Why oh why did I buy a Mercedes?

[Andrew Ford]

Don't comand on line supply and fit things like this ? comandonline.co.uk

Yes for £6K when you can get all new parts except the sensor for £600 and I'm more than capable of fitting them so that leaves a lot of headroom to pay someone to program it.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I think the OP has a point about the manufacturer not being able to supply certain spare parts, this is obviously a potential issue e.g. if your Distronic-equipped car is involved in a crash and needs new radar sensor etc.

Said that... we are talking about one order that the manufacturer was unable to supply... this can happen to any manufacturer. It does not imply that there's an endemic issue with Mercedes Benz spare parts.

Regarding the attitude of the sales people at the dealership.... sadly there are too many complaints of these nature, so I think we should accept that there's an issue with quite a few dealerships on that front.

I would think that MB keep such parts back for warranty work or damage repairs and don't sell on as an upgrade for fear of being unable to supply those more important.

 

[mat8n]

Should your thread not have been titled
"why oh why did I buy a cheap stock Mercedes with the wrong spec and then expect to fit an expensive optional extra on the cheap'?

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Should your thread not have been titled
"why oh why did I buy a cheap stock Mercedes with the wrong spec and then expect to fit an expensive optional extra on the cheap'?

Firm but fair.

 

[clk320x]

Should your thread not have been titled
"why oh why did I buy a cheap stock Mercedes with the wrong spec and then expect to fit an expensive optional extra on the cheap'?

Ooooo Burn!

 

[MancMike]

The reason I'd like the car gone is because I don't want to wait till I need a part to keep the car running to be told "sorry we can't supply that part".

This is all very strange. You're talking about needing a part to keep the car running? It's a brand new car with a brand new warranty. It's not a meccano set, or an old Ford where the spares department is your nearest scrapyard.

 

[clk320x]

This is all very strange. You're talking about needing a part to keep the car running? It's a brand new car with a brand new warranty. It's not a meccano set, or an old Ford where the spares department is your nearest scrapyard.

I think OP is just pissed off that they couldn't supply his retrofit part.

If it has put you off the brand that much by all means sell it and move on....

 

[mat8n]

If the car is brand new, will the part not be a warrenty only part? With a cost of £300 odd? Which is why they can't supply to an individual?

 

[markjay]

I would think that MB keep such parts back for warranty work or damage repairs and don't sell on as an upgrade for fear of being unable to supply those more important.

Possibly.... but it is also likely that the recent explosion in driver aid technology across all marques means that components such as HUD, radar sensors, etc are generally in short supply as manufacturers can't keep up with the fast growing demand.

 

[BlackC55]

To have it coded you may have to have the data card changed. Just bear that in mind.

 

[GeeJayW]

An additional consideration might be to do with liability. By supplying parts for Distronic to a private customer, MB may be concerned that they pick up implied liability for the subsequent fitment and integration of said parts. If Distronic is a factory fit or a dealer install option, maybe that's their only option for supply.

I don't think MB dealers in general are any better or worse than other dealers. FWIW we've had decent experience from our MB dealer since we bought our first Mercedes in 2005 (A150).

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Aspirational MB owners are often dissatisfied.

 

[gIzzE]

Starting to make more sense after getting to the last page.

Many manufacturers won't supply parts if your car was not fitted with those options to stat with.
BMW need you to supply a vin number and show the V5 to be able to supply you with some parts.

Have you asked on the A Class forum if someone with the option you want to retrofit could enquire about getting the part you are after?

 

[DSM10000]

Never had a problem getting the most obscure parts my Fords in the past.

You seem to be making a huge deal out of something that many members have tried to explain the reasons for but, not-with-standing, you seem to be on a path of wanting to complain regardless.

Perhaps this a case of nominative determinism? Buy a Ford?

 

[pmcgsmurf]

These parts will contain electronics.
As a Contract Electronic Manufacturer I can tell you the market has currently went even madder than it was.

Lead times on even the most standard decoupling capacitors have went to 999+ weeks.
Some of the larger manufacturers of these parts can currently only satisfy 30% of customer needs due to capacity constraints.
Some distributors of these part are currently profiteering to the tune of 3x or more on the parts.

It's unfortunate you can't get the parts you need but the reality is that the manufacturer of these parts will be in the same boat and Mercedes are hardly going to effect their production schedule to satisfy a non warranty item.

Sad but true, the answer would have been to have ordered the exact spec. you wanted in the first place and wait on a factory order.

 

[MancMike]

If you're trying to buy parts to retrofit options, of course they won't supply the parts. The option would have cost far more than the parts from the factory.

 

[wivenhoe]

Andrew try the authorised MB parts department in the back of Waterhouse Volvo. Don’t waste your time convincing the fanboys on here MB customer assistance is piss poor, they don’t want to hear it. I’d never buy another MB (or recommend one) because of the aftersales, regardless of the product quality - I wonder how brand retention there is.

Alf - I’m sure you have good reasons for your view of MB, but they seem a little different to your given member description - Hardcore Mercedes Enthusiast !

 

[Petrol Pete]

Andrew try the authorised MB parts department in the back of Waterhouse Volvo. Don’t waste your time convincing the fanboys on here MB customer assistance is piss poor, they don’t want to hear it. I’d never buy another MB (or recommend one) because of the aftersales, regardless of the product quality - I wonder how brand retention there is.

I am new (12 months) to MB with an 11 year old AMG and my (very) few visits to MB dealerships for spares has pretty much convinced me never to buy a car directly from them even if I win the lottery (I won't 'cos I don't play it, but you know what I mean) Just seem to be up themselves.

 

[flowrider]

I have done my fair share of complaining about MB dealers but in all honesty my experiences have been no worse than that with Ford, Vauxhall, Jeep or Citroen dealers. My best experience has been with a BMW dealership but that was at least 15 years ago!

 

[markjay]

I have done my fair share of complaining about MB dealers but in all honesty my experiences have been no worse than that with Ford, Vauxhall, Jeep or Citroen dealers. My best experience has been with a BMW dealership but that was at least 15 years ago!

I had two Omega's over a period of 11 years, serviced by various Vauxhall dealers, and I always found their service departments to be very good. Said that my last Vauxhall was sold in 2008... so things may have changed since?

I also have experience with a Kia dealer, a Renault dealer, and a Toyota/Lexus dealer.... i.e. one of each. And they were all OK. Not great, but OK.