Independent Inspection in North Essex / Cambridge

[BigRicho]

Hi There,

Can anyone recommend me an Independent Specialist who would carry out a good inspection on an SL55 I plan on purchasing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Rich

 

[m2287]

I don't know if they will buy try c and v cars in swavesey, I have had top service from them.

Welcome to C&V Cars Ltd. | Home

 

[KillerHERTZ]

I don't know if they will buy try c and v cars in swavesey, I have had top service from them.

Welcome to C&V Cars Ltd. | Home

They will end up trying to flog you one of their cars though...

Ive used: AutoKare - Car Mechanics and Auto repairs in Cambridge for the past 10 years or so :bannana:

 

[CKLclive]

Hi Rich, when are you planing to buy the SL and if you are wanting a specialist
to carry out the inspection then maybe I can help out [email protected]

Regards

Clive

 

[dpbayly]

Clive beat me to it, i was about to offer my services and ramp space too but has to ideally be outside working hours to get it up on a ramp give it a look over and plug in the diagnostics check all is well

 

[CKLclive]

Hey dpbayly,
if you have a ramp even better and no probs if you want to offer an inspection

 

[dpbayly]

Hey dpbayly,
if you have a ramp even better and no probs if you want to offer an inspection

Thanks no problem,

Where ever is easiest for Rich to get too, i dont mind helping Forum members out with Freebie's as long as it doesn't cost me anything always up helping people out

 

[BigRicho]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the help. Looking to buy ASAP. I'll be in touch with both of you determine who is most convenient!

 

[BlackC55]

I do vehicle inflections all over the country. Let me know if I can help.

 

[BG33]

My first visit to MBClub which I'm pleased to have found. I live south of Cambridge and could use some help which maybe CKLclive or dpbayly could give ... or anyone else who understands these things.

My 2008 C220 CDi estate has a remote tailgate problem. Yesterday, it refused to open using either the remote or release handle. The motor at the top n/s hinge was grinding but no release. A good mobile guy I use managed to open up and found the bottom centre inverted metal 'U' catch had slipped - so he corrected that and the remote and red close-button now work again ... but the final 'pull-in' to complete the closing sequence isn't happening.

The mech reckons a gear tooth may have broken off. He suspects that even if the motor is replaced by an indie (if not repairable which I don't expect is on) the onboard computer will detect a 'foreigner' and throw a wobbly. Meaning an expensive trip to an MB outlet for re-programming.

BTW - the handbook suggestion to remove the keyblade and open up from inside didn't work - it wasn't possible to insert it ... but I suspect the mech realigned things to rectify this.

BTW2 - does anyone have experience of these indies:

Swift Vehicle Solutions, Cambridge Mechanics, Car Servicing & Repairs, Mercedes Specialists Cambridge Milton, Cambridge

Mercedes-Benz Servicing Specialist Huntingdon, Cambridge | About Star Auto Services Huntingdon

Stewart & Wisbey Ltd - About Stewart & Wisbey Ltd Ely

All contributions gratefully received

 

[bassist]

My vote would be 4 Wheels Motor Services
Station Yard
Fulbourn
CB1 5ET 01223 880336

Andy and Stuart both MB trained and ex main dealer over many years.
Can't fault their service for my SL and my Daughter's CLK. Good honest guys.

 

[BG33]

Thanks bassist - that's not far from home!

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Still use these guys, have done for 10+ years now. infact my car passed its MOT today with them :bannana::bannana::bannana:

They will end up trying to flog you one of their cars though...

Ive used: AutoKare - Car Mechanics and Auto repairs in Cambridge for the past 10 years or so :bannana:

 

[BG33]

Thanks KillerHERTZ I'll get on the phone tomorrow and see if any of the suggested indies can tackle my problem - or if it will take dedicated MB dealer equipment.

 

[tacfoley]

C&V cars gets my vote- they've been caring for my '82 SL since 1998.

tac
EPT470X

 

[BG33]

A recommendation from a well-travelled MB owner

Thanks tacfoley

 

[BG33]

A recommendation from a well-travelled MB owner

Thanks tacfoley

 

[BG33]

You were spot on about 4 Wheels Motor Services, Fulbourn bassist – I contacted them first because they are closest to me. Andy could not have been more helpful.

This is not a problem he's encountered before and suggests that making a 'sympathetic' claim to MB is the best first step.

If that fails, Andy will take a look to see what can be done because he warns this could be “horrendously expensive”. I'll post again when things are clearer.

 

[BG33]

The visit to an MB dealer to establish what was wrong with the tailgate and the cost of rectification took a couple of hours. But I was charged £57.00 for 30 minutes …

For replacing the tailgate lock, which completes the final 'drawing in' part of the locking sequence and was showing 'open circuit' (so knackered), the bill: £399.00. There was uncertainty about the lift/lower dog drive motor (located under the headlining by the n/s top hinge) and if that needed replacement it would bump the bill up to £1013.16.

In response to questions about a sympathetic claim, the dealer submitted it to MB for me. Two days later they called to say MB was willing to give a 30% contribution to the lift/lower motor. I called MB Customer Service for an improvement – but it was like a dialogue with the deaf.

There was some unrelated impact damage on the tailgate needing about £300 to fix so it made sense to source a replacement tailgate with locking motor. Fortunately, I bought a complete tailgate from eBay in the same colour for £100 - also the lift/lower motor for £50 as an insurance policy … in the event not needed.

4 Wheels Motor Services, Fulbourn recommended by bassist did a grand job swapping everything over and were able to restore proper tailgate operation. So for the sake of a bit of chasing around all is well again.

In case it helps others, these are what I saw as the options.

1. A sympathetic claim – which in this case didn't amount to anything.

2. Taking MB to the Small Claims Court because the tailgate mechanism wasn't fit for purpose. They could either have avoided the cost/publicity by settling or used a heavy duty barrister to shift the blame onto the supplying dealer or whatever. That would have been a last resort!

3. Claim against the supplying dealer (non-MB) which I was reluctant to do and would have been a hassle. What many members of public and even the motor trade seem not to have realised is that since the improvement to consumer rights relating to the Sale of Goods Act, it is now possible to claim for problems up to six months after purchase without needing to prove that a fault existed at the time of purchase. See (which is intended to educate dealers): Sale of Goods - motor vehicle law, sale of new and used cars law - MILS

A little after buying the car I noticed the air con/ventilation wasn't working and had the blower regulator 'porcupine' replaced locally at the expense of the Rotherham dealer (above £200) when I used the above information.

 

[m2287]

They will end up trying to flog you one of their cars though...

Ive used: AutoKare - Car Mechanics and Auto repairs in Cambridge for the past 10 years or so :bannana:

Bit of a resurrection but probably should have made it clear that the dealership and garage seem to be run separately although on the same grounds. Used them again twice recently and they were spot on both times .