Is my HV Battery about to die.......

[Damo79]

Hi All,
I have had the C350e for just over 2 years now, its a 65 plate. Absolutely love the car, its smooth, fast and even parks its self! However....... there seems to be an issue arising, the battery is draining really really quickly. It was charged to about 50 odd % and saying 6 miles, within 400 yards that had dropped to 20% and a single mile remaining.
I started noticing recently that it was draining quicker than it had before but nothing that quick!
What's worry me is what happens if the battery fails completely? I don't think there is anyway to improve a battery once it begins to fail.
I've also seen reports that Mercedes can charge anywhere from 8 to 12k to replace batteries.

And this is the future, cars will be good for nothing after 10 years.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[DSK]

You’re not the only with this issue, there any many MB hybrids reported with such bills for a new battery and lots of (rightly) ticked off owners being faced with the option to scrap or repair.

Why do MB and others do it, because most punters are largely deluded badge snobs and they’ll just go out and buy another being on enough pain and agony to bother with a legal case.

I’d part ex it pronto for a Lexus hybrid, if you want a hybrid as they are only ones worth buying in my opinion and designed to last longer that 10 minutes.

Additionally such short product life and insane costs have also been pushing fraudulent insurance claims through the roof where people are trying to recover costs through this unethical and illegal manner.


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[rf065]

While I'm not an expert, what you have described is exactly how rechargeble batteries appear to behave as normal.
I've read cases like yours where the battery has failed at only 8 years old and Mercedes have quoted £15,000 to replace.

 

[Blobcat]

And this is the future, cars will be good for nothing after 10 years.

It’s 8.2 years unfortunately hardly good for the environment is it! But it’s great for the manufacturers

 

[Chrishazle]

Thankfully my 2008 C220Cdi and 2008 V6 280 will never have this problem, and as for changing either for "Green EV" of any variety - at ridiculous cost - in the Glaswegian. "YCFROJ"!!

 

[sonic]

Mercedes have not had a good report with their Hybrids. It looks as if they were only made for business tax advantages.
I will stick with my almost 11 years old E350CDI.

 

[star]

Hybrid battery cost £10-13k car resell value £0
EV battery cost £ Lots more, then the car resell value £0
Unless a decent replacement warranty is offered, these cars will be worthless, even 2-3 years before the warranty expires. Who’s going to buy an EV that has 2-3 years left on an very expensive battery that could cost more than the cars worth.
Not very green in my eyes.

 

[Wighty]

I think this modern tech is lease only , the repair costs are too huge .

 

[Blobcat]

I think this modern tech is lease only , the repair costs are too huge .

That is exactly what the manufacturers want

 

[JBell]

I think this modern tech is lease only , the repair costs are too huge .

They make great Company Cars as the BIK is low, then bin them off at 3 years

 

[Naraic]

Is there an option not to replace the hybrid battery, and thus just have it as a fossil fuel car?

 

[star]

I think this modern tech is lease only , the repair costs are too huge .

I agree however I think the lease companies will know the costs of these batteries and will not offer a lease after year 6 ( so on average 2x3year leases). Then off to auction for some unknowing purchaser.

 

[DSK]

Is there an option not to replace the hybrid battery, and thus just have it as a fossil fuel car?

I think this may only be an option on older hybrids regardless of make but, in modern times manufacturers will probably probably put a line of code in that prevents the car being largely useable and this forcing repairs (perhaps using emission legislation as an excuse to do so).


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[star]

They make great Company Cars as the BIK is low, then bin them off at 3 years

For now, I think the tax on ev’s will rise if not for all of us motorist. There’s a massive short fall in tax revenue, no bik, no road tax and less petrol duty gained. Makes sense for a short time but unsustainable.

 

[JBell]

Is there an option not to replace the hybrid battery, and thus just have it as a fossil fuel car?

Probably want to remove it, wouldn't want to drag all that weight around, kills fuel economy

 

[star]

There’s too many systems that run off the hv battery, a/c compressor for one. It starts off the hv battery and then reverts to standard starter.

 

[DSK]

That is exactly what the manufacturers want

Yes it’s the motor industry ‘dictatorship’ to keep costs high and always on the rise, thus forcing the majority to have no option but to lease, paying significantly larger amounts via the illusion of so called affordable payments.

The vast majority seem happy with this though so they only have themselves to blame.


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[JBell]

There’s too many systems that run off the hv battery, a/c compressor for one. It starts off the hv battery and then reverts to standard starter.

So it's put new batteries in / scrap it or drag half a Ton around for no reason and accept 20mpg

 

[Naraic]

So it's put new batteries in / scrap it or drag half a Ton around for no reason and accept 20mpg

I think the point is...you need the battery to work because other systems use it.

 

[Damo79]

Thanks for the all the replies and comments. I was all excited at the thought of a hybrid when i bought the car 2 years ago but now never want to touch one again. With 3 years finance on left on it i have a serious problem if i cant part-ex it. Looks like i'm going car shopping at the weekend. I wonder what the car sales places think about hybrid's, they may decide not to part-ex hybrids over a certain age due to this very reason! If they do then i am royally *******.
This could be my last Merc i think.