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So, 4 weeks into S Class ownership..

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such01

Active Member
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Joined
Jul 13, 2016
Messages
664
Location
Essex Coast
Car
W222 350d OM656 2017
My new to me W222 is now 4 weeks old and this is my experience to date.
On collection of the car, it was noted the A/C was not cold and the dealer agreed to reimburse a reasonable amount for an A/C service.
The left magic wiper wasn't very magic, taking a few presses of the washer button before any fluid emerged - although it had been "fixed" and working before collection. Reimbursement was agreed.
Car was booked into MB Colchester for a couple of outstanding software updates on 10th March, during which they investigated the washers and cleaned the tank and tested -"all working" - £128 please. Reimbursed by PCBS
VHC was all clear and told car was good. No video provided. Car was left with them all day and finally got into workshop around 16:00. I dropped off the loan car, £30 please, and collected the car around 17:00.
The following day I checked the washer and the left side was still the same.
I have an A/C mobile visit booked for 13th March, on arrival found out gas is R744 and needs specialist machine to fill. Visit to MB booked for 20th March quoted £128 plus vat for A/C R744 service.
In the meantime, whilst getting the front nearside passenger tyre changed, a wheel stud was truly stuck and the tyre place did not proceed for fear of breaking the stud. They checked another wheel and it looked like most of the studs were gunned in and not torqued. Advised to go back to dealer where bought an get them to undo/retorque all wheel studs.
Trip to Tonbridge PCBS 17th March - they managed to removed stuck stud and retorqued all wheels.
Revisited F1 autos' Clacton to have tyre fitted (etyre order) and they couldn't find tyre!
20th March @MB Colchester - A/C service not successful due to pressure loss - requires investigation. VHC stated NSF spring link with play requiring replacement ASAP. VHC just shows an quick image of the said spring link with not a pry bar in sight.
I queried why the VHC the previous week did not show this. No real explanation.
Fast forward to today and A/C investigation:

"I have just sent you the visual safety report which shows the play in both drop links a cost of £398.88 to replace.
We have also investigated the leak in the aircon, Check system and confirmed aircon not working, fit charger and diagnostic kit and run quick test, low gas pressure, regaled system and tested, found leak on pipe but even after regas the compressor performance is very poor, suspect lack of gas has damaged aircon compressor. We need to replace aircon compressor and both pipes to compressor and retest system. Unable to complete testing without running system at full pressure and this is not possible due to bad compressor performance. Aircon compressor and both pipes need replacing would need replacing for a cost of £3,862.56."
Investigation - £178 please - sent to PCBS for reimbursement.
Also needs new wiper blades £133 please. DIY thanks

I have sent this to PCBS - l don't expect them to agree to MB costs but perhaps an MB specialist. If not I'll be dropping the car back and asking for a refund.
I am booked in with Alex Crow tmrw for an ATF change and Nick will check the front links to see if my chain is being yanked, and also look @ the A/C but unable to regas to test.

Also need a new windscreen as an object hit the screen on A14 causing 2 cracks - MB want £1016 to replace glass, I'll pay my £200 excess on insurance to have proper glass.

Apart from the above - the car is great, drives well and is very comfortable.
 
A fascinating read and thanks for posting. I don't think you could be anymore unlucky.
 
Well, I'm waiting for the supplying retailer to get back to me this morning. Worst case scenario is the car will be going back to them and I'll be seeking a full refund.
Even if the car does get returned, they still have to fix it to resell it, so I hope they cough up.
The compressor is only available via MB - not other 3rd party parts available, and I got referred back to MB by the AC specialists spoken to due to unreliability of compressor.
I have postponed the ATF service booked this afternoon and logged insurance claim for windscreen!
 
Sounds like a bit of a pain so far, but i did have some quite eye watering bills with my SL - but all done now so time to enjoy! ( Which i am sure you will be doing if the garage plays ball and puts it all right for you )
 
just spoke with PCBS and they have asked me leave the car with them to take to Stevensons in larkfield for him to look at. I used him a few times in my early ownership of my W212 for oil cooler and thermostat. If he is unable to fix and it needs to go back to MB then I would be offered my money back as they will not spend £4k on it. I'll be speaking with Steve later today hopefully to see if he can work on R744 systems.
 
such01 said:
just spoke with PCBS and they have asked me leave the car with them to take to Stevensons in larkfield for him to look at. I used him a few times in my early ownership of my W212 for oil cooler and thermostat. If he is unable to fix and it needs to go back to MB then I would be offered my money back as they will not spend £4k on it. I'll be speaking with Steve later today hopefully to see if he can work on R744 systems.
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I’m perhaps missing something but why are you getting involved in the repairs? It could muddy the water.
 
such01 said:
just spoke with PCBS and they have asked me leave the car with them to take to Stevensons in larkfield for him to look at. If he is unable to fix and it needs to go back to MB then I would be offered my money back as they will not spend £4k on it.
Click to expand...
Given that it seems the only way to get this fixed is via Merc, what's the trader's plan? Refund you then wang it into auction and hope for someone else unsuspecting?

Not your problem, but maybe better off without this one. Getting an ATF change days after purchase on a car like this. Could this be a general indication of things not done to spec and corners cut?
 
MrGreedy said:
Given that it seems the only way to get this fixed is via Merc, what's the trader's plan? Refund you then wang it into auction and hope for someone else unsuspecting?

Not your problem, but maybe better off without this one. Getting an ATF change days after purchase on a car like this. Could this be a general indication of things not done to spec and corners cut?
Click to expand...
I think the previous owner was aware the compressor was on it's way out, hence the sale to PCBS, who I'd say wasn't aware. As long as I get the full purchase price refunded I'll be happy.
The car otherwise drives very well - it's a shame that such an unnecessary expensive repair will put this car out of action. I'll make sure my next one has normal gas.
 
Sorry to hear about the issues you’ve been having.

I hate to say it but I’d take some learning from this as a few of us did try and advise you that the car had some red flags about it before you bought it.

Plenty more cars out there - I wouldn’t let this example put you off the marque or model, but I’d probably try a different dealer next time who is more selective about their stock and checks their vehicles before sale.
 
Will said:
Sorry to hear about the issues you’ve been having.

I hate to say it but I’d take some learning from this as a few of us did try and advise you that the car had some red flags about it before you bought it.

Plenty more cars out there - I wouldn’t let this example put you off the marque or model, but I’d probably try a different dealer next time who is more selective about their stock and checks their vehicles before sale.
Click to expand...
TBF, the aircon was blowing cold intermittently so may have been ok when checked by the dealer when they took it in back in Nov 24. That's the only major issue I had with the car - the other issue was just carelessness by the wheel refurbishers and I question if the spring links actually do need replacing as when Alex Crow did a check 3 weeks ago everything was ok.
 
Bit of an update - MB Colchester has offered to pay 31% goodwill leaving a balance of around £2800 to be paid. I can either pay half with PCBS or give it back and pay a mileage charge of around £5-700, look for another car - similar age with same spec/mileage and pay an extra £4k+ as they all seem to start around £28k+
Decided to go halves with PCBS as I don't have the time to look for another or want to spend another £3k and potentially face the same issue later on as all these models use the same A/C system.
At least when MB fix it it'll have a 2yr warranty.
Aside from this issue, it has been a joy to drive over the 3500 miles travelled since purchase.
 
As it's still a fair enough price on a car you like with a new part fitted, it's not the worst place to be.

You could ask for a full sweep of the car on STAR as a final bit of reassurance whilst it's in getting the work done (at sellers cost of course)

Eyes wide open and all that....
 
WilliamMaldivess211 said:
Wow, s-class ownership sounds expensive! Hope things get better
Click to expand...

Some I know by site, via family and often see at weddings and other events. The guy upgraded himself several years ago from an e class to a S class that was a couple of years newer than his e class and the s class was I guess about 5/6 years old. HE foolishly thought it was basically an e-class just a bit bigger. He is wright to an expended on the appearance of the car but then he had wiring loom/electrical problems and it cost hi him a couple of thousand and he quickly sold the car at a helfty, few k loss within the year. He went back to an e class.

I've dreamt about an s class and two things put me off, I'm used to suv's over the years and particularly since I bought the gle in 2016 and equally, the dread of suspension/electrical faults.

As most of us know, it is also luck of the draw as with almost any complex car about what goes wrong and knowing a trustworthy, fair priced mechanic that has the knowledge and skills to diagnose/repair also helps along your own knowledge of car - ie not falling for necessary work or dealing with a mechanic that is genuine but lacks the knowledge re your car.
 
fabes said:
As it's still a fair enough price on a car you like with a new part fitted, it's not the worst place to be.

You could ask for a full sweep of the car on STAR as a final bit of reassurance whilst it's in getting the work done (at sellers cost of course)

Eyes wide open and all that....
Click to expand...
I've done a couple of scans using Icarsoft MBII and Carly and both have come out clean. I'll ask my indie to do it when in for the ATF change
 
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