Agreed. Very odd, especially when you only bought it a few days earlier & done only 50 miles.
Problems with recently purchased R129
- Thread starter sideshowbob
- Start date
Agreed. Very odd, especially when you only bought it a few days earlier & done only 50 miles.
IanA2
MB Enthusiast
Sometimes you don't have a choice. For example if a dealer sells you a car with completely worn discs and is eighty miles away, what do you do?
Playing devil's advocate ... the issue was simply that the car had a slightly erratic idle? Bearing in mind the age (17 years) I suspect that wouldn't - legally - make it 'unfit for purpose'. What mileage has the car done, and how much did you pay? What sort of warranty did it come with?
Regarding the loom, I assume TM spotted that this was on the way out and really ought to be replaced. Unless it was actually causing a problem now I doubt you could expect the seller to pick up the tab.
Having said that you have nothing to lose by - nicely - approaching them to see whether they will play ball. Whatever happens I hope you get the car sorted out quickly. TM Motors are very good, my SL has been there a couple of times in the past.
Regarding the loom, I assume TM spotted that this was on the way out and really ought to be replaced. Unless it was actually causing a problem now I doubt you could expect the seller to pick up the tab.
Having said that you have nothing to lose by - nicely - approaching them to see whether they will play ball. Whatever happens I hope you get the car sorted out quickly. TM Motors are very good, my SL has been there a couple of times in the past.
sideshowbob
Member
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- Sep 11, 2011
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- 37
- Location
- Surbiton, Surrey.
- Car
- mercedes benz w124 e200, mercedes benz R129 SL500
Thank you Ian, this is exactly the case. The independent i took the car to is 10 minutes away. The trader i bought it from is in Southampton (im nearer to London), and the car isnt running properly and i am in poor health. The logistics of me taking the car back to the dealer would have been a nightmare.
You have to let the dealer make that call.. If you want them to fix it (i.e. pay any costs), its their call on how they go about it.
If they feel it is unroadworthy given the circumstances it will be up to them how they get it back...
If you dont feel you want to drive the car or may make the problem worse, then explain that to the dealer and they will decide what to do.. Whether they then collect the car and drive it or get a truck to collect.. thats their business.
All im saying is that it will be difficult to get them to contribute now.
What I would now do is call the dealer, explain that the car was misbehaving and you have had it looked at and you would like the car repaired by your garage and so what the next step is in terms of recompense.
You can only hope that he will be reasonable and pay for the parts costs.. I wouldnt hold any hope for labour costs, although in this case they are likely to be minimal anyway as wiring loom is not a massive job on this engine.
If he is a larger dealer and has workshop facilities employing technicians, then there isnt a hope that he will pay any external costs, he will want it back and has every right to then decide upon the repair strategy himself..
You cannot dictate the parts he uses or the suppliers he goes for. All you can ask is that the car is fit for purpose as per the original sale.
If they feel it is unroadworthy given the circumstances it will be up to them how they get it back...
If you dont feel you want to drive the car or may make the problem worse, then explain that to the dealer and they will decide what to do.. Whether they then collect the car and drive it or get a truck to collect.. thats their business.
All im saying is that it will be difficult to get them to contribute now.
What I would now do is call the dealer, explain that the car was misbehaving and you have had it looked at and you would like the car repaired by your garage and so what the next step is in terms of recompense.
You can only hope that he will be reasonable and pay for the parts costs.. I wouldnt hold any hope for labour costs, although in this case they are likely to be minimal anyway as wiring loom is not a massive job on this engine.
If he is a larger dealer and has workshop facilities employing technicians, then there isnt a hope that he will pay any external costs, he will want it back and has every right to then decide upon the repair strategy himself..
You cannot dictate the parts he uses or the suppliers he goes for. All you can ask is that the car is fit for purpose as per the original sale.
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sideshowbob
Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2011
- Messages
- 37
- Location
- Surbiton, Surrey.
- Car
- mercedes benz w124 e200, mercedes benz R129 SL500
The car had an erratic idle. It was at the stage where i felt it may cut out whilst at a standstill. After fitting the Actuator TM Motors found that the loom was causing a mis on no 5 during testing.
The car has done 64k miles and i paid £6000 for it.
SSBob, the short answer is you get the work completed ( now it has started with the Indy) you then pay for it. Present the evidence to the dealer you bought the car from. They ,ay offer to contribute. They are just as likely to say "you didn't bring it here - not our problem" If they do so be it. It will be a lesson learned but for the sake of a few quid you will had a nice car with a good loom - this will preserve its value and give you hopefully many miles of happy motoring..
You mentioned you had poor health - don't let this get you down. Enjoy the car.
You mentioned you had poor health - don't let this get you down. Enjoy the car.
IanA2
MB Enthusiast
So how much would it cost to get a truck to collect it?
Having bought twice now from Independent Dealers a fair way away from my home, I would never do it again. All smiles as the cash is handed over and all sucking of teeth when problems arrive.
Personally I would advise people never to buy more than ten miles away. Main dealers are different, at least they used to be, I've bought five new/used cars from main dealers and have always found them happy for other main dealers to look into things.
That said, I've only ever had real problems with cars sold to me by Independent Dealers.
tonywashere
Active Member
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- Oct 14, 2011
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- SW London
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- 1995 e220 cabriolet, 1996 e320 coupe, 2002 v220 cdi ambiente, ++
I've always said to people not to buy these old cars unless you can be relaxed when things go wrong and if you can afford to write off the whole cost. If you can handle calling the seller and discussing it (i.e. not get upset if they tell you tough luck) then I would do that first. If you are minded to go down the legal route keep meticulous notes backing it up in writing.
Hand up time, I've bought a banger (E320 coupe) and found it needed more work than the cost:-( I'm still undecided what to do spend the money which I'll never get back or sell it for peanuts as I'll list the faults not ignore them.
Hand up time, I've bought a banger (E320 coupe) and found it needed more work than the cost:-( I'm still undecided what to do spend the money which I'll never get back or sell it for peanuts as I'll list the faults not ignore them.
sideshowbob
Member
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- Sep 11, 2011
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- 37
- Location
- Surbiton, Surrey.
- Car
- mercedes benz w124 e200, mercedes benz R129 SL500
Just a quick update- I have now got the car back. The total bill actually came to £1384 which when you consider what has been done is very good. TM Motors have been amazing, the level of service just couldnt have been any better. Tony sat down with me and showed me the old wiring loom and exactly how it degrades and the effect it had on my car. Anton communicated with me during the entire process, tried to save me money wherever he could and was generally an all round nice guy.
We also contacted the trader that originally sold me the car. he has agreed to cover £250 of the bill.
We also contacted the trader that originally sold me the car. he has agreed to cover £250 of the bill.
well done, very reasonable... the trader got away a bit lightly but at least he coughed up...
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You should read the Post from the beginning !!! Before you make derogatory remarks.
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A150
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I have been following this thread since the beginning but didn't have much positive to add. I believe that any compensation for the seller would have been a result and am really glad you got a result!
I am also glad you found TM Motors. I have been using them for years and can't recommend them enough.
Well done sideshowbob!
I am also glad you found TM Motors. I have been using them for years and can't recommend them enough.
Well done sideshowbob!
No he couldn't - not after taking the car to a 3rd party for repair work without prior authorisation.
