Mistake by specialist

[Zakkz]

I'm currently a mix of confused and fuming at the moment - after doing my research and a good few searches on here to find a reputable specialist, I took my beloved E55 in for a service recently.

Concern #1
They reported that both the rocker cover gaskets were leaking - but when I purchased the car around 18 months ago I was told that these had been done.

Concern #2
I paid over £600 to get the driver's side torque arm replaced, and the passenger side torque arm bush. Following on from that, I took it to a different specialist for a 4 wheel alignment, who promptly informed me that they couldn't because the torque arm bush is split. He showed me the car, and it hadn't been replaced.

I'm a little upset right now - I've either had the wool pulled over my eyes by the dealer and by this specialist, or the specialist twice.

What makes things worse is that 2 weeks after I took it in for a service, my air suspension failed. It was an expensive fix, but now I'm not confident that it needed that much attention.

Should I be looking to take it to another garage for a proper report on what has or hasn't been done? Could it have been a simple mistake by the garage?

Any advice? I'm in South West London if anyone can recommend any reputable garages around here.

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[clk320x]

Which specialist did you use?

 

[Zakkz]

They're Merc Services in Mitcham - seem to be quite well regarded on here and that's how I found them

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[renault12ts]

I'd be upset too.

Tell the garage of your finding and ask for an explanation. Give them a chance to put it right...you've paid for it.

 

[Bellow]

Sometimes we fix things and they fail again because an underlying cause went undiagnosed and untreated. The subsequent failure is the sign that there is another issue at play.
Not always, but worth bearing in mind.

 

[neilrr]

You should have talked to the garage to get an explanation BEFORE coming on here bad mouthing them.

They may be due a bad mouthing, but until you hear what they have to say you don't know that.

 

[MrRight]

You should have talked to the garage to get an explanation BEFORE coming on here bad mouthing them.

They may be due a bad mouthing, but until you hear what they have to say you don't know that.

Do you work there by any chance ?

 

[Zakkz]

I've spoken to the garage and I'll be taking it in tomorrow and said they would investigate how they could have missed it.

There isn't anything else underlying that could have caused the split bush to reoccur as it hadn't been replaced.

I've been looking at the rocket cover gasket issue and apparently they're quite prone to leaking, so it's not outside the realms of the possible that they just need replacing again

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[Bellow]

I've been looking at the rocket cover gasket issue and apparently they're quite prone to leaking, so it's not outside the realms of the possible that they just need replacing again

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That's the issue I alluded to as susceptible to second failure due an underlying issue eg, over-pressurisation due to blocked crankcase breather pipes.

 

[neilrr]

Do you work there by any chance ?

Nope, never heard of them before.

It's just common sense to be on solid ground with the facts before defaming a business on a public forum, dontcha think?

 

[MrRight]

Nope, never heard of them before.

It's just common sense to be on solid ground with the facts before defaming a business on a public forum, dontcha think?

In principle I agree that perhaps it is better to do further analysis but OP didnt name the business in his first post . There is no harm in asking for opinions either. Lastly , seems a bit suspect that the components should fail as described.

As a member of the public , I would rather be kept informed in instances like this. I am sure the OP will keep everyone informed as he gets more info.

 

[Zakkz]

Nope, never heard of them before.

It's just common sense to be on solid ground with the facts before defaming a business on a public forum, dontcha think?

I agree with you - but I don't think I've written anything that isn't factual.

I'm really hoping there's a reasonable explanation for this all as I'd feel awful if this was deliberate.

As a professional forum lurker, I get a lot of my information from here, and actually found the garage through a recommendation on another thread. I'm sure a lot of people on the forum are in the same boat - I'd want to know about others' experiences and I'm sharing mine

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[derektrotter]

I agree with you - but I don't think I've written anything that isn't factual.

I'm really hoping there's a reasonable explanation for this all as I'd feel awful if this was deliberate.

As a professional forum lurker, I get a lot of my information from here, and actually found the garage through a recommendation on another thread. I'm sure a lot of people on the forum are in the same boat - I'd want to know about others' experiences and I'm sharing mine

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Agreed, I always do a search on others experiences when deciding where to take the car reading your experience is useful.

 

[Zakkz]

Ok update time...and turns out I'm quite the idiot

I took it in first thing Friday morning and they were immediately concerned and said they'd look at it straight away. They put it up on the ramp, and showed me the work they had done including the bush that had been replaced. They then poked around and found another bush that was worn which was what the other place garage was referring to - turns out there is more than one bush on each side *facepalm*

They were really good throughout, and offered to replace the bush the same day as well as MOT my car so I could get my 4 wheel alignment done at the other garage.

Really great service from the guys at Merc Services and now I feel bad for ever doubting them - I'd recommend them to anyone in the South London area

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[Bobby Dazzler]

Ok update time...and turns out I'm quite the idiot

I took it in first thing Friday morning and they were immediately concerned and said they'd look at it straight away. They put it up on the ramp, and showed me the work they had done including the bush that had been replaced. They then poked around and found another bush that was worn which was what the other place garage was referring to - turns out there is more than one bush on each side *facepalm*

They were really good throughout, and offered to replace the bush the same day as well as MOT my car so I could get my 4 wheel alignment done at the other garage.

Really great service from the guys at Merc Services and now I feel bad for ever doubting them - I'd recommend them to anyone in the South London area

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Good for them for taking it seriously, and good for you for coming back and setting the record straight

 

[Petrol Pete]

I'm a bit shocked at the £600 charged to replace one torque arm and one bush, even using genuine MB parts thats expensive, unless they spent hours on a 'stubborn' bolt or something.

 

[optimusprime]

Zak You might get this sorted out on the oil leak .Try the torque settings on the cover bolts .The gasket ,if it is the one fitted from new the do shrink or go flat over time, and if its torqued down a little might fix it .Worth a try .

 

[oldguy57]

Zak You might get this sorted out on the oil leak .Try the torque settings on the cover bolts .The gasket ,if it is the one fitted from new the do shrink or go flat over time, and if its torqued down a little might fix it .Worth a try .

This exactly. I've had this issue a couple of times over the years.

 

[flowrider]

I'm a bit shocked at the £600 charged to replace one torque arm and one bush, even using genuine MB parts thats expensive, unless they spent hours on a 'stubborn' bolt or something.

Not really a surprise, it's an AMG so the parts will be double the usual price.

 

[219]

Not really a surprise, it's an AMG so the parts will be double the usual price.

It’s the same when the model includes the letters SL