Brett
Active Member
Seems I have one of those Friday cars...long post warning...if you can be bothered, then read on...
I think I already know the answer to this, but here goes anyway. I recently bought a very highly specified 2002 Mercedes S320 CDI Limo from a dealer near London. The car had three weeks of the manufacturers warranty left when I got it. I have been supplied with an extended warranty for the next eleven months or so, but it does have Ts&Cs attached.
I picked the car up on the 24th of February and on my way back to Scotland found the first problem. Since then there have been numerous others and I am now starting to lose confidence in the car. The problems have been as follows:
* Seat, window and mirror controls stopped working once the car was warmed up. Took five days to diagnose and correct. Three new door control modules required - replaced under manufacturers warranty.
* Problems with Sat Nav system - it regularly "gets lost" or the screen completely freezes and according to the MB equivalent of DIS, is turned off. Required engine to be turned off and on to come back. Still lost though - had me crusing through forests and lochs as I was heading along the A92 dual carriageway through Fife.
* Cruise control stoppped working whilst enroute from Scotland to London. Was crusing along, cancelled it and then asked it to resume. No response. Speed limiter not working either. Required reboot of the engine again to resolve.
* Rear climate control pumps out hot air no matter what setting it is dialled to. Reboot doesn't fix this one.
* Gearbox appeared to slip out of gear whilst driving along. Is an auto and was in "D" when I pressed the loud pedal and got an impressive wail but no forward momentum. Car needed another reboot to resolve that one.
* Not entirely related, but when collecting it, rear bumper found to have a series of small scratches that were missed in the PDI. Local dealership is getting the car on Thursday to repaint the bumper and the supplying dealer will be charged for it.
The supplying dealer (near London) has taken an interest in my plight and has been sympathetic, but tells me there is nothing that they can do but they hope that I can get the problems resolved. Local dealer/servicing guys have been superb though and have gone out of their way to help.
Problem is that I am now losing confidence in the car. I don't feel that I can rely on it to get me to my destination with any level of certainty. There is a 30 day / 1,000 mile exchange program with the Used Approved Scheme, but I have done 4,500 miles and had it six weeks. So that appears to be out. I am going to write to MB Customer Services and see what they have to say.
Meanwhile, it is back into the dealer on Monday and Tuesday to have the latest issues investigated. That will have been eight days in the dealership in six weeks of ownership. Not happy. This car was almost £70k new and is only just three years old. I would not expect to be having these issues with a Used Approved vehicle, especially an S-Class. My previous S-Class was trouble free and I am seriously starting to regret selling it.
Ideas anyone? Do you think MB will entertain me rejecting the car?
I think I already know the answer to this, but here goes anyway. I recently bought a very highly specified 2002 Mercedes S320 CDI Limo from a dealer near London. The car had three weeks of the manufacturers warranty left when I got it. I have been supplied with an extended warranty for the next eleven months or so, but it does have Ts&Cs attached.
I picked the car up on the 24th of February and on my way back to Scotland found the first problem. Since then there have been numerous others and I am now starting to lose confidence in the car. The problems have been as follows:
* Seat, window and mirror controls stopped working once the car was warmed up. Took five days to diagnose and correct. Three new door control modules required - replaced under manufacturers warranty.
* Problems with Sat Nav system - it regularly "gets lost" or the screen completely freezes and according to the MB equivalent of DIS, is turned off. Required engine to be turned off and on to come back. Still lost though - had me crusing through forests and lochs as I was heading along the A92 dual carriageway through Fife.
* Cruise control stoppped working whilst enroute from Scotland to London. Was crusing along, cancelled it and then asked it to resume. No response. Speed limiter not working either. Required reboot of the engine again to resolve.
* Rear climate control pumps out hot air no matter what setting it is dialled to. Reboot doesn't fix this one.
* Gearbox appeared to slip out of gear whilst driving along. Is an auto and was in "D" when I pressed the loud pedal and got an impressive wail but no forward momentum. Car needed another reboot to resolve that one.
* Not entirely related, but when collecting it, rear bumper found to have a series of small scratches that were missed in the PDI. Local dealership is getting the car on Thursday to repaint the bumper and the supplying dealer will be charged for it.
The supplying dealer (near London) has taken an interest in my plight and has been sympathetic, but tells me there is nothing that they can do but they hope that I can get the problems resolved. Local dealer/servicing guys have been superb though and have gone out of their way to help.
Problem is that I am now losing confidence in the car. I don't feel that I can rely on it to get me to my destination with any level of certainty. There is a 30 day / 1,000 mile exchange program with the Used Approved Scheme, but I have done 4,500 miles and had it six weeks. So that appears to be out. I am going to write to MB Customer Services and see what they have to say.
Meanwhile, it is back into the dealer on Monday and Tuesday to have the latest issues investigated. That will have been eight days in the dealership in six weeks of ownership. Not happy. This car was almost £70k new and is only just three years old. I would not expect to be having these issues with a Used Approved vehicle, especially an S-Class. My previous S-Class was trouble free and I am seriously starting to regret selling it.
Ideas anyone? Do you think MB will entertain me rejecting the car?