NOTHING but problems... got quoted 7k on repairs before first payment on car..
02-04-2015, 07:04 PM
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C280
NOTHING but problems... got quoted 7k on repairs before first payment on car..
I don't even know where to start... I basically got bent over by a dealership....
I bought my C280 w203 2007 a day after christmas form a dealership about an hour and a half away(Ohio)
I drove it for two day's and got a "Check Engine" light, took it to an auto zone and got a code P0015, I read around this forum and it said it was probably just a camshaft magnet. Got the magnet replaced at a shop and it was $100, drove it for two days and light came back on. I called MB and they told me to take it in, while I was in there they replaced some wire harness for free that my car had a recall on. They also told me that the timing is off and something is wrong with the camshaft, lower control arm and also some other wire harness... so now I have a car that I haven't even made a first payment and I have quotes on things that need to be repaired that add up to $7000
what should I do?
any advice?
I contacted MB and they are only willing to help with 10% off the cost :/ unfortually my vehicle is out of warranty, I called the dealership where I bought it and they are just avoiding me and said I should of taken my car to a mechanic before I bought it and it was sold as is with no warranty... I'm in a really tight spot.
First it was the P0015 code
(Continous camshaft adjustment (right): Incorrect position of the exhaust camshaft(P0015)
Replaced right exhaust camshaft adjuster magnet- $108
SAM-F Signal acquisition and actuation module front. FAILED. MB Number:2095452801
Mechanic told me
"Tested vehicle and pulled codes for camshaft timing. Pulled camshaft plugs and confirmed timing is off on intake and exhaust camshaft. Suggest replacement of balance shaft and further inspection of inner engine. Suggest replacement of balance shaft. Vehicle timing is off. Estimated cost is $4,000 - $4,500"
MB Dealer told me
-Replace camshaft plugs and centrifuge cover. (Engine leaking oil from the rear camshaft plugs and the crankcase centrifuge cover.): Estimated cost $318
-Replace pulleys (idler pulley starting to make noise): Estimated Cost $290
-Replace and align (left control arm has a lot of play): Estimated cost $925
ANY HELP HELPs! sorry for my grammar.
I bought my C280 w203 2007 a day after christmas form a dealership about an hour and a half away(Ohio)
I drove it for two day's and got a "Check Engine" light, took it to an auto zone and got a code P0015, I read around this forum and it said it was probably just a camshaft magnet. Got the magnet replaced at a shop and it was $100, drove it for two days and light came back on. I called MB and they told me to take it in, while I was in there they replaced some wire harness for free that my car had a recall on. They also told me that the timing is off and something is wrong with the camshaft, lower control arm and also some other wire harness... so now I have a car that I haven't even made a first payment and I have quotes on things that need to be repaired that add up to $7000
what should I do?
any advice?
I contacted MB and they are only willing to help with 10% off the cost :/ unfortually my vehicle is out of warranty, I called the dealership where I bought it and they are just avoiding me and said I should of taken my car to a mechanic before I bought it and it was sold as is with no warranty... I'm in a really tight spot.
First it was the P0015 code
(Continous camshaft adjustment (right): Incorrect position of the exhaust camshaft(P0015)
Replaced right exhaust camshaft adjuster magnet- $108
SAM-F Signal acquisition and actuation module front. FAILED. MB Number:2095452801
Mechanic told me
"Tested vehicle and pulled codes for camshaft timing. Pulled camshaft plugs and confirmed timing is off on intake and exhaust camshaft. Suggest replacement of balance shaft and further inspection of inner engine. Suggest replacement of balance shaft. Vehicle timing is off. Estimated cost is $4,000 - $4,500"
MB Dealer told me
-Replace camshaft plugs and centrifuge cover. (Engine leaking oil from the rear camshaft plugs and the crankcase centrifuge cover.): Estimated cost $318
-Replace pulleys (idler pulley starting to make noise): Estimated Cost $290
-Replace and align (left control arm has a lot of play): Estimated cost $925
ANY HELP HELPs! sorry for my grammar.
Last edited by covarrubias94; 02-04-2015 at 07:44 PM.
02-04-2015, 10:45 PM
#4
Out Of Control!!
Sorry, but the dealership is right. You bought an out of warranty used Mercedes without having it looked over first. The writing was pretty much on the wall from the start.
As to what you should do, I would either immediately trade it in on a smarter choice for a used car and take my lumps all up front, or get the Benz repaired at an indy that you trust, with the understanding that you'll probably be starting a long history of repair bills on the car.
If I were in your shoes, I'd probably cut my losses and figure out how to get another car with as little bloodshed as possible.
As to what you should do, I would either immediately trade it in on a smarter choice for a used car and take my lumps all up front, or get the Benz repaired at an indy that you trust, with the understanding that you'll probably be starting a long history of repair bills on the car.
If I were in your shoes, I'd probably cut my losses and figure out how to get another car with as little bloodshed as possible.
02-05-2015, 01:38 PM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
how the hell does cam timing get off from one day to the next?
One day car runs, next day CEL and cam timing?
Wtf? Something seems weird here (or the newfangled engines are beyond my experience). But how does that happen?
One day car runs, next day CEL and cam timing?
Wtf? Something seems weird here (or the newfangled engines are beyond my experience). But how does that happen?
02-05-2015, 04:11 PM
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12 BMW 535Xi; Retired 02 C230 Sport Coupe
I would suggest you get a second opinion at an indy. Is the CEL still on? The wiring harness MB replaced could have caused the CEL. Strange as it may sound, on some cars, oil was migrating into the wiring harness and causing CEL. Strange the previous owner never got the recall work done.
Get a second opinion. Then decide to dump or keep the car.
Get a second opinion. Then decide to dump or keep the car.
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02-06-2015, 02:12 PM
#8
Super Moderator
Search for the m272 balance shaft issues and it will explain all sorry....
Dump the car asap and get something cheap as having a car payment on an older expensive to maintain car is not the best idea as unless you do all the work yourself a visit to the dealer can easily be $1,000. Obviously I don't know your situation so please don't take offense. When we get new members asking if they recommend buying a w203 I always recommend that they set aside 1-2k as an emergency fund as that can go real fast if you are paying someone to work on your car. The 7 speed 722.9 transmission in your car was fairly new and has a known defect that causes it to need some very expensive electronics replaced. I will say if you fix the balance shafts and the transmission it should go 250k just fine.
If you PM me your VIN I will look up your engine number so we know if it falls under the affected range. Or you can sign up for http://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/
its free if you are in the USA and have a credit card to verify.
Dump the car asap and get something cheap as having a car payment on an older expensive to maintain car is not the best idea as unless you do all the work yourself a visit to the dealer can easily be $1,000. Obviously I don't know your situation so please don't take offense. When we get new members asking if they recommend buying a w203 I always recommend that they set aside 1-2k as an emergency fund as that can go real fast if you are paying someone to work on your car. The 7 speed 722.9 transmission in your car was fairly new and has a known defect that causes it to need some very expensive electronics replaced. I will say if you fix the balance shafts and the transmission it should go 250k just fine.
If you PM me your VIN I will look up your engine number so we know if it falls under the affected range. Or you can sign up for http://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/
its free if you are in the USA and have a credit card to verify.
Last edited by samaritrey; 02-06-2015 at 02:17 PM.
