NLRL

I HAVE 18175 MILES ON THE CAR.
LAST WEEK, THE CAR BEING IN THE GARAGE, I COULD NOT INSERT THE KEY IN THE SWITCH. IT WAS LIKE AN INTERNAL BLOCK NOT ALLOWING THE KEY TO BE INSERTED MORE THAN 3/8.
I TOWED THE CAR TO A INDEPENDENT MB SHOP IN SANTA ROSA, CA, WHICH I USED BEFORE AND WAS VERY HAPPY WITH THEM. THEY TROUBLE SHOOTED AND ESTABLISHED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSY WAS DEFECTIVE(EIA).
THEY CALLED AND INFORMED ME THAT MERCEDES RECENTLY TOOK THE DECISION TO NOT SUPPLY THIS ASSEMBLY AND SOME OTHERS, TO INDEPENDENT SHOPS OR PRIVATES. ONLY THE DEALERS COULD PROCURE THE PART AND DO THE REPAIR.
I HAD TO TOW THE CAR AGAIN TO THE MERC DEALER IN TOWN AND IT WILL COST ME $770 TO HAVE IT FIXED.
I AM VERY UPSET WITH MERCEDES BRAND.
FIRST, IT IS NOT NORMAL TO HAVE AT 18,000 MILES THIS TYPE OF BRAKDOWN.
SECOND, THEY ARE FORCING ME TO USE THE DEALER SO I COULD BE RIPPED OFF.
DID YOU HEAR SOMETHING SIMILAR?

LILBENZ230

The EIS requires a star computer in order to replace it so it doesn't surprise me that it's a dealer-only sort of thing. Also, your car is 6 and likely nearly 7 years old regardless of mileage. The EIS has shown to be a little troublesome in earlier W203 models.

About the price - I've heard people say the EIS replacement costs more than that so I don't think you're being ripped off. I have no experience in getting one replaced, though.

NLRL

THANK YOU.
STILL THE AGE OF THE CAR SHOULD NOT IMPACT DEFECTS WHICH MUST BE TRIGGERED BY WEAR AND TEAR AS THE IGNITION SWITCH IS.
THE CAR COULD BE 1 YEAR OLD AND WITH MANY, MANY MILES . iN THIS SITUATION IT IS A HIGH PROBABIITY TO USE THE KEY A LOT OF TIMES.
MY INDEPENDENT SHOP, AS IT IS MB SPECIALIZED, HAS A STAR COMPUTER BUT MERCEDES WILL NOT SELL THE PART TO HIM.
SO I STILL FEEL THAT MB IS AT FAULT.

JonMBZ

It's not necessary to talk in all caps. The reason MB makes you get them at the dealership is because cars were being stolen and shipped overseas or to mexico and people were supplying false documents to attain the EIS's/Keys it's for your protection really and to help prevent further theft of the vehicles. Same goes for keys MB wants the car at the dealership before the keys are to be released.

splinter

JonMBZ is correct.

Our EIS has been the subject of several DTBs. They’re not a recall, merely internal advisories to be used at the discretion of dealerships’ SMs. Did you buy your cars from the dealer to which you had it towed? Our SA acquiesced to replace my switch gratis long after its warranty had expired. Perhaps you can appeal to their sensibilities.

The switch itself has a MSRP of ~$325. Replacement and SDS programming take 1.2 hours, barring any unforeseen problems. MB is rightly leery about supplying TRPs to anyone not authorized to purchase them. That’s for your protection. Is it a racket for honest folk? Yes.

MBUSA’s most recent policy on the issue is that SDS-coded TRPs are to be installed and activated only by an authorized MB service department.

Reference:

http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...tedDocId=10448
http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...tedDocId=10447
http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...tedDocId=10446

CHiKompressor

NLRL

I understand your view points. Even the caps key lesson!
The switch assembly was $350 and the labor $390.
I am still mad to spend all this money on a car with such a low mileage.
The car was bought in 2003 in Charlotte NC , new.
2 years ago, I moved to Santa Rosa, CA so the dealer was mercyless.
Do you have any extended warranty you could recommend?
Maybe I should start to think about.
Again thanks.

LILBENZ230

My point was that things deteriorate over years whether you put the miles on the car or not. Cars are made to be driven, and sometimes not driving a car will cause more problems than driving it. I bought a 3 year old Acura in 2005 that had hardly been driven and it had lots of issues. So I understand your frustration - nonetheless your car is nearly 7 years old.

And it is for your protection that Benz doesn't give the EIS to just anyone.