CLK 2001 Judder/Vibration above 50mph

[youngsj3]

Just bought a 2001 CLK 230K convertible. Noticed judder/vibration when test driven and seller stated they would sort before I bought by getting wheels balanced. He did this but problem remained - he then was advised by garage that wheels had wrong spigots (has 18" brabus alloys) and he ordered a new set. By this time I had sold my car and bought the merc on the agreement he would sort out judder (has full dealer service history and check showed no insurane claims etc). New spigots arrived and fitted but have made problem worse!

Has anyone experience of alloys needing spigots and should brabus wheels really need anything? If anyone knows of a good merc specialist or alloy wheel specialist near Newcastle upon Tyne I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome,
Mercedes wheels are hubcentric, the hub holds the wheel central not the wheel nuts. Aftermarket wheels that do not have this feature are not suitable for use on MB's. As Brabus make wheels for MB they should be correct,assuming they are genuine Brabus and not aftermarket copies.
Pls have a look at the attached thread as you can get spacers to line the wheels up.
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=18789&highlight=hubcentric

 

[youngsj3]

Thanks

Thanks Blobcat - I've dropped it off at an independent mercedes garage today for them to look at and hopefully sort.

Will let you all know how they get on.

 

[youngsj3]

The garage hasn't been too helpful (anyone know any good independent mercedes garages in tyne & wear?).

He balanced the wheels despite me telling him that this had already been done twice and then said he couldn't find the problem! I suggested that as he had another clk with standard wheels on that he might want to try swapping the wheels which he did and then said "yes the problems your wheels".

I asked which wheel and he said he didn't know - I suggested that he could at least find if it was the front or rear (since they're different widths and if I buy a new alloy I at least want to get the right size) by swapping them in turn with the standard wheels which he obviously didn't have the aptitude or motivation to think of himself.

I've been called today to collect it and asked if they had found which wheel was the problem to which I got the response "I don't know - you'll have to ask when you come to get it".

God help me...........

 

[hawk20]

I don't understand a) Why you don't go back to the seller who promised to fix matters? Make sure he does.
b) Why you don't go to your nearest proper Mercedes dealer who will know the answers to all these problems -or he'll get them direct from Mercedes. They have all the know-how and all the kit to do a proper job. They may cost a bit more per hour but in my experience they take much less time, get it right sooner and more often. And they have all the up-to-date information.
Sometimes when you go in they say Merc advise doing this... It's not a recall but worth doing and it's free. Plus your car is worth more with full MBSH. Personally, I would never buy unless got full MBSH.
c) If you don't like any of the above, try contacting Mercedes customer service either by phone (number in handbook) or by e-mail. Here's the link: -
CustomerService.UK@cac.DaimlerChrysler.com

WE all have different opinions -makes a good forum- but here's a fact or two worth pondering. Even on my S class the A service costs me about £250 at my main dealer. And the B service costs about £300 or £350. I get about 15,000 miles between services. At an average of £300 a pop or 30,000 pennies that is a mere tuppence a mile. Fuel at £4.50 per gallon costs most of us 12p to 15p per mile. Servicing is cheap! Many remember when we had to service every 6000 miles and some remember every 3000 miles. Then it was a big item. Now it is the small change of motoring costs but crucial to the good working of the car and to safety and to long-term value.
Hope you get it fixed soon. Niggles like that can spoil the pleasure until sorted. Good luck.

 

[youngsj3]

The car does have a full mercedes dealer service history and was last serviced in April this year but I am sure the car had the vibration problem long before then so I don't have a lot of faith in dealer services.

It's not for nothing that most people nickname them the "stealers" on this site as the prices they charge are much higher than at independent specialists (and there are some good ones out there if only you can find them) and unless the problem can be resolved by plugging in a computer they usually sub-contract out any more complex repairs.

Fair enough if your cars still within its warranty or under 5 years old but after that it is worth thinking long and hard about where you have it serviced.

The guy I bought the car off has agreed to buy some new wheels now so all's well that ends well.

 

[hawk20]

Glad to hear that. But I think you are wrong about Mercedes dealers. You get factory trained mechanics. 30 year rust guarantee. Free breakdown service all from keeping servicing up to date at your Merc dealer. Mine don't sub-contact except for spray/crash repairs. I don't know where that idea comes from. Consider this. The A service on my S class is under £240 and the B service is up to £350. Say an average of £300 per service. But I am getting 15,000 miles between services. That is only 2p per mile for servicing compared with 15p per mile for fuel. Really it's the small change of motoring but so important. And it improves your resale value. Finally a proper Merc dealer wouldn't have fitted the wrong wheels to your car and given you all this trouble. Anyway, happy motoring now it's all sorted.

Many can remember when we serviced every 6000 miles and before that every 3000. That was expensive.