Service Advisor Help
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 10
From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
So today, I went on ahead and asked my service advisor if I could install 2012 "facelift" LED tail light on my 2011 "pre-facelift" with a 2012 programmed rear SAM unit. He wouldn't let me do it and I am really disappointed. I really wanted these LED tail lights on my car as the halogen ones look like crap. In addition, I do not want aftermarket "plug n play" lights as they tend to fail and make buzzing sounds.
I would like your opinions on what I should do. I desperately want these LED tail lights. Are Mercedes dealerships really that strict on simple non-performance modifications? Was it just this service advisor that was strict and should I try another dealership?
Thanks
I would like your opinions on what I should do. I desperately want these LED tail lights. Are Mercedes dealerships really that strict on simple non-performance modifications? Was it just this service advisor that was strict and should I try another dealership?
Thanks
Last edited by w204_Generic; Jan 15, 2014 at 04:41 PM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: FAIRFAX VA
12' ML350 4M & 10' E350 4M
Why does it matter what he says? It not like he's making your monthly payments. I've seen other people do it and it's a very nice upgrade! Do it and if your SA has something to say give him my number LOL
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 10
From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 10
From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
It matters what he says, because I do not want the extended warranty voided; I have to go what he says or go to a different dealer. He apparently thinks it messes with the electrical system, when it obviously doesn't. There is no cutting of any sort, its just putting in a 2012 rear SAM and installing the lights and that's it. It's not like I'm using aftermarket parts. I'm using complete OEM parts, the OEM rear sam unit and OEM tail lights. Funny thing is he has a old VW and he tuned the hell out of it and its slammed.....Makes no sense to me...
Last edited by w204_Generic; Jan 15, 2014 at 05:08 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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2017 Mini Cooper S Clubman ALL4 - British Racing Green
Your warranty would be fine, except for the areas being modified. In this case, if you switch teh lights out (FYI, not halogen), and the new ones work for a month, and fail, if you go to the dealer they will deny you warranty coverage... but if you engine explodes, you should still be good.
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 206
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From: FAIRFAX VA
12' ML350 4M & 10' E350 4M
Your warranty would be fine, except for the areas being modified. In this case, if you switch teh lights out (FYI, not halogen), and the new ones work for a month, and fail, if you go to the dealer they will deny you warranty coverage... but if you engine explodes, you should still be good.
It's funny that your saying his car is highly modified but he would allow you to change your light, hypocrite!!!
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: FAIRFAX VA
12' ML350 4M & 10' E350 4M
Btw W204_generic I just seen some pictures of your ride. Beautiful ride man!! When I turned 16 my dad handed me the keys to his 02 S500 and I absolutely fell in love with MB from then on. Hopefully the same happens to you.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
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From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
Your absolutely right. The warranty being voided is more towards engine upgrades. I understand that OP doesn't want to void a warranty that he paid anywhere from $1500-$3500 for. Just make the change and start servicing at a another MB stealership.
It's funny that your saying his car is highly modified but he would allow you to change your light, hypocrite!!!
It's funny that your saying his car is highly modified but he would allow you to change your light, hypocrite!!!
Yeah and then he decides to show me his car and say "look what I did, I'm so low a can can't even fit under my car." I honestly wanted to say "I could give to sh**s of what you did to your car, are you trying to brag to me?"
Your warranty would be fine, except for the areas being modified. In this case, if you switch teh lights out (FYI, not halogen), and the new ones work for a month, and fail, if you go to the dealer they will deny you warranty coverage... but if you engine explodes, you should still be good.
Is this really true? What he was saying is something with an electrical problem....I did not really know what he was trying to say to me. Is it because I have to replace the rear fuse box with a 2012 model rear fuse box?
Thanks man! Those are old pictures though, the things I have done now are 20% tint around and 50% windshield tint. I Will be going to get my grill painted satin black, but only the white slats not the chrome. I personally think chrome looks good on a black car. Once that's done I will be posting pictures if people care lol. I really like MB, just hate the limitations the dealerships put on us. We bought the car and we should have the right to do whatever we want to it. As I said above my brother has a BMW 335i and the dealership let him do everything. They even installed his catless downpipes for him.
Last edited by w204_Generic; Jan 15, 2014 at 06:41 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Denham Springs,LA
'12 C63 Black Series, '12 ML350 BlueTech
Do not expect MB dealers to install options or modification that were not bought originally with the car. Some might be lucky to have SA willing to do it but generally speaking you will be better off with an knowledgeable indy shop.
And since almost everything is VIN coded they cannot do whatever they want.
And since almost everything is VIN coded they cannot do whatever they want.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
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From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
Do not expect MB dealers to install options or modification that were not bought originally with the car. Some might be lucky to have SA willing to do it but generally speaking you will be better off with an knowledgeable indy shop.
And since almost everything is VIN coded they cannot do whatever they want.
And since almost everything is VIN coded they cannot do whatever they want.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Denham Springs,LA
'12 C63 Black Series, '12 ML350 BlueTech
My bad i misunderstood.
So basically you asked your SA for a permission to install LED facelift tailights with a facelift rear SAM?
Well you don't need to ask. Do it! Keep your original SAM unit and tailights.
I doubt this will void warranty if you have an engine failure.
So basically you asked your SA for a permission to install LED facelift tailights with a facelift rear SAM?
Well you don't need to ask. Do it! Keep your original SAM unit and tailights.
I doubt this will void warranty if you have an engine failure.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
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From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
My bad i misunderstood.
So basically you asked your SA for a permission to install LED facelift tailights with a facelift rear SAM?
Well you don't need to ask. Do it! Keep your original SAM unit and tailights.
I doubt this will void warranty if you have an engine failure.
So basically you asked your SA for a permission to install LED facelift tailights with a facelift rear SAM?
Well you don't need to ask. Do it! Keep your original SAM unit and tailights.
I doubt this will void warranty if you have an engine failure.
I just need a follow up on what my options are. Should I just revert back to the old lights when I need to bring it in or what?
Kind off off topic but I know how to install the lights, just worried about the rear Sam unit. Is this hard to install?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,704
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From: Denham Springs,LA
'12 C63 Black Series, '12 ML350 BlueTech
The rear sam install is plug and play as long as it is programmed correctly.
All you need is a pry tool to help you remove the push pin for the trunk lining, one bolt to remove in order to access the unit and then 4 main connectors to unplug like an xbox.
Do the reverse process to install the new unit and that's it.
Make sure to disconnect your battery first for piece of mind.
see DIY here: https://mbworld.org/forums/5423441-post333.html
If you get an error which i doubt will happen just put back your stock parts.
All you need is a pry tool to help you remove the push pin for the trunk lining, one bolt to remove in order to access the unit and then 4 main connectors to unplug like an xbox.
Do the reverse process to install the new unit and that's it.
Make sure to disconnect your battery first for piece of mind.
see DIY here: https://mbworld.org/forums/5423441-post333.html
If you get an error which i doubt will happen just put back your stock parts.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 10
From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
The rear sam install is plug and play as long as it is programmed correctly.
All you need is a pry tool to help you remove the push pin for the trunk lining, one bolt to remove in order to access the unit and then 4 main connectors to unplug like an xbox.
Do the reverse process to install the new unit and that's it.
Make sure to disconnect your battery first for piece of mind.
see DIY here: https://mbworld.org/forums/5423441-post333.html
If you get an error which i doubt will happen just put back your stock parts.
https://mbworld.org/forums/5423441-post333.html
All you need is a pry tool to help you remove the push pin for the trunk lining, one bolt to remove in order to access the unit and then 4 main connectors to unplug like an xbox.
Do the reverse process to install the new unit and that's it.
Make sure to disconnect your battery first for piece of mind.
see DIY here: https://mbworld.org/forums/5423441-post333.html
If you get an error which i doubt will happen just put back your stock parts.
https://mbworld.org/forums/5423441-post333.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,563
Likes: 42
C63 AMG
You can't expect to change things on the car, even with o parts and expect MB to pick up the tab when you have issues down the road.
They spend millions in RD, what you're doing they haven't tested, so how can you expect them to honour that.
Same thing as me wanting sls cams, or carbon ceramic brakes, it's oem. You can't modify it then ask for help.
They spend millions in RD, what you're doing they haven't tested, so how can you expect them to honour that.
Same thing as me wanting sls cams, or carbon ceramic brakes, it's oem. You can't modify it then ask for help.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 10
From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
You can't expect to change things on the car, even with o parts and expect MB to pick up the tab when you have issues down the road.
They spend millions in RD, what you're doing they haven't tested, so how can you expect them to honour that.
Same thing as me wanting sls cams, or carbon ceramic brakes, it's oem. You can't modify it then ask for help.
They spend millions in RD, what you're doing they haven't tested, so how can you expect them to honour that.
Same thing as me wanting sls cams, or carbon ceramic brakes, it's oem. You can't modify it then ask for help.
I am still going to do the lights now that there is hope. I just don't understand how it could even void warranty? I will just have to take them out and but it my original tails when service is due.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,299
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From: Texas
10 C six trizzle
They cant void your warranty for putting on some silly lights. He is just trying to deter you. Whenever they black list / void warranty on a car they have to provide the mb regional rep a reason. example - car was totalled/extensive poorly done repairs at aftmkt shop/highly modified etc... Saying you changed some light wont. Now if you replace your sam/recode it and install the lights. Anything that the rear sam controls could potentially be voided. So just tread lightly and be very upfront and honest if strange issues arise. Chances are if it's done right you'll never see a problem.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 10
From: Tampa, Florida
2011 C300 4Matic Sport
They cant void your warranty for putting on some silly lights. He is just trying to deter you. Whenever they black list / void warranty on a car they have to provide the mb regional rep a reason. example - car was totalled/extensive poorly done repairs at aftmkt shop/highly modified etc... Saying you changed some light wont. Now if you replace your sam/recode it and install the lights. Anything that the rear sam controls could potentially be voided. So just tread lightly and be very upfront and honest if strange issues arise. Chances are if it's done right you'll never see a problem.
Thanks!
