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Issues with MB Colchester

such01

Active Member
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Joined
Jul 13, 2016
Messages
660
Location
Essex Coast
Car
E350 CDI W212
I have posted about a few niggles I had with my new to me W222 purchased on 25th Feb 2025. I chose to use my local MB dealer Stratstone Colchester for an overdue software update on 10th March.
Car was with them all day and whilst there I asked them to look at the left magic wiper as fluid was taking about 4-5 presses of the wiper button to work through the wiper.
The car was finally taken into the workshop around 4pm that day and was collected by around 17:30 with update complete and washer bottle cleaned out and wipers tested as working. I asked about the VHC, which I had not received, and was told the car is all good.
A few days later, I had used my wipers and the same issue was present on the left side.
20th March car was booked in for an A/C regass using the new gas R744 only to be told the gas is not being held due to a leak and requires investigation. Also front drivers spring link showing signs of movement and requires replacement - approx £700. On VHC this part is shown, but the tech points to it as says "spring link starting to play - I recommend replace as soon as possible" - I was expecting to see some evidence of play but none was provided.
Booked in on 26th March for A/C diagnostics and washer issue to be told 2 pipes and compressor required - £3800, new wiper blades £133, and now - front drop links slight play £400.
Long story short, A/C was repaired after 31% MB goodwill and all was good until I took the car to Alex Crow 16th April for ATF change and a suspension check.

Nick took me around the car with a pry bar and there was no play in the drop links and, being super critical, negligible play in the spring link MB recommended replacement of. In fact he said he's never replaced one to date.
He also showed me the bolts for the undertray which had been tightened too much stripping the threads, done by MB 2 days before.
This left me questioning the quality of the work done on my car and also if the A/C work really needed the parts replaced as it seems they basically lied about parts needing to be replaced.
Also, did they really clean the washer tank when it clearly still didn't work? What did I pay £130 for if the car needs new washers? I would have thought this would have been the first thing to check.

I called MB and expressed my concerns and was told the spring link was marked as "RED" on the VHS report as there was an issue with their system and the Amber box could not be ticked!
I asked for the compressor so I can get it tested but was told it may not be with them and as their was goodwill involved MB may refuse to hand it over.

Anyway, I'm expecting a call from their service manager next week.
To think I was considering taking out a service plan with them.....
 
Sorry to hear your woes. I don’t think you will ever be happy with this car. I think I may have said the same on your previous thread.
 
Sorry to hear your woes. I don’t think you will ever be happy with this car. I think I may have said the same on your previous thread.
I actually love this car, I can't see myself in anything else now, unless it's a V8 part time. My experience has been soured to think I may have been conned by MB Colchester!
 
Alex Crow is brilliant used him for all my w211 stuff in the past, I haven't used colchester MB since the service managers have changed, Last few times I have used Ipswich MB as the service manager is good and had moved from colchester MB, although he is super busy and hard to get hold of. I think it all depends on the tech that looks at your car, so very hit n miss at most dealerships nowadays, stick with Alex Crow for anything more than a service but do the basic service at MB for Mobilio etc.
 
Your best bet is to take out a service plan but never pay a penny to the dealership itself - any work that needs to be done outside of what the service plan covers should be entrusted to an independent specialist.
 
I'll consider a service plan once I've worked out what the next 2-3 services are. I usually supply all the MB parts to my Indie and just pay for the labour. MB want around £350 for a service A which is just an oil change and a few other checks. I bought 10l of MB oil and filter for less than £80. Alex Crow did maintain my W212 since 2021 and I never had any issues with them.
Also, now that the ATF has been done it's not going to be required for the next 70K, which is way past a 3yr service plan. MB want £49 per month over 24mths for 2 services/mot's or £79 for 3. Roughly works out to £550 per service.
 
I'll consider a service plan once I've worked out what the next 2-3 services are. I usually supply all the MB parts to my Indie and just pay for the labour. MB want around £350 for a service A which is just an oil change and a few other checks. I bought 10l of MB oil and filter for less than £80. Alex Crow did maintain my W212 since 2021 and I never had any issues with them.
Also, now that the ATF has been done it's not going to be required for the next 70K, which is way past a 3yr service plan. MB want £49 per month over 24mths for 2 services/mot's or £79 for 3. Roughly works out to £550 per service.

The service plan only makes sense if it 'catches' a big service or two. And, the car will need to have FSH registered on the MB DSB.
 
The service plan only makes sense if it 'catches' a big service or two. And, the car will need to have FSH registered on the MB DSB.
Car is now up to date - only thing missing was ATF change. So next 3 services will be A@84k 8yrs, B@100k 9yrs and A@116k 10yrs
 
Had a reply from the service manager@Colchester who was very apologetic and asked me to bring the car back so he can inspect it in my presence to check. He also said there was a bulletin from MB around changing both pipes when changing the A/C compressor due to the risks of the pipes cracking and causing major engine damage due to extremely high pressures in the system. I have yet to take him up on his offer to look at the car due to a family bereavement. He also asked how I would like the situation to be resolved.
 
I would take him up on the offer, get the recall sorted by them and see what they will do, maybe a free service next time? If you don't ask....
 

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