GLE 3l d engine seizure

[pillow]

I think the mileage extension above gives you solid footing to "fight back" both regarding the oil change interval, and getting the car serviced on time (on case they argue that the service could have picked up on some precursor to the failure e.g. low oil level)

Anyone will be able to tell you that exceeding an oil change interval by a few thousand miles will have no tangible effect (in the very long term it may cause varnishing or sludge but this would be over far, far more miles and after continual neglect).

From the sounds of it you've had some sort bearing failure which has subsequently clogged the oil feeds to the other bearings causing overheating and then seizure. Very uncommon but even for the rarest of things; it inevitably happens to someone at some point.

I suspect MB will put up some resistance but I think you have enough in your favour to get it satisfactorily resolved.

 

[Absolutelygutted]

Well don't quote me on this because ive never actually looked through the small print. But yes i would say if Mercedes are giving a grace period/extended range between service intervals that could be taken as confirmation this has no significant detrimental affect, and may allow you to counter their argument that you had exceeded the service interval by mileage. I thought the extended service intervals also applied to servicing outside the dealer network but im not sure on this (to preserve a full service history kind of thing)

Yes! I mean obviously they’re going to say “that was a temporary measure” that no longer applies however as you say they obviously thought that going that long wouldn’t be a problem.

I worry that they will dig in and say it’s as black and white as “the service is over there not under warranty”, if so then why was this not said before it cost 4K to strip it. I feel like everybody knew this would be the end result but they allowed that work to continue.

 

[BigJase88]

Thankyou, I appreciate your input.

I am unsure of the exact mileage when I bought it but I actually believe it to be around 12k. It’s now got 26k on the clock. I am going to check paperwork when I’m home.

The thing is as you say, nobody can prove either way what caused the failure so I’m looking at getting an independent report.

There’s also an issue of customer service. 7 weeks they have had my car with no end in sight, it’s been horrific.

It has probably taken 7 weeks because they will be scratching their heads at anything more than an oil change.

If the computer can't tell them the answer they are screwed.

There is a reason their mechanics work at a dealership and do not have their own garage.

 

[grober]

Might be worth looking at the complete service history of the car as you are the second owner---?? Catastrophic failure is usually indicative of a missing [rather than delayed] service or two somewhere in the past

 

[Absolutelygutted]

Might be worth looking at the complete service history of the car as you are the second owner---?? Catastrophic failure is usually indicative of a missing [rather than delayed] service or two somewhere in the past

He has actually called it “poor service history” for both services being a few months late, I’m not sure I agree with that, it’s not missing any services.

I am having a meeting with the head of after sales tomorrow so I will let everyone know the outcome though I will certainly not hold my breath.

Can anybody give me the very best email address for Mercedes complaints directly? Looking online there are so many. I’ve already emailed one 3 days ago and heard nothing back, though there has been developments since then.

Thankyou everyone, it’s helpful to know what other people who have an idea, think about this.

 

[BigJase88]

If they don't repair it then get some decals made up saying broken engine 27k miles and Mercedes not interested plastered all over it and park it infront of their dealership

 

[st13phil]

If the oil was circulating as the bearings failed the filter will contain larges amounts of debris.
If the oil was not circulating and the bearings failed the filter will contain very little if any debris.

I think you need the following:
The filter (so it can be scrutinised re the above).
A representative sample of the oil (the oil needs to be agitated and a sample drawn from mid-height) and submit it for analysis.
The exact quantity of oil present in the engine when it seized.

^ Excellent advice.

OP: You need to get an independent inspection & report carried out. Without it, I suspect any "complaint" to MBUK will simply receive a brush-off.

The issue you have is that a 100% conclusive Engineering Failure Analysis requires preservation of all information and a meticulous examination of all components in-situ and as they are dismantled and you don't have that as the dealership has already (partially) dismantled the engine and may or may not have preserved all relevant fluids / parts. Having said that, a competent person should still be able to establish with reasonable certainty the root cause of failure.

As this has the potential to "go legal" it would probably be worthwhile engaging the services of someone who can act as an Expert Witness to do the investigation, so as to avoid having to do it twice and also to avoid the potential for further contamination of the evidence.

Sorry to say, but this has potential to be a long, expensive, process.

 

[Will]

It’s going to be an awkward situation due to the vehicle having not been maintained correctly IMHO.

I mean, if the engine wasn’t particularly well engineered and suffered a failure, who’s to say that it would not have, had it been serviced in accordance to the manufacturer’s schedule? That’s not to say that’s okay, but it mitigates the risk if it has been properly maintained. Is the onus not on the claimant in this instance?

The warranty T&Cs will no doubt have something to cover this, and I’m sure MB will be able to argue their position quite clearly.

My point is, I wouldn’t go in all guns blazing with complaints to MB but looking to them for assistance at this stage bearing in mind you’re on the back foot having not kept to your side of the warranty/maintenance process.

OP - I’m not sure if you’ve already answered but have you ever topped the oil up during your ownership? Did it ever go to MB for any work/health checks etc regardless of the service?

You can check when it was last serviced at MB on www.mymercedesservice.co.uk if you’re unsure of the mileage (just enter the registration)

Good luck

 

[Absolutelygutted]

^ Excellent advice.

OP: You need to get an independent inspection & report carried out. Without it, I suspect any "complaint" to MBUK will simply receive a brush-off.

The issue you have is that a 100% conclusive Engineering Failure Analysis requires preservation of all information and a meticulous examination of all components in-situ and as they are dismantled and you don't have that as the dealership has already (partially) dismantled the engine and may or may not have preserved all relevant fluids / parts. Having said that, a competent person should still be able to establish with reasonable certainty the root cause of failure.

As this has the potential to "go legal" it would probably be worthwhile engaging the services of someone who can act as an Expert Witness to do the investigation, so as to avoid having to do it twice and also to avoid the potential for further contamination of the evidence.

Sorry to say, but this has potential to be a long, expensive, process.

Do you think that this dealership is completely impartial or are they advocating for Mercedes and possibly have been told to make it look like oil?

Would you trust them? Because he’s claiming he’s impartial and wouldn’t lie about anything.

 

[SmartAmg]

Do you think that this dealership is completely impartial or are they advocating for Mercedes and possibly have been told to make it look like oil?

Would you trust them? Because he’s claiming he’s impartial and wouldn’t lie about anything.

Oh, look a flying Pig, I might be cynical, but I'm pretty sure, if Mercedes or the dealer can wangle there way out of this they will, really hope I'm wrong, will be interesting to see how this pans out.

 

[st13phil]

Do you think that this dealership is completely impartial or are they advocating for Mercedes and possibly have been told to make it look like oil?

They cannot be truly impartial, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re dishonest.

Would you trust them?

I don’t think it comes down to trust. Catastrophic engine failures are, thankfully, very rare but by definition they are very expensive to rectify. That your car doesn’t have a squeaky clean service record puts you on the back foot, with it being easy for MBUK (who, at the end of the day, will be the arbiter of whether they accept a warranty claim or not) to use that as a reason for denying liability. My gut feel is that the missed / late service has nothing to do with the engine failure - unless the oil level was ludicrously low, or contaminated - but you will need evidence to rebut the assertion that it was the cause.

 

[Bellow]

Oil analysis will determine if the oil was fit for service.
The quantity of oil present will determine if there was enough to permit circulation with a properly functioning lubrication system.
The contents of the filter will show if oil was circulating.

If positive results accrue from the above then the problem lies elsewhere and a successful warranty claim is more likely.
Those three pieces of data cost buttons. Do it now before the information is lost forever. Without it, suspicion can be cast on you and the servicing record.

 

[st13phil]

If positive results accrue from the above then the problem lies elsewhere and a successful warranty claim is more likely.

True enough. But the OP is still likely to need an Expert Witness to undertake that on his behalf if things get sticky.

Do it now before the information is lost forever.

My fear is that the information may be lost (or at least be open to doubt) already. However, that shouldn't stop the OP pursuing it.

 

[grober]

If they don't repair it then get some decals made up saying broken engine 27k miles and Mercedes not interested plastered all over it and park it infront of their dealership

People have tried this sort of thing in the past without success and all it does is antagonise the dealership which is your best route to Mercedes-Benz UK Your best tactic is to negotiate using facts They have stated the car has a "poor service record" e.g. an A service in August 20 rather than March 20 being being part of the picture among other things. I would gently remind them that they sold you the car with this blemished service record by their own definition and that should figure when apportioning blame? They can't have it both ways. Did they send you a service reminder at any point that the car was due a B service a year after your purchase? If they did and you failed to follow it up your'e on shakey ground

 

[Absolutelygutted]

People have tried this sort of thing in the past without success and all it does is antagonise the dealership which is your best route to Mercedes-Benz UK Your best tactic is to negotiate using facts They have stated the car has a "poor service record" e.g. an A service in August 20 rather than March 20 being being part of the picture among other things. I would gently remind them that they sold you the car with this blemished service record by their own definition and that should figure when apportioning blame? They can't have it both ways. Did they send you a service reminder at any point that the car was due a B service a year after your purchase? If they did and you failed to follow it up your'e on shakey ground

They did not sell me the car . It was bought from an independent dealer.

No they never sent me any info reminding me of service (obviously the dash told me I was over but I genuinely didn’t realise how many miles it had done in that time, I always planned on booking it in January ready for sale).

I genuinely had no idea that this could void a warranty, not a clue! Nobody explained this ever to me. It baffles me how apparently the warranty is a “contract” between owner and manufacturer yet I have never signed anything or had anything explained to me.

So do we think a good will gesture is the best bet? I’ve definitely pissed off the garage on the basis of calling their staff rude and unprofessional by the way the whole things been handled.

Also I now have a 4K bill that I never would have agreed to had I known I had to pay it. Had they said at the beginning that you’ve gone over service therefore we can’t cover it I’d have just gone elsewhere and had it done for 1k! I feel like I’ve been manipulated into agreeing by being led to believe it would be covered and now to find out that it’s unlikely due to oil change but I could never prove it is sickening.

Honestly this whole thing is making me ill

 

[BigJase88]

They did not sell me the car . It was bought from an independent dealer.

No they never sent me any info reminding me of service (obviously the dash told me I was over but I genuinely didn’t realise how many miles it had done in that time, I always planned on booking it in January ready for sale).

I genuinely had no idea that this could void a warranty, not a clue! Nobody explained this ever to me. It baffles me how apparently the warranty is a “contract” between owner and manufacturer yet I have never signed anything or had anything explained to me.

So do we think a good will gesture is the best bet? I’ve definitely pissed off the garage on the basis of calling their staff rude and unprofessional by the way the whole things been handled.

Also I now have a 4K bill that I never would have agreed to had I known I had to pay it. Had they said at the beginning that you’ve gone over service therefore we can’t cover it I’d have just gone elsewhere and had it done for 1k! I feel like I’ve been manipulated into agreeing by being led to believe it would be covered and now to find out that it’s unlikely due to oil change but I could never prove it is sickening.

Honestly this whole thing is making me ill

If you end up getting MB to fit a new or recon engine you will be looking at a 5 figure bill.

I hate dealerships they will wriggle out of anything they can.

Best of luck i would try MB themselves and hope for some form of good will

 

[grober]

Because you bought the car outwith the Mercedes dealer network then I feel you have little chance of recompense.
Caveat emptor I'm afraid

 

[Absolutelygutted]

If you end up getting MB to fit a new or recon engine you will be looking at a 5 figure bill.

I hate dealerships they will wriggle out of anything they can.

Best of luck i would try MB themselves and hope for some form of good will

They are already saying I have to pay the 4K bill to strip it even though I would never have agreed for it to be stripped had I known the lack of service would ultimately void warranty and that I would foot the whole bill. I was basically blackmailed as had I taken elsewhere I’d have lost any warranty anyway.

This is a dire situation for me, one that could leave me stopping payments to the finance company and letting them collect the car as it is, then them and the garage would have to try and reclaim the debt from me as I actually don’t have any way to pay for this engine.

This could effect my future. The injustice is awful to think about.

 

[Absolutelygutted]

Because you bought the car outwith the Mercedes dealer network then I feel you have little chance of recompense.
Caveat emptor I'm afraid

You don’t believe I have a chance of a goodwill gesture given the age of the car and that they haven’t proven that lack of service caused the failure?

 

[Muckypaps]

The dealership are caught in the middle, you've gobbed off at them so they won't go out of their way to help, plus you've ignored the light on your dash telling you the car is ready for an oil change, your prospects don't look very good.