Cynthia,

Thank you for all the information and, most importantly, the contacts. I am awaiting one last call from an executive at MB in New Jersey who is reviewing my case. If he turns it down, I will contact Mr. Bowne directly. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all you've done. (Since I am without a car AND ON VACATION THIS WEEK, you can imagine what a great mood this is putting me in!!)

Lisa

 

Hi Cynthia-- These guys at MB are hysterical!! They told me that since I brought my car in for another recall in 2005, they checked the converters then and they "looked fine" back in 2005! If I didn't heed the recall notice in 2005, and just brought my car in today, they would be replacing my converters free of charge with no problem!(I forgot what the recall was about in '05) And, the Customer Assistance Center in New Jersey? The guy called me back today to tell me he would have an answer for me on Thursday or Friday as to whether they will re-open my case! I'm not waiting another second!-- I already got in touch with Gary Bowne. I'm waiting on a return e-mail. Thanks again! Have a great week...

Lisa

 

@Cynthia, Wow I wish I'd come here 2 months ago. I have a 2002 S500 that had the same rattle and was tolld by dealership...you have a cracked converter and something is loose inside of there and it can't be fixed...Est. $3K!!! So I went to a foreign car specialist and they did it for $1200 the actual part was $777. Are you saying I couldn't called Mr. EPA and Mercedes would've had to fix my car too? Man I am just sick to my stomach!!! Thanks for sharing :-)

 

OK disregard my issue converter issue...I just found out from MBUSA that there was no recall for my veh. but thet did extend the warranty 8yr/80K which I'm well pass. But this Forum is my go to resource from now on. Thanks to You All!

 

sorry to hear you were stuck for the converter repair, but if you contact both tom ball at EPA and gary browne at MB/USA at the addresses i previously gave, you need to get a refund. stick to your guns!.................................CCC

 

lisa - yes, that was the initial response from the dealer here...the car was inspected back in 2005 and was fine then. DUHHH...ya' think? passing inspection in 2005 has _nothing_ to do w/the problem. the settlement of the lawsuit w/EPA mandates that
ALL converters will be repaired, there is no expiration date. but the ill-informed dealers do not know this. stick to your guns and contact me directly if they try to stone-wall you. cynthiacash@***.net i hate to see people getting taken advantage of, that and ending sentences w/prepositions <G>................CCC

 

Yes.. In Bellingham WA they told me my ml500, with the same cracked cc weld as all the other recalled vehicles, wasnt included in the recall... yes, they did refer to it as a "recall" and said nothing about an expiration date...