Looks like I have been stealered
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
2002 C240
Looks like I have been stealered
Hello,
I just got my C240 serviced and here is a partial list of things they did and charged me over $1K:
- Flushing the brake hydraulics and refilling it
- Refilling the battery with water.
I thought that the battery would be maintenance free but the stealer I went to (not the original stealer I used to get the car service while it was under warranty) said that the 2002 MBs do not have maintenance free batteries. I thought I was getting state-of-the-art technology.
I am novice about MBs in particular and cars in general but seems to me I got ripped off.
Now after 3 weeks of the service, the car will not start. It seems like there is not enough humph in the battery to start - the headlights and some other instruments work though.
How do I get the car back on the road? - I am certainly not going to the dealer I went to. Browsing the forums here, it looks like there is a consistent problem with the battery (leaking power, etc.) Can I just take to the closest mechanic and have him change the battery?
Thanks.
I just got my C240 serviced and here is a partial list of things they did and charged me over $1K:
- Flushing the brake hydraulics and refilling it
- Refilling the battery with water.
I thought that the battery would be maintenance free but the stealer I went to (not the original stealer I used to get the car service while it was under warranty) said that the 2002 MBs do not have maintenance free batteries. I thought I was getting state-of-the-art technology.
I am novice about MBs in particular and cars in general but seems to me I got ripped off.
Now after 3 weeks of the service, the car will not start. It seems like there is not enough humph in the battery to start - the headlights and some other instruments work though.
How do I get the car back on the road? - I am certainly not going to the dealer I went to. Browsing the forums here, it looks like there is a consistent problem with the battery (leaking power, etc.) Can I just take to the closest mechanic and have him change the battery?
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
yeah, this sounds a little weird, but there is also a lot of info/details left out
of your post which would help determine whether the service was proper or
not. if they simply put water, but did not charge, it's possible that they, in
fact, weakened the battery....but all this comes down to devil in the details.
(feel free to PM me the dealer, too)
of your post which would help determine whether the service was proper or
not. if they simply put water, but did not charge, it's possible that they, in
fact, weakened the battery....but all this comes down to devil in the details.
(feel free to PM me the dealer, too)
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
2002 C240
More information.
Yes. The battery is original and I have over 55K miles on it (just out of warranty).
The dealer said that they just put the water in the battery - mentioned nothing about charging it.
The dealer said that they just put the water in the battery - mentioned nothing about charging it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
I have 2002, original battery, 102K miles.
Was concerned about it dying, and had it tested.
Seems it's still in fine shape.
Batteries when they go bad can short sometimes and damage other stuff, so
I'd like to catch it before it dies.
Then again, I'd like to see how long it can last!
Build date Dec. 01.
Your thread seems to imply that you spent 1K on....
what? Flushing brake fluid is a $100 service at my dealer.
My dealer never added water. I've done it once.
It's due again.
Fact is, if you have a 2002, you're about due, so don't blame the dealer.
Save your angst for many the other things you can blame them for.
The local auto parts store will test it for free.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Feb 19, 2007 at 02:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
2002 C240
Sorry, I did not mean to imply that that's all the dealer did. Aside from that, he did a Service B.
What I don't understand is if he service the battery why is it failing so soon (assuming it is the battery). I still have to get it checked out. Also, it is unusual for the battery to be bad when the lights come on, etc. albeit the moon roof does no work.
What I don't understand is if he service the battery why is it failing so soon (assuming it is the battery). I still have to get it checked out. Also, it is unusual for the battery to be bad when the lights come on, etc. albeit the moon roof does no work.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
what part of town are you in? i have hydrometer that we can use to dbl check
the specific gravity. can bring the DVM as well. on the surface, it just sounds
like the battery is low, but natch...this is keyboard assessment.
the specific gravity. can bring the DVM as well. on the surface, it just sounds
like the battery is low, but natch...this is keyboard assessment.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: 38° 52′ 51″ N || 94° 48′ 11″ W
'01 C320 || '14 Honda Pilot EX-L
Lots of money for nothing. I never had any battery issues on my '02. I just got my B service done on my '03 and they gave me a new battery. Can't get any better than that.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,020
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From: SoCal, Irvine
Stage 2 C7 A6, QX60
i think you should take it back to that dealer, since they service the battery and your car went dead after few weeks, just go there and complain, they usually do it for free for you
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 439
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From: Fullerton, CA
1993 Cutlass Ciera SL w/ 3300 Buick Engine
but, arent there any consequences from the battery dying like stuff not working properly (sunroof might need synchronization .... ) ??? 
Last edited by Berger Stahl; Feb 19, 2007 at 06:58 PM. Reason: spellchecker not working apparently ...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 0
From: 38° 52′ 51″ N || 94° 48′ 11″ W
'01 C320 || '14 Honda Pilot EX-L
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 1
'06 CLK500
I have my battery replaced by the dealer last week. My car is 2002 C320 with 32,000 mile.
After it's been replaced, the car still won't start. Then, the dealer detects a battery draw from my passenger seat. Do you think the dealer is cheating on me?
They claimed that the battery was bad the first time though.
After it's been replaced, the car still won't start. Then, the dealer detects a battery draw from my passenger seat. Do you think the dealer is cheating on me?
They claimed that the battery was bad the first time though.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I have my battery replaced by the dealer last week. My car is 2002 C320 with 32,000 mile.
After it's been replaced, the car still won't start. Then, the dealer detects a battery draw from my passenger seat. Do you think the dealer is cheating on me?
They claimed that the battery was bad the first time though.
After it's been replaced, the car still won't start. Then, the dealer detects a battery draw from my passenger seat. Do you think the dealer is cheating on me?
They claimed that the battery was bad the first time though.
