Warranty Coverage 2004 S600 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

300sdlguy · #1 07-07-2008, 02:18 PM

Does anyone know how to determine what is or is NOT covered on the 4/50 factory MB warranty, besides obvious wear and maintenance items?

Took my S600 to Rahal MB in Pittsburgh to have a few things checked, one being a glovebox that would not open, you could lock and unlock it, but when you pushed the button to open, nothing would happen and even prying would not work.

Anyway, dealer says the glove box is NOT covered by warranty after 12,000 miles as I guess he considers it a "trim" item.

Seems to me the latch mechanism is as warrantable as item as any that should be covered. If the door handle didn't work they'd repair/replace under warranty I think.

It's not that big of a deal to pay for, but was surprised they are saying it's not covered.

Pretty sure, I am going to go to another dealer in the future as this place acts like they are always doing me a favor to work on my vehicles.

mbdoc · #2 07-07-2008, 02:40 PM

That would be covered at any MB dealer that I know of!

Only 12/12 warranty is for tire balance & alignments!

Johnhef · #3 07-07-2008, 10:19 PM

Yeah really, I've fixed quite a few of those glovebox problems under the normal 4/50 warranty. Take it somewhere else.

azinn · #4 07-08-2008, 07:48 AM

Yes, been there done that, try another dealership. They are not created equal.

HuskyMan · #5 07-08-2008, 11:23 AM

unfortunately, it appears that service at most mercedes dealerships is on the decline. and they wonder why people jump ship and go buy a Lexus. people nowadays are just too busy to put up with second rate service, they expect more from Mercedes Benz but unfortunately they just don't get it. quality customer service will ALWAYS be the driving force behind any product,

BenzBob · #6 07-08-2008, 11:33 AM

Personally I think that Mercedes Benz in Germany should start recognizing the value of good Mercedes Benz Independent garages. I know that if I didn't know of good independents, I would be jumping ship to another brand.

The practices that go on at Mercedes dealerships is just incredible and if it weren't for things that are covered by warranty I would never go there.

Pete Geither · #7 07-08-2008, 12:19 PM

Don't know what happened in this instance, but Rahal has always been above and beyond for me. They talked Mercedes into replacing the motor in our 400E that was out of warranty by 3 years. I saw the final bill to Mercedes and it was over $18,000.

I will deal with them as long as I own a Benz.

mbdoc · #8 07-09-2008, 08:49 AM

I do not believe that MBUSA dealer service has declined.
The service manager at the dealer mentioned above even e-mailed me about that problem.....seems like HE cares!

I also believe that "newer" MB (2000+) are harder to diagnose than MOST other cars.

I also think that MB has turned the corner on quality. They are nearing the top of JD Power, instead of the lower middle area.

Yes, sometimes a service adviser can be the weakest link in the system.

MB sells 4 times the amount of cars here in the USA they did in 1990. That is when Toyota introduced Lexus. Toyota's aren't perfect either. They have had more then their share of recalls!

MY $0.02

BenzBob · #9 07-09-2008, 12:23 PM

It is nice to hear that Mercedes has sold 4 times more cars in the USA than they did in 1990, but that is with a reduction in the number of dealerships and service facilities.

You are right that the weak link is the service advisor...they are always looking for additional services that need to be performed when they are really not needed. I think that is the major source of disgruntled Mercedes owners and their poor ratings in J D Powers, Consumer Reports and the like. All you have to do is to sit in the service waiting room and listen what the service writers are trying to sell. It seems like everyone needs brakes as an example.

Let me give you a personal example. Our Mercedes Benz dealership was having a service clinic where you could bring your car in for a free exam to determine potential problems. I took my 1995 C280 there for them to look at. They said it needed a new steering shock (had replaced the year before), needed the rear end resealed (another Mercedes dealership had just installed a new rearend since they over torqued the pinion bearing when they resealed it and ruined the old differential), it needed a new rear main seal and the head gasket needed to be replaced (their was an oil leak but it was coming from the upper timing cover gasket which they never even mentioned needing). The vehicle also needed the lower control arm bushings replaced but they never mentioned that either. I had the upper timing cover gasket and lower control arm bushings replaced at an independent and he said all of the rest of the things didn't need repair.

This same car had an intermittent miss which shut down one cylinder. The dealership had the vehicle for a week....never being able to find the source of the problem (or it was getting a suntan out back). They wanted to try to fix the problem by replacing the crankshaft position sensor and other things but I refused asking them to look at the coil packs or connectors since that is usually where you would usually start looking. Like I said they never were able to fix it. Finally, I took it to an independent Mercedes technician and he swapped around the coil packs which fixed the problem (no parts required).

The last time my 2002 E320 4Matic was in at the dealership they indicated it needed the rear main seal replaced (no oil leak) and the front ball joints replaced (no knock or evidence of any problem). The vehicle is under an extended warranty that I purchased with the used Certified vehicle. I will have my Indie look at that when they do the next service on that vehicle. You get the feeling that the dealership or service writer is just trying to "sell" more repairs to enhance their paycheck or the service facility needs more business to stay busy.

Sorry, but I have vowed to stay out of Mercedes dealers service departments unless I have to go there because it would be a warranty repair. My experience is that Mercedes needs to clean up their act on the back end if they want to improve their reputation among owners. I feel Mercedes is an Excellent Overall vehicle but a great vehicle means nothing if you don't have the service department to back it up.

300sdlguy · #10 07-10-2008, 10:55 AM

Yes, I do believe that the service advisor IS the weakest link here.

I also brought the vehicle in to have the NAVI updated even printed out the info provided here to help. I was told not only could the update from the w211 model disk NOT be done on a w220, but the update they could do was from 2005, and would cost me $90...hmmm..isn't that exactly what the disk cost from the parts department RETAIL, and I'd get to keep the disk, seems charging me an hours labor to put a disk into the CD changer and run the disk is CRAZY. When I said never mind, you've had my car 6 days for nothing, I was coming to get my car and take it somewhere else, they called back to say they would do if for free, but at this point I have NO confidence they will provide me quality care.

Seems my advisor George was more about padding my bill than keeping me as a customer. Let's not even talk about the over $7000 in repairs in less than a year (for MINOR work) I paid on my w210 4matic, I was a new customer to them, and now "me thinks now I played for fool."

I hate to have to drive 40 miles to Washington PA, but hopefully John Sisson motors will be more appreciative of my business.

mbdoc · #11 07-10-2008, 11:22 AM

To be honest, I would contact the service manager Ted Zak & discuss your problems first.

300sdlguy · #12 07-10-2008, 02:43 PM

Funny, you should say that, when I came to pick up the car, the service manager (didn't remember his name) was actually there with the service advisor, and he began touting what a favor they were doing for me in offing to do the update free of charge, since I was being unreasonable in my requests and saying I was unsatisfied.....WHAT?!?!?! Seems the attitude around Rahal service department starts from the top. VERY SAD!!!

ALSO: They didn't give me any paperwork either...saying that they hadn't done anything so no paperwork was generated? HUH? I thought they checked the car to see what was wrong....guess they don't want me to be contacted and give a negative review/rating.