I bought a pristine 1997 C280 70,000 miles that ran like a top....well....up until I needed an inspection sticker and an oil change. on top of that I before I went in, I went by Autozone to have a diagnostic on my system right quick since my check engine light was starting to come on. found out I also needed an air filter and a camshaft positioning sensor. ok cool, $350 bucks tops right? WRONG.

silly me to think to take my sweet baby C280 to a MB Dealer for the services. almost 2 months and almost $2,000.00 bucks later, my camshaft positioning sensor was never change because they said "that's not the problem our computers come up with"....LIARS....they initially change oil($85), inspection($50) and my air filter($35), cool, but came back said I needed an Air Mass Sensore badly($540 part) plus labor ($350), WHAT??...got car back, got on the road and guess what? ALL of the radiator fluid started to rush outta the car on the highway!!!!.....you guess it.....STRANDED...towed the car home($80), looked under the hood, the radiator hose next to the firewall mysteriously detached from plastic nipple, and nipple was cracked like someone used vise grips. fluid gone....called the dealership in rage about my C280....towed it back in($75), now they rake me for another ($450 parts, tests, and labor) to repair this "boo boo" and some other pieces that were missing from my engine that they claim they didn't break or steal. get car back...check engine light still on...go to Autozone...camshaft positioning sensor shows up but not the airf filter....hmmm....called dealership to raise more hell as to why they wouldn't just change what I asked them to change..camshaft positioning sensor...told me "oh, just brign it back and we'll analyze it again"....idiot light comes on in my head...I'm getting raped by the dealership!!!!!

conclusion: I stopped the bleeding by finding an independent MB mechanic that has a good reputation for keeping MB's on the road...and I will be going in to get a new camshaft positioning sensor installed for $238 parts and labor.

wow...

..so let this be a lesson to you MB riders.....

1. Autozone diagnostic is free and worth it to get a system check on your MB before you take it in...that way, you'll know what's wrong and not get raped and told what you need and may not need it.

2. don't EVER EVER EVER EVER....take your MB back to the dealership for repairs unless you have a warranty with them or you just bought it yesterday.


my mistake was...I didn't buy my Benz from them and I also have an extended warranty with someone else. THEY HATE THAT. and they will rake you over the coals for using them only to install your parts. they are in the business of selling parts. they don't want YOU to tell them what YOU need for YOUR Benz.

 

>>Air Mass Sensore badly($540 part) plus labor ($350), <<

Wow. That is the all-time worst ripoff I have seen on the MAF replacement. $290ish (www.autohausaz.com) and five minutes with a phillips head screwdriver is all that is needed.

>> will be going in to get a new camshaft positioning sensor installed for $238 parts and labor.<<

You might want to look into doing this yourself. Search the forums. I think the part is $110ish.

 

>>you guess it.....STRANDED...towed the car home($80)<<

Just so you know, you can use the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance anytime you want to, they will tow the car to the dealer for no charge. Not many people realize this.

Here is a statement from Mercedes-Benz:

Here's a reassuring fact: Every Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. - no matter how old, how many miles it's logged or how many owners it's had - qualifies for Roadside Assistance, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

 

really?..I might need to look into a reimbursement for my towing fee of ....$75

 

You're still getting ...you just found a cheaper pimp.

 

I don't think this is correct. I had a towing coordinated by MBUSA. I was charged for the towing by the dealership that did the work.

E

 

It is completely correct. You need to have the dealer reimburse you for the towing charges.

Keep in mind that it has to be towed to an actual Mercedes dealer... not any other dealer or indy shop.

 

This is the reason I got rid of my MB. I had a similar experience with my steering and the MB dealer trying to me. I have a post all about it over in the Off Topic at club202.com.

 

Dang, you got ripped off.

 

That particular dealer may have given you free towing. The Mercedes Roadside assistance provides free jump starts, they will put gas in your car free if you run out, and i forget what the third thing is. They will do other work that you will have to pay for...like replace your battery if it's bad. But as far as getting towed, unless your vehicle is under warranty or purchased from that dealer, you will be charged for towing.

 

Also, if you knew it needed a camshaft position sensor, why did you go in and ask for diagnosis? You ripped yourself off about 150 dollars right there. If you had just told them to replace the sensor. None of that would have happened. I'm not saying that dealer didn't pound you , but you can't blame them 100%. Saying all dealers are bad is a pretty big generalization seeming as you only had a bad experience at that particular dealer.