SLK Problem on 3rd birthday

[SLKFORTWO]

Would you believe it. On Saturday morning, the very day the car was 3 years old (and therefore the day after the warranty ran out) I had a transmission problem on my 350 SLK. Tiptronic g/box decided to stick between 3rd and 4th. Changing from S to C to M made no difference nor did the paddles on the s/wheel or side shifting the selector stick. Took it straight to Bristol MB dealership who said they would have a quick look at it. The trouble was after I stopped the car and then restarted it to drive to the dealer, the box was working ok again. Dealer made some checks but found nothing wrong and no fault codes showed up. Didn't charge me and said if it happened again bring it back and they would do a more thorough check, eg trans fluid levels etc. It's been ok for a few journeys, then today it stuck in 2nd and wouldn't change gear. I stopped and restarted and it was ok. Rang dealer and it's now booked in for a more thorough check. I am not impressed! Just out of warranty and only 17k miles. I was aware MB have a poor reliability reputation but not this poor! I guess I will soon be in a battle with MB over how much (if any) of the costs I am about to incur, they will cover. Beginning to think I should have bought a Lexus SC instead!

 

[gary350]

I had an SLK 350 for 4 years with no problems I would advise going to an SLK site and asking your question there something might come up, although the gearbox is used on other models.
http://www.slkworld.com/

gary

 

[SLKFORTWO]

I had an SLK 350 for 4 years with no problems I would advise going to an SLK site and asking your question there something might come up, although the gearbox is used on other models.
http://www.slkworld.com/

gary

Thanks for the suggestion, I have been looking on there (& everywhere else I can think of!) but have drawn a blank so far.

 

[portzy]

I think that it would be a really hard nosed of the dealership and MB to abandon you at this point, certainly when the car is only hours out of warranty. Good luck.

Portzy.

 

[crockers]

Yes I too would be shocked if MB don't look after you ..

 

[SLKFORTWO]

Ok an update on my 9 hours out of warranty issue. MB Bristol had a look at it yesterday and eventually found a fault in the autobox in the Speed sensor turbine plate (or something like that!). It was occasionaly preventing the car from changing up when it wanted to. They contacted MB UK who suggested a reprograming of the device with a software upgrade. This was carried out and appears to be successful. No fault codes now showing. I was told that if the problem returns they will change the sensor and although it costs around £1200, MB will likely cover all of the costs. I was charged for the work carried out on it yesterday. Although they only charged me for 2 hours even though they spent over 4hours on it, didn't charge for the software update which they said was about £100, and I had a further 20% discount. Bill was £183.72 which I've paid to get the car back. Strange thing is, is that if the recoding works, it has cost me £183 and MB UK nothing. If it doesn't work it will cost MB a lot more. So I will ask MB UK why they wont cover the £183.

Don't know what to think about this, I'm glad it seems to be sorted and reassured that if it isn't then it's unlikely to cost me much if anything to get it fixed. But unimpressed by MB quality. This will probably be my first and last MB. Seems little point forking out for perceived quality when it's not really there.

 

[st4]

Don't know what to think about this, I'm glad it seems to be sorted and reassured that if it isn't then it's unlikely to cost me much if anything to get it fixed. But unimpressed by MB quality. This will probably be my first and last MB. Seems little point forking out for perceived quality when it's not really there.

But the quality is there. It was a minor electrical glitch. You'd be dillusional if you thought that it didn't happen on other makes of cars. I had a BMW that had a gearbox software redone, and in winter the locks were playful. Didn't make it a bad car.

I reckon, apart from this, your SLK350 has given you 3 years "fun" motoring thats been trouble free (bar one software glitch)...its still a nice well made car thats heaps better than say an EOS which has a habit of leaking water through its roof.

I agree MBs metal thickness etc isn't once what is was, but a car built to 124 specs now would cost as much as a house. However has it rusted like a 210 (not MBs finest hour) or broken down repeatedly?

 

[GordonTarling]

Although they only charged me for 2 hours even though they spent over 4hours on it, didn't charge for the software update which they said was about £100, and I had a further 20% discount. Bill was £183.72 which I've paid to get the car back. Strange thing is, is that if the recoding works, it has cost me £183 and MB UK nothing. If it doesn't work it will cost MB a lot more.

Not sure what makes you think it has cost MB nothing. You only paid for two hours labour and received two hours free (say £200). You also didn't have to pay for the software upgrade at another £100, so I reckon MB paid around £300, while you only paid £183. Now, I'm not saying that you shouldn't pursue MB for your £183, because I feel you should, but you must remember that the dealer's business will invoice MB for 'warranty' work.

 

[hawk20]

Don't know what to think about this, I'm glad it seems to be sorted and reassured that if it isn't then it's unlikely to cost me much if anything to get it fixed. But unimpressed by MB quality. This will probably be my first and last MB. Seems little point forking out for perceived quality when it's not really there.

It may be human nature but it is quite ludicrous to dismiss all MBs so lightly on the basis of one software fault. Sounds to me as though MB have offered you a good deal.

Have a look at JD Power on the Lexus IS before you leap. This is what they said: -

"The Lexus IS is second in class and third overall.

Owners reported very good interior build quality, loved the way the car drives and looks, and rated Lexus dealers as among the best.

There are chinks in its armour, though. Mechanical reliability was only average; a number of owners reported engine faults. Running costs were so-so, with relatively steep fuel bills."

All upmarket cars are now incredibly complex. We should expect some problems some of the time. That seems to be the nature of electronics.

 

[crockers]

Bottom line is - all cars are mechanical and all mechanical things can and will eventually go wrong.

So it depends how you are treated as to how you perceive the total quality of the car.

I can only report from what I have found and that is MB in Swindon go that extra yard to rectify any problems.

I still get a grin when I floor the throttle; when I drive another car and get back into mine I can feel and appreciate the "quality" for which I have paid.

I have had other "top marques" - an Audi that needed a new gearbox 1 month out of warranty - cost £2500 and no help. A Saab that ate ECUs. So I do feel Mercedes is a quality car - may not be the best but I'm happy with it.

(I do like the Jag XF... and loved the XFR..)

 

[portzy]

To be fair, I think SLKFORTWO does have a point to make. Had the fault occured some 9 hours earlier it would not have cost him a penny, even the software update which would, (or should?), have been applied during the cars previous servicing visits.

I think the correct and collective MB approach should have been, "ok - we'll not argue over nine hours - we'll cover the problem but lets apply the software update - see how things go - if it manifests itself again we'll change the part".

My 2p.
Portzy.

 

[hawk20]

To be fair, I think SLKFORTWO does have a point to make. Had the fault occured some 9 hours earlier it would not have cost him a penny, even the software update which would, (or should?), have been applied during the cars previous servicing visits.

I think the correct and collective MB approach should have been, "ok - we'll not argue over nine hours - we'll cover the problem but lets apply the software update - see how things go - if it manifests itself again we'll change the part".

My 2p.
Portzy.

That, of course, assumes he was having all services done at an MB dealer. Do we know that?

 

[SLKFORTWO]

Thanks for all the varied opinions. All are welcome even if I don't necessarily agree with some of them! I guess I feel less than thrilled with things as it happened so close to the warranty deadline. Unfortunately I happened to be too busy on the preceeding day (final warranty day) to make the journey I made on the following day when the fault showed up.
I have this pm contacted MB UK to query the "we will only pay for it if it has to be replaced" stance as reported by the dealer. They said they will look into it and get back to me.
Sure it could have been a lot worse I suppose, and cost me a lot more, but nevertheless I remain suprised that a low mileage MB auto g/box has become faulty within 3 years.

 

[kwakdonut]

I reckon, apart from this, your SLK350 has given you 3 years "fun" motoring thats been trouble free (bar one software glitch)...its still a nice well made car thats heaps better than say an EOS which has a habit of leaking water through its roof.

Comparing an SLK 350 to an EOS is a tadge unfair! As for the supposed 'leaking roof' issue with the EOS - this does appear to be an absolute minority. As is the problem with the OP's SLK gearbox 'fault'.

 

[kwakdonut]

Bottom line is - all cars are mechanical and all mechanical things can and will eventually go wrong.

So it depends how you are treated as to how you perceive the total quality of the car.

I can only report from what I have found and that is MB in Swindon go that extra yard to rectify any problems.

I still get a grin when I floor the throttle; when I drive another car and get back into mine I can feel and appreciate the "quality" for which I have paid.

I have had other "top marques" - an Audi that needed a new gearbox 1 month out of warranty - cost £2500 and no help. A Saab that ate ECUs. So I do feel Mercedes is a quality car - may not be the best but I'm happy with it.

(I do like the Jag XF... and loved the XFR..)

Absolutely - couldn't agree more. They have sorted the glitch on our A Class and couldn't have been more helpful.

 

[BlackC55]

I take it its a 7 speed box.

They have had lots of software issues with them and also many valve body issues too. They are tricky to diagnose with no fault codes. In fact, nearly impossible. Its a "suck it and see" cure they have done

 

[portzy]

That, of course, assumes he was having all services done at an MB dealer. Do we know that?

Fair point, but as the car has just hit three years I'd assume either SLKFORTWO, or the previuos owner if there is one, would have been obliged to have it done at a main dealer to keep the warranty and Mobilio valid?

I see though how a sub £200 repair is nothing when set against a car knocking on the door of £40k but is it worth leaving a bad feeling with the owner?

Portzy.

 

[SLKFORTWO]

In response to a couple of points, yes it's the 7 spd tiptronic box and the car has full MBSH at the Bristol Dealership. Whether I use them for the B service due in the autumn depends on how things pan out re the "fix", i.e. if it proves to be successful, and also any response I get from customer services.

 

[SLKFORTWO]

Well an update is in order if only to praise the action of Mike Fellows MD of MB Bristol. I contacted MBUK customer services, who checked with the Bristol dealership and then got back to me to confirm that the software upgrade was considered a service item. I was still not happy with this as it made no sense to me. I was told that if the component was faulty and needed replacing MB would pay for it, but if the software upgrade worked, which it appears to have, then I would have to pay for it. I therefore sent an email to the MD of the Bristol dealership and fairplay to Mr Mike Fellows he responded very promptly and agreed with my view. So they are reimbursing me the cost of the work I have paid for. Well done to Bristol MB. This will probably be worthwhile for them in the long run because as a result of this outcome I now intend to use them when servicing is required.

 

[SLKFORTWO]

Well this is an update following an update! After the software was reprogrammed (at thankfully no cost to me courtesy of Bristol MB) the car seemed ok. Then after about 3 weeks the auto g/box fault reappeared. Booked it into MB Bristol and they took it in to check it and do the necessary. They told me that any work would be covered to some extent by MB UK goodwill, but could not guarantee whether it might be for all of the cost. So I waited with fingers crossed, and then after a couple of days I was told the car was ready and at no cost to me! MB UK had covered the cost of replacing a hydraulic plate of some sort which was giving fault codes, and hopefully now is all ok! Thanks to all concerned.

I wonder how many other car makers would react this favourably in similar circumstances?