New gearbox at 72,000 - very disappointed

[smillion]

Bit of a bad day.

Just back from dealer and have been told to expect new radiator and gearbox @ £4-5,000, and my warranty has expired. I have just come onto the forum to post my dismay and seen 230K's post about the radiator issue - coincidence, as prior to today I knew nothing about this. Coolant apparantly seeps into the gearbox from the faulty radiator.

Anyway, trying to stay calm, does anyone know whether MB are prepared to accept any of the liability for the repairs? I have had my car since new (Sept 2002) and had rather hoped to keep it for another 5 years yet (It did cost £36,000), and I love it still.

Any pointers would be welcome. Marcos you have a PM.

Marc

 

[jaymanek]

its well documented all over, they will at least make a goodwill gesture of either the labour or parts judging from past experience.

 

[Shude]

If I were you I'd push for them to pick up some of the bill. This is a manufacturing defect and as the original owner you have not quite had 6 full years of use from the car before it has failed, requiring major repair work through no fault of your own. If you paid £36k for a TV and it broke after less than 6 years due to a known manufacturing defect you can bet you would be in discussions about a free replacement or free repairs!

Collect all your paperwork together, including all the servicing receipts and write a letter to whichever stealership you have been using copying MB HQ in Milton Keynes and keep copies of all correspondence. You need to describe the problem, how none of it is due to any negligence on your part and what you would expect them to do about fixing it. I would expect for example at the worst for you to pay for the labour and for them to pay for the parts, something like that.

I'm sure others will be able to fill in some of the blanks and if you search there are other examples of this process.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and I'm sorry to read about your troubles.

 

[Gollom]

Agree with Shude - but I'd not make any reference at all to being willing to pay some of the cost initially. Let the ball rest in their court. I'd even go as far as to say no the first time or two if they say you need to contribute.

My motto has always been polite and firm with even tinges of humour - Customer Service in most organisations get treated badly and at the end of the day it's not their fault.

Just my opinion. Not being patronising but if writing letters like this is not your forte, there are a few of us on the forum who would be willing to help. Can't be good at everything!

 

[vijilants]

Agree with the above - push to get them to foot the entire the bill for this fully and take it from there.

The one thing that youn must never do in these circumstances is offer to pay some of the expense initially.

One thing is for sure.....i wouldn't get any work done on the car until the issue of the bill is sorted out.

 

[umedc]

Agree with the above - push to get them to foot the entire the bill for this fully and take it from there.

The one thing that youn must never do in these circumstances is offer to pay some of the expense initially.

One thing is for sure.....i wouldn't get any work done on the car until the issue of the bill is sorted out.

i would push all way to pay all cost ,go for it mate