2002 C240 Problems
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 9
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C240
2002 C240 Problems
Ordered the car, waited 6 months and took delivery in October 2001 at MB Fort Lauderdale. C240 with all options except command.
At 300 miles the sunroof would not close. Dealer fixed it.
At 720 miles the sunroof would not close.
Dealer fixed it.
On a long trip, the low beam left Xenon went out. Tele-Aid said to go to a local gas staion and buy a bulb...on I95 in South Carolina!.. Something tells me that they dont stock $400 xenons in the local station!
On that same trip the ESP/BAS malfunctioned. Over the next two months the malfunction indicator light went on an off every few restarts of the car.
The car went in for servicing 3 times in December and January to fix it. After the fourth time, I started the lemon law process in Florida. On the 4th repair trip...it seems they might have fixed it by replacing 4 parts of the brake system including the "brake master"
Last week the low beam light out light came on. When the car was restarted, it went out and the bulbowrked!
Now this week, the car idles roughly and has stalled two times back and forth to work on I95 traffic in South Florda.
Sorry, but I now give up on this car. PLEASE NOTE: Mercedes is not a member of the better Business Bureau (many manufactures are) and you can read that in the state of Florida they contest with lawyers, every Lemon Law case. Other makers just settle with the Better Business Bureau requests.
If you want me to send you the letters I have sent Mercedes USA and Mercedes Benz Fort Lauderdale, let me know on this message board.
At 300 miles the sunroof would not close. Dealer fixed it.
At 720 miles the sunroof would not close.
Dealer fixed it.
On a long trip, the low beam left Xenon went out. Tele-Aid said to go to a local gas staion and buy a bulb...on I95 in South Carolina!.. Something tells me that they dont stock $400 xenons in the local station!
On that same trip the ESP/BAS malfunctioned. Over the next two months the malfunction indicator light went on an off every few restarts of the car.
The car went in for servicing 3 times in December and January to fix it. After the fourth time, I started the lemon law process in Florida. On the 4th repair trip...it seems they might have fixed it by replacing 4 parts of the brake system including the "brake master"
Last week the low beam light out light came on. When the car was restarted, it went out and the bulbowrked!
Now this week, the car idles roughly and has stalled two times back and forth to work on I95 traffic in South Florda.
Sorry, but I now give up on this car. PLEASE NOTE: Mercedes is not a member of the better Business Bureau (many manufactures are) and you can read that in the state of Florida they contest with lawyers, every Lemon Law case. Other makers just settle with the Better Business Bureau requests.
If you want me to send you the letters I have sent Mercedes USA and Mercedes Benz Fort Lauderdale, let me know on this message board.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Stockton, CA
2002 C230, 6 Speed, Bose Stereo, 6 CD Changer
Jeez, what a drag, no one should have to go through that with a new car, no matter what kind it is. I think this can and does happen with any manufacturer of any model car, though us consumers would be hard pressed to see the real statistics of frequency. I hope this gets resolved happily for you, and soon.
Peter
Peter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
GL450, Sienna SE
That sucks. My sunroof goes out all the time. So does my windows. Thats my only problem. They always resync the same thing over and over again. But I love my car too much to leave it for my only problem.
I also know that MBUSA is NOT very responsible. They are basically very unhelpful when you complain about a problem. They should really work on their customer relations. I just hope nobody has to go thru what you are going thru. There are MB lemons and MBUSA does not want to or will not even attempt to replace the vehicle even when major problems happen within the FIRST 30 miles. My friends CLK smoked and stopped on the middle of the fwy with ONLY 67 miles. MBUSA would not even consider replacing this car and gave were rude. Anyways, enough of me rambling.
I also know that MBUSA is NOT very responsible. They are basically very unhelpful when you complain about a problem. They should really work on their customer relations. I just hope nobody has to go thru what you are going thru. There are MB lemons and MBUSA does not want to or will not even attempt to replace the vehicle even when major problems happen within the FIRST 30 miles. My friends CLK smoked and stopped on the middle of the fwy with ONLY 67 miles. MBUSA would not even consider replacing this car and gave were rude. Anyways, enough of me rambling.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
2002 C230
I am just a little bit better than you.
Poor chapter, I am sorry to hear your car has such a big big trouble. I am having a C coupe since September 01. My car had experienced engine stall, left turn signal failure, tramission shake,........... (Of course your case is definitely worse than mine). A field service manager from Toronto always emphasised that the new car warranty is designed to cover all the UNEXPECTED problems happened on a new car. What he meant was that when problem comes, use the warranty to fix it. I believe MB Canada is also not very responsible. Chapter, if you figure out a way to settle down your complaint, please leave a message here for our fellow members. I am eager to find a feasible solution for my complaint too.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 9
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C240
NYTimes review of C230
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/24/au...es/24AUTO.html
I guess I am not the only person in the world with serious Quality issues with MB!
No, MBUSA has not been helpful. TeleAid is useless. The regional manager does not really attempt to solve/discuss the problems.
"For years, Mercedes has cut costs in an effort to hold the line on prices. Materials that look and feel relatively cheap have been showing up even in expensive models like the S-Class sedan, but have been especially notable in the M-Class sport utility. At the same time, the revered Mercedes brand has been dropping in quality and durability rankings.
One such survey by TUV, a German auto-inspection and research association, which measured durability during the first three years of ownership, ranked half a dozen Toyotas ahead of the highest-rated Mercedes, the SLK. (It was No. 12.) Over all, the TUV survey found that Mercedes quality and customer satisfaction had been falling since 1999, and had dropped below the ranking of General Motors' Opel subsidiary.
In North America, Mercedes fell last year to 10th place, from 6th, in a J. D. Power & Associates study that measured dependability after four to five years of ownership. The study found 296 problems for every 100 Mercedes vehicles, compared with 173 problems for Lexus, which has been ranked first for seven years.
None of these issues — declining quality, budget materials, possible brand erosion — may matter much to those who buy the C230. But they pose risks for a company with a century-old reputation for automotive superiority." NYTIMES
I guess I am not the only person in the world with serious Quality issues with MB!
No, MBUSA has not been helpful. TeleAid is useless. The regional manager does not really attempt to solve/discuss the problems.
"For years, Mercedes has cut costs in an effort to hold the line on prices. Materials that look and feel relatively cheap have been showing up even in expensive models like the S-Class sedan, but have been especially notable in the M-Class sport utility. At the same time, the revered Mercedes brand has been dropping in quality and durability rankings.
One such survey by TUV, a German auto-inspection and research association, which measured durability during the first three years of ownership, ranked half a dozen Toyotas ahead of the highest-rated Mercedes, the SLK. (It was No. 12.) Over all, the TUV survey found that Mercedes quality and customer satisfaction had been falling since 1999, and had dropped below the ranking of General Motors' Opel subsidiary.
In North America, Mercedes fell last year to 10th place, from 6th, in a J. D. Power & Associates study that measured dependability after four to five years of ownership. The study found 296 problems for every 100 Mercedes vehicles, compared with 173 problems for Lexus, which has been ranked first for seven years.
None of these issues — declining quality, budget materials, possible brand erosion — may matter much to those who buy the C230. But they pose risks for a company with a century-old reputation for automotive superiority." NYTIMES
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 500
Likes: 1
From: NYC
C32 AMG, C300 Sport
this is definately concerning
When I bought my first MB about 3 months ago, one of my questions on another board was about build quality. Most people were fairly happy with it however there were a number of very strange happening to various cars. I did not let it sway my decision and continued to buy the C32. I am very happy with it at this point with about 3900 miles. I have not had any issues yet.. I changed the oil at 1k and will most likely do it again at 7k or 8k. I am very concerned when I read these boards and read articles like this one in the NYT. everyone is cutting corners and MB has to do what they need to do so as to stay competitive and make good products. There is a compromise on both ends for sure, but they fill the niches that they need to fill. I look forward to long, low maintenance years with my new car.
