Just over 2 weeks old and off the road already :(

[markjay]

I agree in part.

Rejection is a step too far for what I hope is an easily remediable albeit somewhat disruptive fix.

I am very disappointed and annoyed though that given that the TSB would seem to have been in circulation longer than the car has been in my ownership that this wasn't picked up either at the factory or the supplying dealer.

I doubt the TSB says that all new C63s should have their gearboxes removed and the seal changed preemptively as a matter of course.

MB have probably become aware that the seal in question has a relatively high failure rate, and presumably the TSB provides information along the lines of given certain customer's complaints, check for seal failure and proceed with removing gearbox and replacing seal.

This saves the dealer time on diagnosing the issue and failed repair attempts.

 

[rsk21]

Why would a faulty seal that's failed after a number of miles be picked up at the factory or a PDi time?

It's obviously not quite seated right or has a manufacturing defect, either way it's been fine till the car has been driven for a number of miles and got fully warmed up.

If MB/AMG went the other way and test ran your 'New' vehicle for a few K before they handed it over just to make sure all is well you'd all be moaning that the vehicle is used and not new!

'kinnel it's a mechanical item with thousands of components, the law of averages dictates these things will happen no matter how much it costs.

Not sure the roll eyes are needed.

But to help you get them readjusted let me be clearer in the explanation of my disappointment.

it is my understanding that there is a TSB in circulation which says a certain type of oil seal is prone to failure and should be replaced with a different, more robust one. It's annoying for me that somehow my car was built with the defective seal and didn't have the modified/better/call it what you will one fitted from new.

So that's the factory part dealt with.....

As for the PDI part in my experience with certain other manufacturers TSBs are applied and or checked before the car is released to the customer.

I'm not whining or moaning I'm just saying I'm disappointed. I don't think that's unreasonable is it ?

 

[rsk21]

I doubt the TSB says that all new C63s should have their gearboxes removed and the seal changed preemptively as a matter of course.

MB have probably become aware that the seal in question has a relatively high failure rate, and presumably the TSB provides information along the lines of given certain customer's complaints, check for seal failure and proceed with removing gearbox and replacing seal.

This saves the dealer time on diagnosing the issue and failed repair attempts.

In this instance my "complaint" was that the car seemed to be about to catch fire !

 

[Ted]

Not sure the roll eyes are needed.

But to help you get them readjusted let me be clearer in the explanation of my disappointment.

it is my understanding that there is a TSB in circulation which says a certain type of oil seal is prone to failure and should be replaced with a different, more robust one. It's annoying for me that somehow my car was built with the defective seal and didn't have the modified/better/call it what you will one fitted from new.

So that's the factory part dealt with.....

As for the PDI part in my experience with certain other manufacturers TSBs are applied and or checked before the car is released to the customer.

I'm not whining or moaning I'm just saying I'm disappointed. I don't think that's unreasonable is it ?

That 's correct. In the old BL days, additional to the PDI there was a 'quality check' where known manufacturing issues were rectified.

And no, it's not unreasonable to be VERY disappointed that a brand new, premium, very expensive car has had such a major issue.

 

[Aoraki]

Not sure the roll eyes are needed.

But to help you get them readjusted let me be clearer in the explanation of my disappointment.

it is my understanding that there is a TSB in circulation which says a certain type of oil seal is prone to failure and should be replaced with a different, more robust one. It's annoying for me that somehow my car was built with the defective seal and didn't have the modified/better/call it what you will one fitted from new.

So that's the factory part dealt with.....

As for the PDI part in my experience with certain other manufacturers TSBs are applied and or checked before the car is released to the customer.

I'm not whining or moaning I'm just saying I'm disappointed. I don't think that's unreasonable is it ?

But to check the seal, they would have had to remove the gearbox.

 

[rsk21]

But to check the seal, they would have had to remove the gearbox.

I wouldn't have cared as I'd have never known !

 

[Aoraki]

Yes you would have known...... by the rattle!


From MB's point, it would not be cost effective to remove the g/box from all suspect vehicles for only a very small amount of faulty seals, cheaper to repair the one's that fail. Not good for you, but better for MB.

 

[rsk21]

I hear what you are saying - doesn't make it any less annoying though.

I find it surprising though that for something potentially so dangerous they didn't proactively make the retro-fit.

 

[markjay]

It is indeed very disappointing, I agree. Especially as from the formal point of view the dealer is authorised and qualified to carry out such repairs, so you can't really reject the work based on the mere fact the the gearbox would now no longer be 'factory fitted'.

Said that, in all likelihood the dealer will do a proper job, no cost spared, keep on mind that the car is under warranty and also that it's in their interest not to give you a reason to reject it in the near future.

 

[markjay]

Incidentally, technically speaking a failed seal is not a 'major fault' as such - it is just unfortunate that the gearbox has to come out for access.

 

[Dieselman]

I find it surprising though that for something potentially so dangerous they didn't proactively make the retro-fit.

No manufacturer is going to make a job like this a pro-active job unless there is significant risk and a recall is issued.

 

[rsk21]

Markjay - 2 things

1 - as stated previously I have no intention of rejecting the vehicle neither have I ever stated I was considering it so further debate on the subject is probably not required. I have utter faith in the techs at my local dealer.

2 - re "major fault" I agree with your technical view. The ramifications though were potentially very serious indeed, taking the gearbox out is small beans compared to the potential for the car to go up in flames.

 

[rsk21]

No manufacturer is going to make a job like this a pro-active job unless there is significant risk and a recall is issued.

But how does one define "significant risk" ?

Believe me from where I was sitting and based on the reaction of the guys who looked at the car it felt like that's what I was exposed to.

 

[Dieselman]

But how does one define "significant risk" ?

Believe me from where I was sitting and based on the reaction of the guys who looked at the car it felt like that's what I was exposed to.

How hot was your bum?

If you can sit down now, then the risk wasn't that great. How many have actually caught fire, and how many have endangered people?

 

[rsk21]

Why so facetious ?

In answer to your question I have no idea.

All I can do, as I have done throughout this thread is express my own sentiments and explain how the situation felt at the time and feels post the event.

 

[Dieselman]

All I can do, as I have done throughout this thread is express my own sentiments and explain how the situation felt at the time and feels post the event.

In what way did the situation feel risky?
You noticed oil patches and went to the dealer, who on investigation found the gearbox to be leaking.

I don't see an immediate danger aspect to that.

 

[rsk21]

I'm not sure if you are trying to goad or not but you have been somewhat selective in your replaying of my assessment of the situation in post 1.

As stated in the original post the car was giving off a strong smell of burning and significant amounts of smoke. This was caused by leaking oil coming into contact with a hot exhaust. The tech said it was unfit to drive as a result. I am neither mechanic nor scientist but my gut feel is that is not a healthy combination.

I find it bizarre and more than a little disheartening that this thread seems to have lapsed into a situation where I am effectively being asked by some to justify my feelings and emotional reaction to the matter.

 

[m2287]

How hot was your bum?

If you can sit down now, then the risk wasn't that great. How many have actually caught fire, and how many have endangered people?

What if it caught fire on a busy road, you were on your own and had two children in child seats in the back?

 

[Dieselman]

What if it caught fire on a busy road, you were on your own and had two children in child seats in the back?

Or there was a bus queue of people near by that couldn't escape, or a school that blew up as a result of a car fire...why not make that a hospital.

Why do all threads have to become fantasies about mothers with children becoming trapped in burning wreckage.

It was dropping some oil, which had got hot on the exhausts, but the car didn't set fire, he was on his own, there wasn't a maternity ward of babies in the back seat.

 

[Dieselman]

I'm not sure if you are trying to goad or not but you have been somewhat selective in your replaying of my assessment of the situation in post 1.

As stated in the original post the car was giving off a strong smell of burning and significant amounts of smoke. This was caused by leaking oil coming into contact with a hot exhaust. The tech said it was unfit to drive as a result. I am neither mechanic nor scientist but my gut feel is that is not a healthy combination.

I find it bizarre and more than a little disheartening that this thread seems to have lapsed into a situation where I am effectively being asked by some to justify my feelings and emotional reaction to the matter.

I had missed the smoke bit, but obviously you didn't feel that threatened as you drove it to the dealers.

The point I am making is that this is an inconvenience as opposed to a known real risk, at present.

If cars start going up like bombfires on November 5th, I'm sure the situation will be reviewed promptly.