We purchased a 2006 CLS500C on Sunday the 13th, it has 16k miles. The vehicle was originally placed into service in Feb 2005 and sold by and returned to the same dealer we purchased the vehicle from.

Unfortunately, we are already having transmission problems, it's in for service now and the dealer assures us that they are working on it and replacing a vault or transmission pan or some dang thing...

Anyway, our question is... now that we own the vehicle, are we entitled to ALL the records of service from Feb 2005 or are, in fact, those sealed and we can only access records from the dealer from the time we purchased the vehicle?

Lastly, the big reason for this is, we have until this Sunday the 20th of August to take advatange of the "Exchange Privilege" program and are a bit leary about this vehicle now that we are having these transmission problems. We would really like to know the REAL reason it was turned in in the first place. This could perhaps persuade us to look for another vehicle, (although we are afraid the same "GREAT" deal will not be offered on our "Exhange Privilege" choice - you can bet!

Thanks in advance for any insite you can give.

Radmo

If I bought a car, let alone an MB, and the transmission started giving me problems at 16,000 miles I would get rid of it NOW while you can.

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1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

Agreed!


What exactly was the transmission doing to make you take it to the dealer?

If the PO brought it back, I have a bad feeling that this car was made late on Friday or early on Monday.

Take it back!!!!!!!!!

Well, if the dealer REPLACES THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION UNIT, it may be okay...

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2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

What exactly was the transmission doing to make you take it to the dealer?

The yellow check engine light was on and the car was shifting very hard and slipping in to neutral on its own...

If the PO brought it back, I have a bad feeling that this car was made late on Friday or early on Monday.

Take it back!!!!!!!!!

Well, if the dealer REPLACES THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION UNIT, it may be okay...

One would hope... we just dont want to get stuck with it in and out of the shop everyother week, however dont want to get stuck with an upgrade exchange cost to a car that basically we wont be able to negotiate the sticker price when they learn we are taking advantage of the 7 day exchange privilege....

dont want to get stuck with an upgrade exchange cost to a car that basically we wont be able to negotiate the sticker price when they learn we are taking advantage of the 7 day exchange privilege....
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You may be getting stuck with a lemon that the previous owner sold after just 15 months. The PO took a big hit on depreciation on the car and got out anyway. I would ask to see the full service records on this vehicle. I'll bet there have been more problems than just the transmission. There is nothing worse than owning a 2006 car that is going to continue to cause you problems. You buy that new or newer car so that you don't have these kind of problems. Give the car back to the dealer and get hard-nosed with them to cut you a deal that is fair to both of you. They owe you that much.

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1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

Yes, you can get the history. Any MB dealer is able to access it. The report has a three letter acronym (TLA ), and I'm drawing a complete blank on what it is called right now. The report is a bit cryptic, but it shows the repair code, a few words describing the work, the dealer number, and the date. There's no issue with showing it to you; it has no information about the previous owner. At any rate, it will show you all warranty repairs, service campaigns, and routine service performed at the dealer.

- JimY

Radmo, you should have the balance of the 4 year/48,000 mile new car warranty on this 2006 CLS500 so while it may a nuisance having the car in for repairs more than you may have expected, at least you won't be paying for the repairs. The first year of a new model is most likely to have quirks that need sorting out. Express your displeasure with the dealer that they would even consider delivering this car to you without having resolved any previous problems. Ask to see the Starmark Checklist that the Service Department should have completed for this pre-owned MB automobile. It may be wise to procure an extended Starmark Warranty (beyond the new car warranty) if you plan to keep this car indefinitely. Many knowledgeable MB enthusiasts won't even consider buying a post-1995 MB vehicle without an extended Starmark Warranty because the replacement electronic modules are so expensive.

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Fred Hoelzle

Yes in fact, they extended the warranty to 100k miles and 5 years. Unfortunately it doesnt cover time off work and loss of use when its in the shop every other week... I am gonna try and get the history of this car, I dont want to start a bad relationship with the dealer that is only 5 blocks from the house.

Hopefully the car will be repaired to our liking today and we will not have to opt in for the Exchange Privilege program by Sunday.

I spent 3 hours and $225 on monday getting the dang windows tinted... live and learn...

Rad

Ask the service adviser to see the VMI(Vehicle Master Inquiry). The dealer here will let customers inspect the VMI, but won't print out a copy. It will describe all warranty work done from day one. Go over it with him, ask questions.
Good Luck, Dan

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2012 E350 Bluetech

100K mile 5 year warranty is good but any 100K mile warranty should be 7 years or more. Is the warranty five years from the second owners purchase date or five years from the original ( remaining from original... ) purchase date? What is more likely 100K miles in five years or seven years with under 100k miles?

This is an interesting dilemma, but if it were me, I'd return the car.
Also verify this dealer is the dealer that Mercedes sent the car to, as opposed to a dealer exchange.

I think the CLS is a most beautiful car, my dream car. But I would appreciate my good luck that a major issue occured while within the seven day return and take it as a warning that in the future it is likely to need warranty work.

I believe most any 2007 Mercedes you purchase now will be of very high quality. The new 2007 E-class has 2000 new or redesigned parts, the 2006-7 C-class is very nice and well made after being in production for over six model years.

The original warranty was 4 years 50k miles and the car was placed into service 2-05. Now my warranty if for 100k miles and good throuh 2-10 (they added an extra year and 50k miles)

I just got off the phone with the dealer, the service rep reviewed the VMI with me over the phone, no prior history of this problem, the techs are replacing the VALVE BODY now and reprogramming the car...

Hopefully it will be ready in time for me to drive it away today before they close.

Rad

there's a lot of piece of mind with a warranty like that.....

...although i have never paid that much for a car...and it must be daunting to face the possibility of a lemon.

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

The CPO warranty from a Mercedes dealer is indeed a vert strong warranty, honored at any MB dealer in the US. In a sense , you paid for it, but is worthwhile. They will fix it. IF it repeatedly has problems, they will address them MB does not want th CPO program to fail. Perhaps you can cover your bases a bit by having a calm chat with the General Manager of the store, or at least the Service Manager; express your concerns and get him involved in making sure that this car is right.

Just back from the dealership, they turned the car over to me and it feels brand new. The transmission problem is fixed (for now) with brand new valve body - it doesnt seem as fast and jumpy off the gun as it was on sunday when I got it, so I do believe it was broken when I bought it and just got worse over the 3 days I had it. We will drive it this weekend and analize it to see if there will be any further problems. If its a LEMON we can turn it into a CHERRY on Sunday with the EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE however if we wait til Midnight it will be a PUMPKIN...

HOOORAY for Cinderalla

That is one fine-looking car, Radmo. They ought to show you anything you asked for (records). I hope everything works out okay for you. That car just looks like it's leaping likew a cat everytime I see one on the road.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles