W166 ML63 problem.

[Crispian22]

After some advice if I could pick your brains please.

At the end of February and after a long search,I became the proud owner of one of my dream car's, a ML63 amg.

I searched long and hard for the right spec to come along and finally found the right car.

'Because covid',it was a distant sale from a non Mercedes main dealer,so no test drive or viewing.

Its a 1 owner car,58k miles that has a full and up to date mercedes history, something that appealed to me even more.

It also had a big service (£1500) at a non specialist garage prior to me picking it up.

Since I've had it,(5 weeks)it has on occasion made a squealing sound,very much like a supercharger,this prompted me to take it to my well trusted local indie last week,who,after a brief look on the ramps,told me the gearbox mount needs replacement and that there is a big oil leak,which would probably be the cause of the squealing sound as oil dropping on the serpentine belt would cause the belt to slip on the pulleys.
I was told further investigation needs to take place in order to find what is leaking(its booked in this week)

I spoke to the warranty people today for advice on how to proceed,the guy talked me through the process and all was well.

Up until he mentioned oil leaks aren't covered(although a failed part causing the leak would be)

I insisted as part of the deal when I bought it,they provide a 12 month warranty,this covers a £4k claim limit(no limit on claims up to value of car)

What I'm asking i guess,is what are my rights to repair given I've had it for such a short time?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Will]

You don’t need to rely on the warranty here.

You need to contact the supplying seller and explain what you have to us, and that these issues need fixing.

The warranty you have is in addition to your consumer rights.

 

[Crispian22]

Thanks for your reply.

I spoke to them on the day I dropped it in at the specialist for the initial examination, the sales guy apologised and gave me the details of the in house warranty department who I spoke to today.

It just came as a bit of a shock when he mentioned oil leaks aren't covered.

Hopefully it will be an easy fix but until I know what needs doing,and if the warranty company agree to pay for the remedial work,it is a very expensive driveway ornament at the minute as I won't be using it until it goes back to the specialist.

I presume I have some form of consumer law protection?

Many thanks.

 

[Will]

Yes, this should not really be dealt with by the warranty company, and you don’t have to rely on that. The fault sounds almost certainly like a pre-existing condition and it is down to the seller to rectify regardless.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

As Will suggests, this is not a matter for the warranty provider, it’s for the dealer to resolve. Citizens Advice Bureau should be able to help if you get fobbed off.

 

[Crispian22]

Just to conclude this.

The local trusted specialist found the source of the leak to be the sump plug washer.

One oil and filter change later,all is well.

I will be writing a stern email to the supplying dealer,i hate to think what would have happened had I just carried on with my planned 800 mile road trip in it next week with no oil in it.

I also need them to reimburse me for the cost of the oil and filter change.

Live and learn.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Glad it’s sorted. Get on and enjoy your car, it’s one of my all time favourites, even the colour

 

[Crispian22]

Thank you, it is a beauty, I'm absolutely smitten with it

 

[WhiteC63]

I'm looking high and low for a black one with the right optional extras!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I'm looking high and low for a black one with the right optional extras!

You have fine taste. If you can get one with a performance pack then it’s a rare and desirable option.

 

[Crispian22]

I spent a good 3 months looking for mine,very nearly bought a wrong un in the excitement of getting one,glad I held out though as I absolutely love the one I ended up with.

The performance package models(as mine is) make an already rare car even harder to find.

 

[WhiteC63]

I spent a good 3 months looking for mine,very nearly bought a wrong un in the excitement of getting one,glad I held out though as I absolutely love the one I ended up with.

The performance package models(as mine is) make an already rare car even harder to find.

My search is almost coming up to 3 months too! I found 2x black ones right at the beginning and didn't act on them fast enough as I hadn't realised how rare they were. And 10 weeks down the line not a single black one has appeared with the fully loaded options. I have found a white one and will be buying it next week if nothing else comes up...really really wanted black

 

[Crispian22]

My search is almost coming up to 3 months too! I found 2x black ones right at the beginning and didn't act on them fast enough as I hadn't realised how rare they were. And 10 weeks down the line not a single black one has appeared with the fully loaded options. I have found a white one and will be buying it next week if nothing else comes up...really really wanted black

Then you should wait for a black one if that's what you really want,I think you'll only regret settling for second best.

 

[Crispian22]

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Same colour combo as mine,seems to have the performance package looking at the steering wheel and brake calipers.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I spent a good 3 months looking for mine,very nearly bought a wrong un in the excitement of getting one,glad I held out though as I absolutely love the one I ended up with.

The performance package models(as mine is) make an already rare car even harder to find.

Alpaca interior too? That is a rare combination with the Performance Pack

Edited to add: ahhh if yours is the same as the advert then I think that’s Almond Beige rather than Alpaca Grey.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Same colour combo as mine,seems to have the performance package looking at the steering wheel and brake calipers.

Brake calipers look grey to me, which suggests that it’s not a Performance Pack model - perhaps it’s just got the leather/dynamica wheel which was available as an option (code 281 maybe?)

 

[Crispian22]

Brake calipers look grey to me, which suggests that it’s not a Performance Pack model - perhaps it’s just got the leather/dynamica wheel which was available as an option (code 281 maybe?)

Mine are grey also,it was either red or grey as an option with the performance package I'm led to believe.

 

[Crispian22]

Alpaca interior too? That is a rare combination with the Performance Pack

Edited to add: ahhh if yours is the same as the advert then I think that’s Almond Beige rather than Alpaca Grey.

Yes almond beige.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Mine are grey also,it was either red or grey as an option with the performance package I'm led to believe.

It wasn’t an option available to a regular customer in the UK. It might have been possible by taking the car to the Performance Studio but that would have been hellishly expensive and if someone had done that then I would expect that there would be other customisations too.

In the UK the Performance Package came with the lower upgrade, steering wheel and red calipers. It wasn’t mentioned in the literature, but it also came bundled with the carbon engine cover. The steering wheel was available separately (option 281).

Do you have the carbon engine cover?

 

[Crispian22]

It wasn’t an option available to a regular customer in the UK. It might have been possible by taking the car to the Performance Studio but that would have been hellishly expensive and if someone had done that then I would expect that there would be other customisations too.

In the UK the Performance Package came with the lower upgrade, steering wheel and red calipers. It wasn’t mentioned in the literature, but it also came bundled with the carbon engine cover. The steering wheel was available separately (option 281).

Do you have the carbon engine cover?

Yes I do,iirc,when I downloaded the build sheet,the calipers in the silver finish was a further option.

I'll try and find it and post it up