New member looking for good indie near Torquay

[PeteCulkin]

I just bought an E280 CDI on an 07 plate, registered 2007. Had a few niggles, i.e. drivers mirror opens too far, but didn’t notice the gearbox problem until yesterday. I’ve only had the car 5 days.
It got stuck in second gear, but full revs were available, just wouldn’t change up, wouldn’t change from C to S mode and even though you could move gear lever left to right and it would display gears 1-6 and D, it made no difference.

After stopping and switching on and off again, everything was fine…..until today. It went into the same condition, but will not come out of it. It seems permanently stuck in 2nd. Reverse still works.

It’s done 112k miles and has an almost complete service history.

Are there any good indies near Torquay who can help?

Thanks in advance
Pete

 

[Richard Moakes]

MOT & Servicing in Newton Abbot, Devon | Coverdale2

Our MOT and Service covers you from general maintenance and repairs for all makes and models. Call Newton Abbot on 01626 330 200

www.coverdale2.co.uk

 

[PeteCulkin]

Thank you Richard,
I appreciate your response. I had found Coverdale, but not sure how good they were. Would you vouch for them, or do other members have good experience of Coverdale's?

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome.

 

[Richard Moakes]

Thank you Richard,
I appreciate your response. I had found Coverdale, but not sure how good they were. Would you vouch for them, or do other members have good experience of Coverdale's?

Hi, I am 99% diy, so have never used them, but I believe other local members have had good experiences - JBell ?

 

[mioba]

Wilding Motors | Mercedes Specialist | Paignton, UK

Wilding Motors, Mercedes-Benz Specialist dealership and service in the English Riviera, a company that has made customer satisfaction its first priority.

www.wildingmotors.com

Got my W251 from here .Full merc indy with star xentry - very passionate about MB.

Fantastic people.

 

[PeteCulkin]

Wilding Motors | Mercedes Specialist | Paignton, UK

Wilding Motors, Mercedes-Benz Specialist dealership and service in the English Riviera, a company that has made customer satisfaction its first priority.

www.wildingmotors.com

Got my W251 from here .Full merc indy with star xentry - very passionate about MB.

Fantastic people.

Thanks mioba,
Just looked at their advert and it seems they like to service cars that they sell, but don't suggest that they are keen to pick up service and repair work if you bought your car elsewhere.
They have lots of good reviews from people who bought cars from them, but I can't see any reviews from people who have just used them for repairs.
Am I being silly?
Thanks to everyone. At least I've got two options to try on the phone and I will see which managed to instill the most confidence.

 

[PeteCulkin]

Coverdale are absolutely stacked out with work and cannot look at my car until Monday next week.
Wildings are so busy that they are only working on their own customer's cars.
The guy at Wildings told me it won't be a simple fix though. Will almost certainly be conductor plate and it'll cost around £1,500 to fix as the conductor plate is coded to the car!?
He did suggest that I take it to be diagnosed first and recommended Coverdale, but like I say, they can't look at it for a week.
Any recommendations please.

 

[Rotorhead500]

Bit further afield for you but I used Mercare in Plymouth (well, Estover) for my MBs, always found them very good.

 

[PeteCulkin]

Bit further afield for you but I used Mercare in Plymouth (well, Estover) for my MBs, always found them very good.

Thanks for your suggestion. A bit far to drive as 30mph is around 2,900rpm. Now booked into Coverdale for next Monday. What chance it's just low oil level in gearbox, because, despite a decent service history, I see no mention of transmission fluid having been changed in 112k miles?

 

[PeteCulkin]

Is this a really bad idea?
I don't want to wait a week, so was thinking of buying transmission fluid and maybe putting just 0.25 LTRs in through transmission dipstick tube. I have been told that 2007 G-tronic 7 speed should be using the older red transmission fluid. Would you try this, or should I leave well alone?

 

[mioba]

Thanks mioba,
Just looked at their advert and it seems they like to service cars that they sell, but don't suggest that they are keen to pick up service and repair work if you bought your car elsewhere.
They have lots of good reviews from people who bought cars from them, but I can't see any reviews from people who have just used them for repairs.
Am I being silly?
Thanks to everyone. At least I've got two options to try on the phone and I will see which managed to instill the most confidence.

they have their own garage and do service cars.
they done my w251 just before collection with full MB DSB upgrade.
If I recall it was Ian I dealt with.
Could well be they only maintain their own sold cars - fair enough business model I guess.

 

[Richard Moakes]

Is this a really bad idea?
I don't want to wait a week, so was thinking of buying transmission fluid and maybe putting just 0.25 LTRs in through transmission dipstick tube. I have been told that 2007 G-tronic 7 speed should be using the older red transmission fluid. Would you try this, or should I leave well alone?

I wouldn’t recommend it, the diagnosis of the conductor plate sounds highly likely.

Are you able to scan the car for codes?

 

[PeteCulkin]

they have their own garage and do service cars.
they done my w251 just before collection with full MB DSB upgrade.
If I recall it was Ian I dealt with.
Could well be they only maintain their own sold cars - fair enough business model I guess.

I'm afraid that's what's implied in their online advertising and reinforced by what they said to me. If they're busy enough with servicing cars they've sold, I can't blame them.

 

[PeteCulkin]

I wouldn’t recommend it, the diagnosis of the conductor plate sounds highly likely.

Are you able to scan the car for codes?

Unfortunately I don't have any scanning equipment at the moment, but I would like to keep the car for many years, so would be a good investment. I know there are threads on this, but which do you, or would you use?

Also, is £1,500 a realistic cost for such a repair?

 

[Richard Moakes]

Unfortunately I don't have any scanning equipment at the moment, but I would like to keep the car for many years, so would be a good investment. I know there are threads on this, but which do you, or would you use?

Also, is £1,500 a realistic cost for such a repair?

I have an iCarSoft Pro, and an MB Xentry DAS system. If you don’t think everyone in your family will come to you for code reading of different makes, then I would recommend an iCarSoft MB such as https://ljmcardiagnostics.co.uk/pro...s-sprinter-smart-professional-diagnostic-tool

Can’t comment on the price, but by the time you include new fluid, filters, labour, conductor plate etc., I can see how it would get expensive.

I could scan your car if you would like, it would at least give you some clues as to why it’s malfunctioning?

 

[PeteCulkin]

I have an iCarSoft Pro, and an MB Xentry DAS system. If you don’t think everyone in your family will come to you for code reading of different makes, then I would recommend an iCarSoft MB such as https://ljmcardiagnostics.co.uk/pro...s-sprinter-smart-professional-diagnostic-tool

Can’t comment on the price, but by the time you include new fluid, filters, labour, conductor plate etc., I can see how it would get expensive.

I could scan your car if you would like, it would at least give you some clues as to why it’s malfunctioning?

Thanks again,

Considering repair costs, I don't think the scanner is expensive. If they have it in stock and can get it to me quickly, I might be able to scan it myself.

Your offer to scan my car would be really helpful, but maybe not practical. I don't know how far you are from me, but I can't travel too far at 30mph.

I would recompense you of course. How far away are you?

Thanks Pete

 

[Richard Moakes]

I am in Newton Abbot, so can’t be that far away? Probably be Wednesday evening if you want me to drive over?

 

[ianplymouth]

Bit further afield for you but I used Mercare in Plymouth (well, Estover) for my MBs, always found them very good.

Mercare was sold a couple of years ago (i think) not heard good stuff recently.

his son now has a place of his own.

Contact Us - MB Motor Services

Please fill out the form below completing all the necessary fields. One of our experienced Mercedes Benz technicians will respond shortly.

mbmotorserviceshq.co.uk

I have used him, great guy well worth talking to him

 

[PeteCulkin]

Mercare was sold a couple of years ago (i think) not heard good stuff recently.

his son now has a place of his own.

Contact Us - MB Motor Services

Please fill out the form below completing all the necessary fields. One of our experienced Mercedes Benz technicians will respond shortly.

mbmotorserviceshq.co.uk

I have used him, great guy well worth talking to him

Thanks,
Much appreciated,

It's booked in at Coverdale's on Monday next, but it would be great to take up Richard's offer of a scan first. Will bear MB Motor Services in mind for future.