Does MB stand for MumBo jumbo?

[Frank]

Some time ago I posted a question regarding manufacturers towing limits for the 'C' Class Coupes.I bought a C220CDI Coupe in Oct. with a factory fitted detachable towbar.Before placing the order I asked all the right questions about permissable towing weights,
downloads and automatic transmission limits.I was assured by my local dealer and MB UK that the limit was the vehicle weight of 1505kgs.I duly placed an order for my first MB and my first new car.
The car arrived and apart from some towing wiring ommissions all looked OK until I studied the handbook, which stated that the C180,C200 and C230 petrol engined Coupes had a towing limit of 1500kgs but the C220CDI diesel with 143bhp and 235lbsft of torqe had a limit of 1200kgs.
I approached the dealer 'customer care' person about this peculiar situation who after some days came back with the story that I was OK to pull 1500kgs in the UK as there weren't any mountain ranges.They would not provide this in writing, so in theory if I towed my van at max gross weight of 1219kgs I would be braking the law.I had checked the data for the 'C' saloon and estate in C220CDI form and these have a towing limit of 1500kgs with a similar kerbside weight.
As I still had not received a proper explanation for my Coupe's reduced limit, I contacted MB UK.They eventually came back with the MB reason.The reduction is due to the reduced output of the diesel.They are totally ignoring the torque which is higher than any of the other models.
So MBs 220 turbo diesel engine can pull a train weight of 3500kgs+ when installed in the 'C' saloon and estate but only 3160kgs when installed in the Coupe. All 3 variants are built on the same floor pan and have similar kerb weights.
This is MumBo junbo. :?
Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Guy]

Any opinions would be appreciated.

They've messed up in a big way - but the bigger question is what do you want them to do now?

I was assured by my local dealer and MB UK that the limit was the vehicle weight of 1505kgs.

If you made it clear, as it seems you did, that you were relying on the information, and this was a condition of your purchase, and they are now admitting that they misled you - and if

if I towed my van at max gross weight of 1219kgs I would be braking the law

then IMHO you may well be able to reject the car, since it won't (legally)do what they promised.

Depends what you want - maybe you should work out what you want them to do, then go ask them? Upgrade to a suitable car on favourable terms?

Good luck!

(PS, please remember that like Cherie Blair, I didn't read your case papers - maybe you should see a solicitor?)

 

[Frank]

Thanks for the reply Guy.I contacted trading standards today and they agree that the dealers could be guilty of both 'Breach of contract' and 'Misrepresentation'.My next task is to write to the dealer after I have decided what I want done about it.
I also contacted MB UK again today to enquire why the C220CDI saloon and estate could pull their own weight,and was told that their engines were 'set up differently'.When I said that the information that I had showed the BHP and Torque to be the same as the coupe, they repeated that they were 'set up differently'
The main reason we chose this particular car was that it was a heavy medium sized car with diesel power,rear wheel drive,stiff suspension and short rear overhang , in theory ideal for towing.My wife was adament that a BMW was a no no,and we didn't want to do our non towing motoring in a tank..
It's a pity because we like the car, although I am not as impressed with the build quality as I would have expected for the price.Dare I say it but MB should take a look at my wfe's German manufactured Corsa with respect to panel fit and shut lines.

 

[Dringo]

Really interesting problem?

Would you really reject a car for a 19kg theoretical overweight charge? How close to the 1219kg gross max do you think your van normally is? I bet it normally runs at under 1000 ?

Bottom line...it 'appears' you have grounds to return the car and get a full refund, but my guess is you don't have a better idea for a car and could live with the knowledge that you wouldn't want to max out the load in the van! (And also understand that even if you did, you would be as safe as in the Saloon!!)

my 2 cents.
-dringo

 

[Frank]

If it was up to me 19kgs is neither here nor there.However from what I have heard the police can have a not so lenient view of trailer overweight.The only information they have to go on is the Vin plate on the car and the Vin plate on the van.
I agree that it would be possible to keep the van weight down to about 1150kgs (bare weight of van is 986kgs,that is no gas,no battery,no spare etc).This would entail carrying more gear in the car.
The main point is that I was sold a car which I was assured fulfilled a certain requirement,and this was later proved not to be the case.The dealer has offered no real assistance or apology and I have had to do my own legwork trying to find the reason for the limitation.I still do not have a satisfactory explanation,the only logical reason would be different mapping for the three engine installations.VAG do not seem to have this problem.
I am afraid it is the old story of once they have your money they lose interest!

 

[Frank]

Finally resolved

Well, after 19 weeks of Mercedes ownership and 18 weeks after first bringing the problem to the dealers attention I have today received a full refund of the purchase price.I was basically ignored by the dealership until I contacted Trading Standards soon after my original post.
Playing this card resulted in a meeting with the dealer principal, the customer couldn't care less manager and their resident technical expert.They all agreed it was a Mercedes problem.Two weeks later the dealer principal phoned me to say he had no more success than I had in his communications with MB.They basically told him that he sold it,he could sort it out.
As a last attempt to obtain some common sense answers, I emailed the Customer Care Dept. in Germany.That was 3 weeks ago.I have had receipt but no reply, so I gave up.
After several more weeks of the dealer trying to sell me an alternative vehicle from within the group I have finally retrieved my money and purchased a new Passat SE TDI PD 130 for £2100 less than he was wanting for the same model.
So here we have a prestigious name in the automobile world who obviously has no concern for the customer.
Marcedes Benz are the only manufacturer who do NOT state permissable towing data in their brochures ( that I know of) or even supply this information to their dealers.It's only contained in the owners handbook.
In Contrast the Passat brochure states clearly that it weighs 1565kgs and can haul 1500kgs.It also has more gear than the Mercedes.
I loved the Mercedes but only used it when nothing else was available because of the anticipated conclusion and the fear of a reduced refund.After 19 weeks I handed it back with 766 miles on the clock.
This has not been a happy experience, the reality did not add up to the dream..
Would I buy another at a later date? I am not sure. :? :x

 

[GrahamC230K]

Not surprised.


MB are fast becoming famous for their extremely poor service.

For me who buys used through an independant and the same for servicing it doesn't affect me, but it is a mighty shame. One day I might have liked to walk intothe dealer and buy new, but not a MB.

 

[Matt Crooke]

Just to add my tuppence worth, its not only MB who are completely dire with customer service, it seems to be across the board with large organisations these days.


I work for an insurance brokers and im constantly on the phone day in day out to all the household names (Norwich Union, Scottish Widows etc etc) and every one of them has adopted the "faceless callcentre" approach. It is so irritating the fact that you can never get through to the same person twice, twice as irritating when its a problem that you are trying to sort out....

Maybe its time we took a leaf out of the Americans book......

 

[Andy]

Whats that.


START ANOTHER WAR!!!!!


Sorry just being sarcastic.

Regards
Andy

 

[fuzzer]

OI , don't knock faceless callcentres , i make a good living out of them