Totally disillusioned with MB

[Rory]

ST4, depreciation perhaps.

Well the OP has done 60K in 18mths, so if it's 120K after 3yrs the car is going to be worth very little anyway.

 

[markg14]

markg14. Good to hear that MB are replacing the torque converter again, Did not hear from you again when you e mailed me so I suppose you got on OK.
Well, I now own a C180 Blue effieciency and guess what, the gearbox is rubbish again. Not the same problems but new ones. I have made my mind up now. MB are absolutley rubbish and a waste of money and time.
The W204 model might be good to look at, but its how it drives that matters.
Absolute complete and utter rubbish in mechanical quality.
As for me Mercedes R.I.P.

Yes they replaced the torque converter and the propshaft, the latter to mask future vibrations (in about 20,000 miles) coming from the gearbox I guess. Also suspect they have detuned the engine YET AGAIN. Fuel economy and performance slightly down, and the latest software they have applied to the gearbox is very disappointing.
I am sad to say it will be my last Mercedes too. I can cope with the disappointment if it is met with sympathy and compensation, but I cannot tolerate MB "head in the sand" attitude.

 

[harp1963]

Sorry to hear that markg14. I am going back to Alfa Romeo with a new 159 this summer. Yes perhaps unreliable, but thats why I opted for Mercedes this time and have been let down again.
The moral of my story is why spend £35000 on a Merc which will be worth perhaps £13000 in 3 yrs time which is a depreciation of £22000 in 3 years. A good Alfa 1.9 turbodiesel costs £22000 and I am sure will be worth £8000 in 3 years time, deprieciation of £14000.
As for reliability, I have seen it all now. Have fun driving your car, less depreciation, perhaps more reliable. Buy a Alfa.

 

[Xtractorfan]

We had a 156 2.4JTD Alpha for 3 years and never had a problem with it..well one of the alloys constantly leaked air..but a tiny amount.. brilliant car..

 

[starr]

c220cdi elegance

I have a c220cdi elegance automatic with the same problems. Been in 6 times for the same fault. The latest from Mercedez is the car has a characteristic! It is something they are aware of and can do nothing about it. They say not a fault but a characteristic. I am waiting for a copy of the rport then I am writing to all the motoring press. It is a sod to drive!

Absolutely 100% disillusioned with MB UK.

The saga of my 09/2007 W204 C220 CDI Sport continues.

Gearbox software problems from new.
Updated software numerous times.
New torque converter at 33,000 miles (symptoms from 20,000 onwards), and software on both the engine and gearbox "updated'. I am positive that this had a negative effect on both the economy and performance.
Torque converter symptoms returned recently at 50,000 miles, and reported to MB at 60,000 mile service.
MB took it in for examination and could find no fault. When I took the technician out in the car, he agreed 100% that the problem was the torque converter.
They have had the car for the last 3 weeks, and in that time they have:-

1. Tried numerous "re-adaptions" on the torque converter
2. Fiddled about with the software
3. Changed the ATM fluid completely
4. Changed the ATM fluid (for a "different type" of ATM fluid) again
5. Fitted a new prop shaft (this one left both me and the technician baffled)
6. Finally fitted second replacement (third from new) new torque converter

The symptoms (vibration and humming) have now disappeared, but I am sure the car has also been de-tuned (again). I am going to take the car for a dyno test tomorrow to see what power it is producing as it is definitely not pulling as strongly as it did pre the above.

To top all this, when the car was returned to me after 3 weeks, there was a scratch and scuff on the front bumper which I noticed only when I got home.
MB will not accept responsibility for the bodywork damage, but are willing to have their repairer (non-MB, but MB "approved") make good out of "goodwill". I am insisting that an MB repairer does the repair, but MB dealer says he won't pay. Does anyone know the legal position regarding nomination of repairer please? Can't believe MB would refuse my nomination of authorised and franchised MB bodyshop!!!

 

[turbopete]

there is a simple solution. buy a manual. it really annoys the dealers when you say you dont want the auto coz its a £2000 optional extra!

 

[Dunvale]

When will they ever go back to the good old days!
I know how you feel mark I have an ML!

 

[OlafMaxwell]

Just proves the point that MB cannot handle problems. I know the old saying of the poor customer service is reappearing again. I dont know what the problem is either but... Isthe 5 speed the earlier tiptronic 5 speed that was superceded by the 7 speed auto? Its just that the 5 speed does seem to have been quite good. I would be wondering about alignments wont be the first time misailgnemnt was a problem.

At the mileage you are looking at though, even though you dont want to hear it, I would not go for a Merc. Of all the cars I have had the Merc was by far the least reliable. That is comparing with Fiats, Nissans, Peugeot, Ford. I like the comment about the Alfa and I know quite a few JTD owners who are extremely happy with their cars. Even the latest quality surveys still do not put Mercs up there with the Japanese build quality.

 

[harp1963]

markg14,Sorry to hear that your issues have not been resolved. As I have said before goodbye and good riddance Merc. Never never again.

 

[markg14]

Surprise surprise - my C220 CDI Sport has now covered 85,000 miles, and it is going into MB next week to investigate a problem with......wait for it......yes....gearbox/torque converter vibrations!!! If my suspicions are correct, they will (eventually) fit ANOTHER torque-converter to cure the problem.
This will be the fourth (third replacement) torque-converter the car has had since new (September 2007).

 

[television]

Surprise surprise - my C220 CDI Sport has now covered 85,000 miles, and it is going into MB next week to investigate a problem with......wait for it......yes....gearbox/torque converter vibrations!!! If my suspicions are correct, they will (eventually) fit ANOTHER torque-converter to cure the problem.
This will be the fourth (third replacement) torque-converter the car has had since new (September 2007).

That is one way to keep the car like new

 

[markg14]

Nice comment Malcolm!
Just wish they would find the root of the problem, preferably before the warranty runs out...

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Hi

Ive not long finished working for benz (now set up as benz indie) and this is a common complaint across the W204 range and has been since its introduction.

The vibration occours because the gearbox holds onto a lower gear for too long. the best way to describe it is like doing 15mph in 3rd in a manual then gently accelerate the car will judder as the clutch drags well in essence thats the same feelingl

The software benz mapped into the engine and gearbox ecus to meake them fuel efficent and torquey has had this result and no amount of software I put in from benz ever cured this fault.

I will put my neck on the line and say its not a tc fault and that your dealer is barking uop the wrong tree. when you take it in ask to speak to their most senior diagnostic test and road test with him. ask him to raise a TIPS case with benz and to list all the faults you have had with the cures that havent worked. (they shuold do this anyway) get benz technical at milton keynes involved as they may send a tech specialist out to look at it. (prepare to be without your car for a while if this happens)

when I left there was still no cure but software to improve the situation. they are correct when they say its a characeristic but its one that shouldnt be there and needs to be solved.

Regards
.
Steve

 

[Rory]

The vibration occours because the gearbox holds onto a lower gear for too long. the best way to describe it is like doing 15mph in 3rd in a manual then gently accelerate the car will judder as the clutch drags well in essence thats the same feelingl

Do you mean it holds a *higher* gear? If it held a lower gear for too long then the engine would be screaming.

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Yes Rory, I do. My apologies.

Regards

Steve

 

[markg14]

Hi

Ive not long finished working for benz (now set up as benz indie) and this is a common complaint across the W204 range and has been since its introduction.

The vibration occours because the gearbox holds onto a lower gear for too long. the best way to describe it is like doing 15mph in 3rd in a manual then gently accelerate the car will judder as the clutch drags well in essence thats the same feelingl

The software benz mapped into the engine and gearbox ecus to meake them fuel efficent and torquey has had this result and no amount of software I put in from benz ever cured this fault.

I will put my neck on the line and say its not a tc fault and that your dealer is barking uop the wrong tree. when you take it in ask to speak to their most senior diagnostic test and road test with him. ask him to raise a TIPS case with benz and to list all the faults you have had with the cures that havent worked. (they shuold do this anyway) get benz technical at milton keynes involved as they may send a tech specialist out to look at it. (prepare to be without your car for a while if this happens)

when I left there was still no cure but software to improve the situation. they are correct when they say its a characeristic but its one that shouldnt be there and needs to be solved.

Regards
.
Steve

Thanks very much for your input Steve - much appreciated.

I am getting very frustrated with this problem - I did not count on being part of MB Development Program when I bought the car, but I feel (due to the high mileage I do) I have been something of a guinea pig.

Every dealer I have taken it to (including MB Milton Keynes) has said "no-one else has reported this type of problem" which is clearly rubbish.

Last time MB replaced the TC was only after I had some feedback from HARP1963 (member on this forum) about similar experiences.

One thing bothers me though - why does the problem go away when they replace the TC, and why does it reappear after 20,000 - 25,000 miles??

 

[markg14]

The car is now in the garage for "investigation"

Latest news is that MB have asked the dealer to change the rear axle dampers before proceeding with further "tests"

If MB were a doctor, and you walked in with a case of measles, they would probably apply paint to each and every spot......

 

[Dosco]

If MB were a doctor, and you walked in with a case of measles, they would probably apply paint to each and every spot......

Doubt it more likely to castrate you

 

[jamesmc]

Pretty soon it will turn out to have been cheaper to give you another car, take the old one off your hands, sell that at auction and cut their losses That's what Ford did for me years back with a new car on which they they couldn't fix a certain problem.

 

[markg14]

Latest news is that they have now fitted a new torque-converter (3rd replacement in 55,000 miles, fourth torque converter in 86,000 miles), and they are continuing their "investigations".

I was planning on keeping this car for 200,000 miles.

At the current rate, by my reckoning this would mean 8 or 9 torque converters to reach this mileage!

My old 202 reached 210,000 miles quite happily (bar a few rust problems) with it's original torque converter, and I have the feeling that this problem is more widespread on the W204 C220 CDI than MB would admit to.

Another member on this forum, HARP1963, had an offer of a replacement car which he took.

By the time they get round to making me an offer, I suspect the car will have very little value given the high-mileage.