MB dealer screwed me for the last time!

[lorainfurniture]

I recently had a problem with my driver's side door lock on my 88 300e. I was too lazy at the time to investigate myself, so I dropped it off at the dealer for inspection. They call me, and inform me that my lock cylinder, and the vacuum operated locking mechanism was bad. I figured I could find that lock mechanism (sorry, I forgot what it was called) elsewhere for less than the 350. that they wanted. I did, however, buy the lock cylinder. 375.00. Winter approached, and I decided to put the whole project off until spring. As I finally completed my repair, it turns out that NEITHER were bad, and I simply had to replace my door latch. (30. at a junkyard). I'm so pissed for wasting sooo much money on that stupid cylinder. Not to mention 125.00 for the "diagnosis"!

[TX76513]

Sorry you had a bad experience. The truth is they really don't want people to bring there 20+ year old car in. The dealer would prefer that you purchase a new E Class.

[lorainfurniture]

Any recourse? Do you think they would accept a return on a part like that? After all, they did misdiagnose the problem.

I ended up not even installing it because it stood out too much against my weather beaten handle

[E150GT]

Yep. Find yourself a decent independent mechanic. The only problem with mine is that he is so busy he cant get to cars. My car is in line right now at his shop waiting to be diagnosed. If your lucky, you can find one with good labor rates. My guy charged me less to replace a window regulator than another shop charge me to replace on in the focus.

[DieselAddict]

Originally Posted by lorainfurniture

I recently had a problem with my driver's side door lock on my 88 300e. I was too lazy at the time to investigate myself, so I dropped it off at the dealer for inspection. They call me, and inform me that my lock cylinder, and the vacuum operated locking mechanism was bad. I figured I could find that lock mechanism (sorry, I forgot what it was called) elsewhere for less than the 350. that they wanted. I did, however, buy the lock cylinder. 375.00. Winter approached, and I decided to put the whole project off until spring. As I finally completed my repair, it turns out that NEITHER were bad, and I simply had to replace my door latch. (30. at a junkyard). I'm so pissed for wasting sooo much money on that stupid cylinder. Not to mention 125.00 for the "diagnosis"!

You should have asked us before doing such a thing! I've had a similar experience and so has my wife with her Honda. One of the rear doors on her car could no longer be opened from the outside. The dealer charged her $90 to tell her the latch assembly needs to be replaced. At home I took it apart, made a small adjustment, and fixed it in about 15 minutes for free. Still works today after several years.

You have to remember that dealers are not interested in repairing parts. They just want to replace them, because it's obviously more profitable that way.

[DieselAddict]

Originally Posted by lorainfurniture

Any recourse? Do you think they would accept a return on a part like that? After all, they did misdiagnose the problem.

I ended up not even installing it because it stood out too much against my weather beaten handle

I think all you can do is try to get a refund minus any restocking fee if it's still within the refund period. It doesn't hurt to ask even if it's not. Just be polite and courteous, and hopefully they will return the same.

[TX76513]

Originally Posted by lorainfurniture

Any recourse? Do you think they would accept a return on a part like that? After all, they did misdiagnose the problem.

I ended up not even installing it because it stood out too much against my weather beaten handle

You won't know the answer to that until you try - don't start at the service writer go to the Service Manager. Be calm and polite and present your facts.

[lorainfurniture]

I think I may have to chalk it up this time, like I mentioned before I bought it in november. I should have known better too.

I fix major appliances during the day to pay for my mercedes addiction, when I come across an appliance that I dont feel is worth fixing, I tell the customer that there is a variety of problems, and the thing is junk.

I guess I know the dealer's feelings about my car

[gmercoleza]

I would think they should refund since their diagnosis was wrong.

[TX76513]

Would be sort of ironic if the mech called your out to fix his refrigerator. Quite a few of us on the forum have had less than pleasant experiences at the dealership. Like E150GT said, find a good local independent (there is a listing on the forum) and get to know him, and of course use the forum. We could probably use you hanging around - someone's going to have an appliance question one day!

[mgburg]

Originally Posted by lorainfurniture

I think I may have to chalk it up this time, like I mentioned before I bought it in november. I should have known better too. ... I fix major appliances during the day to pay for my mercedes addiction, when I come across an appliance that I dont feel is worth fixing, I tell the customer that there is a variety of problems, and the thing is junk. ... I guess I know the dealer's feelings about my car

I think the word that coming up here is:

K A R M A !

Doesn't feel too good...eh?

Don't feel too bad...my X-FIL used to do the same thing...many of the items he used to give the X and me were those very same items that "...couldn't equitably be fixed..." and eventually, they would die a solid, "it can't be equitably fixed" death...curb material at that point...but he'd always have another to give his little girl...

I didn't actually have to buy a TV 'til about 7 or 8 years ago...same with the microwave and the washer...(Thank GOD the washer was a one-time-only replacement!)

Get it for free, it dies for free, too!

Remember...no free lunch!

[Mistress]

Ahhh Grasshoppah the best lessons are the most expensive ones. Sorry you had to go thru that, always check the Forum first this place is like a savings account....

[lorainfurniture]

I was always annoyed by my wood in my w124. It was cracked and otherwise disgusting. This is my latest refinishing project: Re-veneered with authentic brazilian rosewood.




http://gallery.me.com/lorainfurniture#100012

[nate300d]

Originally Posted by lorainfurniture

I recently had a problem with my driver's side door lock on my 88 300e. I was too lazy at the time to investigate myself, so I dropped it off at the dealer for inspection. They call me, and inform me that my lock cylinder, and the vacuum operated locking mechanism was bad. I figured I could find that lock mechanism (sorry, I forgot what it was called) elsewhere for less than the 350. that they wanted. I did, however, buy the lock cylinder. 375.00. Winter approached, and I decided to put the whole project off until spring. As I finally completed my repair, it turns out that NEITHER were bad, and I simply had to replace my door latch. (30. at a junkyard). I'm so pissed for wasting sooo much money on that stupid cylinder. Not to mention 125.00 for the "diagnosis"!

My driver's door cylinder will not work on my 1991 300SE. It will not turn the slightest. The passenger's door, trunk, and console storage door tumblers work great. The dealer said that I would need to purchase the entire tumbler and handle assembly. Now you have me wondering about mine. My keys have very little wear to them. Did your tumbler work OK with the key?

[lorainfurniture]

I would take it apart first, then go buy a part. Like I said, my problem was the latch. I could have even repaired my old latch, but I figured it might end up bending again.