COMAND, Bi-Xenon retrofit/upgrade and warranty questions
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
COMAND, Bi-Xenon retrofit/upgrade and warranty questions
Hey I am pretty new to this site, but I have been reading and searching a lot since I bought my car this summer. I want to ask you guys if any of you have had a negative experience due to upgrading to OEM factory Bi-Xenons or U.S. COMAND. I asked at several dealerships and they all said that it wouldn't void the warranty automatically, but that if there were electrical problems they could void it and then "black-ball" the car so that its in the Mercedes system or something so that they know you messed with the car at any dealership you try and go to.
I have searched the forums looking for info on this, but there isn't much relating to warranty after electrical mods like this. Two dealerships said that they would upgrade to COMAND (they both had way different prices) and that would of course preserve the warranty. No dealership I called said that they would upgrade bi-xenons, that that would have to be aftermarket. As a side note I think that this inconsistent information from the dealership and MBUSAs supposed "product specialists" I spoke to is annoying.
I know most of you have done mods to your car like this, but I'm very nervous about doing anything not at an MB dealer because I specifically paid for the extended warranty and I do not have the money to throw away if things start to go wrong with the car, especially since the electrical systems seem to be the biggest problem areas.
Thanks in advance for your advice to the newbie.
I have searched the forums looking for info on this, but there isn't much relating to warranty after electrical mods like this. Two dealerships said that they would upgrade to COMAND (they both had way different prices) and that would of course preserve the warranty. No dealership I called said that they would upgrade bi-xenons, that that would have to be aftermarket. As a side note I think that this inconsistent information from the dealership and MBUSAs supposed "product specialists" I spoke to is annoying.
I know most of you have done mods to your car like this, but I'm very nervous about doing anything not at an MB dealer because I specifically paid for the extended warranty and I do not have the money to throw away if things start to go wrong with the car, especially since the electrical systems seem to be the biggest problem areas.
Thanks in advance for your advice to the newbie.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15
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From: Central Indiana
2004 C230K
Good question pmb. I have to say I have been curious about this myself. I am really interested in doing some modifying to my 04 230k that I got in July. Specifically BiX headlights, clear blinkers, and Comand. But I dropped some serious cash on a 60mo/100k extended and I don't want to light fire to it.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,240
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
Yeah I understand, between the new car warranty, CPO and extended my car is covered until March 2012 or 100,000 miles so I'm not looking to end that any time soon. I have also had a few electrical "gremlins" in the car already and I can just see the dealership being like "well you installed these nonfactory bi-xenons blah blah" and then refusing to help me.
I have gotten different answers on the COMAND, some dealers say they will install it and others say no. But so far every dealership I called said absolutely no to bi-xenons. So it looks like the COMAND will be the only electrical mod for my car.
I also want to change the grille on my car. On the 2005+ C-Class models the luxury sedans get grills with grey slats and the sport sedans get black slats. I like the sport grill better so I will change this out probably after the winter. I'll post a pic later to show exactly what I'm talking about. I don't think an appearance mod like this will have anything to do with the warranty.
I have gotten different answers on the COMAND, some dealers say they will install it and others say no. But so far every dealership I called said absolutely no to bi-xenons. So it looks like the COMAND will be the only electrical mod for my car.
I also want to change the grille on my car. On the 2005+ C-Class models the luxury sedans get grills with grey slats and the sport sedans get black slats. I like the sport grill better so I will change this out probably after the winter. I'll post a pic later to show exactly what I'm talking about. I don't think an appearance mod like this will have anything to do with the warranty.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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Mercedes is gone physically, but still in my heart.
Clear blinkers and COMAND should be no problem. The COMAND can be installed at specific dealers (depends on which one), but as long as you have a reputable source, you can go somewhere to have it done cheaper and you should have no problems. Bi-xenons you can search the forums on. There are TONS of testimonials on them. Most people haven't had any problem on euro-spec bi-xenons but search the forums, it'll help you a lot.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
Clear blinkers and COMAND should be no problem. The COMAND can be installed at specific dealers (depends on which one), but as long as you have a reputable source, you can go somewhere to have it done cheaper and you should have no problems. Bi-xenons you can search the forums on. There are TONS of testimonials on them. Most people haven't had any problem on euro-spec bi-xenons but search the forums, it'll help you a lot.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Chicago
04 C32
I had my dealership install my BiXenons (purchased from Steve). They said that they would warranty them since they were genuine MB parts. This was a small dealer in central Illinois. I think it is up to the individual dealer
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Central Indiana
2004 C230K
Here are my thoughts. I need to have these installed and working correctly before my first service appointment. My dealership claims there is "no possibility" of getting BiX to work on my car as the "wiring is in no way compatible." I have a 2004.5 c230k, which many on this board have done the upgrade on. I have to assume the wiring compatibility is a load of hooey. I think I will find a dealership in the midwest willing to do the change to Xenon=Present. Then, cross my fingers that if I ever have a wiring problem my service writer will either not realize I did this myself or have the kindness to overlook that I did.
jgsx - if you could pm me the ph number of your dealership, I would appreciate it.
jgsx - if you could pm me the ph number of your dealership, I would appreciate it.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Chicago
04 C32
Here are my thoughts. I need to have these installed and working correctly before my first service appointment. My dealership claims there is "no possibility" of getting BiX to work on my car as the "wiring is in no way compatible." I have a 2004.5 c230k, which many on this board have done the upgrade on. I have to assume the wiring compatibility is a load of hooey. I think I will find a dealership in the midwest willing to do the change to Xenon=Present. Then, cross my fingers that if I ever have a wiring problem my service writer will either not realize I did this myself or have the kindness to overlook that I did.
jgsx - if you could pm me the ph number of your dealership, I would appreciate it.
jgsx - if you could pm me the ph number of your dealership, I would appreciate it.
I PMed you
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Chicago
04 C32
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
I just recently found out that if an MB dealer puts in a "dealer installed accessory" that it it only warranted for 1 year under some parts warranty. That sounds like total BS to me. Its an OEM part installed by an authorized dealership, it should be covered under the warranty for the rest of the car. Oh well...
Administrator
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Ok, he installs it at 47k miles. therefore you want 1k miles of warranty instead of 1 yr. That business practise is normal. Only time you get more warranty is if you get a warranty item replaced.
Next thing you know you get 4 brand new takeoff tires and wheels and install an old car on those. Does that now mean that the old car will be back under warranty.
Next thing you know you get 4 brand new takeoff tires and wheels and install an old car on those. Does that now mean that the old car will be back under warranty.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
Dealers don't want to install Bi-xenon lamps because US law requires automatic leveling sensors on both axels, and a headlight washer system. It could be done, but the cost would be very high. The wiring, however, is the same for either lighting system. You would need harness "extensions" for the leveler and washer. ROW (rest of the world) cars can have the headlight washer added. There is a kit described in the workshop manual under "retrofits."
Some spare parts have a 1 year warranty, or balance of the original warranty, whichever is longer. Satellite radio receivers are in this class.
Others have no warranty because they were not purchased from a Mercedes dealer. Junkyard or most Ebay parts fall in this class.
Some parts have no useful warranty, filters, bulbs, belts, and coin cell batteries are in this class.
Some spare parts have a 1 year warranty, or balance of the original warranty, whichever is longer. Satellite radio receivers are in this class.
Others have no warranty because they were not purchased from a Mercedes dealer. Junkyard or most Ebay parts fall in this class.
Some parts have no useful warranty, filters, bulbs, belts, and coin cell batteries are in this class.
