Variable steering

[normanh]

I have a 2011 c204 220cdi my steering has gone stiff when stationary it seems to be ok when the car is being driven. I rang Mercedes and was told that it is a 'valve' that has gone defective in the steering rack, they describe the item as a valve repair kit but it is really a new valve priced at £240+vat. The guy was able to look up on his computer and tell me there had been 73 of these kits sold this year in the UK and it is known to give problems (obviously). What I'm wondering if it is a 'known' fault surely Mercedes have a responsibility towards the cost of the new part. My car is just out of warranty so I'm gonna have to pay up it looks like.
Has anyone on here come across this problem? I don't know if it's confined only to the C class.
I'm gonna ring Mercedes customer care and ask for a contribution because of the 'known' fault.

 

[normanh]

Emailed Mercedes and got a call back asking me to book car in for examination they haven't ruled out some goodwill at this stage so I'll keep yous posted