c350e AC Compressor Faulty

[ninjaspy]

I took my car to my local Mercedes dealer (Sandown Poole) and they advised that the air con compressor is faulty and needs replacing. The fault recorded was "communication with the control unit electric A/C compressor has a malfunction". £1035 quoted for supply and fit.

Air con compressor faulty after 41,000 miles (7 years) doesn't sound right to me. I contacted Mercedes UK for their comments and got the usual fob off referring me to the dealer (Sytner Bristol) where I purchased it. I didn't contact Sytner as I didn't expect them to do anything for a car that they sold 4 years ago. No goodwill gesture offered as it wasn't serviced by a Mercedes dealer (it was serviced by an independent Mercedes specialist).

Any suggestions?

 

[Mr Greedy]

Look at the compressor on the car, and get the brand, Merc part No and manufacturer's part No.

Search for that part on eBay and autodoc.

If on Autodoc, register for the app and add the compressor to you basket and leave it for a week or two and wait for the 40% or more discount email to roll in.

I've had success with ebay in the past where I found a new old stock genuine hella compressor for my Insignia for something like £200 vs the £700 it was everywhere else and I fitted it myself.
You could ask if you could take it to your Merc specialist or an aircon specialist to fit for you (seeing as it is a relatively unusual part to replace). My local merc specialist will fit some second hand customer supplied parts where new is basically unavailable for one stupid supply chain issue or another.

 

[ninjaspy]

Look at the compressor on the car, and get the brand, Merc part No and manufacturer's part No.

Search for that part on eBay and autodoc.

If on Autodoc, register for the app and add the compressor to you basket and leave it for a week or two and wait for the 40% or more discount email to roll in.

I've had success with ebay in the past where I found a new old stock genuine hella compressor for my Insignia for something like £200 vs the £700 it was everywhere else and I fitted it myself.
You could ask if you could take it to your Merc specialist or an aircon specialist to fit for you (seeing as it is a relatively unusual part to replace). My local merc specialist will fit some second hand customer supplied parts where new is basically unavailable for one stupid supply chain issue or another.

Great tip. Thank you.