We purchased a 2006 CLS500C on Sunday the 13th, it has 16k miles. The vehicle was originally placed into service in Feb 2005 and sold by and returned to the same dealer we purchased the vehicle from.

Unfortunately, we are already having transmission problems, it's in for service now and the dealer assures us that they are working on it and replacing a vault or transmission pan or some dang thing...

Anyway, our question is... now that we own the vehicle, are we entitled to ALL the records of service from Feb 2005 or are, in fact, those sealed and we can only access records from the dealer from the time we purchased the vehicle?

Lastly, the big reason for this is, we have until this Sunday the 20th of August to take advatange of the "Exchange Privilege" program and are a bit leary about this vehicle now that we are having these transmission problems. We would really like to know the REAL reason it was turned in in the first place. This could perhaps persuade us to look for another vehicle, (although we are afraid the same "GREAT" deal will not be offered on our "Exhange Privilege" choice - you can bet!

Thanks in advance for any insite you can give.

Radmo

If I bought a car, let alone an MB, and the transmission started giving me problems at 16,000 miles I would get rid of it NOW while you can.

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1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

Agreed!


What exactly was the transmission doing to make you take it to the dealer?

If the PO brought it back, I have a bad feeling that this car was made late on Friday or early on Monday.

Take it back!!!!!!!!!

Well, if the dealer REPLACES THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION UNIT, it may be okay...

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2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

What exactly was the transmission doing to make you take it to the dealer?

The yellow check engine light was on and the car was shifting very hard and slipping in to neutral on its own...

If the PO brought it back, I have a bad feeling that this car was made late on Friday or early on Monday.

Take it back!!!!!!!!!

Well, if the dealer REPLACES THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION UNIT, it may be okay...

One would hope... we just dont want to get stuck with it in and out of the shop everyother week, however dont want to get stuck with an upgrade exchange cost to a car that basically we wont be able to negotiate the sticker price when they learn we are taking advantage of the 7 day exchange privilege....

dont want to get stuck with an upgrade exchange cost to a car that basically we wont be able to negotiate the sticker price when they learn we are taking advantage of the 7 day exchange privilege....
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You may be getting stuck with a lemon that the previous owner sold after just 15 months. The PO took a big hit on depreciation on the car and got out anyway. I would ask to see the full service records on this vehicle. I'll bet there have been more problems than just the transmission. There is nothing worse than owning a 2006 car that is going to continue to cause you problems. You buy that new or newer car so that you don't have these kind of problems. Give the car back to the dealer and get hard-nosed with them to cut you a deal that is fair to both of you. They owe you that much.

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1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

Yes, you can get the history. Any MB dealer is able to access it. The report has a three letter acronym (TLA ), and I'm drawing a complete blank on what it is called right now. The report is a bit cryptic, but it shows the repair code, a few words describing the work, the dealer number, and the date. There's no issue with showing it to you; it has no information about the previous owner. At any rate, it will show you all warranty repairs, service campaigns, and routine service performed at the dealer.

- JimY