Opinion -what % of Goodwill contribution from MB

[pammy]

Personally I think this is a tough one and prob one that won't work out the way the OP might like. I fully sympathise - no one expects major failure in what is perceived by them to be such a young car. While it might have been fully serviced and cared for - it's got higher than average milage and has been well used, albeit cared for. Parts will show signs of wear and tear while I would not expect total failure though for this.

At the end of the day one can only try and get a goodwill payment out of MB. The worst they can say is no - but as they say in the North "Shy bairns get nowt" so push for as much as you can get in the hope that they do shell out 25%.

You do get some old cars that never need, or seem to need, anything major - but that is rare and not the norm. Most cars need work and sometimes of a fundamental nature . How many cars do we know that have had new engines etc etc - replacement gear boxes and the like as they are getting on in years?

Yes this is disapponting but we should always be aware that running a car is always a risky and expensive business........

 

[Buggerlugs]

Really??

There's a whole load of cars here that approaching 3 times that mileage that have never had any major repair work done at all.

Hell, mines 3 times the age, and nearly three times the mileage and I'ts still running original everything bar consumables.

If it was made in Korea it would still be under warranty.

Yeah really In fact Spike, most of the cars I work on are around 6 years old and with less than 100K clocked up. Not just MB's though, just about everything, except yep........Korean and Japanese cars. Your car though is what I would expect the old school MB to be, they were really reliable, well designed and very well engineered, one definitely to hold onto as generally you're not gonna get that kind of quality in a new model.

Most OEM's MB included, now design and build cars with a heavy compromise regarding inherent reliability vs unit production cost, if it lasts the warranty, it'll do. Yes I know there are new 211's out there that have racked up 150K without a major repair, but on the other hand I've put plenty of new gearboxes in em at 40K. Luck of the draw I suppose.

Just by way of example and taking MB auto gearboxes as a benchmark. The 722.3xx/4xx series gearbox has internal clutch and brake carriers made from drop forged or machined solid billet with steel planet carriers, driven by a plain non-lockup torque converter, the whole thing is controlled by mechanical and hydraulic components in a basic analogue fashion, substantial stuff.

The 722.6xx series and also the new 722.9xx has internal clutch and brake carriers made from pressed steel with pressed steel and aluminium planet carriers, driven by a modulated lock-up torque coverter all controlled by a fuzzy logic processor for which the software is written by people that just want to get home and crack open a bottle of Riesling ( Think MS Windows ME here and you'll see where this is going.... ) Overall a distinct improvement in performance but definitely not so substantial.

 

[crockers]

I had an audi 80 2.6 auto -- the gearbox went after 60k miles - audis contribution zero. When speaking to the dealer I said that paying £2500 was outrageous and if it had been my car (it was a company lease car) I would have been furious - he replied if it had been your car we would have fought for you...so it is a case of getting dealers assistance - at the end of the day if he can get MB to help he a) gets the business b) has a satisfied client and c) may sell you a new car and has you coming back for future work.

If there is no assistance then he may well have lost your future business as the MB stamp in the service book has been devalued.

Ask him how long should a gearbox last -- if he says 100k miles then you should be expecting 25%...as you have used 3/4 of its life..

Good luck..but I agree with John - be polite and appeal to the dealer for assistance.

 

[ShanSL350]

If i were you i would talk to the After Sales Manager or Director at the delearship.

Personally i would not expect the gearbox on a MB to be failing at 74k??

I think the fact that you have bought the car new from them and that you have continued to have all you servicing done with them should at least entitle you to something? Also play on the fact of further business in the future?

The real problem is that realistically unless they offer you 50% then i guess an indi will be able to supply the part and do the work cheaper for you?

If you are considering a change of car then what the hell? PX it and put it down to a bad experience but make sure if you do happen to buy a nice new shiny car that you pop back into the dealer to let them see the business they have lost.

Good luck

 

[BlackC55]

If you go to an independent you can cut your bill by more than half that of a dealer.

It is worth thinking about if you have no luck with mb.

 

[jaymanek]

I wouldnt expect it either, but we hear of 98 cars going and getting resprayed... I have also heard some good contributions stories towards early A class ECU's etc.

 

[smillion]

50% offered and accepted - especially in light of the feedback here.

A result if you consider parting with £1250 a result\

 

[glojo]

50% offered and accepted - especially in light of the feedback here.

A result if you consider parting with £1250 a result\

I think you have done very well

Regards
John

 

[IanA2]

Twice what I thought you would get. Well done!

 

[Will]

Agreed - looking at this 100% impartially, I would say 50% was both generous, and diplomatic. If nothing else, in terms of 'betterment' you're better off than you would be with a car that had 74k miles of wear on these parts.

I know it's still £1250 but realistically some thorough services can throw up similar bills.

Will

 

[IanA2]

I know it's still £1250 but realistically some thorough services can throw up similar bills.

Will

Can't they just....!!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Well done - great news.

 

[Buggerlugs]

Glad to see you did'nt roll over. I'd say that was an acceptable result, well done.

 

[Dieselman]

50% is a good contribution at this age so not too bad, and it will come with a 2 year guarentee for the complete job.

On anothernote.
Buggerlugs, how much to perform major surgery on a 722.6 with a slamming shift between 1st-2nd on anything over 2/3rds throttle. The car is a W023 C180 2.0 atmo. with approx 70k on.
MB performed a glycol test and found 1 part per 4 Billion, so nothing but are quoting for new box, verter, radiator...no goodwill afaik.
This was a sudden failure and there is no other problem apparent.

Any firm ideas.?

 

[Chattonmill]

When my gear box went on My 03 Range Rover I was quoted £5500 by an indie, that was new gear box, converter and a few other bits including the radiator, I did some hunting and found some parts in a scrappie ie Gear box and torque converter £850 and brought the bill down to £2500.
The Gear box and converter were in great condition the indie was impressed and so was I

 

[bochaus]

my 2003 270 also needs a torque converter at 59000m.
My mechanic , a small indie, claims he has fitted 10 this year.
Surely this is a sign of a major fault?

 

[smillion]

Do make sure that the reason for your gearbox failure is not Glycol in the gearbox oil. Your Indie can do a test for this. I understand that contamination can happen again if he reasons for Glycol leak are not resolved (radiator etc) - see various threads on this forum.

PS My MB dealership were actually cheaper than the local Indie for this job (before the goodwill discount obviously)

Marc