Spearsba

Thought I'd share after reading the recent posts about engine issues. I bought my 2011 C63 P31 CPO last January. After a few weeks it developed an engine ticking noise. The dealer pulled the engine twice and replaced numerous components. Still the engine tick persisted. Long story short, my service advisor ordered a new engine from AMG. The build and ship time was about 6 weeks. It has been 3 months now, broke it in as it was brand new. Runs like a charm. I did get to see the bill they charged to MB, over $75K. I asked for a copy but was told no. I did get the generic, work order sheet, but shows no charges.


So, I now have a 2011, P31 with just over 3K miles.....

chrisridebike8

That's awesome! Enjoy the new engine! Thank God for that CPO warranty. $75k...they could have given you a new car!

ToXicXxX

I'm amazed they didn't do a buyback (and break your car down into parts, thus saving money)... 75k is a hell of a bill to foot for just repairs!

Spearsba

They did not even mention a buy back. The dealer wins in this situation. They charge all to MB to cover the warranty and get reimbursed. I could not believe the prices they charged. I could see MB initiating a buy back, but am sure its such a large bureaucracy an individual issue like my car gets overlooked. I am sure the engine is so expensive because they are not in the standard production line. From the time they ordered the engine it took 4 weeks to start, a couple days in Afalterbach, then two weeks to get to my dealer.

ToXicXxX

Ask them for the shipping crate it came in! They are really cool to keep around for storage! (well, at least last time I ordered an engine, it was in a large wooden crate covered in all sorts of unique postage and markings, looks nice in my storage area at home!).

Also, keep track of your engine miles respectively separate from car miles.

GIdriver

Good to hear your problem was solved! Did they ever tell you what was the problem?

zcct04

and $75k is one HELL of a big bill to foot for just a little ticking noise! Can't decide whether that is superb customer service, or a dealership that just doesn't know what they're doing.

ToXicXxX

It's a dealer who has had too much headache and just wants to push it up the chain to the next guy up.

Im guessing it's a small dealership, they probably only have a few Journeymen (seriously, most dealer techs are 99% apprentices, they are cheaper and most final year apprentices or Journeymen move on to independents for better money), and can't spare them to keep working on his car. Hell, probably only a few of them are "truly" qualified to work on that engine. When MB said they would authorize a new motor, they were probably jumping in joy. An engine swap is MUCH easier then rebuilding and truffle hunting for problems over and over.

I remember back in my 1.8T AEB days, that if anything was wrong I would just go yank an engine out of another car for maybe $300 (and maybe $1000-2000 making it incredibly strong), instead of spending thousands fixing one that is inherently flawed.

Spearsba

Definitely, tracking separately.


From what they could tell one piston chamber had a gouge in it. But they were not sure. All I know is the CPO is a helluva deal.

It is a small dealership. They seem capable enough, but I was a pain in the *** and would not accept the ticking noise. My SA is the senior guy there and pushed through the engine. Like I said, they win as they charge those costs back to MB. It's my third car from them, and they know my wife is itching to trade in her ML.

rentzington

That's one heck of a bill for ticking
How bad was the noise just curious

Sounds like you had good customer service, I had a small tick at first but it went away and after some reading it seemed most service departments never acknowledged anything wrong

Spearsba

It was like a damn sewing machine. Or like putting a playing card on your bike spokes. It was only a matter of time before something went horribly wrong. Probably as soon as the CPO warranty expired.

Spearsba

That bill was a total for all the work the dealer did, including two non-productive rebuilds. Not just the new engine.

AMG FTW

Thats awesome. Enjoy your new engine.

ean

Could you hear it over the radio? Did it get louder over time?

ab0bab0i

Was it just the lifter ticking on cold starts?

roadtalontsi

you win, however when amg gets the motor back and sees poorly improperly performed repairs the dealers going to get the shaft. lol. I've only seen 2 full amg motor replacements. They typically only happen when the engine is brand new and engineering wants to examine it. Once was a camshaft adjuster bolt failed only on car with 200miles, back in 2008 when the m156 just came out, bent all the valves and who knows what else. The other was a new slk55 the new n/a direct injected one for knocking noises, after numorous repair attempts.

Although that bill seems crazy, those are all b.s. inflated prices. The list price on the 156 engine at like 54k$ alone lol. buy backs or trade assists arent made unless the car is new and the tech rep has been out multiple times and is baffled.

Spearsba

Yes at low levels.

No, that was the first check by the dealer and the part of the first rebuild.


I hope they don't get screwed, I'll ask the SA on Friday. I'll ask if AMG wanted the old engine shipped back. I don't think they did any improper repairs. Something internal failed and caused damage that resulted in the noise. Prices are definitely overinflated.

WESLEY KAY

Also, don't forget there is a lot of washing with that $75k price tag. MB corporate is not out the full $75k, trust me. The dealer will rake in labor money, and the cost for parts ($60k or whatever it was) will be written off. Sure, it costs money to "make" the engine, but it's all a write-off. You can spin these numbers a number of different ways, just like news stories on TV...hahaha.