Newbie with sorry tale

[DEVONMERC2303]

Hi all

I am new so let me introduce myself as Ian.

I purchased a S320 on a P Plate (1997) with 147k miles from a garage called Hilltop Garage near Glucester. All very nice when looking round the car. Air con was not working but they said they would fix it. Negotiated a very good price for my Impreza WRX and paid over my money.

Picked the car up 1 week later with 12 months MOT, 3 months warranty and a service.

1 week later I noticed the air con was now blowing out hot air. My mechanic looked at the car and found the follwing faults:

1. 2 front coil springs cracked and should have never got past the MOT,
2. Leak from the a/c compressor.

I was very annoyed, rang the garage. They said

Pay my mechanic to fix the springs and they would reimburse me and the warranty will look after the a/c.

the coil springs are fixed and i am awaiting payment back from Hilltop.

The warranty people have said that the compressor must be taken out and investigated as to why it is leaking or failed. If it is wear and tear i must pay!!!! It is going to cost me £150 just to get the compresor taken out. The warranty peoiple will not pay out!!

I have contacted Hilltop and they have said it is nothing to do with them!!

So in my opinion

Stay away from Hilltop and

Any warranty given by in my opinion non dealers are useless.

I have a car that has no air con after having bought the car only 1 month away.

other than that the S320 is one of the best cars i have ever driven.

Any suggestions?

Yours feeling decidedly annoyed

Ian

 

[guydewdney]

air con on these are a known issue to be honest... but never the pumps to my knowledge.

it wont cost 150 quid to remove a pump - surely? how much can you get a second hand one from mercman in southampton for?

springs break.. ive had one of mine go - and you couldnt tell! again - known issue..

with the spring - make sure he has the CORRECT mercedes only tool for the springs - he WILL kill himself / smash the place up if he tries to use the universal type spring compressors.. the springs are very very very strong - and the normal types will break...

 

[Rory]

Speak to your local Trading Standards people - the selling garage can be held liable for faults which show up for up to 6 mths.
Ignore all this warranty stuff - you have 'statutory rights'. Warranty's are simply in addition to your statutory rights. Get advice.

 

[mlc]

Air con was not working but they said they would fix it. Ian

They said they would repair the air con prior to sale - they didnt, where is the problem?

I agree with Rory, give them one last chance then talk to trading standards