a class warranty issues

[rogersavery]

Got a few problems claiming for things on my 3 year warranty.

Our car is a June 1999 A160 classic, with 30000 miles on the clock.

On the last service at a main dealer (Speeds of chesterfield) we were
advised that the rear trailing arm bushes needed replacing and also
the rear tyres were worn.  I had a look at the rear tyres and found
5mm tread in the outside and bald on the inside, so I asked the dealer
why he thought the tyres were wearing so unevenly, he said it was down
to the bushes being worn.  Mercedes will replace the bushes under
warranty, but not the tyres, despite the fact that they would still be
legal if the bushes had not worn.  The tyres have done 30000 miles, ok
I would expect them not to last much longer, but I would expect
mercedes to aleast offer to cover some of the cost of replacing the
tyres.

The dealer also advised us that the front pads and disks need
replacing.  After 30000 miles I dont mind replacing the pads (pads
never been changed before), but I dont think replacing the disks every
30000 miles is acceptable.  Mercedes thinks this is acceptable wear,
so it looks like I will have to foot the bill for new disks every
30000 miles.

Mercedes Customer services have been very unhelpfull, apparently there
is no one higher up that I can speak to either.

Anyone else had similar problems with warranty claims?


Roger

 

[simon]

Hi Roger,
              You have my sympathies! Front discs lasting only 30K is awful. I have been moaning about mine(C250TD) only lasting circa 55k but am keeping quiet now.
I used to run solid discs on my old cars which really lasted well but these modern ventilated ones are poor. I appreciate its predominantly due to the new pad material containing iron ferrites which of course are highly abrasive, which in turn wears discs quicker.
I also recall that permissable wear is only about 0.75mm
on discs, all in the interests of the environment of course...& disc manufacturers etc.
Having said that I have to admit that braking efficiency is absolutely excellent modern MB cars.
Tyres on 190E & C class(perhaps others too?) all wear in the centre on the rear pair & outer section on the front, I swap mine front to rear every 10K to standardise wear.
Complaints to MB, try Simon Oldfield, General Manager, Passenger cars. You might be lucky
regards,
Ernest

 

[David Halsey]

My only advice would be to keep at them, don't let up, be a complete pain in the rear. Its the only way to make them listen.

 

[David Halsey]

Ernest, if your tyres wear in the middle then they are over inflated, that is the only reason. as for the fronts, try getting the alignment set by a specialist, not the dealer, this should solve that problem.
I have been running 190e's for 5 years now and have not had any of those problems with tyre wear.

 

[Andy]

Hi,

I agree with David, with any manufacturer, if you don't suceed first time. Become a pain in the rear.

By the way David. The rear tyres will wear in the middle. Due to the power put through them. It will also happen on front wheel drive vehicles which produce a lot of power, which the driver uses!!!

Regards
Andy@ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[simon]

Hi David & Andy,
                       Your tyre comments noted.When I got my car back from MB dealer they had set them at 30 psi front & rear (Fuel cap notation quotes 33psi rear.when I queried it they stated it was optimum setting & helped stabilise wear???
regards
Ernest.

 

[simon]

(Edited by Ernest Sidesman at 8:16 pm on Nov. 15, 2001)

 

[simon]

Hi David & Andy,
                       Your tyre comments noted.When I got my car back from MB dealer they had set them at 30 psi front & rear (Fuel cap notation quotes 33psi rear.when I queried it they stated it was optimum setting & helped stabilise wear???
regards
Ernest.

 

[simon]

Hi David & Andy,
                       Your tyre comments noted.When I got my car back from MB dealer they had set them at 30 psi front & rear (Fuel cap notation quotes 33psi rear.when I queried it they stated it was optimum setting & helped stabilise wear???
regards
Ernest.

 

[simon]

Hi David & Andy,
                       Your tyre comments noted.When I got my car back from MB dealer they had set them at 30 psi front & rear (Fuel cap notation quotes 33psi rear.when I queried it they stated it was optimum setting & helped stabilise wear???
regards
Ernest.

 

[fuzzer]

I had a lot of problems with My a160 automatic but ill touch on the relevent one here ...

After 13500 the complete rear suspension was rebuilt and the springs replaced after one night i drove up behind the car and noticed the offside spring looked a bit " wonkey " the next day i took it to my local dealer and was without the car for a couple of days . just one of the many reasons the car had to go. The car drove a lot better after the springs were replaced ...