Antenna Amplifier - F&*^ing STEALER!!
#1
Antenna Amplifier - F&*^ing STEALER!!
Hi folks - recent purchaser of an 02 E320, posted about my experience in this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...se-advice.html
Have had the car for about a month now and am loving it - best car I've ever had - absolutely wonderful. The only minor squawk on the car in the month I've had it is the AM radio reception, even when I'm in the city it comes and goes. When I'm out in the sticks, as I was when I drove the car home after purchasing it there is no AM radio reception whatsoever.
Some reading here on the board led me to suspect the antenna amplifier in the C-pillar may be to blame, so rather than buy the part myself I thought I'd take it into my local dealer, err I MEAN STEALER, to have them replace it as the antenna is clearly covered by my Mercedes warranty. I dropped it off this morning and was called shortly thereafter by the advisor and was told that yes, it probably was the amplifier and the part would be covered but they could only replace it if I paid the $130 "diagnostic fee" as it would take them about an hour to pull the trim parts off and replace the box. BS I told them - I'll pass on that.
I feel good about the warranty in case something major comes up but having to pay $130 for a "diagnostic fee" to replace a component is ridiculous, particularly when it is something as meaningless as the AM radio antenna amplifier. We have another MB dealer in my town and I'm going to check with them as I'd like to get the amplifier replaced - if it is going to cost a similar amount I guess I'll just live without AM on road trips.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...se-advice.html
Have had the car for about a month now and am loving it - best car I've ever had - absolutely wonderful. The only minor squawk on the car in the month I've had it is the AM radio reception, even when I'm in the city it comes and goes. When I'm out in the sticks, as I was when I drove the car home after purchasing it there is no AM radio reception whatsoever.
Some reading here on the board led me to suspect the antenna amplifier in the C-pillar may be to blame, so rather than buy the part myself I thought I'd take it into my local dealer, err I MEAN STEALER, to have them replace it as the antenna is clearly covered by my Mercedes warranty. I dropped it off this morning and was called shortly thereafter by the advisor and was told that yes, it probably was the amplifier and the part would be covered but they could only replace it if I paid the $130 "diagnostic fee" as it would take them about an hour to pull the trim parts off and replace the box. BS I told them - I'll pass on that.
I feel good about the warranty in case something major comes up but having to pay $130 for a "diagnostic fee" to replace a component is ridiculous, particularly when it is something as meaningless as the AM radio antenna amplifier. We have another MB dealer in my town and I'm going to check with them as I'd like to get the amplifier replaced - if it is going to cost a similar amount I guess I'll just live without AM on road trips.
#2
Update.....
Being a bit hacked off I called the other dealer located here in Dallas - they are a smaller operation than the huge outfit I took it to this morning. Spoke to a very nice service advisor and explained what had happened - he pulled a VMI on my car to verify my warranty coverage and said he would speak to his warranty specialist and call me back. 10 minutes later he calls and says he can absolutely take care of the issue at no cost to me whatsoever, the amplifier part number is definately covered by the warranty and there wouldn't be any kind of fee charged at all.
Bottom line - I won't be going back to the big operation dealer under any circumstance!
Being a bit hacked off I called the other dealer located here in Dallas - they are a smaller operation than the huge outfit I took it to this morning. Spoke to a very nice service advisor and explained what had happened - he pulled a VMI on my car to verify my warranty coverage and said he would speak to his warranty specialist and call me back. 10 minutes later he calls and says he can absolutely take care of the issue at no cost to me whatsoever, the amplifier part number is definately covered by the warranty and there wouldn't be any kind of fee charged at all.
Bottom line - I won't be going back to the big operation dealer under any circumstance!
#4
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2001 E430, Obsidian Black w. Ash/Orion Grey, 195,000 mi.
Update.....
Being a bit hacked off I called the other dealer located here in Dallas - they are a smaller operation than the huge outfit I took it to this morning. Spoke to a very nice service advisor and explained what had happened - he pulled a VMI on my car to verify my warranty coverage and said he would speak to his warranty specialist and call me back. 10 minutes later he calls and says he can absolutely take care of the issue at no cost to me whatsoever, the amplifier part number is definately covered by the warranty and there wouldn't be any kind of fee charged at all.
Bottom line - I won't be going back to the big operation dealer under any circumstance!
Being a bit hacked off I called the other dealer located here in Dallas - they are a smaller operation than the huge outfit I took it to this morning. Spoke to a very nice service advisor and explained what had happened - he pulled a VMI on my car to verify my warranty coverage and said he would speak to his warranty specialist and call me back. 10 minutes later he calls and says he can absolutely take care of the issue at no cost to me whatsoever, the amplifier part number is definately covered by the warranty and there wouldn't be any kind of fee charged at all.
Bottom line - I won't be going back to the big operation dealer under any circumstance!
Fred
#5
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2011 E350 4matic
i love mercedes stealerships that think you owe them hundreds of dollars just for stepping foot in their precious doors. yes, i know its expensive to operate a stealership but c'mon there has to be a point where they are losing business due to the excessive fees and gouging.
good job for not paying that stupid $130, i would have done the same thing. hopefully the amp fixes the problem.
good job for not paying that stupid $130, i would have done the same thing. hopefully the amp fixes the problem.
#6
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2017 C300W4 2018 GLE350W4 2018 E400A
I am also in Dallas and know the Dealer in question. Another interesting thing they do is charge 20% over suggested retail for parts. I refuse to give them any business under any circumstances.
#7
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1997 E420, 2004 C240, 2005 CLK 320 Convertible, 2012 E350 Sedan, 2020 C300
Just removing the amp and cleaning the area under it where the screw goes fixed my AM static and reception problem. Took all of 15mins.
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#9
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1997 E420, 2004 C240, 2005 CLK 320 Convertible, 2012 E350 Sedan, 2020 C300
I have a 97 E420 and on that vehicle it is mounted behind the panel in the left C piller. Right behind the rear left passegers left ear. If you have access to the ant. mounted on the roof follow the coax cable to the amp.