I was sent a link to this post by a firend. I did not take the time to read all of the replies but I signed up for this forum in order to post what I hope is a final solution to the question. There is an inside fiber optic inspection scope that is used by drug enorcement officers to inspect fuel tanks, etc. Many good mechanics have these now as they are around $400. They will go into the spark plug hole and you can see if the cyliders are scored with your own eye. (They also emit light) I have seen them on ebay for sale but searched before posting and did not see one. If you need a name brand I can get it from my friend who is a body man and he has one to see inside "blind" quarter pannels, rockers, etc. This tip should solve the mystery.

Hey, Jerry - Wouldn't it be interesting to call up the dealer and speak to the service technician, and tell them your story (they may or may not remember), tell them what you were told needed to be done (new engine at $28k, wiring harness, yada yada yada), and then inform them what it actually was.

I'd love to make the phone call just to see what they say...

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I did not read that there had been a final diagnosis. It was getting too long reading the "I would bets" any longer. Anyhow, remember the scope idea for the future.

I did call the sevice manager in Boise, and he was (seemed ) happy that they were wrong and I managed to get the car fixed for relatively little money. Completely unabashed re the wrong diagnosis, though. No mention of the $1200 in "diagnostics" of course, and the $700 to ship the car from Boise to Enrique and then back to me in Montana. Still thinking about my next letter to MB re their poor attitude but probably wasting my printer ink. Drove an E320 and Audi S8 over the weekend and I must admit I've been spoiled by the S 600. The Audi was fast but cramped for space( again, compared to the S) so don't know what I'll do long-term.

Jerry,

Having worked on the "wholesale" side of the auto business in a past life, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND you contact Mercedes N. America. You are exactly the customer they need to hear from.

I used to work for Porsche. I was in charge of a region. We had a lot of high profile customers: industry, entertainment and sports figures.

The inexperienced dealerships would often try to do a quick fix or solution with the customer caught in the middle. When these situations were forwarded to me I fought for the customer with some rather impressive results. People would like to label it as the squeaky wheel syndrome, but I would describe it as "at least meeting customer expectations, and hopefully exceeding them."

You may be able to recoup what you had to spend. Why? Because their authorized agent, to whom you took your car to in good faith, did not conduct and act in such a way that reasonably represented their brand.

This may sound like a lot of double-talk/corporate speak, but I am sure if you press it and not yield, you will be very please with the results. But you have to step forward.

If you need the customer relations contact info, email me and I would be glad to forward it to you.


On a technical side to all the discussion regarding cylinders awash with fuel, the first thing I would have done is pulled the dipstick and smelled the oil.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

tried that. MB in New Jersey would not give my letter to anyone other than a customer service rep, and both dealer and New Jersey refused to give me the name of the Northwest region rep. Note that I asked only for advice, not money. The drill is that I was not the original owner and the car was out of warranty. My request to have the situation reviewed by a technie as Boise's diagnosis did not make sense to anyone fell on deaf ears.