dealer should fix the fault at their cost (after 30 days but within 6 months of the sale). They’re obviously trying to wriggle out of it as there is a fairly hefty price tag attached to sort it.

There’s a bit more detail to the story but in a nutshell the above is where I’m at and the car is currently off the road AND currently switch the dealer who is trying everything they can to get rid of it back to me.

Thoughts….?

Cheers, Simon.

Simon, sorry to hear of your problems. I can’t recall reading or hearing of this problem on the any GT model before, so it’s not common - I don’t think I’ve heard of cats melting on any car. Has the car been modified either before or after you purchased it?

The cats are designed to operate in very high temperatures and so to melt they must have been subjected to a catastrophic fault or intense abuse over a long and sustained period, and therefore it may be reasonable to assume the issue was present but not diagnosed at the time of purchase.

It’s worth pushing for the trader to pick up the cost of replacement. It may be a good idea to find out the cost of aftermarket cats too. Back in 2004 I had two catalysts replaced in the first generation ML 270 CDi and the dealer charged the manufacturers warranty £3200 for the job!

 

[Simon737]

I had my doubts whether a cat should be considered a wear and tear item....but having checked with the insurers organization, it is. It's not in my view but there you go...it is what it is. The question now is since you passed the 30 days for rejection, will the sale of goods act cover a wear and tear item. I've read through the rules and it is far from clear to be honest. Best of luck.

Thanks for replying, yes I too was very surprised to find cats are not covered - the terms of sale from the dealer are not clear re a wear and tear item it simply states that:-

“after 30 days but within 6 months: if it is faulty or not as described and we are unable to repair or replace the vehicle then you will be entitled to a refund or price reduction in most cases”

As far as I’m aware this is a fault that would have existed from the point of sale and after a little more digging from a MB tech he’s told me that both front sills of the car have been off at some point and looks like a potential respray - so, question is has whatever damages occurred affected something engine related explaining the current fault with the car….I’m not a tech expert so difficult to know whether that could be the case

 

[badgx]

If it were me, I would remove the stock CAT and install a 200 cell sports CAT anyway, which will help with flow a bit better. A decent exhaust shop should be able to do a neat job in situ. Maybe even have it tuned after that do a performance health check. It shouldn't break the bank too much

 

[Simon737]

If it were me, I would remove the stock CAT and install a 200 cell sports CAT anyway, which will help with flow a bit better. A decent exhaust shop should be able to do a neat job in situ. Maybe even have it tuned after that do a performance health check. It shouldn't break the bank too much

Interesting - I like the sound of that

 

[kcsun]

Is it possible to contact a previous owner, I would imagine the car has been chipped in its life. You may be able to get an insight into its previous life.
Post a photo on here, or any AMG forums someone may recognise the car
kc

 

[Simon737]

Other regs KP67BYR - 5DNB - OO55 SHK

 

[badgx]

View attachment 145818

Other regs KP67BYR - 5DNB - OO55 SHK

She's a beauty

 

[Simon737]

She's a beauty

Thank you - I haven’t driven it now for 6 weeks because of all the mess above - just want to get it sorted and get out enjoying it again whilst the weather is still good

 

[kcsun]

View attachment 145818

Other regs KP67BYR - 5DNB - OO55 SHK

I will ask for you on an AMG forum I am on
kc

 

[Simon737]

I will ask for you on an AMG forum I am on
kc

Awesome thanks - I believe there are only 3 Solarbeam GTR’s in the UK - hopefully someone will recognise it

 

[badgx]

Thank you - I haven’t driven it now for 6 weeks because of all the mess above - just want to get it sorted and get out enjoying it again whilst the weather is still good

August has been a bit up and down but weather is picking up now, so hopefully might be better in Sept and Oct. Has the paint work had any ppf applied, looks very shiny in the photo

 

[Simon737]

August has been a bit up and down but weather is picking up now, so hopefully might be better in Sept and Oct. Has the paint work had any ppf applied, looks very shiny in the photo

Yes it’s PPF’d - used soft99 light wax and topped it with P&S beadmaker

 

[badgx]

Yes it’s PPF’d - used soft99 light wax and topped it with P&S beadmaker

Excellent

 

[Steve84N]

It's been remapped and that's what's melted the cats. It's well known you need to swap them out for sports or decat when tuned.

Go back to the dealer who clearly didn't know and as such didn't disclose to you that it's mapped.

 

[Simon737]

Interesting, thanks for your input - is there a way of determining that this has been the case (other than the cats melting?). No idea again on the tech side of a remap - I’m guessing it can be un-remapped (is that even a word!? ) but is there another way of finding out (proof)

 

[Stevie1982]

It's been remapped and that's what's melted the cats. It's well known you need to swap them out for sports or decat when tuned.

Go back to the dealer who clearly didn't know and as such didn't disclose to you that it's mapped.

Got to ask how you have managed to find that.

 

[Stevie1982]

Interesting, thanks for your input - is there a way of determining that this has been the case (other than the cats melting?). No idea again on the tech side of a remap - I’m guessing it can be un-remapped (is that even a word!? ) but is there another way of finding out (proof)

Your issue will be proving the dealer knew it had been remapped. Having documentation to prove to the dealer it was mapped and even if you could ascertain that the chance is they probably didn't know and any map was removed before trade in or its still is mapped and again they were not told so proving it was miss sold will be tough. At time of purchase as long as PDI was completed, the car had full history and an MOT again even under consumer rights act I think you'll struggle to get any support from the supplying dealer if they can show the above. Also being exhaust issue and that 9 out of 10 times falls under wear and tear you may be best to fix it yourself get the car back on the road and pursue a refund or contribution.

 

[Simon737]

Your issue will be proving the dealer knew it had been remapped. Having documentation to prove to the dealer it was mapped and even if you could ascertain that the chance is they probably didn't know and any map was removed before trade in or its still is mapped and again they were not told so proving it was miss sold will be tough. At time of purchase as long as PDI was completed, the car had full history and an MOT again even under consumer rights act I think you'll struggle to get any support from the supplying dealer if they can show the above. Also being exhaust issue and that 9 out of 10 times falls under wear and tear you may be best to fix it yourself get the car back on the road and pursue a refund or contribution.

Ok - I hear you, thanks again for your help. Is there any history via the ECU data?? Only asking because I’m on side with the head tech at my local MB dealership and he’s provided me with his email address to help out as much as he can. Will send an email anyway nothing to lose I s’pose