If I Never Deal With A Main Dealer Again, It'll Be Too Soon, The Shysters!

[Deleted member 37751]

Did you tell them in advance that if the MB wouldn't cover the full cost, you'd just take the car back?

It was very strongly implied ("never had a customer paid for one yet, or it'll just be a software update") that my maximum outlay to rectify the problem would be £96.

At no point did they say it'll be £96 to plug Star in and go from there.

 

[flango]

lee

Just sell it and buy a Volvo you don't get all this sh*t from their dealer network, neither do they charge for diagnostics on faults reported by the customer. My old V50 had a DPF issue, I diagnosed it on VIDA took the car in told them what it was, they confirmed it on their equipment (which I would expect) changed the DPF under warranty and returned the car fully valeted, no charge.

Now that's what you call customer service not this sh*t MB give you

 

[DSM10000]

Gentlemen:

Do we all think that this thread has now run its course?

Lee has aired his grievances and members have offered opinions but I fear there will nothing more to be gained from further debate?

Best wishes to all for a good and productive Friday.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Just sell it and buy a Volvo you don't get all this sh*t from their dealer network,

I bought a Discovery 3 last week Ian...

The annoying thing is that I love my 211's, they've all been cracking cars, it's just whenever I've had to deal with the servicing department, it's been a case of

 

[BaldGuy]

Crack open a good bottle of red Lee and chill....

 

[DSM10000]

Crack open a good bottle of red Lee and chill....

Lee is a vodka and Budweiser chap!

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Do we all think that this thread has now run its course?

It's been going round in circles since the third page David.

But yes, it's definately run its course.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

Did we get any clarification as to who the dealer was?

Name and shame.

I took mine to Skipton MB with the left front speaker not working when the ipod was connected. That would be £105 to look at it and diagnose what was causing the problem.

I went home, looked on the internet, unscrewed the dash and reconnected a cheap flimsy wire that had come loose.

I spoke to 3 different dealerships who told me it would be £520 (8 hours @ £65 - reduced rate) to fit the starter motor. My mechanic took 4 hours and charged me £144.
Threads like this need to be circulated more as there is a huge difference between what the dealers tell you and what is reality.

 

[TDE1]

Just to add, if I may, I went to Draytons of Worcester today.

The service manager sat down with me listened to my concerns and advised that whenever they service a car, they expand the SBC memory. They did mine a couple of thousand miles ago. He also said that if a warning light appears, they they try a programme to cure it, but if it doesnt work and crashes, then the car cannot be driven, and a new pump is needed.

During the last six months, MB will only consider 100% contribution if there's full MBSH. If not they take each case on it's own merit.

I know this has been covered off here, but I did promise feedback. I always leave that place feeling well-looked after.

It's a pity they're not all like that.

 

[davidjpowell]

It does sound like MB have reviewed their goodwill limits. Perhaps if they told the dealer this would help avoid these situations....

 

[Vlad]

I bought a Discovery 3 last week Ian...

Good luck with that......here's a taster of life with a Discovery 3.

1) Hope that a turbo(s) does not fail.....the only way to replace a turbo on a discover 3 is to take the body off the chassis Yes thats right, unbolt the body from the chassis, undo all the wiring, steering coloum and then lift the body off the chassis.....nightmare! ££££'s

2) Cam Belt change.....an absolute pig as there is a stupid little belt at the back of the engine that needs replacing as well. If you find a decent indi they can do it with the engine in situ.....has to be cut off all using mirrors so they can see what they are doing and then replaced all by feel.

3) Air Suspension.....urgh.

No wonder you never see the likes of the UN using Discovery's.

 

[Dieselman]

One of the links it threw up was this Mercedes Sensotronic brake-by-wire SBC ABS Pump System Failures « « Sinspeed - Tune Your Desire Sinspeed – Tune Your Desire

I wonder what fails, is it the motor burning out or the accumulator losing charge pressure?

 

[jaymanek]

There will be companies like BBA reman offering to fix these...

edit: http://www.bba-reman.com/content.aspx?content=mercedes_SBC_sensotronic_brake-by-wire

 

[Dieselman]

If anyone has a scrap SBC unit, I would be interested in it to see what is wrong and to measure the accumulator static pressure.

As these are ageing has anyone noticed the motor cutting in more often?

 

[bpsorrel]

lee

Just sell it and buy a Volvo you don't get all this sh*t from their dealer network, neither do they charge for diagnostics on faults reported by the customer. My old V50 had a DPF issue, I diagnosed it on VIDA took the car in told them what it was, they confirmed it on their equipment (which I would expect) changed the DPF under warranty and returned the car fully valeted, no charge.

Now that's what you call customer service not this sh*t MB give you

I had exactly the same excellent service from Volvo in High Wycombe when I had the same fault with my then out of warranty S60. Diagnosed the fault, replaced it FOC (Volvo good will) and returned the car nice and clean. Absolutely wonderful service and a good reason to buy another Volvo....

 

[Bellow]

It's been going round in circles since the third page David.

But yes, it's definately run its course.

Just start criticising Thatcher and Cameron (hard for you I know Lee) and the thread will be closed in a trice!

 

[TDE1]

If anyone has a scrap SBC unit, I would be interested in it to see what is wrong and to measure the accumulator static pressure.

As these are ageing has anyone noticed the motor cutting in more often?

Would a symptom of that be an increase in the buzzing / vibrating they sometimes do, DM, or irregular braking capability?

Mines fine at present, but want to know what to look out for. Cheers.

 

[MB-BTurbo]

I bought a Discovery 3 last week Ian...

Good luck with that......here's a taster of life with a Discovery 3.

1) Hope that a turbo(s) does not fail.....the only way to replace a turbo on a discover 3 is to take the body off the chassis Yes thats right, unbolt the body from the chassis, undo all the wiring, steering coloum and then lift the body off the chassis.....nightmare! ££££'s

2) Cam Belt change.....an absolute pig as there is a stupid little belt at the back of the engine that needs replacing as well. If you find a decent indi they can do it with the engine in situ.....has to be cut off all using mirrors so they can see what they are doing and then replaced all by feel.

3) Air Suspension.....urgh.

No wonder you never see the likes of the UN using Discovery's.

How ridiculous.
My brother in law paid £4000 for his air suspension when that failed! The car was only worth £12000.

 

[Dieselman]

Would a symptom of that be an increase in the buzzing / vibrating they sometimes do, DM, or irregular braking capability?

When the accumulator loses static pressure the pump will cut in much more often.

 

[Deleted member 11979]

I had exactly the same excellent service from Volvo in High Wycombe when I had the same fault with my then out of warranty S60. Diagnosed the fault, replaced it FOC (Volvo good will) and returned the car nice and clean. Absolutely wonderful service and a good reason to buy another Volvo....

Volvo replaced the gearbox on our old V70 FOC when it was 6 years old, which is why I still drive a Volvo