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Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK Care and Maintenance

27 messages,  Last post on Dec 16, 2009 at 4:08 PM

You are in the Mercedes-Benz SL/SLK-Class Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class, Engine, Oil, Convertible

Messages Page 3 of 3

#19 of 27 Mercedes Benz SLK ….THE REAL TRUTH by hewettwspa

Aug 31, 2008 (9:08 am)

1. Quality of Mercedes Benz Build
We purchased a MB SLK 350 last October ,2007 from Mercedes Benz, Lincoln . A very serious defect on the quality of the build of the car itself was encountered. The creaks and rattles of the car that cost in excess of £44,000 is utterly abysmal. According to the General Manager of Mercedes Benz Lincoln, Andy Worsley, all SLKs and Mercedes convertibles have rattles and creaks especially those with sports suspension and the 18 inch wheels. My wife has been in tears in the showrooms, which the staff thought was highly amusing, due to the problems being ignored. The car was in the workshop over three weeks shortly after being purchased being investigated and supposedly repaired for the noises but to no avail . After numerous complaints and the staff of Lincoln garage taking the car out on investigative drives they recently tried to repair and suppress the noise by placing gaffer tape around the struts of the car boot tray and stated this was the best they can do.
 

 
Contacting Mercedes Benz, Gary Morris a senior Customer Support Technical Manager within the Directors Office visited us and upon a ride in the car he agreed it was defective and indeed stated that the noise would drive him potty. WE had had 6 months of this. The car has been at a garage at Peterborough for initially a week followed by three weeks in order to try and rectify the faults. The tape was removed and the rattles have been improved however, the car still creaks when driving and the rattle is slowly returning after little use on the Lincolnshire roads. We were informed early August that our problems were over in respect that Mercedes would assist in an exchange and we were told that arrangements would be made for us to test drive the Mercedes range. When we called the garage to sort out a date the garage had not been informed of the visit and due to their involvement in the repairs suggested we returned to Lincoln as they did not want the ‘Friday Afternoon‘ car. Mercedes management have returned from holiday but are ignoring us …how long do we have to wait to get fair treatment from Mercedes but we WARN YOU NOW. Watch this space..
 
2. Salesman ‘Get out Clauses‘ to awkward questions.
At the time of the purchase on three occasions during the transaction we specifically asked the sales executive, James Murphy, if there was any changes, updates to the car expected in the near future. The salesman told us that he had no knowledge of a new model. This was a complete and utter lie as we have been informed by Senior Manager of Mercedes Benz that they were taking orders for the new model at the time in question. We were also told that with this direct question sales staff should be truth full and inform clients of imminent changes. Obviously, this is being ignored by sales staff at Lincoln and encouraged by their managers.
 
3. Mercedes Benz Insurance
At the time we purchased the car we were encouraged to take Mercedes Benz insurance as we were told by the sales staff that if we were involved in a serious car crash we would get a new replacement car,as printed in the MB Insurance summary schedule. Despite being more expensive, by some £100 we thought this car replacement scheme was worth the extra premium. In January 2008, we were hit from behind whilst stationary by a car doing 60 mph. When we asked if we would get a new car as per the policy summary as the car was only months old, had only done 2000 miles and the repairs involved the car being put on a jig we were told that to be eligible for the new car the repairs had to be more than 60% of the value of the car i.e. as with any other car insurance. We argued with MB Insurance over this due to the fact that whilst being sold the insurance their staff emphasised the new car replacement policy but no time was the 60 % damage limit mentioned. (As verified in the tape of the car insurance sales) . We lost this argument and were treated as any other standard insurance by Norwich Union with numerous calls from their Indian call centre, an example of their standard is that they wrote to us stating they understood the repair had been carried out when the car was still to be inspected by the assessor. (It appears you are buying a Norwich Union Insurance policy at Mercedes Benz prices).
 
Ivor Woods, Retail Customer Service Manager , Mercedes Benz Insurance has offered to help us with our claims , they have spoken at length to the solicitor but state they can not assist us with the claim amounts however unjust the offers by the other parties insurance company. He stated that Insurance companies have an understanding they can not barter on costs encountered by insurance companies but can do what they like on Clients personal claims. We had an independent engineers report stating the diminished value of the car was approximately £4600 , the insurance company has stated on their response to the claim they normally pay 10% of cost of the car (in our case £4400) but in our case despite their client admitting total guilt they would only pay us £2000. As stated by Ivor Woods, 19 June 2007, Mercedes Benz can not comment on this as they have no qualified staff to provide them with such information. Indeed , they can not take any action on behalf of their paying customer . They have suggested if we are not happy with the solicitors Kayes who are pressing for settlement so that they can be paid we should take the matter up with the Law Society. (pass the buck time by MB)
 
Speaking to Ivor Woods, Mercedes Benz Insurance he informed Mr Hewett that insurance companies only pay out what they want to pay out and they never pay out amounts asked for . When Ivor Woods was questioned on this Insurance stance and whether insurance companies take offers on their renewal policies he stated they would listen to any offers on insurance premiums.
 
 DOES THIS ALL SOUND LIKE BOYCE’S GARAGE ON ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES!!!!!!
 
4. Customer Surveys Team
The galling part of the whole fiasco is that the Lincoln garage has been awarded Customer Satisfaction Team of the Year award for the Group by Mercedes Benz…. indeed a whole MB brochure Summer 2008 is devoted to it.. In the news article it quotes Lincoln garage saying ‘Customer Satisfaction is something we take very seriously as a Company.’
 
Ivor Woods, MB Insurance was informed in February 2008 that the Lincoln garage was cheating with respect of customer care as the garage offered a full tank of fuel for providing a signed blank customer care/survey form . A fact confirmed by other customers. So despite being told of cheating and underhand tactics Mercedes Benz have awarded this garage finical incentives and bonuses .
 
Mercedes Benz Lincoln offered to exchange the car in May but at a loss of £16,000. Thus…. being a Mercedes Benz owner must be one of the most expensive in the car industry. !!!
 
If you wish any further details

#20 of 27 shop manual by stanleysteamer

Sep 21, 2008 (6:55 pm)

would like to find a shop manual for a 1981 380SL, tried a MB dealer, no luck

#21 of 27 left turn signal not working by brandybild

Apr 02, 2009 (2:43 pm)

I have a 2000 SLK 230 with 90,000 miles on it, it is pretty much a garbage car but fun to drive in the summer and so I keep it as a weekend toy. The left turn signals no longer work, the bulbs/sockets are fine (4 way flashers work) and the right side works. Any ideas what is wrong? Local Dealership is very high priced (duh) and has mis-diagnosed a few other items so I am leary about just letting them have a go at it. I'd like some knowledge before I go there, if anybody has any input? Thanks.

#22 of 27 Radio Code by bjcam

Apr 19, 2009 (4:22 pm)

I have a 94 Mercedes 500 SL. My battery died and after charging the battery the radio says I need a code to enter to get the radio to work. Does anyone know how to access the code? Thanks.

#23 of 27 1983 380sl by bakedbrie

Apr 27, 2009 (2:01 pm)

Hi Looking fo a bit of help
I am looking to buy a 1983 380sl real easy on the eyes "looks Real good"
White/Tan. 3.8ltr V8. 111k miles. Automatic, Both tops, Car cover, Hard Top stand and more.... Plus it's been upgraded to the double row timing chain.
only $5,000
What should I be looking for now and in the near future
I dont need lemon juice in a few months
what expectations should I have

#24 of 27 Re: Radio Code [bjcam] by wogasa

May 02, 2009 (1:40 pm)

Replying to: bjcam (Apr 19, 2009 4:22 pm)
Call MB 1-800-367-6372....give them your vin #....they will give you code.

#25 of 27 1992 300SL by sergs

Jun 03, 2009 (9:59 am)

My 1992 300SL is in excellent shape until this few days that I noticed some smokes coming out of the hood after 10 to 15 miles of driving and it's a the back end of the hood in front of the windshield. Any idea why that is?..Thanks and appreciate any response. Have no mechanical inclination at all.

#26 of 27 01 slk cabin air filter by cheve

Sep 29, 2009 (9:06 pm)

i bought a 01 slk 320 can anyone tell me how to change the cabin air filter..thanks

#27 of 27 flashing fuel light by maxeybilly

Dec 16, 2009 (4:08 pm)

My wife's 99 slk230 has started flashing the fuel light after it has been driven a few miles and then comes to a stop light. This is the same low fuel light which comes on and stays on when the fuel is so low that it is warning the driver to refuel. I looked in the manual and it said the flashing light meant that the gas cap is not snugged down. This is NOT the problem. I have replaced the cap and always snug it down as tightly as it will go. So far, car runs fine, but the flashing light is annoying and telling me something is wrong but I don't know what it is. Can you help?

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