C230 2004 Sedan
70K

After receiving the Alternator/Battery message flashing in my car, I went ahead to replace the alternator as it was found faulty, producing only a minimal 11.5 Volts. The alternator that I replaced was a remanufactured part which did not even cross my mind of being a problem but new is always better - yeah yeah i know. My car originally was equipped with a VALEO alternator so I replaced it with a working VALEO part. However, the message continued flashing, therefore I figured I'll replace the battery even though all test indicated that battery was working, which is the original VARTA German Made battery.

Come to find out, after all this effort, the message is still showing up, ALTERNATOR / BATTERY needing replacing. So I figure, I'll go to my local MB service center and get a detailed diagnostic done. Here comes the horror.
I drop of the car, and I was told that diagnosis will cost me $150.00 so I figure well okay, that is fine, it will allow me to conclude what the problem is and I'll be happy camper. BUT NO, that was not the case. I get a call several hours later by the service representative stating to me the following:
Our specialists have performed a short test, checked the actual information and came up with an error code that indicated electrical fault that traces to the camshaft magnets leaking oil all the way into the wiring harness and than once again making a loop to reach all the way into the engine control module. After a brief pause I ask them, well considering this statement, how long will I be able to drive the car? The service individual states, it could be a day or months and your car will stop on the road. HMMM, bull***** right. So as I conclude my call, I ask also how much this deal will cost me, they state the Cam magnets will be $400, the wiring harness $400, and the engine control module right below $2k, all together will labor a little over $4000.00

Part in shock and great disbelief I pick up my car and I take it home, do some research and conclude their story is horse*****. I take the car to a local car mechanic, one that knows and understands cars. He does an inspection on the car and concludes that even though my replacing of the alternator was good, and the remanufactured alternator was producing good voltage, the system did not like it. He put in only a new alternator by Bosch and the error code on the dash disappeared. Just because I was paranoid, I asked them to take a look at the camshaft magnets, wiring harness and control module. NO OIL LEAKS, NOTHING AT ALL, not even a drop!!!!

What should I do? Should I make this a good legal matter? I have proof in terms of pictures taken, documentation and the repair men as witness!

 

I hear your pain. Same thing happened to me.They were going to charge me $5,800 bucks. I went off the deep end and told the manager he was a crook and that I am contacting the local news about him scamming people out of their money. 10 mins later he came back with a figure of $1,800. I still think it was too much but I needed my car. He said I was a so called good faith customer and that Mercedes would be able to help with the bill.

 

nahh dont waste your money and time on a lawsuit on the dealership. they lie a lot, twist the truth, and hide things to you until the last moment. they just want money. so they do unjust things. the coporate world is pure evil

 

We've all gone through it. I dont think a lawsuit will get anywhere but maybe a few threats to them will get you something. Threaten to let the local new know and see if they bite and throw you a free service or something...

 

don't waste your time on a lawsuit. the lawyers will make all the money and what really are you trying to gain? you did the right thing, by getting a second opinion and not using them for the work. I would never go back there, and i would do what you are doing here and letting everyone you know that you DO NOT recomend them/would never use them.

Beleive me, if they treat all their customers like this, then they will continue to lose business/customers.

 

Decent attorneys bill ~$300+ per hour. No guarantees.

Know you’re not new here.
Positioning yourself as an informed consumer will likely help mitigate frustration and pocketbook pain next time around.

A bottle or two of my SA/SM’s preferred beverages at the holidays has proven a worthwhile investment. :y

 

Ok, I will approach them to refund the money for the diagnostic and than discuss possibilities to pay part of the replacement cost of the actual part that was damaged, alternator.

We are talking about the Mercedes Benz of OAKLAND, the same owner also holds Mercedes Benz of San Francisco!!!!

 

Yeah, definitly explain the situation to him. Dont be too hard, but throw in the fact that your willing to let the oakland press know about the situation at hand. If the owner fears that more people will come out and complain, hell do what he can to keep it on the down low