a class trouble

[Aclassygirl]

Hi i have an A class that has done 40'000 miles it has had huge amounts of problems and about a week ago my whole acs unit and module went, could anyone tell me 1, if you think this is right and 2 if this has happend to anyone else i would b really grateful for all your feedback :?:

 

[nicky]

Hi,and welcome to the forum...This type of problem can happen at any time with a car......

 

[paulcallender]

Yep, unfortunately the A class was marketed as an executive, classy car, only smaller (but with an executive price tag) but time has shown it to be rather more ordinary in its durability.

40k miles, do you have any warranty? If not, then let us know the exact details of the problem and I'm sure the forum guys can do our best to help.

 

[Aclassygirl]

hi paul thanks for the post, i have been told that the complete acs unit and module has gone thus costing 2'200 pounds (car is out of warranty) which is annoying i personally feel that for something so expensive surely it should be robust especially as it has low mileage and has full mbsh and as it is mercedes you expect it to be quality

 

[paulcallender]

If you're looking at a £2200 repair bill, then its going to be worth seeking a second opinion at least. Although I've not looked at your car, I'd say that its probably microswitches or a bracket or bushes or something, which is perfectly repairable in skilled hands, and for far less than the replacement unit!

 

[Aclassygirl]

i was told that IF this was the problem (this is what mercedes have said) that i couldnt get another garage to do it other than merc as thy have all the computer system and although they would be able to fit it the car would not recognise it as they need to reprogram it. i have had numerous probs with this car u would not believe i think when this repair is done i am going to sell it.
do you work for merc only asking as u seem to have extensive knowledge and i would like to ask u more questions if poss

 

[paulcallender]

Pure scaremongering, in fact I think there's an Office of Fair Trading investigation being conducted now, regarding manufacturers who try to tie in owners to their own garages, by introducing these electronic diagnostics on cars, then not releasing relevant technical info to others.

There ARE other diagnostic readers than the Mercedes-supplied ones, and any good Mercedes independent would have one.

Which area are you in???

 

[Aclassygirl]

i am in sunny brum, also i went on some car survey websites last night and by all accounts this is a common fault that merc are aware of but kept it hush hush due to the financial implications

 

[Aclassygirl]

also i have had to tell them to go ahead with it now as they kept hassling me with regards to the courtesy car (which i need as hav 2 disabled children) so unforunately for now at least i will have to pay

 

[paulcallender]

So, you went ahead with the repair at a Mercedes Garage?

Anyway, moving on, I'd suggest a good look at www.parkers.co.uk - for your next car! VW Golf (Mk4) or Ford Focus spring to mind, as better cars in this class...

 

[Aclassygirl]

well what happned was the gear box went one nite when i was out so mobilolife came out and fixed it at the side of the road and told me it was an error in the memory so i then went out whilst driving it happened again (which was great as i had my kids in car and no gear box) so mobilolife came out again and took it to the garage and thats when they told me of all the problems and because i had their courtesy car they kept hassling m to get the work done i had rang round other garages and they were the ones that told me about the unique computerised system mercedes have so i really did not have much choice i feel totally cheated and yes i will be getting a different car maybe an audi however i am upset as i love the a class it has everything to offer me apart from good mechanics and obviously i need them

 

[paulcallender]

If you're after prestige, then how about the Audi A2? I casually looked through Parkers myself and it has good reviews. Or, the obvious suggestion would be to buy a Japanese car, or a Skoda!

 

[jberks]

i had rang round other garages and they were the ones that told me about the unique computerised system mercedes have so i really did not have much choice

Sadly its too late now, but whilst its true that most 'general' garages do not have the necessary equipment, if you'd had time, we could have put you in touch with a garage that does. Most of us don't use the dealers for this very reason, but a the same time, we can't use a normal garage either. We use a specialist, at least for serious faults as they are cheaper, often better skilled and just as well equipped as the dealer. As all they do are MB's, they can afford to carry the proper kit.

Whilst you still have the A class, perhaps some Midlanders could list the good specialists around Brum so you can at least avoid the dealer from now on.

 

[jimsinessex]

For a reliable, reasonably priced independant in Brum who knows what he is doing you can't beat Andy Gayle at www.mercedesservicing.com.
I take my CLK up to him from Essex and it's well worth the trip.
He is ex MB, only uses MB parts, has all the diagnostic gear and has been trained on it!