Motorised reversing camera colossal cost

[ajlsl600]

I researched and found a handle with camera for tailgate on my ml.at very reasonable cost, tho. Compatibility with my MB display was not certain. Frankly in the end I decided to use my mirrors, it's worked OK for 40 yr and I could not be arxxd to add another likely headache to the list of tecky things I already have to monitor.

 

[davemercedes]

It does seem ridiculous that a £500 part can fail twice and that reinforces the view that it's "technology for technology's sake" rather than an improvement.

My (Nextbase) Dashcam setup comprises two linked cameras and the rear one is mounted inside so it points outwards through the clear area at the top of the screen. I realise it's not the same as a full reversing camera setup but it seems the designers could have avoided half the cost with a more simple setup.

But of course, whenever a wannabee buyer asks about reliability of a model like the SL, they're likely to get a response that it's a £75,000 car with £75,000 running costs and problems fall into the same range. Funny how you don't hear about issues like this on Toyotas and Lexus (or maybe they happen just the same)?

I would certainly contact MB for warranty support - upi are supposed to at least get what you paid for! They'll wriggle but you have to talk hard but pleasant... good luck!

 

[ajlsl600]

I have next base cheapie front and rear in lovelies a class, think 38 quid each and no dramas in 4 yr I have a mirror cam in the ml, bit more cost, also next base. Anything dealer based seems cost plus 200% or more, not for me.

 

[Botus]

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/consumer-rights-act

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/how-to-complain/#check

• Satisfactory quality Goods shouldn't be faulty or damaged when you receive them. You should ask what a reasonable person would consider satisfactory for the goods in question. For example, bargain-bucket products won’t be held to as high standards as luxury goods.

• Fit for purpose The goods should be fit for the purpose they are supplied for, as well as any specific purpose you made known to the retailer before you agreed to buy the goods.

Buying a Mercedes you should expect it to be fault free and reliable for many years ….2 1/2 years for a 500 pound safety component is not either of the points above in bold...

 

[peterws1957]

The term irreparable wouldn't be first thing in my head for a detached wire on a £500 part.



Sounds like a job for a dremel or similar to reveal the joint.

Yes, how can a detached wire make the camera irreparable? The white plastic bit looks like a detachable plug.

 

[ajlsl600]

Yup..but it gets out of warranty. Which seems often to be the governing criteria today. Stuff that statistically does not fail is I believe simply made to a lower/cheaper std at the next opportunity
And if it consistently fails the std gets improved until it statistically gets out of warranty.
Plastic water pumps at build and metal ones as replacements comes to mind.cheaper to put in new build,punter pays for replacement metal one.
This wont be just a benz issue, I think its about everything today.its just that customers ,somehow "expect " better quality than most other makes.I not at all sure that remains the case.

 

[Newconvert]

I agree. My plastic water pump hasn’t gone yet but it will do, then they’ll put in the metal one.

 

[Newconvert]

It’s irreparable because the cable is soldered onto the pcb within the camera which itself is a sealed unit

 

[Frontstep]

It’s irreparable because the cable is soldered onto the pcb within the camera which itself is a sealed unit

It's not so much sealed, it's just got stuff in the way.

Look up depotting electronics with a video search.

 

[brandwooddixon]

If its being pulled out of the camera then it strikes me that the wiring is too tight on installation.

 

[ajlsl600]

It's currently broke, I would be having a go at fixing it, wots to loose if Benz are brushing you off.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Yes, it folds away. Unnecessary sophistication imho. As for getting cheap ebay substitutes not possible for this Merc component. Only cheaper option seems to be second hand

Remember, MB won’t have designed this part. It will have been an offering from Valeo or Bosch or Sumitomo etc that meet’s MB’s spec tender...

 

[Newconvert]

Interesting

 

[Botus]

If its being pulled out of the camera then it strikes me that the wiring is too tight on installation.

reading the last few posts where they suggest its reparable and or likely it been pulled out.... goes with the point raised in here.

If its stressed when opening the boot making the wires eventually pull out the back of the camera... that sound like manufacturing fault with wrong length or wrongly fitted wiring looms...

which begs the question are they still made wrongly or was the replacement fitted just as badly at the original... either point both come back to

• Satisfactory quality
• Fit for purpose

 

[Frontstep]

If only the law was that straightforward.

 

[ajlsl600]

Sounds like something made to min std ,not fitted correctly.
You would be surprised at some makers ref short wiring from products to save 2 cents a time.
I would still be trying to fix it.
Pay attn to fitting and not putting harness under stress.
Whatever,I would rather not have it than give £400 plus fitting ect.is it plug play or requires another cost for it to actually work ?

 

[d215yq]

When i heard motorised I thought something that would swivel around and be controllable by joystick and hence 500 quid sounded like a bargain. Have I seen the pictures right or is it just a normal camera with a 50 pence stepper motor/relay attached that opens a plastic flap when the reverse lights come on? Hardly "high technology"

 

[Newconvert]

Shouldn’t need anything else (obviously apart from removal to gain access and refitting). Just a matter of getting into unit to resolder dislodged canbus cable. Deporting sounds interesting.

 

[Newconvert]

Sorry:’depotting’

 

[Frontstep]

When i heard motorised I thought something that would swivel around and be controllable by joystick and hence 500 quid sounded like a bargain. Have I seen the pictures right or is it just a normal camera with a 50 pence stepper motor/relay attached that opens a plastic flap when the reverse lights come on? Hardly "high technology"

You heretic you, it's cutting edge innovation from Mercedes Benz.