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  #1  
Old 10-23-2000, 10:35 PM
Richard Ney
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Can I ask for print outs on my diagnosis report?, This is referring my car dealer results. "Can those machines do that?" How can I found out if the readings are totaly legit? I dont think that the report on the bill could actually be the authentic proff of evidence/ "X" person can write anything there and handle to me at the end with my amount to be pay in full/ Should the dealer get offended or the mecanichs tecnithians etc. will be considered to be put it on the spot as being potentialy accesorys of acusations if the diagnosis seems no to be correct?
The reason for this questions, have to do with the amount of years that with out questions, I keep paying all those dollars all ways thinking that if we paying for a super motor cars of the German land, why can we be denied of have a honest documentation.
Usually when we buy a house, we get everything there, clear, on paper and signed./
When you go to do repair on a dealer you are the one who signs first, to allow them to tell you what they want, if they like so /

My enfasis is simple on the beginning of the question/ How can they prove me on the spot
that what they say is not wrong?/ I work in shops years ago in my early years but at that time computers where on NASA/ Today they are located on cars everywhere./ Not to offend anyone please.




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  #2  
Old 10-23-2000, 11:56 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Posts: 121
I'm not sure this will make you feel any better, but I had an interesting experience today kind of related to your question.
I have a 94 S500, and the SRS dashlight would remain on for exactly 2 minutes EVERY time I started the car.
I had inquired here about it before, and was told it was probably the seat belt buckle, so I at least had a heads-up on what was wrong.
Anyway, took it to the dealer, he diagnoses it with the scan tool, and calls me to let me know it will cost $495 to replace the buckle (and sensor, I presume). Since the actual seatbelt functioned fine and the only problem is the light for 2 minutes, I declined and said I'll be by to pick it up later. Paid the $95 diagnostic fee, and was on my way.
Well, made a number of stops on the way home, and would you believe the light goes out 4 seconds after startup, just like it is supposed to. I have NO idea what they did, but it appears to be fixed. And yet, according to the diagnostic printout, it still needs a new switch.
Go figure......
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  #3  
Old 10-24-2000, 06:51 AM
Jack
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Sugarland, TX
Posts: 285
The SRS light was on as descibed by bbrewer, ON for about 2 minutes on my 140. The fix as to replace the passenger's seat belt. I also choice not to repair.

It light was off for a few days, I beleive the tech reset the code, after the seat belt was used a few time, the computer detect the problem, and turn the light on again.

Anyway, I call 1-800-formerecdes, they pay for parts, and I pay labor charge to replace the seat belts.

jack
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  #4  
Old 10-24-2000, 07:37 AM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Gainesville FL
Posts: 6,844
As to the question of a diagnostic print-out. That is easy. I can print you one saying about anything. Plus I could make your car exibit and be diagnosed as about anything. It you don't trust your technician; documentation will be the wrong kind of help.

My advice is to find a shop and get to know them. This may only happen at independent shops, but I know hundreds of shops serving thousands of people on a first name basis.

I have been in business for 24 years and plan to eventually limit my problem solving skills only to service customers. If you want to do business with chains (?? to save money??) be prepared to always have an adversarial relationship with your diagnostic technician.

------------------
Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician
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  #5  
Old 10-24-2000, 08:06 AM
LarryBible
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Posts: n/a
Steve,

As always, you're offering great advice and insight.

There are probably more shops that are trustworthy than not. I expect that the independent shops are more likely to be so because they have no other source of revenue to fall back on, such as new car sales.

Unfortunately, it doesn't take too many bad ones to cause people to be leary and skittish. Add to that the fact that no shop is completely infallible. With the best of intentions a technician can replace or rebuild something only to find out that it did not correct the problem. The customer that has been burned somewhere else, then believes that the honest attempt at correcting the problem was some sort of ripoff. I believe that in most cases, given the opportunity, an honest shop will somehow make good.

If a customer gets to know the shop and what they're about, in the long run, they will be most satisfied.

Unfortunately there are those shops out there that prey on people. In the course of selling a '96 E300D, a lady who had wrecked her MB asked me to drive her to her independent mechanic. He gave the car a quick look, gave her his approval of the car and then began telling her how it would require the same service as her previous MB. He said it would need brake pads every 12,000 miles and brake rotors every 24,000. I was appalled. First of all, unless she rides with her foot on the brake, this should not be necessary. Second of all, how can he recommend this as a preventive maintenance item. I was really suspect of him.

As Steve says, get to know the shop. Although good shops have to start at some point in time, a shop that has been in business for some time would be a good place to start.

Good luck,

------------------
Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles
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  #6  
Old 10-24-2000, 07:46 PM
Richard Ney
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Posts: n/a
Steve/ with all you good intentions, I believe that you not understand me corrrectly. My questions was probably too long and you forget to remember the beginning of my coments. I did said that "paying for so many years with out asking to many questions" to be exact since 1973 when I started to purchase new cars./ Having experience with dealers for that long, dont you think that I have reasons to be a little concern?
If I just want to go to the Bank to make deposits every day, I dont think the 400SEL would have been my choise of tranportation.
You said and make me sound like I just want nothing to do with taking care of a expensive car. Is not the case here, it have to do with the point of a consumer at the mercy of some individuals who my think we own the Bavarian Bank just by chosing to drive a 93 Mercedes/
Please understand that from you own words, you said that you can write anything on those reports, maybe was just a rush to said that? I don't think you will exercise that option.
Continue you success and when I move to Florida, you probably going to be my good contact there. I like you honesty but, happen that I fill like... againg portrait as Mr. Paul Getty, rest in peace...

[This message has been edited by Richard Ney (edited 10-24-2000).]
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  #7  
Old 10-24-2000, 07:46 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Suwanee, GA, USA
Posts: 4,712
The key here is to get to know your TECH. Anyone in the front can promise results, but if the tech gives you his word, it is more likely to be done that way.

Use only someone you would trust with your life! They have your life in their hands EVERY time they service your car!

------------------
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
300E
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM
OWNER OF MB AUTOWERKS .COM

[This message has been edited by Benzmac (edited 10-24-2000).]
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  #8  
Old 10-25-2000, 12:41 AM
MikeTangas's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 4,430
Richard,

I think the point Steve was trying to make, was that you need to have a mechanic you trust. If you don't trust him and request a print out, if the mechanic is shady he can make the report say whatever he wanted it to (as ripping you off). And if you planned to use the shady mechanic's print out as proof you'd be fighting a losing battle.

If you feel your mechanic is less than honest find another one who YOU trust, or talk to other MB owners and see who they use (as previously suggested) and get a second opinion.



------------------
Mike Tangas
73 280 SEL 4.5

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