Just got my 99CLK back from the dealer tonight. It was in for a new dash (for the 2nd time) and to fix some other minor problems, one of which was some burnt out dash (instrument cluster) lights.
Get this: when I read the invoice, they are going to charge me $120 for replacing 4 bulbs in the cluster !!
Each bulb is $9, and labor is $70 ish.
The car was in about 10K earlier (there is now 45k on car) for the same problem (new dash and burnt bulbs). There was no charge then. Then I'm told that if a bulb goes out under warranty (less than 40k) they replace that one bulb only. If a bulb goes after warranty, they automatically replace them all.
I ask if this is aome sort of common problem, as I really do not want to shelling out $120 every 10K for new dash lights. The service mgr says "well, some models are just prone to certain problems".
Then I'm told that there is a zero tolerance for any warranty repair if the car is so much as 1 km over the mileage limit, and that this is an M-B policy.

At this point, I refuse to pay for any bulbs or labor (they already had the dash totally apart they were REPLACING it) yet they wanted to charge for labor on bulbs.

Lets just say I was a little PO'd. In the end, they did not charge for the bulbs (after I had to put up quite a fuss) and they made very sure that I noticed thier displeasure with me)

I really hope this is an isolated incident with this dealer (I do not think I will be going back for any reason, and for sure not to buy a new car)
Anyone else had dash / light problems in a newer model ??
What about this zero tolerance rule ?

Unfortunately, the official MB Dealer in Raleigh , nearest me is a crook too. (just my opinion). They used to baffle me with B.S. all the time like money grows on trees and I was born yesterday until I finally found a Mom and Pop Mercedes place on the other side of town that was a world better. I would have loved to see Larry Bible go in there after bad service

I was told that this dealership was good, but around 3-5 years ago, due to low unemployment, the better folks left for better paying jobs. The turnover is high too, getting different personnel everytime I call and show up, never the same person, no one taking responsibility.

I would get charged for stuff that was not fixed and stuff that they replace that wasn't broken. I used to say, " Maybe I drive Mercedes' cuz I'm smart, not cuz I'm stupid", he he. They did not like that.

Unfortunately your car is so new you have to deal with offical dealers, or can you find and go to a local Mom and Pop?

Your stupidity and borderline fradulant experience is not isolated.

Luckily there's places to go like Benzmac, Steves, MOBDoc, etc, where you feel like they care, that's all it takes.

As far as the 0 tolerance rule, what a bunch a bull whether its policy or not!



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'89 420 SEL
'90 300 SEL
'68 Olds 88 Convertible
'84 300 SD (sold it)

Zero tolerance policy? Either Mercedes-Benz has really changed or that's the biggest crock of sxxt since Paul Bunyon died. :p

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Ted
1979 240D
160,000 miles

You might also want to call 1-800-4-mercedes and ask them about this policy. Though I remember that on my former 'TE something broke (again) outside of the Starmark warranty period and I was told by my service tech that once the extended warranty ended, that any remaining mileage on a traditional repair also ended. As if to say that despite the fact that MB offers a warranty of 12 months/12K miles on just about any repair they do, if the repair is done under warranty, and the warranty ends, the normal amount of mileage/time covered by the warranty would be reduced. I'm not a lawyer but don't think they can do this, convenient termination of warranty coverage. I didn't pursue the point as I traded the car. In addition, my dealer was also very good on the so-called "good will" front. But anyway, definitely call Mercedes and perhaps also your local Attorney General office, or whomever the equivalent is in Alberta.

Lastly, IMHO, if it's possible to get an extended warranty on your vehicle, run, do not walk, to do so! It could easily be the best investment you make in your vehicle!

…tracy

Paul Bunyon is dead?!?!?!?

mattsuzie,

Great post!


Everyone,

I too was disappointed to find that Paul Bunyon is dead. But wait a minute, if he's dead, who's cutting down all the trees?

Have a great weekend,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles