The theory was garbage

[kiforrest]

Don't let a bit of internet chatter put you off - it's a forum - doom and gloom are two of it's pillars .

The customer is always right

I recognise, appreciate and value the opinion of the true end users and enthusiasts rather than marketing and bumph from the sales people.

I am sure the 7G box is fine - but the 7G plus is better. The CLS350CDi with the later grill has it - but I have no clue as to when the E class cabrio got it

I would like to know to factor that into my thinking. It could rule one Mercedes out in favour of the other. F10 is out as everyone has one - whilst the Audi A8 is an interesting alternative with an 8 speed box.

The Merc (s) look better than them. I want one at this moment but won't risk a poor ill informed decision when I have this forum to help me

 

[Developer]

Be mindful that E cab and Coupe are based upon the C Class platform.

A CLS and certainly an A8 aren't direct competitors for the Cab/Coupe, nice cars that the Cab/Coupe are.

 

[kiforrest]

Yup aware of that cheers - just a cabriolet appeals as the left of field choice. I don't think anyone does Cabrio's as well as Mercedes

The CLS appeals as the more 'sensible' choice. Torn between that and the Cabrio - but if a 61 plate 265 BhP ragtop has the older 7G box then that may twist the decision for me

The Cabrios are strange. Some have the 265 engine and 'droopy eye' LEDS - others have the new engine but straight LEDS. I am wondering if the latter has the newer box

 

[st4]

Likewise a man in Birmingham had a 7g and it wasn't ok.
The experiences of others are worth considering but it is only there experiences not everyones.

No but everyone ought to consider the experience of others.

The issues with the OPs car, there are no surprises here. It seems to me I am a troll for highlighting that 7g boxes give this fault.

My advice to the OP, if I may have the blessings of drmw and the enlightenment of Dev, is to reject it and get a clk220cdi with the less troublesome 5g box.

 

[trapperjohn]

I do spend some of my time squiring around in non Mercedes cars. I think Simon you will get rid of this lemon and be back in a different Mercedes. Why because once you have driven and owned a Mercedes you are never really happy in anything other than that as your prime mover.

Good Luck in getting it sorted or rejected.

 

[redbaron1973]

I do spend some of my time squiring around in non Mercedes cars. I think Simon you will get rid of this lemon and be back in a different Mercedes. Why because once you have driven and owned a Mercedes you are never really happy in anything other than that as your prime mover.

Good Luck in getting it sorted or rejected.

It is certainly sounding like a lemon....

 

[st4]

It is certainly sounding like a lemon....

Why is why I said consider the sales of good act to getting rid of it.

Or if he wants to keep it sit tight. My post was probably one of the most helpful on this board.

 

[st4]

This looks nice

http://www.mercland.com/model/1619-...20-CDI-AMG-SPORT-COUPE-DIESEL-AUTO-BLACK.html

http://www.mercland.com/model/1676-...-CDI-AVANTGARDE-COUPE-DIESEL-AUTO-SILVER.html

 

[C350Carl]

As i have a 7G box in my C350 CDI

What are these "common" faults being referred too? just wondering as once my Warranty runs out i'll be going with someone like Warranty Direct as i imagine a new box is a tad pricey!

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

As I have said to Simon personally, the way this has been handled by the MB dealer has been beyond poor. They should have rectified this issue by simply ordering another TCU plate or EHCU and swapped it under parts warranty.

All this faffing about trying to get coding files is a waste of time, especially if they know their connection with MBAG is poor (a complete load of BS IMO). All they had to do was contact technical, explain the issue and likely technical would have told them to swap the plate and given the reason for doing so as they did with me about 2 months ago. Drama over in 4 days including ordering the new part.

 

[stumpy]

Personally I think rejecting the car will not be an option for Simon. I have rejected 3 cars over the last few years and it is not an easy process.

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Personally I think rejecting the car will not be an option for Simon. I have rejected 3 cars over the last few years and it is not an easy process.

Especially when the car has yet to be proven its a "lemon". Its had a fault or 2 yes, but is a used car not a new one and a water pump and a TCU are hardly the end of the world and if in the right hands should be straight forward repairs.

 

[roofless]

As I have said to Simon personally, the way this has been handled by the MB dealer has been beyond poor. They should have rectified this issue by simply ordering another TCU plate or EHCU and swapped it under parts warranty.

All this faffing about trying to get coding files is a waste of time, especially if they know their connection with MBAG is poor (a complete load of BS IMO). All they had to do was contact technical, explain the issue and likely technical would have told them to swap the plate and given the reason for doing so as they did with me about 2 months ago. Drama over in 4 days including ordering the new part.

I wouldn't be surprised if the problem is the fitting by a third party garage
& Mercedes not willing to replace under warranty

 

[stumpy]

Especially when the car has yet to be proven its a "lemon". Its had a fault or 2 yes, but is a used car not a new one and a water pump and a TCU are hardly the end of the world and if in the right hands should be straight forward repairs.

I should add, all 3 of mine were brand new cars (2 Mercs and 1 Morgan) where the law is most in your favour.

 

[Mic]

As I have said to Simon personally, the way this has been handled by the MB dealer has been beyond poor. They should have rectified this issue by simply ordering another TCU plate or EHCU and swapped it under parts warranty.

All this faffing about trying to get coding files is a waste of time, especially if they know their connection with MBAG is poor (a complete load of BS IMO). All they had to do was contact technical, explain the issue and likely technical would have told them to swap the plate and given the reason for doing so as they did with me about 2 months ago. Drama over in 4 days including ordering the new part.

You may well be correct about the most expedient solution to the problem but Simon only has a Contract with Sterling which is therefore his only formal line of communication which should always be an audit able written (email will do) trail for if the worst comes to the worst. The MB dealer's only contractual responsibility is to Sterling, not Simon......the fact that they have allowed Simon to talk to them direct was probably foolhardy on their part but no doubt allowed with the best of intentions.
The MB dealer themselves surely do not have a parts warranty liability (or am I missing something?)......so far as we are aware they have never owned nor sold the car.....they are merely a contractor to Sterling acting on Sterling's instructions which in the first instance at least will have included a directive to minimise costs.
It is far too late for cost to be the driving criterion and Sterling should by now be instructing the MB dealer that expediency is now of the essence regardless of cost because they have a duty of care to their client, Simon, which is now embarrassingly somewhat stretched.
This is a difficult situation for Sterling who are likely to end up losing money on the transaction......it is a difficult situation for Simon who for the past few weeks has not got what he bargained for but the only way to a satisfactory conclusion is for Simon and Sterling to keep calm and work together by maintaining an honest understanding of each others predicament.
Sterling will have bought and sold the car in good faith......s**t happens although constant and accurate communication makes the odour more agreeable.

Mic

 

[whitenemesis]

Agreed 100% Mic but to muddy the waters even further was not the replacement part initially fitted by a non-MB specialist garage on behalf of Sterling. It then had to go to the MB dealer?

 

[stumpy]

Which is why Sterling need to act decisively to remedy the situation for Simon. A refund or replacement car should be on offer by now.

 

[S.Speed]

Thank you all

Thank you all very much for sharing the burden and giving good advice..
The latest is that apparently the car has now accepted the new (modified) codes from Germany..
They have asked Stirling for permission to go another 2 hours on the car.
Tomorrow they will double check the transmission fluid levels (as the fluid was replaced by a third party).. Then give a thorough road test..
IF and I do say this tentatively. IF all goes well then I shall meet at a half way point tomorrow evening to collect the car..

I should reiterate at this point that in hindsight Stirling have behaved very honourably. They have paid all costs and also loaned me a car for the entire duration of the saga.
They have also agreed to pay for a 1 year warranty.. (better than nothing in theory)..
I would like to think that for a while at least I have had my share of bad karma.
I have 1 week to regain the trust in the car before the Haynes meetup...
God I hope its ready tomorrow !!!

 

[turbopete]

glad things are starting to show that there is possibly light at the end of the tunnel for you on this Simon. then hopefully you can get back to enjoying your car

 

[Developer]

Good news (hopefully) Simon - fingers crossed...