Rip Off!

[SCPSLK]

A cautionary tale. The driver's side double switch unit which controls both windows on my SLK packed at a most inopportune moment while my wife was trying to get through the security barrier where she works. She couldn't get the window down so had to get the drivers behind to back up which took a lot of gesturing before they got the message. Then she was able to back up too, get out of the car, wave her card at the magic eye to raise the barrier and race back before it dropped again. Not a good start to the day for her or for me for that matter as the windows on MY car weren't working now. Strangely however they worked flawlessly for the next couple of days and then played up again at the weekend. I thought I'd have a look at the switch last Sunday to see if a quick spray with WD-40 would help if it was simply a case of crud build up on the contacts. It wasn't and matters got worse when the rocker itself fell off. Nothing for it other than get a replacement. I couldn't phone the dealer so did a trawl of the internet. Ebay prices ranged from £29 for one delivered from Lithuania to £95 for one in the UK. I also filled in a 247spare.co.uk parts request and got a response the following morning for a used switch costing £65 + £15 P&P + VAT giving a total of £96! I quaked at the thought of what the dealer would be charging but gave them a ring for a laugh. To my very great surprise a brand new switch was in stock at my local dealer for the grand price after a little bit of discount of £35. I dashed over, bought it and fitted in seconds and voila windows working again!

The moral of this story is don't assume used parts will be cheaper than new.

Steve.

 

[stwat]

Indeed. And it's the same 95℅ of second hand sellers. They thrive on the fact that many won't bother to contact the dealers thinking their prices will be extortionate.

Always check the dealers first. That goes for service items as well as parts. They are often cheaper than the likes of ECP and GSF.