E320CDI & Lots of Problems

[Deirdre]

Hi Guys,
I'm a new member and have been browsing through all your threads,
I would very much appreciate any advice you may be able to give.
We purchased an E320CDI on March 4th from Mercedes Benz - Swiss Cottage for £40K.
We had the car for 5 days when it started causing problems,
the horn stopped working and all of the functions on the steering wheel,
we presumed it was a teething prob, we took it back to MB who said they replaced the steering angle sensor and done an electrical system check.
They returned the car to us saying that everything was ok.
A month later we took it back to MB because there was a burning smell coming from outside of the car. They apparantely investigated this and done a contact spital (whatever this is).
We did not drive the car alot after that due to illness, but since we have been having a lot of problems.
On January 6th we called Service 24, as the horn and the steering column malfunctions returned, and the other more serious problem because the car was loosing power.
They diagnosed the steering column malfunctions but the other problem did not show up on there portable computer laptop.
We took it back to MB (Blackburn Rd), again they said they replaced the steering column module, and the air bag line to steering module.
As it was loosing power, they said even though they could not diagnose the problem, they would replace the Turbo pressure sensor and insert flash software for up-grade on gearbox. (they had the car in there garage for two weeks). They assured us that they sorted the problem and as a precaution they would get one of there service engineers to drive the car that evening,
they called us the following day and said that the guy that took the car home was not happy with it and they decided to keep it for a further few days, the following day they said they uploaded more software and that the car was perfect.
The following day we were driving on the motorway when we almost had two accidents because the car was loosing power again and they steering probs.
Called MB again, they took the car away on the 24/1/ until 5/2, again they said there was no problem with the car even though the horn and steering column function didn't work again, and that they would replace all of the items they replaced before as a goodwill gesture, they also said there was no
problem with the car losing power because it did not show up on there computers, and if it didn't show up on there computer, then its not there problem. We had no alternative but to accept the car back.
On 6/2 all the steering column malfunctions returned again, called MB on Tuesday, they have been avoiding us as they did not return any of our telephone calls until today and agreed to pick up the car again.
We have called MB Milton Keynes, who were not very helpful and basically told us to deal with the dealership.
We called the Manager at the dealership (Swiss Cottage) who said that it is nothing to do with him and deal with the service people at MB Blackburn Road.
Can anyone let us know what our rights may be, we would appreciate any advice you may give.
Many thanks,

 

[D3Less]

Sorry to hear your problems.
If you have not done loads of miles I would try and reject the car.
I have done this on 2 occasions (admittedly not Mercedes and after 1 and 6 months) but in theory the principle is the same and you have certainly given them ample oppertunity to rectify the faults.

Good luck with whatever you do.

 

[Deirdre]

We have just done 6000 miles, and dont know where to start to reject the car as we have been told by all that basically it is not there problem and they just pass the book from one to the other.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Your contract is with the company from which you bought the car, so it is their problem.

The computer has nothing to do with it. Computers don't show everything, and if they're relying on one to do so then they're plainly incompetant.

Reject the car as unfit for purpose under the sale of goods act 1979. Contact your local trading standards office for help.

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/

 

[Deirdre]

Many thanks for your help,
I will get on to trading standards.
Deirdre

 

[television]

Another example of where electronics do not mix with motor mechanics.

yes the contract is with the one that sold it, and under the block exemption rules anyone can service it or repair it as long as it was done to MB standards.

malcolm

 

[jberks]

It may be worth getting MBUK involved. Call customer services and have them raise a case, telling them that you intend rejecting the car and would like their assistance.
MBUK have a specific team that deal with such issues and I would demand that they are involved. The car has been defective since delivery (I assume new) and it has been going on long enough. The dealers passing the buck is also unnaceptable and requires immediate investigation. If you have lost confidence with the dealer (I would) then you have every right to use a different dealer.
At the end of the day, what you need to find is that one rare competent mechanic. There will be one somewhere and if you make enough noise they will assign them to you. Sadly the rest are little better than fitters.

 

[Rory]

I'd love to change my C270 for a new E Class, but stories like this really put me off - I just couldn't be doing with a car that had the same faults over and over again.
I'd also like to think that I could fall back on DC-UK in the event of a problem with the dealer but they appear to have been very poor here.

 

[jberks]

Lemons crop up - no idea why but I suspect the primary cause is more to do with mechanics failing to properly resolve the issue the first time, than it has with overall quality. Sadly, many seem to leave their brains at the door and delegate any thought to the diagnostic computer. If the computer says it's ok, the it IS ok. Been there with a misfire. Got it finally fixed my a proper mechanic, not a computer operator. Given the list above, I'm pretty sure that a decent mechanic could sort it in no time.

I have a friend with a top of the line VW. Been in the dealer several times for an oil leak. Each time it's been "sorted". It's still leaking.....

Quality generally has been climbing over the last couple of years and there are a great many of us with trouble free 211's so I wouldn't be too concerned, certainly compared to a 203, the 211 should be a step up in quality.

 

[nick-E55]

It may be worth getting MBUK involved. Call customer services and have them raise a case, telling them that you intend rejecting the car and would like their assistance.
MBUK have a specific team that deal with such issues and I would demand that they are involved. The car has been defective since delivery (I assume new) and it has been going on long enough. The dealers passing the buck is also unnaceptable and requires immediate investigation. If you have lost confidence with the dealer (I would) then you have every right to use a different dealer.
At the end of the day, what you need to find is that one rare competent mechanic. There will be one somewhere and if you make enough noise they will assign them to you. Sadly the rest are little better than fitters.

I agree. I have written to the MD of MB, based in Milton Keynes in the past, when i didn't get any joy from the dealer. THey were very helpful and have a dept their for dealing with these types of issues (..a whole dept... guess that says a lot!). THey log the problem and contact the dealer. In my case it spurred the dealer to put some effort in and get my problem resolved.

cheers
Nick