Mercedes GLC Clonking and juddering on near full steering lock

[dejongj]

You just reminded me, when I first reported the crabbing issue to my local dealer, both they and MBUK blamed me for picking large wheels on the car.

Lol did you point them to where it said in the catalogue don't pick these unless you want your vehicle to skip jump thump judder. I've had that conversation as well. I told them that if that was the case they shouldn't sell them or that they will have to come with a warning.

 

[hallra]

Lol did you point them to where it said in the catalogue don't pick these unless you want your vehicle to skip jump thump judder. I've had that conversation as well. I told them that if that was the case they shouldn't sell them or that they will have to come with a warning.

That was the funny thing, I bought the car preconfigured, when I pointed it out to them, I got some other crap from them.

Unfortunately, I knew at that point how Mercedes culturally treated their customers and nothing has changed since.

They act arrogant and consider themselves superior to their customers, how dare a customer complain about such a high quality, luxurious, prestige car... customers are dumb, ill informed fools, to be taken advantage of...

 

[Deleted128943]

I think a reality check is in order here regarding the fire risk.

Your chances of rejecting the car under the Consumer Rights legislation based on that approximate to zero. Safety-related recalls for cars are not at all uncommon, which a court will know, and as the manufacturer is following accepted industry practice to rectify it, it's not a valid reason for rejection.

The crabbing/skipping issue may be arguable as a reason for rejection, but we already know that MB will fight it so if you go down that route you will end up having to fight it through the courts.

I agree with your point where a vehicle is between 30 days and 6 months old when the manufacturer has the right to attempt one repair. I don't agree where a vehicle is less than 30 days old. Recalls aren't exempt from the rejection process just because they happen to be common. It's down to the definition of, should be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose, a safety recall and faulty steering suggests perhaps there is a case for questioning whether both these requirements have been met.

There seems to be a reluctance to use the tools such as the Consumer Rights Act 2015 supplied to protect us as customers, why not look at what protection it offers rather than be scared off because Mercedes will fight back. In reality Mercedes don't want the hassle of a fight they hope they manage to scare us off. I faced a similar situation where a family member had issues with their BMW, like Mercedes, BMW scared them off with the we'll fight the case threat. The matter was resolved in our favour at no charge when I challenged them using the legal tools provided like the Sale of Goods Act and Consumer Rights Act.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Interesting to hear the new tyres have helped. Recording tread depth, air temperature, and moisture levels at the time of recording videos may (or may not) be useful, but probably worthwhile for those worst affected.

I agree with your point where a vehicle is between 30 days and 6 months old when the manufacturer has the right to attempt one repair. I don't agree where a vehicle is less than 30 days old. Recalls aren't exempt from the rejection process just because they happen to be common. It's down to the definition of, should be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose, a safety recall and faulty steering suggests perhaps there is a case for questioning whether both these requirements have been met.

There seems to be a reluctance to use the tools such as the Consumer Rights Act 2015 supplied to protect us as customers, why not look at what protection it offers rather than be scared off because Mercedes will fight back. In reality Mercedes don't want the hassle of a fight they hope they manage to scare us off. I faced a similar situation where a family member had issues with their BMW, like Mercedes, BMW scared them off with the we'll fight the case threat. The matter was resolved in our favour at no charge when I challenged them using the legal tools provided like the Sale of Goods Act and Consumer Rights Act.

Sounds like you're the right man/woman for the job then.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

PS With new tyres fitted, is it only happening at or close to full lock?

 

[dejongj]

PS With new tyres fitted, is it only happening at or close to full lock?

It happens from about three quarter lock. The only circumstance if seen the sensation reduce is higher temperature and dry roads. I was auditioning some speakers at richersounds Watford and their car park was wet and it instantly made it very intrusive and loud. Whilst the rest of the journey it was there but not as intrusive as I've know my old tyres to be.

For the record when I say old tyres, my car was only delivered early November so when the first video was made they were about 2.5months old.

 

[Deleted128943]

The 24th Feb MB letter refers to aftermarket tyres. I wonder if they are placing a bulk order for off the shelf all season tyres or are they in collaboration with a tyre manufacturer to produce a tyre of the right structure to minimise/eliminate the crabbing issue. I reflect the concern of other forum members and hope we don't end up with tyres only available in RHD countries at an over inflated price...

 

[st13phil]

I agree with your point where a vehicle is between 30 days and 6 months old when the manufacturer has the right to attempt one repair. I don't agree where a vehicle is less than 30 days old. Recalls aren't exempt from the rejection process just because they happen to be common. It's down to the definition of, should be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose, a safety recall and faulty steering suggests perhaps there is a case for questioning whether both these requirements have been met.

There seems to be a reluctance to use the tools such as the Consumer Rights Act 2015 supplied to protect us as customers, why not look at what protection it offers rather than be scared off because Mercedes will fight back. In reality Mercedes don't want the hassle of a fight they hope they manage to scare us off. I faced a similar situation where a family member had issues with their BMW, like Mercedes, BMW scared them off with the we'll fight the case threat. The matter was resolved in our favour at no charge when I challenged them using the legal tools provided like the Sale of Goods Act and Consumer Rights Act.

Best crack on then, as the 30 days is ticking down

Regarding being scared off, I've successfully rejected a new car in the past and am not averse to a fight if need be, but my advice is not to underestimate how hard MB are likely to fight this one. Rejecting a single rogue car can be difficult if the dealer / manufacturer argue, but ultimately they will back down if you have a case and use the legal tools available in consumer legislation.

The difference here is that it's not a single car involved - it's a problem of type, not example - which means the stakes for MB are much higher and it's naïve to think that they will just roll over. An MB dealer has already refused to accept the finding of the Motor Ombudsman that a GLC is faulty and that the consumer is entitled to reject it, relying on a statement from MB that the tyre skipping/juddering is a "characteristic" of the model. To me, that was indication of a statement of intent by MB that they will fight tooth and nail to avoid rejection of a GLC on those grounds. That doesn't mean that trying to exercise your rights under consumer legislation is in any way wrong or untenable, just that people need to go into this with their eyes open and be prepared for a potentially long and difficult fight.

 

[markjay]

Recalls are not excluded but the whole point of a recall is that it fixes the issue thus no reason to reject the vehicle...

 

[Deleted128943]

Fair points everyone thanks.

I understood the 30 day rule supported the case for potentially rejecting an item without the manufacturer being given the option to repair it if the evidence for rejection is conclusive. The case for rejection being stronger where there are more than one fault with the item and the manufacturer has acknowledged the faults exist.

 

[DRIVER200]

The momentum is starting to slow down a bit on this subject assume those affected are waiting to have new AW tyres fitted for a few weeks then put their summers back!! But what next going forward?

 

[dejongj]

The momentum is starting to slow down a bit on this subject assume those affected are waiting to have new AW tyres fitted for a few weeks then put their summers back!! But what next going forward?

I'm awaiting a call back from my dealer to hear what is next. I agreed last week that I would give them a week. That would mean they should call me today

But as far as I see it;
1. Winter tyres - not available
2. All Season Tyres - not available
3. Smaller wheels for GLC43 21" owners - not available
4. Where all season tyres are available on smaller wheel sizes they get changed from a staggered setup to the same size all round.

I can't wait to learn the next update.

 

[dejongj]

So I received a call back, so called with good news. They told me that they tried it with different tyres for 21" and it is all fine. Ok, lets go with the flow and lets try it.

But, it just never is easy.....
1. The tyres aren't MO, they are Star rated - Is this really a problem on my GLC43 AMG?
2. They will only do the front axle!!!

Now I wouldn't do that on a second hand car, but I do know that on a normal car you have at least the same axle the same. But this is a 4Matic vehicle, surely the Make/Model of the tyres have to be the same to prevent issues. And not just that, it is a 3 month old GLC43 AMG. I'd be really concerned about the characteristic difference between the front and rear on different tyres.

Not happy with that at all, or should I take a more moderate stance?

 

[dejongj]

So I received a call back, so called with good news. They told me that they tried it with different tyres for 21" and it is all fine. Ok, lets go with the flow and lets try it.

But, it just never is easy.....
1. The tyres aren't MO, they are Star rated - Is this really a problem on my GLC43 AMG?
2. They will only do the front axle!!!

Now I wouldn't do that on a second hand car, but I do know that on a normal car you have at least the same axle the same. But this is a 4Matic vehicle, surely the Make/Model of the tyres have to be the same to prevent issues. And not just that, it is a 3 month old GLC43 AMG. I'd be really concerned about the characteristic difference between the front and rear on different tyres.

Not happy with that at all, or should I take a more moderate stance?

Mercedes just got back to me again; they say they are the same Continental SportContact 5 tyres but Star rated and run flat.

I'm concerned about the having run flat at the front and not the back, and also about having non MO tyres on it.

I would welcome some advise. I guess I have nothing to loose to try it, but don't think I can accept it long term without having all 4 tyres the same.

 

[DRIVER200]

Mercedes just got back to me again; they say they are the same Continental SportContact 5 tyres but Star rated and run flat.

I'm concerned about the having run flat at the front and not the back, and also about having non MO tyres on it.

I would welcome some advise. I guess I have nothing to loose to try it, but don't think I can accept it long term without having all 4 tyres the same.

Is this MB's answer to All Weather/Winter tyres? I have ContiContactSport 5P's on mine but they are not run flat as didn't think you could get CCS5P's in Run flat?

 

[dejongj]

Is this MB's answer to All Weather/Winter tyres? I have ContiContactSport 5P's on mine but they are not run flat as didn't think you could get CCS5P's in Run flat?

You can't in MO marked, but you can in Star run flat for 21" or so Mercedes say.

And no they are not all weather, they are summer tyres with ContiSeal technology.

I'm happy and willing to try it, but I do not want run flat at the front and standard at the back. If it works I would want the same type of tyre all around.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Mercedes just got back to me again; they say they are the same Continental SportContact 5 tyres but Star rated and run flat.

I'm concerned about the having run flat at the front and not the back, and also about having non MO tyres on it.

I would welcome some advise. I guess I have nothing to loose to try it, but don't think I can accept it long term without having all 4 tyres the same.

I have always been under the impression that either all four tyres should be runflats or all four should be 'standard' rubber, not a mix.

Also worth keeping in mind that run flats are noticeably heavier than standard tyres, it'll be interesting to see whether they relieve the crabbing or accentuate it.

 

[dejongj]

I have always been under the impression that either all four tyres should be runflats or all four should be 'standard' rubber, not a mix.

Also worth keeping in mind that run flats are noticeably heavier than standard tyres, it'll be interesting to see whether they relieve the crabbing or accentuate it.

I agree, I would love to keep the car if I don't hear/feel this sensation. But I'm not happy with a Frankenstein vehicle. The weight at the wheels is interesting, didn't realise that, but I think I could live with that over the crabbing as well. Power is sufficient and after all it is an SUV not a track racer.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I agree, I would love to keep the car if I don't hear/feel this sensation. But I'm not happy with a Frankenstein vehicle. The weight at the wheels is interesting, didn't realise that, but I think I could live with that over the crabbing as well. Power is sufficient and after all it is an SUV not a track racer.

The X5 I bought came with run flats and the steering was very heavy, I'd been advised to swap them for standard rubber to ease this and couldn't believe the weight of the run flats when they came off, they felt noticeably heavier than the tyres that went on, if u was to hazard a guess I'd say about 50% heavier.

 

[dejongj]

Oh wow that is a lot heavier. Ah well they should let me try them first, however I made it clear that I am more than happy to try, but I don't want different type nor make/model tyres on the car. That is not an acceptable solution to me.