C220 woes - help !

[donthemon]

4 weeks ago I took possession of an 18 mth old 220 CDI Avantgarde SE Estate - what a disaster !

It has had 3 days in the workshop (before I even picked it up) plus 3 more trips back to the dealer to fix 3 other faults. I tried the 30 day exchange plan but that is a complete joke - either you take something from what they have on the forecourt (or, err, thats it!) or 'maybe we could interest you in a new car of the same spec sir' !

Is this an example of yet another prestige marque going down the pan or is this just a 'Friday afternoon' car ? Also, what do I do to stop the b****y thing going wrong every week and having to go back to the garage !

Aaaaaargh !!

 

[Sp!ke]

Hi Don,

Firstly, welcome to the forum, secondly, I'm sorry to hear of your woes....

Sounds totaly unacceptable to me but what were the faults so far?

 

[sym]

Hello Don

I guess at only 18 months old, pretty much anything that might be seriously wrong, or go wrong soon should be sorted under the balance of the remaining warranty - I can understand your frustration though !

How many miles on the car, and what were the faults ?

S.

 

[Big_Stick]

Hello Don,

You are not alone. C-Class quality is one thing, but the stealerships are something else.

Like Kaa the snake in the Jungle Book, I was taken in by the Mercedes-Benz hype.

Read my thread:

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=7011

So far the Toyota Avensis has been faultless. But the dealer is simply superb and their attitude professional. And half the cost of M-B.

 

[Deleted member 2227]

Welcome and sorry you are having a bad time! If the faults are bad enough get a solicitor and get a refund. "Fit for the purpose" and the sale of goods act sounds like a good place to start!

 

[Deleted member 2227]

Hello Don,

You are not alone. C-Class quality is one thing, but the stealerships are something else.

Like Kaa the snake in the Jungle Book, I was taken in by the Mercedes-Benz hype.

Read my thread:

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=7011So far the Toyota Avensis has been faultless. But the dealer is simply superb and their attitude professional. And half the cost of M-B.

Avensis's have problems as well, a friends hatch back version rear glass just smashed for no reason. The car was stationary at the time and on his drive, others have complain that their is a weak spot on the bonnet where if you lead when washing the car youll leave a hand dent, but this one is classic

From Ananova:

Problems with car central locking caused by planes

A motorist in North Yorkshire has been told her faulty car-locking system is being caused by aircraft.

Joanne Berry has been back to her dealer on several occasions after problems with the remote controlled locking system on her Toyota Avensis.

Ms Berry lives near RAF Linton-on-Ouse and her dealership says the problem is caused because planes use the same frequency as the central locking system.

She told the Evening Press: "It's very frustrating. I've had to leave the car unlocked or use the key manually which sets off the alarm for up to a minute. This is not popular with my neighbours.

"There's not that many aeroplanes flying about where I live - it's completely illogical. If I had known this was a problem I would never have bought it."

A Toyota spokesman said: "All car manufacturers are required by law to use a certain frequency under a European anti-theft directive. In using that particular frequency there are instances where certain other radio transmitters can interfere with this signal.


"On these rare occasions the remote controlled central locking will not work. When this occurs with a Toyota vehicle, access can be gained by using the key in the door lock.

"This will automatically activate the alarm until the key is put in the ignition. At no time will the vehicle become immobilised because of this issue.

"Countries within the European Union recognise that there is a concern with this issue. In the UK, the Radio Communications Agency is trying to get the legislation amended allowing manufacturers to use a different frequency. Toyota apologises for any inconvenience caused to customers, however there is no fault with its vehicles."

An RAF Linton spokesman was unavailable for comment.

 

[Robbo]

So far the Toyota Avensis has been faultless. But the dealer is simply superb and their attitude professional. And half the cost of M-B.

Big Stick,

I am sure they are very reliable cars and the dealers are probably way better than MB.

However, personally I'd rather spend my money on a car with a bit of style and design flair. I want to take pride in my car and enjoy every minute that I am driving in it. Unfortunately, I cannot do that in something as anodyne and bereft of style as an Avensis. Sorry, I just cant. I'd rather put up with the premium prices and slightly lower reliability you get with an MB, or drive around in an old banger until I could afford one (which I did).

Obviously, total reliability is a much higher priority for you. At the end of the day, it's all down to individual preferences

 

[Big_Stick]

Hi Robbo,

Fair point, which I wholly understand. The character of the car is as important as its quality/appearance.

But at the end of the day I am the customer: I do not mind if there are things wrong with a new car as long as the dealer is there to help out.

True, the Avensis is not as exciting as an M-B. Nor as stylish. But it is better finished, rattle-free and the dealer is the best I have yet experienced.

The point is I expect what I pay for.

And while we are on the subject my other car is an E55 (see my previous threads); that is better finsihed than the C-Class though the dealer attitude is still poor.

 

[Deleted member 2227]

How have missed that youve got an E55 as well! Cool car, drove one in Scotland once......still remember it!

 

[Big_Stick]

R2D2,

C-Class estate was a gift to my wife...she found 3 bodywork manufacturing faults the first day she owned it...that is why I've got the hump with the dealer/M-B quality thing...embarrassing to me... and ended up getting my (legal) hands around the dealer's throat.

Replaced it with an Avensis Estate after 6 months..she suggested it..and she loves it. Would she want another C-Class? Only if they learn from the Japs how to build one!

E55 is my company car. Quality and finish is better than the C-Class (but why should that be?). But it is a (beautiful) monster in black...though it is a magnet for vandal damage.