Update to my thread re "Replacement engine for 2010 E350 Cdi"

[d215yq]

He must really love the MB brand, if I had an 8yr old car with 115k destroy a turbo and complete engine I would not be "negotiating on buying a newer model" from the same manufacturer. I know that it could happen on any car etc but I think in principle I would not reward them for producing something that poor, even if it's a rare occurrence.

 

[js190d]

Can you name the main dealer involved please just so i can make sure i never ever have any dealings with them in the future.
Theft is the only way to describe there business model.

 

[LostKiwi]

There are more than a few assumptions here, one of which is that the turbo was what failed. As I have said a failed turbo whistles, whines or screeches. One thing it does not do is knock (which IIRC was the initial sound made. Further a completely failed turbo will not cause an engine to stop unless it's been pumping it's oil out (which would be obvious from the smokescreen behind).
I suspect the engine popped a conrod.
This will start with a knocking and eventually stop the engine dead with a very loud bang (which ties in pretty well with the reported symptoms).

That being the case the engine will be scrap. All of it (possibly apart from the turbo ironically).
That said he has sold it cheap in my view - there's way more value in parts than the price received. He'd probably have got close to the same money just for the wheels.
Do I smell a rat with the dealership? Not really but it's hard to know without knowing exactly what failed. Some here are very willing to jump to conclusions on very little in the way if hard fact.
What I do see is a mechanic who can see an opportunity to repair a car to make a little money by using his own time (and time is the biggest cost of repair in many cases). I'd do the same.

 

[Ductman]

It would be interesting to track the registration number and see where it turns up - and how quickly...

May be difficult as it currently has a private plate which they will transfer to the new one and the old one given a replacement age related registration.

 

[Ductman]

Can you name the main dealer involved please just so i can make sure i never ever have any dealings with them in the future.
Theft is the only way to describe there business model.

Unlikely you would as they are only in the south of England.

 

[Ductman]

There are more than a few assumptions here, one of which is that the turbo was what failed. As I have said a failed turbo whistles, whines or screeches. One thing it does not do is knock (which IIRC was the initial sound made. Further a completely failed turbo will not cause an engine to stop unless it's been pumping it's oil out (which would be obvious from the smokescreen behind).
I suspect the engine popped a conrod.
This will start with a knocking and eventually stop the engine dead with a very loud bang (which ties in pretty well with the reported symptoms).

That being the case the engine will be scrap. All of it (possibly apart from the turbo ironically).
That said he has sold it cheap in my view - there's way more value in parts than the price received. He'd probably have got close to the same money just for the wheels.
Do I smell a rat with the dealership? Not really but it's hard to know without knowing exactly what failed. Some here are very willing to jump to conclusions on very little in the way if hard fact.
What I do see is a mechanic who can see an opportunity to repair a car to make a little money by using his own time (and time is the biggest cost of repair in many cases). I'd do the same.

I don't believe it has thrown a rod at all. The initial diagnosis from the man and van service chap was the turbo had eaten itself and thrown bits into the engine and the unprompted diagnosis from the MB dealer was essentially the same.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

It’s a sad fact especially with high end vehicles >8 years old which have suffered catastrophic engine failure that without manufacturer’s good will they will be written off. It doesn’t happen very often thankfully and of course we all hope we won’t be the one it happens to as the loss can be ££££s worse case scenario.

interesting B*W offer three levels of extended warranty once the manufacturer’s cover expires, full cover (excluding wear and tear), named components (pretty much all moving engine/gearbox parts) and basic (pistons, crankshaft etc). The annual cost is reasonable with an excess that lowers the premium which probably makes it more attractive

 

[js190d]

Unlikely you would as they are only in the south of England.

It does'nt matter i have already given them a new name "Arthur Daily Mercedes Ltd" - visit at your peril!

 

[Jim2]

There are more than a few assumptions here, one of which is that the turbo was what failed. As I have said a failed turbo whistles, whines or screeches. One thing it does not do is knock (which IIRC was the initial sound made. Further a completely failed turbo will not cause an engine to stop unless it's been pumping it's oil out (which would be obvious from the smokescreen behind).
I suspect the engine popped a conrod.
This will start with a knocking and eventually stop the engine dead with a very loud bang (which ties in pretty well with the reported symptoms).

That being the case the engine will be scrap. All of it (possibly apart from the turbo ironically).
That said he has sold it cheap in my view - there's way more value in parts than the price received. He'd probably have got close to the same money just for the wheels.
Do I smell a rat with the dealership? Not really but it's hard to know without knowing exactly what failed. Some here are very willing to jump to conclusions on very little in the way if hard fact.
What I do see is a mechanic who can see an opportunity to repair a car to make a little money by using his own time (and time is the biggest cost of repair in many cases). I'd do the same.

That's what I mentioned in an earlier post...the mechanic either had an replacement engine lined up, or else he would have the time and space scrap it. Given the owners lack of mechanical knowledge, neither would have applied. And strictly speaking, they did not break any law's ( unless you consider "sharp Practice" to be criminal )

 

[js190d]

"Given the owners lack of mechanical knowledge". Its a phrase like a gift to the gods of sharp practice.

 

[EmilysDad]

..... Her reasoning is that she wanted to maintain the Mobilo life warranty although .....

What's the attraction of Mobilo? Is it not just a recovery service that recovers your car to a MB dealer?

 

[LostKiwi]

I don't believe it has thrown a rod at all. The initial diagnosis from the man and van service chap was the turbo had eaten itself and thrown bits into the engine and the unprompted diagnosis from the MB dealer was essentially the same.

Turbos don't do that though. Not without a LOT of screeching beforehand.

 

[Blobcat]

Turbos don't do that though. Not without a LOT of screeching beforehand.

Never turned the radio up in a company or hire car?

 

[Jim2]

"Given the owners lack of mechanical knowledge". Its a phrase like a gift to the gods of sharp practice.

Yes it is, that's one of the reason's that Main Dealer's are thriving. Even for people who would have good mechanical skills, unless you are a full time professional mechanic, and working in a main dealership, you will have to seek professional advice. Vehicles now are simply way too complicated.The day of checking a mis-firing engine by pulling plug lead off, are long gone.

 

[daibevan]

Yes it is, that's one of the reason's that Main Dealer's are thriving. Even for people who would have good mechanical skills, unless you are a full time professional mechanic, and working in a main dealership, you will have to seek professional advice. Vehicles now are simply way too complicated.The day of checking a mis-firing engine by pulling plug lead off, are long gone.

I think my 2006 is probably at the limit of my ability to work on. I will keep it going for as long as I can as if I move up the ages for my next one I will also be in the hands of "The Professionals". Hopefully this "upgrade " won't take place until I'm too old/infirm to do it anymore anyway. I would of course then try to find a good indy if poss.

 

[EmilysDad]

we all worked on our cars years ago out of necessity .... we fixed & tweaked them at the week end ready for work on Monday. Though complex, modern cars, by & large just keep going ... when they do break though it's normally due to some electrickery that we need to be able to talk to the car to diagnose.

 

[Ductman]

Turbos don't do that though. Not without a LOT of screeching beforehand.

It was making a lot of noise beforehand and still they just kept on driving - all the time believing they could simply get it fixed once home.
My initial conversation with him as they were waiting for their flight to China was necessarily scant but since being home I’ve had a more detailed description of events from him.

 

[vtaylor78]

It does'nt matter i have already given them a new name "Arthur Daily Mercedes Ltd" - visit at your peril!

Bit of an insult to Arthur

 

[mioba]

Thanks for the update OP. As i mentioned in your other post - horses for courses. The owner done whats right for him and as long he is content, thats all that matters. As for the rest is its only our opinion.

 

[hod05]

Would be interested to hear What happens to the car if the tech bought it as a fixer upper to sell on or to part out. I guess if he can source a good used motor then he can make a good profit for a weekend of work

Pretty mind blowing the lack of basic mechanical knowledge the driver had, even once the engine literally blew up at 70 he still believed a mobile mechanic was going to pull up in his van and fix the car??

He must think rebuilding a car engine is as simple as putting new batteries in the TV remote wow. The driving test should be made to cover some basic mechanical theory and car maintenance.