What should be my response?

[Ralph]

The fault. Comfort function on steering wheel fails to operate. Used to be 50% of the time, but now only 10%.

The fault doesn't show up on their diagnostics, but does manifest itself in their presence. They do acknowledge the fault exists. I am concerned that something relatively unconnected is manifesting itself with this fault.

MB main agent have had it back 10+ times, have replaced umpteen components , but have failed to cure it. They've had the car for the last 4 days rectifying the latest batch of faults, including a failed seat belt.

The car is persistantly faulty with a myriad of problems. (I only do 4000 miles a year!) Since I bought it 2 years ago, it has been @ MB for I guess 6/8 weeks in total for rectification work!

My 3 year warantee runs out in 3 months.

 

[sparkyspost]

Hi Ralph,

Sorry to hear about your worries...

Unfortunately I've not been in the position to own a Mercedes from new, so I'm not in the best position to give advice about dealing with the stealers, but would say...

What are your plans for the car?
Are you looking to replace / upgrade?

This might give you more options with the stealer.
Making them take it as a part exchange for a fair price in the interests of customer service (you might have to explain to them what that is). against a newer model.

If not, then the next time you are in you could raise the list of problems that you have had since owning it (from new?). and say that you are most concerned that these issues will continue, and this was not what you expect from a prestigous (sp?) as MB.

You could push for an extension to the warranty, or at least a knock down price for the extension (if they offer one).

Best of luck

cheers

Sparky

 

[Ralph]

Thanks for your suggestions Sparky.

I bought it 2 years ago, 9 months / 11000 miles old. Previously it had been a demo, sold on and repurchased by the main agent.
Have tracked down / spoken to the previous owner who gave the car a clean bill of health and was supprised at the problems I had. He only kept it a short while as he decided he had bought too many cars!

Selling dealer and warantee work dealer are different because of distance.

Original dealer was so arrogant and unpleasant that although they suggested an unspecified trade in against a new one, I really don't want anything to do with them.

A solicitor advised me that after 18 months of ownership, I had kept the car too long to go down the legal route.

MB UK wern't really interested. MB Stuttgart never even acknowledged any of my communications.

My original idea was to keep it 10 years (4 or 5000 miles a year), but am extremely worried about the blank cheque aspects of maintainance I will be committing too.

My wife wanted a new SLK, but has been put off by my experiences.

They did just do a 'B' service for me at a concessionary price in compensation.

Think I will approach MB UK for either a warantee extension due to off road time or a concessionary price for an extension, but would still like to hear other suggestions.

 

[MercedesBent]

Not so clever but......

Get someone to steal it, torch it and use the insurance money to buy another car of choice....this time if faults occur kick up a massive stink from day one and don't be so tollerant of faults from a top quality marque company!!

(all advice given is strictly offered tounge-in-cheek and in no way indicates that this is what I would ever do - honest!)

 

[peterchurch]

Hi,
Sorry to hear about this Why not take the problems to the trading standards and ask them to help you out? Or try taking it to a different dealers. Either way I think that they should give you an extra years waranty to prove the car is clear of faults, as you say 10 weeks in for 8K is not normal...

Good luck

Peter

 

[prprandall51]

Warranty extension

Honest John in the telegraph has often suggested asking for a warranty extension. Seems like a good form of recompense.

I would be wary of asking for an extension based upon the time your car has been off the road, though (as suggested above) - you may find that they give you just that - an 8 week extension!

Perhaps you could trap them by asking the dealer principle (definitely a conversation for the principle only) if he has faith in the car's long term reliability? He has to say "yes", really. Then - in consideration of the inconvenience, distress and wasted time that this car has so far improsed upon you plus all the time it's been off-road in his garage and the loss of faith in the brand that this saga has created - you could ask him to exhibit his faith in the car's reliability in real terms by giving you an extended warranty.

The new SLK looks like a great car and does not appear to be affected by faults. If you throw an SLK order into the negotiating pot it seems reasonable to expect a sizable extension to the warranty.

Best of luck!

 

[mercedes lover]

Sorry to hear what your going through, I know how you feel, it's like banging your head against a brick wall. Dont know what to suggest but good luck.

 

[mercedes lover]

! suggestion either tell people not to buy mercedes in the garage so the manager takes you in his office for a talking to which you can then try to get something done, or park blocking the way in to the garage with a billet board saying these cars are cra* buy one like mine and you can come back 10 times a year, If you could loose them a sale they will try to fix it, i'm sure.

 

[peterchurch]

Honest John in the telegraph has often suggested asking for a warranty extension. Seems like a good form of recompense.

I would be wary of asking for an extension based upon the time your car has been off the road, though (as suggested above) - you may find that they give you just that - an 8 week extension!

Perhaps you could trap them by asking the dealer principle (definitely a conversation for the principle only) if he has faith in the car's long term reliability? He has to say "yes", really. Then - in consideration of the inconvenience, distress and wasted time that this car has so far improsed upon you plus all the time it's been off-road in his garage and the loss of faith in the brand that this saga has created - you could ask him to exhibit his faith in the car's reliability in real terms by giving you an extended warranty.

The new SLK looks like a great car and does not appear to be affected by faults. If you throw an SLK order into the negotiating pot it seems reasonable to expect a sizable extension to the warranty.

Best of luck!

A Perfect Plan

Although you can't comment on the new SLK as they are too new to really be showing anything up yet ...
l thought the dealer Principle is the sales side so I would include the service manager in the discussion as well if things look bad from the service side then point out to the sales side that the Service guy is losing him his SLK order and sit back

 

[Ralph]

Just collected the car (again). Asked about extended warantee. Apparently up until 4(?) months ago the RAC(?) ran the extended warantees for MB, but they went bust(??). Current offering is via Mondial Assistance and cost £600 ~ £700 pa. (!*$$*!). MB might be offering something in a few months time.

Doesn't instill great faith in the long term reliability of the vehicle. It never occurred to be that MB didn't operate their own scheme.

Looked at Mondial's site. Besides a bit of self back slapping, not a lot of info there.