C200 SE Boot locked - Design Fault?

[froogy]

Hi,

I'm locked out of my boot (which has valuable documents inside that I need urgently.

Both original keys are present and working to unlock the doors..car drives normally.
This model has no boot release button in the driver's cabin or glove compartment
The seats can not be folded down to gain access to boot space
The battery has been disconnected and re-connected in an attempt to resolve the problem by mechanics
Mercedes diagnostic equipment has been used to attempt entry
The vehicle has no physical key lock on the boot
All relevant fuses in the engine bay and passenger foot-well have been checked and are normal

The car has been seen by an independant (approved) Mercedes Benz specialist and a car locksmith.
I have spoken to MB UK who have no suggestions of help.

Taking the car to the main dealer where it was bought in 2017 tomorrow though they suspect that the only solution will be cutting the boot open.

I find it amazing that there seems to be no emergency boot release anywhere on this vehicle. I can think of loads of scenarios where this would create big problems for people.

Has anyone else experienced this and found a better solution than cutting the tin can open?

 

[AMGeed]

Have you tried the unlock button in the glove box?

This video shows the locking the boot trick too

 

[froogy]

Hi Amgeed,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Sadly this is a UK model and there is no unlock/lock switch in the glove box (or anywhere else for that matter).
Took it to the main dealer today who agreed that there is no easy way in. Either smash one of the rear lights (but then access might be too limited to access the lock mechanism or cut open the boot beneath the number plate. Sadly they can't boo it in for a week and I have urgent documents that must be accessed by the weekend.

Spoke to MB UK and they are also no help. So it looks like I'm going to be cutting up my merc tomorrow.

I feel totally let down. Loved this car (which I owned from new) and was planning on keeping it as a second car and getting a new merc...but now. I'll be looking for another brand for all my future driving.

Estimated cost of boot(trunk) replacement after my works Main dealer £1000-1500. Might get it under a grand at my independant merc specialist.

I have already lodged a complaint with Merc and will chase them hard

 

[AMGeed]

^ Sorry to hear that.
What a ridiculous design!

I would complain like crazy. What if a child got in an open boot and closed it ? Unlikely but possible.

 

[gazz01]

these photos are on ebay parts for w205 saloon. it is the plastic boot panel where the reverse camera is.notice the white loop with the cable tie on the lock,i wonder if there"s a way in from that panel where the cable tie might be a lock release .

 

[froogy]

Hi Gazz,

That's really helpful thanks. That's exactly my setup. I have the cover off already. There are no external screws to remove the handle & camera but perhaps I could prise it out. Then it would be how to drop something down to grab the tie and pull it. Might not be possible but its another avenue to think about. Thanks

 

[gazz01]

good luck i hope you get it sorted without cutting the bootlid open.i"ve also got a 2016 c200 se so i"m watching with interest.keep us posted.

 

[Srdl]

I have no manual release on my GLC either. There is a button on the drivers door but, like the key fob and boot handle, they are all electronic so if there's a problem with the electrics, I’m stuffed!

 

[froogy]

Quick update. Spoke to MB UK again this morning but other than escalating my complaint and being polite they couldn't really help. However, they did suggest trying other main dealers. I thought i might as well and I actually got...kinda lucky. one dealer put me onto their Mercedes approved bodyshop who dropped everything to fit me in so they could retrieve what was required from the boot.

So I drove 45mins there and after they had thoroughly examined the vehicle they........................................................Cut it for £120 inc Vat.

They did pretty much what I would have done but made a much neater job of it.
They removed the number plate and cut a small letterbox slot so they could bend back the metal, punched out the internal trim and opened the boot (using the emergency release). I was able to retrieve everything then they closed the boot, bent the metal back, gaffa tape over the cuts and stuck the number plate over the entry hole.

Everyone agrees that there is no other way in the boot if (as in my case) the actuator fails. They were kind enough to give me a printout to confirm this.

Interestingly Gazzas pics from the internet show the release with a cable tie on it... that's what they pulled to open the boot. Seems MB were to tight fisted to attach it to anything so unless you are locked in the boot yourself it's useless.

So I have what I need from the boot but the actuator needs replacing (easy enough) and the hole should (theoretically ) be welded shut. However...if the actuator fails in the future, the process would need to be repeated. (or I just leave the flap as it is...which is quite tempting.

I'll update this when MB get around to dealing with my complaint (theoretically 3-5 days).

 

[gazz01]

glad you got it opened without to much damage. it would be the same story for most modern mercs even with the door panel switch, if the actuator fails your knackered.

 

[Chrishazle]

Even not so modern! My 2008 S204 had a flat battery, the battery is in the boot so need to open the tailgate to get at it. Guess what, no key lock on the tailgate handle. OK, I opened the drivers door with the emergency key, opened the bonnet and connected my battery charger to the jump start points, not enough juice to unlock the tailgate. There is apparently an emergency release on the inside bottom of the tailgate, but try getting to it when you cannot unlock the rear doors to drop the rear seats - and you're not young, fit and agile. Eventually called the breakdown service, he had a big jump start pack that, connected to the emergency jump start connections under the bonnet, gave enough juice to open the tailgate using the key button. Since then I keep a condition monitor on the battery full time, if it goes red I pop the tailgate and get the charger onto the battery. At least on the (also 2008) SLK the battery is under the bonnet, much easier to get to if ever the battery goes flat.

 

[EmilysDad]

How ridiculous to not have some kind of manual release. The fuel filler flap on my R Class had a plastic pull cord to override the solenoid of it failed ... my ML doesn't Even the Smart Roadster has a pull release for the rear hatch.

Even not so modern! My 2008 S204 had a flat battery, the battery is in the boot so need to open the tailgate to get at it. Guess what, no key lock on the tailgate handle. OK, I opened the drivers door with the emergency key, opened the bonnet and connected my battery charger to the jump start points, not enough juice to unlock the tailgate. There is apparently an emergency release on the inside bottom of the tailgate, but try getting to it when you cannot unlock the rear doors to drop the rear seats - and you're not young, fit and agile. Eventually called the breakdown service, he had a big jump start pack that, connected to the emergency jump start connections under the bonnet, gave enough juice to open the tailgate using the key button. Since then I keep a condition monitor on the battery full time, if it goes red I pop the tailgate and get the charger onto the battery. At least on the (also 2008) SLK the battery is under the bonnet, much easier to get to if ever the battery goes flat.

 

[Chrishazle]

On my Porsche 968's (1992 and 1994 vintage, cab and coupe) there was a key release for the boot/tailgate, but it operated a microswitch to something electric which pulled the wire to release the lock. Again, battery in the boot, but in the passenger side B pillar is a vent, easily removed to reveal an emergency pull wire to release the boot.

 

[Blobcat]

How ridiculous to not have some kind of manual release. The fuel filler flap on my R Class had a plastic pull cord to override the solenoid of it failed ... my ML doesn't Even the Smart Roadster has a pull release for the rear hatch.

R451 smart convertible electric boot hasn’t anything on the inside… if the Bowden cables break or come adrift you need to drill 2 x 6mm holes in the boot lid interior then use a flat bladed screwdriver to flick the catches open.
You then use the top of a black Bic ballpoint pen to seal the hole

On my Porsche 968's (1992 and 1994 vintage, cab and coupe) there was a key release for the boot/tailgate, but it operated a microswitch to something electric which pulled the wire to release the lock. Again, battery in the boot, but in the passenger side B pillar is a vent, easily removed to reveal an emergency pull wire to release the boot.

On a full size Porsche… by the drivers foot is a fuse panel with a power connector so you can attach a power pack to release the “froot” electrically

I always have mine on battery conditioners. I started the 911 first turn on Wednesday - first time in months…

 

[EmilysDad]

R451 smart convertible electric boot hasn’t anything on the inside… .


.....

Neither has my fixed head 451's boot nor EmilysMum's C3

 

[Chrishazle]

I'm also a believer in a battery conditioner, kept my 968's on one whenever in their garage and do the same now with the SLK. Cars always started first time every time, but it also seriously extends battery life - 968 coupe battery was 10 1/2 years old when I sold her, battery still going strong! Did not keep the 968 cab long enough after a battery change to challenge that record, likewise the SLK battery is less than 1 year old after failing in Canterbury Hospital car park in July this year, no record in the service history of it being changed since 2008 but history file could be incomplete.