From subframe to a huge bill

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drmacf

Active Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2021
Messages
111
Location
Lincoln
Car
kompressor C class
Dear Forum,

Hope all is well, as I type this with a heavy heart. I have posted this before, but as I got new info, thought of adding a new post.
Basically got a lovely MB C class Kompressor 180- 2008 Mode. All was doing well, even passed the MOT in March, with no issues. First noticed that my windshield water tank was leaking. So took it to an independent MB Garage, which has been doing repairs/ services/ MOT on it for the last 2 years.
First shock, yep water pump broke but you need to repair the rear break pipes, cost around 500£
Next day, another shock - sorry sub frame rotted, car is not road worthy, need to replace that , ad around 1500
Next shock, waited for 3 weeks and MB listers/Lincoln are still 'ordering' this sub-frame, eta 24/09. So phoned around the whole of the UK and found a sub-frame, bought in 2 days
Next shock, went and spoke to the mechanic, as the sub-frame was taken down. As advised on this forum, was told that this would be a good time to get other repairs done. So told him the same. A few days later, they have now billed me 1294 for additional parts and work!!
As of now the parts have still not been ordered, one of the parts, a suspension arm, is not available in the UK. I could call around but not sure if this is the right term to be used.

Total costs, including subframe 852, garage 2900 and Euro car hire--4300 and still counting
Painful but hope worth it
---------------------------
Also got the response from MB about their corrosion warranty. As usual, it's just a 'cop out'. Cut and pasted it below

Thank you for contacting Mercedes-Benz Customer Service.

I am sorry to hear you have been facing issues with your car. In relation to the 30 year warranty, Mercedes-Benz provides a 30 year Anti-Perforation Warranty. This warranty is specifically intended to provide assistance and protection should your vehicle develop perforation corrosion. This is a form of corrosion that develops from inside the vehicle itself, starting in a hollow section or cavity and continuing through to the outer layers leading to perforation of the exterior sheet metal.

Please note that this Warranty is not applicable in respect of the occurrence of any other form of corrosion. Therefore, surface corrosion caused by any external influence, such as stone chips or precipitation, is specifically excluded. In addition, for this warranty to be applicable the vehicle must have a complete service history with Mercedes-Benz. Therefore the vehicle must have been serviced in accordance with our recommendations by a Mercedes-Benz Retailer. As your vehicle has not been seen in the Mercedes-Benz network since 2013, Mercedes-Benz of Lincoln were correct to advise this would no longer be applicable on your car.

In regards to your further comments surrounding the part acquisition, I do sincerely apologize if any conflicting information was given and for any inconvenience this may have caused. We would however only be able to investigate this further if additional information was provided such as order reference and details of the second Retailer this was discussed with. If you wouldn't mind providing these, I would be more than happy to look into this for you.

Should you have any further requirements please do not hesitate to contact me or any of my colleagues.

If you are unhappy with this final decision or feel this matter is unresolved, you can seek advice with a CTSI Certified Alternative Dispute Resolution provider, including The Motor Ombudsman who may be able to resolve your complaint in appropriate circumstances. Details can be found at www.themotorombudsman.org, or alternatively their telephone number is 0345 241 3008 selecting option 1.

Yours sincerely,

Ellen Birnie
Customer Service UK
 

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Are you sure you want to spend that sort of money on a car that would struggle to get £1500 trade in,on the front a car your reg in great condition would fetch £2300,so to be fair your car is scrapper.
 
Some pics, after the sub frame was removed
 

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Are you sure you want to spend that sort of money on a car that would struggle to get £1500 trade in,on the front a car your reg in great condition would fetch £2300,so to be fair your car is scrapper.
The engine has worked well, so far. The car has never given me any problems, touch wood. Never stalled or let me down, plus I'm attached to it as well
What would I do? with 4 K buy a new car? Or re-do this one and fingers crossed, hopes it chugs along for another 5-10 years
What else may go wrong? the engine?
 
Well as always it is up to you,we do have members who still keep 30 year old cars running,they are attached to them,by all means spend near 4 grand on a car worth less than half that number,I hope it works out for you,as always come back and let us know and if we can help.
 
Well as always it is up to you,we do have members who still keep 30 year old cars running,they are attached to them,by all means spend near 4 grand on a car worth less than half that number,I hope it works out for you,as always come back and let us know and if we can help.
Thanks
I know it sounds daft but going in for a new car or another second hand car could cost the same or even more?? May be this engine may last longer and with all these new parts( home equivalent of a refurbishment) may go another 5-10 years?
Just wishing...I know my brain has stopped working, as they kept piling on the costs
 
There is a time to let it go, stop spending it will always want something.
I appreciate you're attached, but common sense must prevail.
 
Sorry, can't agree about common sense, it's a car, some of us become very attached to them, I've spent more on my CLK than it's worth and my view, apart from being very fond of it, is, better the devil you know. Anyway, you don't want to waste what you've already spent ! Keep it and let us know when it's finished. :thumb:
 
Sorry, can't agree about common sense, it's a car, some of us become very attached to them, I've spent more on my CLK than it's worth and my view, apart from being very fond of it, is, better the devil you know. Anyway, you don't want to waste what you've already spent ! Keep it and let us know when it's finished. :thumb:
Thanks
 
..So took it to an independent MB Garage, which has been doing repairs/ services/ MOT on it for the last 2 years...

Sorry to hear about your trouble with the repairs.

Both Service A and Service B schedule include an underbody inspection.... when having my car serviced at a specialist they did the walk around with me, the dealer did the same but sent me a video clip.

There's more to servicing a car than changing the engine oil, the purpose of the service is also to check and spot any issues before they become a major failure.

I can't help but feel it's not quite right that a specialist that serviced and MOTed the car for two years didn't see it coming and warned you in gois time (in spite of the undertrays).
 
Sorry, can't agree about common sense, it's a car, some of us become very attached to them, I've spent more on my CLK than it's worth and my view, apart from being very fond of it, is, better the devil you know. Anyway, you don't want to waste what you've already spent ! Keep it and let us know when it's finished. :thumb:

Fair comment, though at this point I'd get the camshaft sprocket wheels and timing gear checked as well, given it's the M271 engine.
 
I went and bought a used subframe when i had my clk, the thread is here, i just stripped it, had it blasted and coated and all new bushes etc fitted, way cheaper than buying a new one.

have you thought about doing that?

 
Unless a rare desirable/performance mode --cars depreciate in value---sometimes due to external events -dieselgate-- their market value can dip sharply. Unfortunately the cost of parts and labour don't fall in value with age and at some point they cross over. Economically you have reached that point---using carefully selected 2nd hand parts and DIY that cross over point can be moved slightly to your advantage but not by much.
 
Depreciation ? I recall a Mk3 E Type, with a full MOT and a warranty for £950, not a factor for a keen owner, it's not just a financial matter.
 
Honestly you need to rethink this decision. You have a 13 yr old car with an engine that is known to cause expensive problems and you are spending twice its value in corrosion problems. It's utter madness. You should cut your losses, sell the car as spares/repair and buy another....but not with that engine. There are plenty of good diesel c classes at around £2k ish.
 
Nothing wrong with my 271, had the timing chain done at 90k+. And the Aliens are NOT coming !
 
I had a SWB Pajero to which I was sentimentally attached to ( it was my late wife's) It failed MoT due to chassis rot. I went to my usual fixer and his ? was - how much do you want to spend?
I started at £500 , he said it would not look at it and it was likely to cost 3 times that. He then told me his experience. His 4x4 failed MoT , same problem, chassis rot.. He then spent considerable time repairing it. He got it through MoT only for the engine to blow up 3 weeks later. I got the message. Spending over £4k on a 13 yr old car is madness.
 
Dear Forum,

Hope all is well, as I type this with a heavy heart. I have posted this before, but as I got new info, thought of adding a new post.
Basically got a lovely MB C class Kompressor 180- 2008 Mode. All was doing well, even passed the MOT in March, with no issues. First noticed that my windshield water tank was leaking. So took it to an independent MB Garage, which has been doing repairs/ services/ MOT on it for the last 2 years.
First shock, yep water pump broke but you need to repair the rear break pipes, cost around 500£
Next day, another shock - sorry sub frame rotted, car is not road worthy, need to replace that , ad around 1500
Next shock, waited for 3 weeks and MB listers/Lincoln are still 'ordering' this sub-frame, eta 24/09. So phoned around the whole of the UK and found a sub-frame, bought in 2 days
Next shock, went and spoke to the mechanic, as the sub-frame was taken down. As advised on this forum, was told that this would be a good time to get other repairs done. So told him the same. A few days later, they have now billed me 1294 for additional parts and work!!
As of now the parts have still not been ordered, one of the parts, a suspension arm, is not available in the UK. I could call around but not sure if this is the right term to be used.

Total costs, including subframe 852, garage 2900 and Euro car hire--4300 and still counting
Painful but hope worth it
---------------------------
Also got the response from MB about their corrosion warranty. As usual, it's just a 'cop out'. Cut and pasted it below

Thank you for contacting Mercedes-Benz Customer Service.

I am sorry to hear you have been facing issues with your car. In relation to the 30 year warranty, Mercedes-Benz provides a 30 year Anti-Perforation Warranty. This warranty is specifically intended to provide assistance and protection should your vehicle develop perforation corrosion. This is a form of corrosion that develops from inside the vehicle itself, starting in a hollow section or cavity and continuing through to the outer layers leading to perforation of the exterior sheet metal.

Please note that this Warranty is not applicable in respect of the occurrence of any other form of corrosion. Therefore, surface corrosion caused by any external influence, such as stone chips or precipitation, is specifically excluded. In addition, for this warranty to be applicable the vehicle must have a complete service history with Mercedes-Benz. Therefore the vehicle must have been serviced in accordance with our recommendations by a Mercedes-Benz Retailer. As your vehicle has not been seen in the Mercedes-Benz network since 2013, Mercedes-Benz of Lincoln were correct to advise this would no longer be applicable on your car.

In regards to your further comments surrounding the part acquisition, I do sincerely apologize if any conflicting information was given and for any inconvenience this may have caused. We would however only be able to investigate this further if additional information was provided such as order reference and details of the second Retailer this was discussed with. If you wouldn't mind providing these, I would be more than happy to look into this for you.

Should you have any further requirements please do not hesitate to contact me or any of my colleagues.

If you are unhappy with this final decision or feel this matter is unresolved, you can seek advice with a CTSI Certified Alternative Dispute Resolution provider, including The Motor Ombudsman who may be able to resolve your complaint in appropriate circumstances. Details can be found at www.themotorombudsman.org, or alternatively their telephone number is 0345 241 3008 selecting option 1.

Yours sincerely,

Ellen Birnie
Customer Service UK
Hi drmhcf what ashocking story I noted the section and I quote "external influences such as stone chips OR precipitation " well precipitation is RAIN therefore thier DISCLAIMER Disclaims any car which has been subject to RAIN. MERC has used the word OR when they should have said AND. If their DISclaimer is false or misleading or wrong as it is you could make a legal case .i would advise a letter or email to the motoring press, merc hates bad publicity send copies of any bad press you generate to merc dealership,merc UK and merc stuttgart germany. THey deserve it in this case. GRAEME.
 

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