Just received a call from Mercedes RE: Rust

[ITSACLK320]

Has anybody heard this before????

The lady on the phone said that three of the arches were deemed to be covered under the warrenty but the drivers side rear isnt and they require me to make a contribution of £1500 to have the work done!

She had no info about the decision, she was just the messenger and she has given me a number for the customer care section.

Does this mean that three of the arches are Mercedes' fault and one is mine??

How can that be?

Any views/ comments welcome

Thanks

 

[G MAN]

All together... so that's £6k for 4 arches ?????
What's the rest of the story before the claim?

 

[ITSACLK320]

Hi G MAN,

Sorry no, its £1500 to have all four arches done (they accept that three of the arches are there 'fault' and therefore covered under warrenty but not the fourth - which is what they want me to pay for)

The story previously is I have owned the car for 1 year, it has a full MB service history (last one done in May '07 which is when the claim dates to)

Basically I have had to wait 5 and half months for them to make this decision in which time the rust has obviously worsened!

Do you think that there is any chance that the decision will be changed?

Have you had any dealings trying to get rust issues sorted?

Thanks for your reply.

 

[eGuru]

Did they check the paint thickness when you first approached MB? If they found that the wing had been resprayed in the past, then it may not be covered. Just a thought.

 

[G MAN]

My one & only rust claim under warranty was a minor tailgate issue which was resolved without quibble at the dealers. There are plenty of stories on here if you search of other claims which have no consistency to the outcomes. Count yourself lucky to get an a fairly substantial admission & can only think there must be external damage to the one arch they claim is different to the rest, but that point could be argued I'm sure. but the price is way over if they are just sorting wheel arches.You need the collective wisdom from those on here which will be coming your way but the point to remember is the approved repairs will keep your warranty intact........till the need doing again & that's the pinch will they honour those in the future ? You could get a repair done competently for virtually 1/4 of what they are quoting, hence your paying for the lot .It's just that warranty issue & is it worth preserving?

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
As GMAN says i reckon you would get all of them done for the price of the contribution they want you to pay i would be inclined to say leave that arch, and do the other three.
They will only use a reputable local body shop anyway and you could approach them yourself after the event, at a later date.

 

[ITSACLK320]

That is what I'm hoping I can do at least... but I'm not sure that me making the contribution is conditional of them doing the other three arches. I need to find that out when ring on monday.

How do you reckon it will cost for me to get the other arch done myself (I have no experience of this!)

Thanks for the replies

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

I would speak to their body shop rep if I were you.
Work carried out by the Mercedes Approved body shop is guaranteed for Life, if the front wings are pitted they will remove the wing blast the rust out, dip and prime. If the rust returns they redo it for free. That beats a 3 year warranty from any where else IMO.
Teddy Bear.

 

[ITSACLK320]

I have today booked my car in for the repairs on the three arches covered under the warrenty. I haven't had chance to speak to Merc about the decision on the fourth (why this isnt covered when there has been no work on this previously (to my knowledge)).

I dont hold out much hope on a turn around on the decision - but you never know.

If all else fails I will have the same repair shop do the work for me at there price!

 

[ITSACLK320]

The garage doing the work for me (RMB Toyota) have offered me a courtesy car as long as I insure it through my insurance. Is this right, as I have never had to do this with a courtesy car before?

Thanks

 

[jberks]

There is a breakdown in communication here.
There is no way they are expecting you to pay £1500 for one wing. The lass you spoke to might think so but i suspect this is a case of the messenger not understanding the message.

I imagine £1500 is the whole bill and your part would be 25% - so a contribution of £375.
Steep but probably worth it.

 

[ITSACLK320]

What she said was... that due to the condition of the arch it will be £3350 to repair of which, they require a 45% contribution from me (£1500)

That seems very steep to me.

It is honestly like getting blood from a stone on the phone to them, its almost as though they dare not say anything regarding money!

 

[G MAN]

I think they've got their decimal points mixed up!
Tell them you'll instruct an independent loss adjuster to negotiate your claim from now on as they won't give you straight answers & tell them that they will also be responsible for those fees because of their dilatory posture.
Watch the reaction.
The courtesy car BTW is becoming standard practice , for it to be on your own insurance but check it out as not all insurers are as amenable as others!!

 

[ITSACLK320]

The service manager at the dealership has just rang and said about the decision...

"That arch has corroded worse than the others and should have been brought in sooner which is why they want the contribution"

I said that surely if the accept liability for the other arches then they should that one as it's not my fault that it has corroded quicker! - there is obviosly a problem with the original paint job in other words!

He agreed but said that he was powerless to do anything further. He suggested ringing Mastrict (whatever that is) to discuss it further.

When I asked why it would be so expensive he said that they are charging £1500 for labour!!

He was a sound enough bloke to be honest, he said that I should ask at the repair shop for a preferential rate to do that arch while it is in next week.

 

[G MAN]

He's probably right bottom line so approach them but use all you charm & knowledge as they , the bodyshop ,won't bite the hand that feeds them & at those charges they're taking the p##s. " as the car's in how much whilst your at it....(for cash)....?? remember the warranty issue .
However if you want a big wi##y contest then do as I said above & get on to Customer Care in Maastricht & ask them to justify. I can't believe their arrogance & it's everyones statutory right to be protected when this happens, an admission of responsibility for a recognised fault. They will try & shave down as many claims as poss. & maybe a lot of people have company/leased cars & don't give a toss as someone else is paying But when it's your own hard earned then be more assertive & DEMAND what you're entitled to.

 

[G MAN]

And ask him for the contact & number for customer care that they have been using & spend more time tackling them head on than reading my worthless opinion on here!!

good luck with it but I'd be tempted to take them on

 

[ITSACLK320]

Cheers for your advice, i'm going to challenge them - it worth a try!

I have left my claim with someone in Maastricht to look into for me.

I am also going to ask the repairer for a price- while they are on with it.

I will let you know what happens

Thanks again!

 

[jberks]

At those prices I assume they are planning to replace whole panel?.
£1500 may be about right to replace a rear wing on a CLK - it will be a major job but they may also be able to do something to repair it.
How bad is it?
Do you have a photo?

 

[ITSACLK320]

It is quite bad I think (certainly far worse than the other three).

I dont have a photo but I am taking some before it goes in, I will post them when I've taken then.

Thanks

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Price Of OE Panels

Genuine wings are comparatively cheap..............£150 ish
Ihave just had two arches inclusive of one wing removal and two spreading blisters, one one the drivers door and one infront of a r/wh/arch, plus bonnet respray for just under £1100.00 here in Bristol as I said with a life time guarantee..........Thats on a 9 year old W208.
Labour worked out at £29.00 per hour...........

Teddy Happy Bear