I was driving my 2006 SLK280 last December and clocked 17k before driving through a puddle near my apartment and having the engine brake down completely!
On the same puddle i was overtaken by a Toyota Echo as my engine stalled. Not covered by the warranty is what the dealer said!
Anyone wants to buy an SLK280 with no engine? I feel that i had flushed my money away on this car. What is the use of the warranty if it does not cover the total engine brake down from normal driving! Their reports that water gone through the air intake damaged the pistons and that they broke smashing the block thus the block is ruined as well. How can this happen with a Mercedes Benz? Where is all that engineering R&D being spent?
I need to determine whether I should:

1. Pursue a legal case
2. Buy a new engine (plus whatever else may need replacement)
3. Sell the shell.

When you say "driving through a puddle near my apartment" do you mean that you drove your car through enough water to go over the hood (or at least above the intake)?

Is that what you mean by 'puddle'?

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Daily Driver: 02 E430 4MATIC
In the family: '03 E500 // '04 ML500 // 64 220SE

That's why you have comprehensive automobile insurance. Call your car insurance company and turn it in to them. It could cost $15,000 to replace that engine. I hope you have comprehensive insurance.

I've seen many engines damaged by water ingestion. Every time we have severe weather in my area (heavy rain, flash flooding, etc.....), I get at least a handful of vehicles with busted motors. Take a look at this thread. It may help.

Water over hood, now unknown tapping noise

Buy a Mini Cooper " S " supercharged, drive it through a deep puddle of water and order a new engine.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

I agree with Educaid. This case should be treated same as hitting a bad pothole or rats chewing through wiring insulation. Check your insurance policy for wording on what is covered, and whether this incident qualifies.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

Don't feed the troll.