Seeking advice for legal action on bad repairs. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Yak · #16 03-02-2012, 11:37 PM

I wouldn't trust the dealer too much.

$2k for doing repairs to get a car to pass inspection is within the realm of possibility, but should only be done with the owner's explicit consent. If the car needed brake and/or suspension work - and that's a strong possibility based on the age - then that'll add up. Add in a tire or two at dealer prices and you could have nearly $2k.

My concerns come by answering his other question in the other thread. He says the dealer told him the fuse box was melted and he - not the dealer - needed to source a new fusebox to repair the light. So how did it pass inspection with a melted fuse box that keeps the lights from working? The dealer gives the "NLA" shrug for a critical component? I'd be on the phone to MBUSA - after I got all my facts in order. What other work did they say they did that maybe isn't done?

I'd state I had concerns about any and all work done so far and wanted a different factory tech from a another dealer to assess the billed-for work.

I'd be ready to call the state DOT and say the dealer is putting stickers on unsafe cars. It's kind of hard to argue with a melted fusebox and inop lights as physical evidence.

For the tranny, probably bad luck (and a really bad dealer) and a B2 piston. I thought I saw a recent ad for a NOS tranny, but I did just post a link for a $200 offer from Aquaticedge in your WTB thread.

B2 info and symptoms Veg My Ride Inc. Website

compress ignite · #17 03-03-2012, 02:54 AM

1.EVERYTHING is in Writing,Beforehand.
(AND not signed by some silly SA but the Shop Foreman.)
2.The Mercedes NEVER leaves my sight,PERIOD!

If the dealer cannot or will not "Help"me with these simple requests...
Away, Away Run Away.

Obviously,I never enter the Service Drive. Especially Locally.

AND you're not gonna find a Tech who can work on your older MB at a Dealer.

ngarover · #18 03-03-2012, 08:26 AM

Another dealer nightmare... 2k for what? Dealers are basically legal thieves. X3 or 4 on finding a local MB specialist that actually knows these car. There are none left at the dealers. Take a look in the dealer shop sometime... chances are, your car is as old as they are. If they can't plug it in and have the computer tell them what parts to toss at it they are clueless. I always love how dealers will toss part after part on a car, not fixing the original problem, and of course charge you the standard 1000 markup for the part that you didn't need in the first place.

ngarover · #19 03-03-2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yak

I wouldn't trust the dealer too much.

$2k for doing repairs to get a car to pass inspection is within the realm of possibility, but should only be done with the owner's explicit consent. If the car needed brake and/or suspension work - and that's a strong possibility based on the age - then that'll add up. Add in a tire or two at dealer prices and you could have nearly $2k.

My concerns come by answering his other question in the other thread. He says the dealer told him the fuse box was melted and he - not the dealer - needed to source a new fusebox to repair the light. So how did it pass inspection with a melted fuse box that keeps the lights from working? The dealer gives the "NLA" shrug for a critical component? I'd be on the phone to MBUSA - after I got all my facts in order. What other work did they say they did that maybe isn't done?

I'd state I had concerns about any and all work done so far and wanted a different factory tech from a another dealer to assess the billed-for work.

I'd be ready to call the state DOT and say the dealer is putting stickers on unsafe cars. It's kind of hard to argue with a melted fusebox and inop lights as physical evidence.

For the tranny, probably bad luck (and a really bad dealer) and a B2 piston. I thought I saw a recent ad for a NOS tranny, but I did just post a link for a $200 offer from Aquaticedge in your WTB thread.

B2 info and symptoms Veg My Ride Inc. Website

On the suspension... I redid all the tie rods on my 81... Bought the parts here, had local guy install. total price what under 100 bucks. Dealer wanted 1700 just for the parts! (which turns out where the exact same ones I had bought here) Even the parts manager was a little shocked when I called him out on the price difference....

frnorke · #20 03-03-2012, 08:52 AM

Hi Everyone,
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that I was getting the lawyers involved. I just wanted to know if anyone else had ever run into these types of problems and what they had done. Perhaps I shouldn't have sought "legal advice" per say.

I guess it's my nature after paying the bills for previous work on other cars to this dealer to assume that I've getting overcharged. As I had stated previously, I was dubious of the work they did as I received an inspection sticker and picked up the car the first time with one headlight still inop.

The repairs I had were $2116.49. They were for: left tie rod, sway bar links, Turn signal sender flash, something called a "Lifting Magn" (??) related to heater function, glow plug bulb, hood cable, pull handle (for the hood cable). Most of the cost was in labor.

I really want to thank everyone for their input and help. I suspect that the B2 piston is the issue and it's well within my ability to change I believe. Could someone provide a specific part number so I can ask the MB dealer for this by part number? Thanks again.

V/r,
Kurt

Diesel911 · #21 03-03-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frnorke

Hi Everyone,
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that I was getting the lawyers involved. I just wanted to know if anyone else had ever run into these types of problems and what they had done. Perhaps I shouldn't have sought "legal advice" per say.

I guess it's my nature after paying the bills for previous work on other cars to this dealer to assume that I've getting overcharged. As I had stated previously, I was dubious of the work they did as I received an inspection sticker and picked up the car the first time with one headlight still inop.

The repairs I had were $2116.49. They were for: left tie rod, sway bar links, Turn signal sender flash, something called a "Lifting Magn" (??) related to heater function, glow plug bulb, hood cable, pull handle (for the hood cable). Most of the cost was in labor.

I really want to thank everyone for their input and help. I suspect that the B2 piston is the issue and it's well within my ability to change I believe. Could someone provide a specific part number so I can ask the MB dealer for this by part number? Thanks again.

V/r,
Kurt

I would not order any parts until you have verified the B2 Piston is Broke.

B2 Piston Seal and parts

B2 piston number 170 270 04 32 (1702700432) {number cast into the piston 126 277 11 38}

{Outer O-ring 005 997 70 48} For the B2 Piston Cover

{plastic bushing 126 277 08 50} An update that replaces the Metal Bushing behind the Lip Sesl

{Lip Seal verified 006 997 73 47} Installed with the Lip faces outward

For more details:
DIY Repair Links
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/forumdisplay.php?f=82

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/DoItYourSelf

engatwork · #22 03-03-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

The repairs I had were $2116.49. They were for: left tie rod, sway bar links, Turn signal sender flash, something called a "Lifting Magn" (??) related to heater function, glow plug bulb, hood cable, pull handle (for the hood cable). Most of the cost was in labor.

Yak · #23 03-03-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frnorke

Hi Everyone,
<>

The repairs I had were $2116.49. They were for: left tie rod, sway bar links, Turn signal sender flash, something called a "Lifting Magn" (??) related to heater function, glow plug bulb, hood cable, pull handle (for the hood cable). Most of the cost was in labor.

<>

V/r,
Kurt

Speculating the "Lifting Magn" is probably the monovalve. It's an electromagnet in the heater system. It actually pushes down rather than lifting up, though.

Brian Carlton · #24 03-03-2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

My Mothers perception was the same as the OPs. There was nothing wrong in the front of the Car till I worked on the Rear of the Car.

Every month on this forum something suddenly happens to someones old Car. We do not like it but our Old Cars are on barrowed time.

Exactly.

The transmission will fail at some point. In the case of the OP, the transmission failed while in possession of the dealer. This does not place responsibility to fix the transmission with the dealer, however.

The entire premise of bringing such a vehicle to a M/B dealer is beyond the pale. Anyone in this situation should NEVER own such a vehicle. A new Toyota Camry would cost far less to drive on a per mile basis.

engatwork · #25 03-03-2012, 10:53 AM

^x2 on Yak's post.

Last one I priced out was ~$140. Ten minutes or less to change. Do not change it with the engine hot.

ah-kay · #26 03-03-2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frnorke

The repairs I had were $2116.49. They were for: left tie rod, sway bar links, Turn signal sender flash, something called a "Lifting Magn" (??) related to heater function, glow plug bulb, hood cable, pull handle (for the hood cable). Most of the cost was in labor.

I really want to thank everyone for their input and help. I suspect that the B2 piston is the issue and it's well within my ability to change I believe. Could someone provide a specific part number so I can ask the MB dealer for this by part number? Thanks again.

V/r,
Kurt

I would recommend you to get it done by professional. It is more difficult to do than what you have just spent, $2.1K in IMO. You need space, ramp, time, tool and labor.

240Dpdx · #27 03-03-2012, 12:49 PM

[QUOTE=mach4;2895023]It's too bad that we've come to the point where the first time there's a problem we want to get the attorneys involved.

I learned a long time ago that when we try to play the attorney game, the only ones that win are the attorneys. It's their game... it's rigged... they make all the rules... and who runs the courts? More attorneys. And who makes the laws... you guessed it, more attorneys.

I know that attorneys get a pretty bad wrap, and I won't say that there isn't at least some justification for it - my favorite lawyer joke, as told by a lawyer, "97% of attorneys ruin it for the rest of us" - but I just wanted to say that not all attorneys are bad. I know it might come as a shock, but some attorneys really aren't just blood sucking ambulance chasers. In fact, many people - myself included - go to law so as to be in a better position to help people. That is, we make a conscious decision to give up three years of our lives for the hell that is law school and take on a usually substantial amount of debt and then make another conscious decision to go on to work in low-paying jobs for the sole purpose of helping people navigate their way through the legal system. Just sayin.

mespe · #28 03-03-2012, 01:41 PM

Good luck, when you go to court, the dealer will be the "expert" and you the novice. Throwing good money after bad. File a claim with the better business bureau if the dealer doesn't fix the problem.

frnorke · #29 03-03-2012, 01:49 PM

Everyone,
Thanks again for the advice. I know that some of you disagree with bringing the car to the dealer. It's all I had available at the time because of time constraints and weather/facilities.

I know from reading what's been posted, that I now have a little perspective on this type of problem. While no common, it's not beyond the realm of possibility either. I shouldn't assume because it's at the dealer that it's their fault.

As always, I continue to be thankful that there is this forum to help us folks (even us novices) out. Thanks everyone.

V/r,
Kurt

kerry · #30 03-03-2012, 01:59 PM

Seems like a lot of money to repair those items. If they didn't work on the transmission I doubt the problem is their fault. Does the transmission function in reverse? Has the dealer made any statement regarding the transmission diagnosis apart from the fluid change? If people on here can diagnose it a thousand miles away, a dealer should be more than capable of doing the same thing. If it's operating in reverse, the dealer suggestion to flush the fluid seems off the mark.