Diesel-Gate - MBUK - 'Voluntary Software Update' Members Experiences.

[Dewar]

I find it surprising that I cannot find a dedicated related Topic for such an intervention to so many MB drivers and cars.

I would like to know what experiences everyone has had, the issues that have arisen from this 'Volunteer Software Update'.

How many forum members were informed prior to this update being performed on their car ?

How many members had this 'Volunteer Software Update' performed without your knowledge ?

What were the consequences to MPG etc, impact on performance etc, and or costs you have now been told you have to accept, post the 'Volunteer Software Update' ?

I'd also like to know other members experiences of what exactly Mercedes Benz Dealers are actually telling other members when you go back to MB and inform them of the issues you have had with your car and since the 'Volunteer Software Update' and what recompense, if any, was offered ?

Finally, I'd also like to know about other members experience's, if and when, members were dissatisfied with what Mercedes Benz have told them, and as I did, then went to The Motoring Ombudsman (TMO) to formally complain.

Were members also happy with the performance, experience and conclusions of The Motoring Ombudsman (TMO) ?

On a Mercedes Forum I would have expected to see a lot more talk and help on this subject, so I hope this discussion will bring a few members together, so I can at least take away some advice and comfort in thinking that I am not the only one that this has happened too, but this conversation needs exploring more.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Had our V220 in for the software update three years ago now. Was informed that it needed the update and that was that really, all part of keeping up the warranty etc. The car was two years old at the time, MY2019..
Have had this from new, but since the update our mpg has dropped and the car needs to manually put into 9th at 70. At around 73/74 it will go into 9th gear.
Our regular 180 mile trip to Cornwall used to return 38/39 mpg but now lucky to achieve 33.. same fuel, same tyre psi, same journey time and same load.

 

[Dewar]

Had our V220 in for the software update three years ago now. Was informed that it needed the update and that was that really, all part of keeping up the warranty etc. The car was two years old at the time, MY2019..
Have had this from new, but since the update our mpg has dropped and the car needs to manually put into 9th at 70. At around 73/74 it will go into 9th gear.
Our regular 180 mile trip to Cornwall used to return 38/39 mpg but now lucky to achieve 33.. same fuel, same tyre psi, same journey time and same load.

Thank you for your reply,
It's interesting to here that this 'Volunteer Software Update' was performed on a car with a 2019 plate and Euro 6.
I too, had issues with my Gearbox staying in gear longer without changing up, and also a 20% loss in MPG, also using the same tyres, same Fuel etc.

 

[AMGeed]

Lots of reports on the other UK Mercedes forum of Nox sensors needing early replacement after the diesel software update.

I know if I had a diesel it wouldn't be having the update.

 

[Dewar]

Lots of reports on the other UK Mercedes forum of Nox sensors needing early replacement after the diesel software update.

I know if I had a diesel it wouldn't be having the update.

Thank you for your reply and advice,

However, had Mercedes Benz - Carlisle informed me that they were going to do the 'Volunteer Software Update', instead of installing this 'Update' without my Knowledge or Consent to do so, I too would have refused to have this done, to my perfectly running car.

 

[Trev1964]

My CLS has had it prior to my ownership.
I have had no issues and have done 3k miles in it since purchase.
It's the 2.1 diesel and it's averaged 43 mpg over my 3k miles.
Car does run lovely to be fair.

 

[Dewar]

My CLS has had it prior to my ownership.
I have had no issues and have done 3k miles in it since purchase.
It's the 2.1 diesel and it's averaged 43 mpg over my 3k miles.
Car does run lovely to be fair.

Thank you for your reply,
It's a shame you didn't have your car prior to the 'Volunteer Software Update' so you could offer a comparison.
I am surprised that you are not getting more MPG in a 2.1 though, but maybe that's normal, I wouldn't know.

 

[EmilysDad]

I've had 2 letters & a phone call from MB to get my 14 plate car in for the software ..... I've told them no!

However, there is another recall on the car for potentially corroded bolts on the leccy steering motor that they want to replace ..... I'm not prepared to take my car into a MB dealership. I'm currently in an exchange of emails re this

 

[Dewar]

I've had 2 letters & a phone call from MB to get my 14 plate car in for the software ..... I've told them no!

However, there is another recall on the car for potentially corroded bolts on the leccy steering motor that they want to replace ..... I'm not prepared to take my car into a MB dealership. I'm currently in an exchange of emails re this

Thank you for your reply,

If you don't mind, keep us posted with any updates regarding your experiences etc that would be helpful.

I have just had a friend who has had a similar recall for the 'steering column bolts' to be upgraded, because under vibration, he was told they fall out, and just so you know, he was missing three.

Also, If MB are so keen to do the 'Volunteer Software Update', which I'm sure they will let you know, then it may be quite prudent to get them to do a Full check on All the areas that may be affected by the 'Volunteer Software Update', prior to the 'Update'.

That way, you may have better leverage with MB when or if, all of a sudden you find that something has failed, post the update, but also if they will not do this to assure you, then you can tell them no, again, but make sure you get assurances that they will not do the 'Volunteer Software Update' without your consent, as they did with me.

 

[Blobcat]

I've had 2 letters & a phone call from MB to get my 14 plate car in for the software ..... I've told them no!

However, there is another recall on the car for potentially corroded bolts on the leccy steering motor that they want to replace ..... I'm not prepared to take my car into a MB dealership. I'm currently in an exchange of emails re this

Remove the OBD port if you take it in or fit a dummy one

 

[dry run]

I've had 2 letters & a phone call from MB to get my 14 plate car in for the software ..... I've told them no!

However, there is another recall on the car for potentially corroded bolts on the leccy steering motor that they want to replace ..... I'm not prepared to take my car into a MB dealership. I'm currently in an exchange of emails re this

I had the steering bolts changed on mine under warranty. I explained to them that I did not want the software update and got them to write that instruction on the job sheet. They put up no objections to this and didn't do the update, However, when a few months later the down stream NoX sensor went Kaput, the new sensor required the update to work. I've not noticed any difference in performance or MPG (and I'm someone who would notice)

 

[JBell]

Lots of reports on the other UK Mercedes forum of Nox sensors needing early replacement after the diesel software update.

I know if I had a diesel it wouldn't be having the update.

I refused the update, no issues at all with doing it as it is voluntary, had the Airbags done though

 

[LostKiwi]

If you don't want the update simply inform them the car has had a remap and if they overwrite it they will be liable to have it remapped.
Make sure it's very clearly stated on the job sheet not to do any update too.

 

[AMGeed]

If you don't want the update simply inform them the car has had a remap and if they overwrite it they will be liable to have it remapped.
Make sure it's very clearly stated on the job sheet not to do any update too.

That's more or less what I told MB Poole when my previous remapped E63 went in for a service.
The service manager wrote "no software updates" on the job sheet before it went into the service bay.

 

[Dewar]

If you don't want the update simply inform them the car has had a remap and if they overwrite it they will be liable to have it remapped.
Make sure it's very clearly stated on the job sheet not to do any update too.

Thank you for your reply,

So I presume you didn't have the 'Volunteer Software Update' done to your car then, so what was MBUK's response to you about your decision ?

However as I have mentioned in a previous message... "had Mercedes Benz - Carlisle informed me that they were going to do the 'Volunteer Software Update', instead of installing this 'Update' without my Knowledge or Consent to do so, I too would have refused to have this done, to my perfectly running car."

Here is a copy/snippet of The Motoring Ombudsman (TMO) Adjudication findings in my case after visiting MBUK - Carlisle...

"
If the invoice was a reflection of what would have been written on the missing job card, as Sytner claims, then I would have expected the campaign reference number to have been listed on the invoice (as required by the Document). However, there is no campaign reference number on the invoice; it simply states ‘Customer Request RECALL.’

I acknowledge that Sytner may have valid reasons for being unable to locate the job card. However, the fact remains that they have not produced any document indicating that Mr McAlister authorised the Voluntary Update with his signature, which is the first requirement listed within the Document.

Regardless of their reasons for not being able to produce the job card, I have found that Sytner did not complete the Voluntary Update with reasonable care and skill as they have failed to demonstrate that they followed the instructions within the Document.

Had they done so, it would have been immediately apparent whether Mr McAlister authorised the Voluntary Update. The absence of any signature, explicitly required by the Document, suggests it is unlikely that Sytner sought authorisation before proceeding with the Voluntary Update, as Mr McAlister claimed.

The requirement for an accredited business like Sytner to obtain authorisation via signature for any work they perform is also reflected under Code 2.1 of the Service and Repair Code. I suggest that Sytner considers storing digital copies of their job cards if they do not already do so, to mitigate the repercussions of misplacing a physical job card.

Given that the Document explicitly states the requirement for a customer’s signature before the Voluntary Update is carried out and Sytner has not provided any evidence of a signature, nor evidence that they at least requested one, I have found that Sytner is in breach of both Code 2.1 and 3.10 of the Service and Repair Code.
"

You state... "If you don't want the update simply inform them the car has had a remap and if they overwrite it they will be liable to have it remapped".

Could you tell me if that advice is from your own experience, and was this accepted by a MBUK dealer, because that is not my experience, nor do I think that your comment "they will be liable to have it remapped" is legally correct.

MBUK has been instructed to implement this 'Volunteer Software Update' and will accept no liability, irrespective of whether you have told them not to do it.

They will only accept any liability if you can then get an independent inspection report that can prove what areas of your car are affected or has suffered damage post the 'Volunteer Software Update', and I have my doubts about that too.

You also mentioned a job sheet, which made me smile...

What job sheet... I went in to Mercedes Benz - Carlisle with a recall letter which was for the 'Airbags' and that is All that I expected to be done.

Throw away advice I don't need, but I look forward to your personal experiences regarding this matter.

 

[sonic]

Both of our cars were done the E350CDI, & the SLC250d.
No difference noticed on the E class. The SLC wouldn't go into 9th under 70mph, which it did before. However after about a month it did start going into 9th under 70mph. Now on a light throttle it will hold 9th down to 60mph.

 

[JBell]

So I presume you didn't have the 'Volunteer Software Update' done to your car then, so what was MBUK's response to you about your decision ?

I haven't heard anything from MBUK, the Update is still pending.

My car went in for 2 updates:

Takata Airbags
ECU software Update - this is not mandatory

I simply told the dealer not to do the ECU and they said "No problem"

 

[Dewar]

Both of our cars were done the E350CDI, & the SLC250d.
No difference noticed on the E class. The SLC wouldn't go into 9th under 70mph, which it did before. However after about a month it did start going into 9th under 70mph. Now on a light throttle it will hold 9th down to 60mph.

Thank you for your reply,
It's interesting to me that you noticed no changes with your E Class, but could I ask, are both cars are Euro 6, because my E350 is Euro 5 and the difference since the 'Volunteer Software Update' on my car, has been like night and day.

 

[Dewar]

I haven't heard anything from MBUK, the Update is still pending.

My car went in for 2 updates:

Takata Airbags
ECU software Update - this is not mandatory

I simply told the dealer not to do the ECU and they said "No problem"

Thank you for your reply,

It's interesting to hear you say that the 'Update' is still pending, but then who would want it, knowing all the issues that could arise from the 'Update'.
I just wished I also had the opportunity to say I didn't want it done too.

Just a thought, but I also wonder if MB Main dealers would do it , as they did with mine, and 'Update' without my Knowledge or Consent, whereas MB Independents, would prefer to ask first and retain their Independence, hmm.

 

[JBell]

Thank you for your reply,

It's interesting to hear you say that the 'Update' is still pending, but then who would want it, knowing all the issues that could arise from the 'Update'.
I just wished I also had the opportunity to say I didn't want it done too.

It will remain pending until the car is off the road or someone has it done