When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm a new Mercedes-Benz owner, having purchased my very first Mercedes-Benz... a 2026 AMG C43 - brand new, from the dealership, taking delivery of it at its age of 19 miles.
Two days ago while traveling on the interstate, a pickup truck in front of me swerved to avoid a small tire tread, but hit it with his rear wheel and sent the tire piece flying into the air. Though I was able to slow to avoid the tread hitting the body of my car, I didn't have any choice but to continue forward to allow the tire tread to drop back onto the pavement where I was able to center my own car to drive over it. Timing to the perfection, the tire tread piece hit the pavement just as I was crossing over and had bounced up to hit the bottom of my car.
I didn't think anything of it.
Approximately ten miles later, the Engine Coolant Low indicator had illuminated and I'd pulled over to take a look: The tire tread had hit the bottom of the cooling system, creating a pinhole leak.
First of all, I would like to know if Mercedes-Benz is cordial to "good faith" warranty - considering my car has less than 1000 miles?
I do realize that the issue and warranty is NOT of Mercedes-Benz material workmanship, however I do see a flaw in their design.
While the entire underbody is protected with panels, the cooling system components are quite exposed with little protection from the front, or bottom: Almost any road debris / road hazard could cause a puncture of the aluminum components, considering they're not protected, or encased.
Any words, or advice?
I don't have an appointment to be seen with the dealership until this upcoming Tuesday... which I had shook my head in disbelief, but had to accept.
Pictures available upon request, but the entire cooling system is exposed, vulnerable and capable to be damaged by regular road hazards and if the dealership declines a warranty claim, I wish to be prepared to inform and show the delinquency in Mercedes-Benz design.
Yes, as this type of hazard is covered by insurance, not by warranty or "good faith".
Of course, if there are any design flows, those will be considered by MB or any safety authority and will be upgraded for free even outside the warranty or Insurance.
The coolers needs airflow to... cool. That is why they're not covered. You hit some debris on the freeway, sucks but not sure how it is Mercedes-Benz fault for any resulting damage. Contact your insurance provider to make a claim, the will be the ones responsible for repairs unless you pay out of pocket.
The coolers needs airflow to... cool. That is why they're not covered. You hit some debris on the freeway, sucks but not sure how it is Mercedes-Benz fault for any resulting damage. Contact your insurance provider to make a claim, the will be the ones responsible for repairs unless you pay out of pocket.
As I had stated in my OP, "I do realize that the issue and warranty is NOT of Mercedes-Benz material workmanship, however I do see a flaw in their design."
Of course, Trenton, the coolers need airflow to... cool.
However, the coolers are COMPLETELY exposed without any protection of ANY kind.
It is a flaw in the design.
Multiple ways to accomplish airflow and protect the coolers from road debris and hazards.
The entire underbody is protected with panels, without any sort of protection for the coolers: NOTHING.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
