worthless A class

[pos.k]

Does this gearbox weakness apply to later models also?

My friend has just bought an A class about 3 years old I think!

 

[lynall]

Well as it appears ops is 5 years old and your mates is 3 years i would say theres a pretty good chance it could have the same problem sooner or later.

Bear in mind it probably took a couple of years for the problem to become common knowledge.



Lynall

 

[jaymanek]

it only applies to the old shape. At 3 years its likely to be the new shape which is pretty solid.

The OP says he bought his car 5 years ago.. it may have been used at the time?

 

[Ronnie]

you wont get anywhere at all with a claim after 4 years... especially on a well known weakness.

Best bet is to get your box reconditioned.. total bill will be less than £1500...

If you can find a second hand box, you may save a little.. but then its a second hand box that mat just blow up.

Would the fact that the fault is common only enhance the prospects of a sucessful claim ?

 

[rf065]

Would the fact that the fault is common only enhance the prospects of a sucessful claim ?

We should follow the American system where all affected owners can take out a "class action" against companies, it works for them.

Russ

 

[lynall]

Quote, bought an A class AUTOMATIC from a Mercedes dealer 4 years ago--less than one year old and now @37000 miles he has told me that it will take £5000 to replace the gearbox

Looks like its less than 5 years old



Lynall

 

[nick mercedes]

I bought an A class AUTOMATIC from a Mercedes dealer 4 years ago--less than one year old and now @37000 miles he has told me that it will take £5000 to replace the gearbox. I am stunned.

Consider getting an indi to fit a used box.

 

[uk174]

Get the gearbox reconditioned,should be no more than £1000-£1500.better than buying a second hand one especially if it is a common fault.Then sell the car if you still wanted to.

 

[Anil]

You might find some useful info on this website when you know what the problem is:

linky

 

[219]

Going back to Hawk20's excellent post re MOBILO cover , it does read as though a car of that age ( less than 5 yrs old = registered after Jan 1 , 2004 ) ought to be covered against mechanical breakdown - assuming it has been serviced by a Mercedes-Benz dealer . Why PAY for a repair if it should be done under warranty ?

QUOTE " Subject to terms and conditions on servicing at an MB dealer, all cars with Mobilo-Life or more recently Mobilo are covered for 30 years from 1st registration for such things as breakdowns due to mechanical or electrical defects.

Vehicles registered between 1st January 2004 to 31st March 2008

Period of unconditional cover: - 2 years (24 months) from initial registration


Once the vehicle reaches it's 3rd year, cover is renewed each time a scheduled service is carried out by a Mercedes-Benz Authorised Repairer and remains valid until the next service is due, for a maximum of 30 years. If a service is overdue or has been carried out outside the Mercedes-Benz network at the time of assistance, from the 3rd year, Mobilo does not apply. This can be reinstated by the completion of a Mercedes-Benz service. " UNQUOTE

Details as below -


http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/63522-mobilo-life-mobilo.html

 

[rf065]

Why PAY for a repair if it should be done under warranty ?

Mobilo is more like breakdown recovery cover, not a vehicle warranty.

Russ

 

[Dryce]

Going back to Hawk20's excellent post re MOBILO cover , it does read as though a car of that age ( less than 5 yrs old = registered after Jan 1 , 2004 ) ought to be covered against mechanical breakdown - assuming it has been serviced by a Mercedes-Benz dealer . Why PAY for a repair if it should be done under warranty ?

Mobilo is about recovery - not repair.

AIUI they get you to a dealer. You get some services such as a transport/accommodation expenses/replacement car as part of Mobilo if the problem means the dealer can't fix it immediately.

But the repair at the dealer is no different from you driving the car in and asking them to fix it. At that point you may be covered by the vehicle warranty, possibly goodwill, or require a second mortgage/inheritance depending on car age and circumstances.

 

[Adam230K]

Get a few people's opinions (indy's and maybe another dealer) and if it really is the gearbox go for a recon or second hand part. You did happen to choose possibly one of the worst merc's (in terms of reliability and running costs) there is, sorry to hear about your woes .

 

[oscarisapc]

Gearbox repair

What I find unacceptable about all this is the fact that MB do not seem to want to repair the gearbox. I stand to be corrected but I doubt there is £5000 worth of repair work needing doing to it - after all, if it goes for a bit all the basic gears and mechanical connections must be Ok and the fact that something in the various control units and linkages may be faulty does not obviate the fact that 95% of the gearbox is still serviceable. I have experienced previously MB dealers replacing complex parts rather than repairing them, and although I can see the economic logic in doing that for some cheaper bits, to throw away a £5000 part as unrepairable seems to be a waste. Or am I being unfair? Those of you who take gearboxes apart may have a better view.

 

[BTB 500]

I stand to be corrected but I doubt there is £5000 worth of repair work needing doing to it

Well the local Audi dealer quoted us just under £3000 excluding labour to put a reconditioned auto box into our 1996 A4.

As mentioned the A Class is a pig to work on because everything is under the floor.

 

[BTB 500]

Just noticed that the OP has not logged on to the Forum since starting this thread