Head Bolt Issue on my 2009 w/44k miles on it
Just spoke with the SA.
Hours of work = 35
Rate/hour = $138
Parts = $3,274
The rest is labor.
He said that they have to remove 32 tappets and that costs about $1300. He said that removing the tappets is a new part of this problem and I'm not calculating that into my total cost.
He then told me to call MB customer service (800.222.0100) and explain to them my issue. He said if we can "get some money out of them" he'll continue working things on his end.
He told me to "let things run their course, keep the loaner until then."
It sounds like they might be trying to help me. I'll let you all know what customer service has to say.
Cheers,
Hawth
Just spoke with the SA.
Hours of work = 35
Rate/hour = $138
Parts = $3,274
The rest is labor.
He said that they have to remove 32 tappets and that costs about $1300. He said that removing the tappets is a new part of this problem and I'm not calculating that into my total cost.
He then told me to call MB customer service (800.222.0100) and explain to them my issue. He said if we can "get some money out of them" he'll continue working things on his end.
He told me to "let things run their course, keep the loaner until then."
It sounds like they might be trying to help me. I'll let you all know what customer service has to say.
Cheers,
Hawth
35 hours? To pull the heads, replace the lifters and bolts, and reinstall? Give me a break.
Also, that part total seems really high. Anyone have a part number for the lifters? Its not on the TSB that I saw.


Looks like they are 20-25 per. Can you source ARP bolts through someone other than Weistec? 50/stud is a joke.
Actually I disagree. Porsche doesnt pay for IMS issues or scoring in the cylinders. BMW doesnt pay for rear subframe issues or VANOS issues. The list goes on and on, and I could list way more with just those two manufacturers. Every car has inherent issues, actually I am surprised to find so few with the C63.
Last edited by Ronnie McDonald; May 11, 2015 at 09:11 PM.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Actually I disagree. Porsche doesnt pay for IMS issues or scoring in the cylinders. BMW doesnt pay for rear subframe issues or VANOS issues. The list goes on and on, and I could list way more with just those two manufacturers. Every car has inherent issues, actually I am surprised to find so few with the C63.
So you disagree that it's wrong that Large company's are screwing their customers.........that really just came out of your mouth?
I think everyone that has the problem should contact NHTSA and tell them about it. That's the only chance we have (there was a thread to that affect). The problem is made even more critical since it is nearly impossible to get a warranty from a third party so those of us who didn't get the extended warranty or are even past the duration of those extended warranties are in a bind.
Hopefully nobody was hurt by a freezed/locked engine, but if there has been anyone that was harmed because the motor locked up, they should consult a product liability lawyer and ream MB.
Last edited by CPD SLK; May 11, 2015 at 09:21 PM.
That being said, cars are not a new hobby to me and I have run into much bigger issues inherent in other cars I have owned by other premium brands that were not covered by warranty, and these types of issues are the name of the game when buying high performance automobiles. No cars are issue free.
I completely agree man. I think it's stupid for people just to expect that if you have a well-known issue with your car, you are SOL. A TSB should have been issued to resolve this a long time ago. Half of the problem in my opinion is people just willing to say "oh well f it" and either pay out of pocket, or sell the car back and lose money. To me, those options are unacceptable. Not everyone on here is a baller (even though on the web, everyone seems to be)...but when you buy a 60K+ car, you should know that the company will stand behind their product and engineering (especially when the failure/issue is so costly and material)...but since half of people just don't put up a fight or anything, MB decides to let us try our chances with our dealers.
I think everyone that has the problem should contact NHTSA and tell them about it. That's the only chance we have (there was a thread to that affect). The problem is made even more critical since it is nearly impossible to get a warranty from a third party so those of us who didn't get the extended warranty or are even past the duration of those extended warranties are in a bind.
Hopefully nobody was hurt by a freezed/locked engine, but if there has been anyone that was harmed because the motor locked up, they should consult a product liability lawyer and ream MB.
My SA told me to contact MB USA today so I called them and left a message. I'll be calling back again tomorrow.
I'm preparing a letter for the dealer, MBUSA and NTSHA just outlining the problem with the car and my concerns/frustrations/disappointments. I'll keep you posted.
Today my SA said, "keep the loaner and let the system process the request." He suggested that he would probably hear from MB USA on Wed/Thurs regarding my call to them.
My SA said that MBUSA will ask the dealership what they want to do for me.
SA also mentioned that my case is helped because my car is already at the dealer and I'm the original owner.
I'll keep you posted.
I'm hopeful though that I'll be the straw that breaks their back. Bwahahaha! Still have my sense of humor.
I'm just going to exhaust all avenues. I own the car but I just can't afford to pay $5-7k right now (divorced in Feb15).
Worst case, MB tells me to go kick rocks and I put the car in the garage for 2 years until I can get right $$.
I've decided that I will not dump though. I love it too much and I'm proud of that love.
I'm hopeful though that I'll be the straw that breaks their back. Bwahahaha! Still have my sense of humor.
I'm just going to exhaust all avenues. I own the car but I just can't afford to pay $5-7k right now (divorced in Feb15).
Worst case, MB tells me to go kick rocks and I put the car in the garage for 2 years until I can get right $$.
I've decided that I will not dump though. I love it too much and I'm proud of that love.
i admire the perseverance, for something like this.




They said they agree with the dealers offer of $6700 to fix my head bolt issue and they (MBUSA) wouldn't do anything to soften the blow.
I'll be having the car towed to Autobahn Autoworks (check facebook) this weekend to have it repaired for $2k/15.1 hours.
Thanks for everyone's support and prompt & thorough replies.
Vrooom!
Hawth
They said they agree with the dealers offer of $6700 to fix my head bolt issue and they (MBUSA) wouldn't do anything to soften the blow.
I'll be having the car towed to Autobahn Autoworks (check facebook) this weekend to have it repaired for $2k/15.1 hours.
Thanks for everyone's support and prompt & thorough replies.
Vrooom!
Hawth
Sorry to hear that MBUSA won't do I thing, I think it's absolute bull**** that they can't even discount the repair. So they have a design / part failure and are going to make money off of you to repair it......not cool. Head Bolts are generally not a wear and tear item. I would try an talk with someone else at MBUSA.
On the other hand $2k to repair it seems somewhat reasonable. Have they already done a head bolt replacement on another car?
Either way if all its going to cost is 2k that's cheaper than half the mb quote
Hopefully there won't be hidden costs with the Indy shop
Did a bolt break or just stretch more? If it broke engine is coming out.
The lifters don't need to be replaced unless they are noisy or the surface has too much wear.




