Lemon Law
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From: Phoenix
Land Rover DII, 2002 C230
Lemon Law
I have taken my wifes C230 into the dealer 3 times in the last month (bought car Jan 22). First was for suspension parts about to fall off. Last two were for a bad plastic panel. The panel that is just below the rear plastic window does not fit correctly and dips down about an inch at one point. The first time the dealer replaced the wrong panel. The second time my wife picked up the car, when I got home it looked like nothing had been replaced. I am going to call the dealer back and schedule a third trip for the same problem. Does anyone else have the same problem with inferior work? I might even bring up the "L" word if they screw it up this time.
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
You bought a Mercedes, not a Toyota, what did you expect? I can't believe people buy European cars and expect a dependable car. If it was like a Honda then what would be the point of service loaners? I'm very happy with my Coupe and I've had 6 service loaners so far, 4 of those were warranttee related.
Anyway here's a website with lemon law info for your state. I've done it twice and it's definitly fun but I'm twisted when it comes to the law. I'm not an attorney, just twisted.
http://autopedia.com/html/LemonLaw/AZ_lemonlaw2.html
Keep every scrap of paper the dealer gave you and best of luck.
Anyway here's a website with lemon law info for your state. I've done it twice and it's definitly fun but I'm twisted when it comes to the law. I'm not an attorney, just twisted.
http://autopedia.com/html/LemonLaw/AZ_lemonlaw2.html
Keep every scrap of paper the dealer gave you and best of luck.
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From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
If you take that route, I have an awesome lemon law attorney for you. (Well, at least I think I do, mine is on CA, but I think they do AZ too). If not, they can give you a referal. Their website is http://www.californialemonlawattorneys.com
So you know, my lemon law attorney said VW is the easiest company to deal with and Benz is the worst. So, keep every piece of paper and very carefully count of the days you bring your car in.
Sorry you need to deal with this.
So you know, my lemon law attorney said VW is the easiest company to deal with and Benz is the worst. So, keep every piece of paper and very carefully count of the days you bring your car in.
Sorry you need to deal with this.
Last edited by galaxygrrl; Feb 26, 2002 at 04:38 PM.
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From: VA
Acura Integra GS
Check www.cartalk.com
Hi there,
It's ridiculous that you're having so many problems in today's modern age. That's precisely why we have lemon laws. Check out www.cartalk.com and look up your state's laws on the subject. In some cases you don't even need an attorney.
Good luck,
DT
It's ridiculous that you're having so many problems in today's modern age. That's precisely why we have lemon laws. Check out www.cartalk.com and look up your state's laws on the subject. In some cases you don't even need an attorney.
Good luck,
DT
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
Don't you think we should use some common sense here? I don't think anyone will accept a car as a "lemon" because a trim panel is crooked and needs to be repaired. I agree that repeat visits are a hassle. Deal with your service manager. Show him specifically what the problem is and I'm sure they'll take care of it.
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From: Belgium
C220 CDI SportCoupé
@Buellwinkle:
What makes you think a Mercedes is less well made than a Toyota? In the past 15 year I've owned 4 Mercs and one LandRover, and my father has driven Mercs all his life, and we never had a significant issue with one. In European consumer magazines Mercs are consistantly the best.
If you really want a bad experience, buy a LandRover. I had one untill a month ago, and I can tell you it sucks! Most expensive car I ever had.
About japanese stuff: it's great for consumer electronics, but not for personal transportation. To back up my japan-fobia, I drive an American motorcycle
Seriously, if you organise a scientifically proven poll amongst Merc owners, you'll find great customer satisfaction.
To bad for for the people with lemons. I'm in customer support and see every once in a while that however great a product is, lemons do pop up. It's the responsability of the manafucturer to solve those problems, and to provide their dealers with the tools to satisfy their customers. Alas not many manufacturers are willing to spend money on the few who have bad luck.
Stevenb
What makes you think a Mercedes is less well made than a Toyota? In the past 15 year I've owned 4 Mercs and one LandRover, and my father has driven Mercs all his life, and we never had a significant issue with one. In European consumer magazines Mercs are consistantly the best.
If you really want a bad experience, buy a LandRover. I had one untill a month ago, and I can tell you it sucks! Most expensive car I ever had.
About japanese stuff: it's great for consumer electronics, but not for personal transportation. To back up my japan-fobia, I drive an American motorcycle
Seriously, if you organise a scientifically proven poll amongst Merc owners, you'll find great customer satisfaction.
To bad for for the people with lemons. I'm in customer support and see every once in a while that however great a product is, lemons do pop up. It's the responsability of the manafucturer to solve those problems, and to provide their dealers with the tools to satisfy their customers. Alas not many manufacturers are willing to spend money on the few who have bad luck.
Stevenb
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Steven, you're not really trying to say that a Benz is as well-made as a Toyota or Honda, are you? It sounds like you're mixing satisfaction with reliability.
If you check any of the rags to see their reliability ratings, those two will be at the top every time. I'm not saying they're better cars, just put together better. As far as I can tell, that's all that Buellwinkle was saying as well.
I've had my crx for over 7 years now, and it's still so solid that I can't believe that it's a 13-year-old car, knock on wood.
If you check any of the rags to see their reliability ratings, those two will be at the top every time. I'm not saying they're better cars, just put together better. As far as I can tell, that's all that Buellwinkle was saying as well.
I've had my crx for over 7 years now, and it's still so solid that I can't believe that it's a 13-year-old car, knock on wood.
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
If you want facts about MB dependability you can go to JD Powers website and see that they are number 10 in dependability in the first 5 years of ownership. My personal experience is that this is very generous. I had one MB taken back under the lemon law, it was in 12 times for the same exact problem. The replacement car needed a transmission within the first two weeks. My parents were smug and said that's because it's the bottom of the line car and the E class would be better. Their car caught on fire on the freeway after it was about 2 years old. And definitely MB cars are more fun to drive, more elegant, more sturdy and I like them but not very dependable. I would have never considered another MB if it where not for the reputation of the local dealer and loaner cars.
Also, don't be suprised as to what people get lemon law settlements on. I got a buy back on an Infiniti I30 because the A/C wasn't cold enough for my tastes. The car was flawless except for that nagging A/C. The dealer told me you're never going to get a lemon law judgement for an A/C problem. I told him watch me! I had the satisfaction of turning my car into him and getting my refund check.
If people don't take advantage of the protections setup by our elected officials then not only are they losing out but the manufacturers continue to put out crap.
Also, don't be suprised as to what people get lemon law settlements on. I got a buy back on an Infiniti I30 because the A/C wasn't cold enough for my tastes. The car was flawless except for that nagging A/C. The dealer told me you're never going to get a lemon law judgement for an A/C problem. I told him watch me! I had the satisfaction of turning my car into him and getting my refund check.
If people don't take advantage of the protections setup by our elected officials then not only are they losing out but the manufacturers continue to put out crap.
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Almost a Member!
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From: Miami, FL
Crossfire Coupe
I won a lemon law case against VW of America, but it was not that easy. But it was for the same problem 3 times-TRANSMISSION-on my 2000 VR6. But to my understanding I may be wrong but I think lemon law requires the same component to fail 3 times or the car to be out of service to the owner meaning in the shop for 30 days consecutively. I mean that was down here in Florida. But hey if you are persistent enough, you should do fine-hey I did and I never thought that I would ever win a lemon law case.
'02 C230 Coupe Blk/Oyster Leather, Auto, C2
'02 Audi A4 3.0 Quattro 6-speed
'02 C230 Coupe Blk/Oyster Leather, Auto, C2
'02 Audi A4 3.0 Quattro 6-speed
Last edited by Black230; Feb 27, 2002 at 10:59 AM.
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From: On a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay
c230k, black, auto, c2 (let the sunshine in), Bose, leather, and CD
While I don't know the FL law, the CA law is 30 days total (not at one time), so I would check on that issue. My lemon law case (which I also won again VW of America), was a pain until I hired a lawyer, at which point it got easy. The lawyer only cost me $500 total. Part of the settlement with VW is that they pay the rest.
