Has anyone had warranty problems?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
M
Has anyone had warranty problems?
Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone here has had problems with theirs mods voiding their warranty or their dealer refusing to do warranty work? What sort of things void the warranty?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
This is from what I learned when I worked as a contractor at the Mercedes Benz dealer in Tulsa; they can tell if an aftermarket pulley kit has been put on and then removed for warranty work, lowering a Benz can void the warranty, some aftermarket radios can cause a warranty to be void just to name a few. I am not an authority on this, this is what I have seen and heard from the dealer.
I am sure their will be others with different views than this however when in doubt ask a qualified Mercedes Benz rep.
I am sure their will be others with different views than this however when in doubt ask a qualified Mercedes Benz rep.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,145
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by Lockbuster
they can tell if an aftermarket pulley kit has been put on and then removed for warranty work
they can tell if an aftermarket pulley kit has been put on and then removed for warranty work
Also, I don't think that your entire warranty can be voided because of a single part. I think it only voids the warranty on any parts that it may affect. So a radio isn't going to void the car's entire warranty, but it may void any warranty on the sound system. But I could be wrong about this.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
Originally posted by Matt230K
I doubt this. It would have to be very obvious, like if the pulley was nice and clean and everything else was dirty. How else would they tell?
I doubt this. It would have to be very obvious, like if the pulley was nice and clean and everything else was dirty. How else would they tell?
Although, I'm probably giving them too much credit in regard to their diagnostic capability
Cheers, BT
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
Originally posted by Matt230K
I doubt this. It would have to be very obvious, like if the pulley was nice and clean and everything else was dirty. How else would they tell? And I don't think most techs are expecting to see an aftermarket pulley, so it is not really something that they are looking for. The majority of people who buy a benz don't modify anything on it, although it may be different on the west coast.
Also, I don't think that your entire warranty can be voided because of a single part. I think it only voids the warranty on any parts that it may affect. So a radio isn't going to void the car's entire warranty, but it may void any warranty on the sound system. But I could be wrong about this.
I doubt this. It would have to be very obvious, like if the pulley was nice and clean and everything else was dirty. How else would they tell? And I don't think most techs are expecting to see an aftermarket pulley, so it is not really something that they are looking for. The majority of people who buy a benz don't modify anything on it, although it may be different on the west coast.
Also, I don't think that your entire warranty can be voided because of a single part. I think it only voids the warranty on any parts that it may affect. So a radio isn't going to void the car's entire warranty, but it may void any warranty on the sound system. But I could be wrong about this.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,145
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
Originally posted by Lockbuster
Do not underestimate the Mercedes techs, they have ways of determining what has been altered. Remember the C230K's computer is not dumb it holds information and it is interactive (from what I have been told).
Do not underestimate the Mercedes techs, they have ways of determining what has been altered. Remember the C230K's computer is not dumb it holds information and it is interactive (from what I have been told).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 1
From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
Re: Has anyone had warranty problems?
Originally posted by c class 279
Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone here has had problems with theirs mods voiding their warranty or their dealer refusing to do warranty work? What sort of things void the warranty?
Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone here has had problems with theirs mods voiding their warranty or their dealer refusing to do warranty work? What sort of things void the warranty?
A single mod like a pulley or radio will not void the ENTIRE car's warrenty. It just can't happen. If you use your car in competition (I assume this includes Auto-x and drag racing), you give up your included 50k service. Again, it's all in the book.
Last edited by avlis; Jan 14, 2003 at 07:52 AM.
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
Re: Re: Has anyone had warranty problems?
Originally posted by avlis
Your car came with a warrenty booklet and describes what voids the warrenty and what voids the included 50K service agreement. The dealer can scare you all they want with words (remember they are SALESMEN). The warrenty is in writing- read it.
A single mod like a pulley or radio will not void the ENTIRE car's warrenty. It just can't happen. If you use your car in competition (I assume this includes Auto-x and drag racing), you give up your included 50k service. Again, it's all in the book.
Your car came with a warrenty booklet and describes what voids the warrenty and what voids the included 50K service agreement. The dealer can scare you all they want with words (remember they are SALESMEN). The warrenty is in writing- read it.
A single mod like a pulley or radio will not void the ENTIRE car's warrenty. It just can't happen. If you use your car in competition (I assume this includes Auto-x and drag racing), you give up your included 50k service. Again, it's all in the book.
So what you are saying is that putting on a pulley would only void the engine including the Compressor and if you think about it the pulley can also void the transmission putting to much stress on the drive train, well I guess you could void the rear end because of the stress on the engine, transmission differential, and rear end. Obviously your engine is running faster and harder than what the manufacture has set up. I guess you are right it will not void the whole warranty.
Talking about a radio, putting in an aftermarket radio, the warranty will void the radio, however if the dash has a problem they may void the warranty in that area because of the different radio, then the wiring could be void because of the cutting of the radio wires, speaking of cutting the wires some parts of the automobile components could be void from a spike in the system.
So your are right not the whole warranty is void, however a domino effect may happen and I agree with the manufacture, why should they pay for a problem that a non Mercedes tech caused. I do not believe we should try to pilfer the dealership because we damaged a vehicle with an aftermarket item and expect them to pay for it.
When you put an aftermarket pulley on a vehicle then take it off and put the original back on just to service the vehicle it is just like stealing something from someone.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,600
Likes: 1
From: Earth
GLB 250 4matic
i haven't had any warranty issues at my dealership.
i have the hids (which are obvious b/c i use them as DRLs also) and the renntech pulley (which was installed by another dealership).
so far, i've had it in for a few minor things and service A.
--
one dealership said that they wouldn't install the renntech pulley (i got the contact info from renntech) b/c it would void the emissions warranty. but that dealership sucks anyway cough*mbofdevon°*cough... so not sure if he was justting putting me off or if they really have such a policy b/c they changed my hid settings w/out batting an eye. i do know that they lowered a sedan w/ springs/sways for another person but w/ amg parts.
--
so, ymmv.
--
° the parts department is cool though.
i have the hids (which are obvious b/c i use them as DRLs also) and the renntech pulley (which was installed by another dealership).
so far, i've had it in for a few minor things and service A.
--
one dealership said that they wouldn't install the renntech pulley (i got the contact info from renntech) b/c it would void the emissions warranty. but that dealership sucks anyway cough*mbofdevon°*cough... so not sure if he was justting putting me off or if they really have such a policy b/c they changed my hid settings w/out batting an eye. i do know that they lowered a sedan w/ springs/sways for another person but w/ amg parts.
--
so, ymmv.
--
° the parts department is cool though.
Last edited by young; Jan 14, 2003 at 10:09 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 1
From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
Re: Re: Re: Has anyone had warranty problems?
Originally posted by Lockbuster
So what you are saying is that putting on a pulley would only void the engine including the Compressor and if you think about it the pulley can also void the transmission putting to much stress on the drive train, well I guess you could void the rear end because of the stress on the engine, transmission differential, and rear end. Obviously your engine is running faster and harder than what the manufacture has set up. I guess you are right it will not void the whole warranty. ..
So what you are saying is that putting on a pulley would only void the engine including the Compressor and if you think about it the pulley can also void the transmission putting to much stress on the drive train, well I guess you could void the rear end because of the stress on the engine, transmission differential, and rear end. Obviously your engine is running faster and harder than what the manufacture has set up. I guess you are right it will not void the whole warranty. ..
If my cylinder head warped becuase my pulley broke off and stopped the water pump causing overheating, I wouldn't expect that to be covered.
An extreme example would be a dealer voiding the warrenty on the rear end because an aftermarket radio was installed. I can't believe any dealer would do that. If they do, they should be investigated.
If my transmission or rear end failed, I would prove that the max power the modified engine produces is still less than the max the drivetrain was designed for.
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
