need someones opinion
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 75
need someones opinion
Here’s a little brief story I bought a 99 slk about 4 months ago in July..when I bought it the dealer (Toyota)
Told me they did their 200-point inspection on it and that every thing worked on it.
I went in to pay for it cash up front and they sold me this new insurance @ 3400 cdn (Canadian First Insurance) they told me that for 3 years or 35000km I was covered if any thing happened to the car…I had a deductible of 50 bucks if I took the car to Toyota or 100 bucks any where else, like Mercedes…. I thought not a bad idea I have fixed cars before..(Mercedes, BMW, Toyota’s Volvo)but this one seemed a little more complicated..
So two days after buying it I noticed that the AC did not work so I took it back to Toyota…after having Mercedes look at it and come back with a 3300 cdn bill to fix it because the compressor was seized, because it had been broken for so long, they also said they had to change all the other components because metal shards had gone into the system…so Toyota said they were going to fix it them self..Well they did a half *** job and just changed the compressor with a rebuilt one and told me problem fixed…for 1000 cdn yeah right it lasted 3 months. its now broken again Mercedes once again said what needs to be done..This time I thought I would use my insurance..They came back and said that 3300 dollars was to much for my car even though its covered by the insurance policy.(this is the insurance company talking)
they (insurance comany) wants to put in a used compressor from an slk from the junkyard ( it only has 21000 km). Heres my problem I paid good money to be insured and now that I need to use it they want to put used parts in my car..Does this not seem off to anyone else..Ps the insurance company asked Mercedes if they would install a used car part they laughed and said NO..so now I have to take my car to a MOM and POP shop that probably have never seen a Mercedes before to do this job ..even though it needs more than a compressor. With out doing what Mercedes recommended in the first place..this will last 3 months again ..Anyone has any ideas. does this smell bad..
Told me they did their 200-point inspection on it and that every thing worked on it.
I went in to pay for it cash up front and they sold me this new insurance @ 3400 cdn (Canadian First Insurance) they told me that for 3 years or 35000km I was covered if any thing happened to the car…I had a deductible of 50 bucks if I took the car to Toyota or 100 bucks any where else, like Mercedes…. I thought not a bad idea I have fixed cars before..(Mercedes, BMW, Toyota’s Volvo)but this one seemed a little more complicated..
So two days after buying it I noticed that the AC did not work so I took it back to Toyota…after having Mercedes look at it and come back with a 3300 cdn bill to fix it because the compressor was seized, because it had been broken for so long, they also said they had to change all the other components because metal shards had gone into the system…so Toyota said they were going to fix it them self..Well they did a half *** job and just changed the compressor with a rebuilt one and told me problem fixed…for 1000 cdn yeah right it lasted 3 months. its now broken again Mercedes once again said what needs to be done..This time I thought I would use my insurance..They came back and said that 3300 dollars was to much for my car even though its covered by the insurance policy.(this is the insurance company talking)
they (insurance comany) wants to put in a used compressor from an slk from the junkyard ( it only has 21000 km). Heres my problem I paid good money to be insured and now that I need to use it they want to put used parts in my car..Does this not seem off to anyone else..Ps the insurance company asked Mercedes if they would install a used car part they laughed and said NO..so now I have to take my car to a MOM and POP shop that probably have never seen a Mercedes before to do this job ..even though it needs more than a compressor. With out doing what Mercedes recommended in the first place..this will last 3 months again ..Anyone has any ideas. does this smell bad..
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,410
From:
RE: need someones opinion
Purely my opinion!
After Sales insurance is regarded very expensive and Iffy in the UK since your experience is quite common. Need to read the small print VERY carefully to see whether legally new parts have to be used or problem repaired to an acceptable / working standard. Why do garages offer AS Insurance?,,,,simply to maximise the money they take of you in the deal! Not to offer the Customer a cast iron assurance that everything will be repaired to MB standards Free of Charge although this is how you the customer are encouraged to perceive it.
Since you state that non MB garages were permitted to carry out repairs the Insurers must have been aware that MB parts / repairs are EXTREMELY expensive. Unfortunately, especially on recent vehicles the technology is becoming so sophisticated that only a main dealer has the equipment / expertise / training to carry out certain jobs.
If USED parts are GOOD there should be no real problem but of course it is IMPOSSIBLE to Quality Assure the repair since the origin / history of the good part may not be available.
Repair is all about the competence of the engineer that does the job. What actions were taken to ensure that the system was effectively cleaned of any metal particles and were these reasonable? Was the A/C throttle valve removed since this is where particles are likely to lodge. Was lubrication put into the pump with the refrigerant? Was the history of the pump fitted known?
Why did the second pump fail?
Messy.
Guess you maybe in a corner and actually need to have the dealer ONSIDE and trying to help resolve the problem otherwise it will be the lawyers that take your money as well.
Stuart
After Sales insurance is regarded very expensive and Iffy in the UK since your experience is quite common. Need to read the small print VERY carefully to see whether legally new parts have to be used or problem repaired to an acceptable / working standard. Why do garages offer AS Insurance?,,,,simply to maximise the money they take of you in the deal! Not to offer the Customer a cast iron assurance that everything will be repaired to MB standards Free of Charge although this is how you the customer are encouraged to perceive it.
Since you state that non MB garages were permitted to carry out repairs the Insurers must have been aware that MB parts / repairs are EXTREMELY expensive. Unfortunately, especially on recent vehicles the technology is becoming so sophisticated that only a main dealer has the equipment / expertise / training to carry out certain jobs.
If USED parts are GOOD there should be no real problem but of course it is IMPOSSIBLE to Quality Assure the repair since the origin / history of the good part may not be available.
Repair is all about the competence of the engineer that does the job. What actions were taken to ensure that the system was effectively cleaned of any metal particles and were these reasonable? Was the A/C throttle valve removed since this is where particles are likely to lodge. Was lubrication put into the pump with the refrigerant? Was the history of the pump fitted known?
Why did the second pump fail?
Messy.
Guess you maybe in a corner and actually need to have the dealer ONSIDE and trying to help resolve the problem otherwise it will be the lawyers that take your money as well.
Stuart
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 42
From:
RE: need someones opinion
See comments on aftermarket warranties from 3rd party warranty companies:
https://mercedesforum.com/m_9457/mpa...y_/tm.htm#9457
Also, if you absolutely want to get a 3rd party warranty. You MUST READ THE FINE PRINT. There are some companies that will replace with NEW. Look through what is covered and the warranty company must list what they shall do in the event work must be done. The infamous line on most 3rd party warranty's "will replace with rebuilt or used components." Mercedes and most other dealers will not accept their warranty because they nickel and dime everything and they don't cover all the cost related to doing the job the right way the 1st time! It is a waste of time for most of these mechanics to deal with the warranty company.
And if you do find a mechanic that is willing to do the work as per the warranty company - WATCH OUT! They may be mixing used components that may be no better than the ones you're replacing.
BOTTOM LINE: DO NOT ACCEPT OR BUY A WARRANTY THAT DOES NOT REPLACE WITH NEW.
IT'S WORTHLESS, EXPENSIVE AND YOU DON'T WANT IT.
MB Starmark (in USA) is the recommended way to go! But if you find a warranty company that states they will replace with NEW, I would probably go with them - if you absolutely needed to.
Good Luck
GT 56E4
https://mercedesforum.com/m_9457/mpa...y_/tm.htm#9457
Also, if you absolutely want to get a 3rd party warranty. You MUST READ THE FINE PRINT. There are some companies that will replace with NEW. Look through what is covered and the warranty company must list what they shall do in the event work must be done. The infamous line on most 3rd party warranty's "will replace with rebuilt or used components." Mercedes and most other dealers will not accept their warranty because they nickel and dime everything and they don't cover all the cost related to doing the job the right way the 1st time! It is a waste of time for most of these mechanics to deal with the warranty company.
And if you do find a mechanic that is willing to do the work as per the warranty company - WATCH OUT! They may be mixing used components that may be no better than the ones you're replacing.
BOTTOM LINE: DO NOT ACCEPT OR BUY A WARRANTY THAT DOES NOT REPLACE WITH NEW.
IT'S WORTHLESS, EXPENSIVE AND YOU DON'T WANT IT.
MB Starmark (in USA) is the recommended way to go! But if you find a warranty company that states they will replace with NEW, I would probably go with them - if you absolutely needed to.
Good Luck
GT 56E4
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