Well...


My secret has always been to redistribute my minuscule wealth. I slap a small amount of cash to the service person after every visit. I always had a new BMW waiting (always), whenever my 17 year old MINI needed service. Admittedly, I was impressed that I was provided a 2022 Mercedes from a dealer that I've never purchased a car from...to keep until mine is repaired...no charge. They also fed me a decent, albeit fattening lunch...not really wanted, but... with cheap white wine. And the service manager was a very good example of his kind. Invited me back for lunch anytime. This experience has made me really like the car that I haven't got to know... And I think that I might be in love. ?

Well....


Mark

 

Now think of your experience at the Ford dealer...

 

Weekend aloha.

OK. I've made some observations. Yup. About Mercedes Benz..etc. I try to pay attention.

First.

The un-exciting column mount gear selector on the newer models is ... well... boring. Transmission apparatusus belong between the seats. My god. And the power window controls should be located on the center console...not the door. The cup holder zone on the newer models block some needed controls when opened. The cruise control stalk is oddly placed (like all), but will be fine. The rear wheel wells of Snarla are lined with a texture that is difficult to wash. sidetone: I claim bragging rights to having the cleanest wheel wells in 3 counties around my zip code... I like my wheel wells and door jams clean.
And,

The Mercedes is a far superior machine compared to the MINI (of 17 years.). All controls seem well married. Ergonomic are spot on. Now granted, I am comparing a 2022 glc300 (loaner), to a 2013 c207... to a 2005 MINI Cooper S but I haven't smelled Snarla in nearly 35 days. Maybe soon.

Overall, I would much rather drive the older 2013 model. It has far more substance.

My god,

Mark


Edited... Also hoping that an after market "dead pedal" is available in to match the existing brake/ power pedal, as I don't see how this factory floor mat ...with its narrow flap holding up too too long. Not a good design. I don't care for all weather rubber mats. Perhaps I should purchase spare set of carpeted floor mats. that's all.

 

Top of the morning.

As of tomorrow, my 2013 Mercedes E350 will have been in the repair shop for 40 days. So...I guess that it will be at the Mercedes dealer for a bit longer. My warranty that came with the car (from the Ford dealer whom sold me the car) is a 60 day warranty, so I still have 16 days left on that.

SO...

Should I insist that the Ford dealer extend this "in house" warranty for ..well... 40 days? As I feel that the car was not properly inspected by Ford upon their selling it to me. This would trouble me, as I would be required to let the Ford dealer look at any issues that might occur (mistake).

Or not?

What is the value of a 60 day "in house" warranty? My temptation is to never again let my shadow darken the doorway of a Ford dealer.. but they did me wrong. And the service advisor lied to me (not cool).

Kind thoughts most welcome.


Best,

Mark


ps again, thank you all for your guidance! This situation is highly amusing my drinking buddies (Bentley drivers ).

 

LOL, I think you already know the answer to this, but based on your experience getting your MB serviced by the Ford dealer that sold you the car, you'd be nuts to ask for an extension of the warranty...You're better off finding a reputable indie garage specializing in MBs or the MB dealership.

 

You are wise pl626.


So I will tell an off-colored joke instead..that I may have to delete...

Q? What's the difference between an epileptic oyster shucker... and a prostitute with diarrhea?
A. One shucks between fits.


Good day to all,

Mark

 

Yep, I hate the column shifter in mine as well.

I have no problem with the window controls on the door; that's quite common. The window controls are also on the door of my husband's Lexus.

 

Hello.

I must vent.

Suddenly the Ford dealer chooses not to pay Mercedes for the proper seat repair.


Now sweeties... The inconsistency of this repair is starting to anger me.

So here is where we are at...

the car will be shuttled from the Mercedes dealer to the Ford dealer tomorrow.
the Ford dealership will be sending the car to some mysterious repair facility.
I had a fireside chat with the service advisor...he perhaps understood my frustration..I don't know. maybe not.
i'm now driving a 2022 Ford Edge.
i'm not happy.


Now...


Should I just accept the car as-is..before the mysterious seat repair person puts his/her fingers into my seats?

Does the inflatable seat feature really improve the seat? Probably yes.

Should I have another drink?


my god....

what a strange introduction to a lovely car. I'll likely trade it for a new model. And I'll likely be a temporary poster here. I shall keep you updated. Again, thanks.

My best,

Mark

 

 

Sue em!

 

Haha... not enough is at stake here to bring in the boys with big teeth. I only paid $20K for the car. But should I just accept the car without this seat feature working? I do like the car...and $20K is a sweet number...I'm ______.

Lord child.....

 

puff/cough/repeat...


My husband feels that i should retrieve the lovely car before the Ford dealer touches anything...and just accept the car it as it is. Forget about the stupid seats. This has been a total learning curve for me. Such drama!

My drinking buddies will karate chop me....

I just like the car...and I like the price.


drinks are on me.

 

I'd return it for refund.

 

Hi Mr. Toad.

I tried getting a refund yesterday...the sales manager said absolutely not. He then asked why I cancelled the 5 year warranty that he sold me.. I had to tell him that the warranty that I cancelled would not have covered the repair, as it was a previous condition (per Mercedes Benz). And that Mercedes service department was not happy with the warranty company that he sold me...issues getting paid. The Ford manager then suggested that I broke the seats during my 3 day possession of the car!...suggesting that parts break at any time! And that the Ford "in house" 60 day warranty does not cover the inflatable seat repair. I was not given a breakdown on that warranty. I had to remind him that the Ford dealer insisted upon keeping the car an extra day (after purchase) to make sure that the car was "fully checked out". I guess it wasn't.

So..

I SLAMMED my hands firmly down on his desk top and silently stared him in the eyeballs..until he blinked. And he did.

Then...

They brought around a new Ford Edge for me to keep while they send the car out for repair. As mentioned, my husband feels that it would be best to accept the car as-is, but I won't. At this point, if the sweet machine comes back to me severely damaged (electrical or otherwise), I will take the pro bono offer from one of my drinking buddies ( a well known local lawyer) .. and sue.

Hell hath no fury like that of a scorned queen.

My husband then politely asked me to go back to Mercedes today and just buy a new car. I really like the 2013...and the price was easy on my check book. A new model would remove probably $70K ?? from my dwindling checking account. We don't want car payments.

Certainly all parties are well aware of my polite but firm frustration.

This must have a happy ending.

I very much thank everyone for reading my story. I know that there are far more important issues happening in our world.

I have learned some valuable lessons from this mishap. 41 days today!!

My best,


Mark


ps. I do have a question? Does the seat bottom on this non working functionl extend forward ( under the knees)? I really don't care about the side bolster inflation. I do like the seat bottom extending.

 

The front edge of the driver seat bottom in my car is adjustable via the first thumb wheel in the control pod (not sure if it was the same in 2013).

I would not accept the car as-is, for fear that the current problems are merely a harbinger of things to come.

I understand your favor for the W207 platform, as many feel that it's better looking than its successor. I purchased my car CPO from an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership about 90 minutes from my house. The Mercedes-Benz website will allow you to perform a search for used vehicles within whatever range of your location you specify. My car had just 12,000 miles on it when I bought it for about $42,000 and it was covered by the remainder of the new vehicle warranty, plus the CPO warranty. I think you could find a more "stable" example of this model than what you've currently got, without going into major debt.

 

So many thanks.

 

Lesson # 1 - Beware of strangers bearing gifts - i.e. NEVER purchase a MB from a Ford dealer, no matter how good the price.
Lesson # 2 - NEVER let a Ford dealer perform work on a Mercedes; they can't even properly repair Fords.

Good luck to you!!!

 

Good morning Folks!

Update on my car situation... 48 days later!

The Mercedes facility re-asembled the interior of Snarla, confirming that the electric air pump is cooked. Without Ford's authorizing replacing the pump, as they are unsure if bladders and/or hoses are required...but likely yes. Since the Ford dealer won't pay the Mercedes shops labor rate, the seats were reassembled and the car was returned to the Ford dealer (washed). Ford paid the $1900. diagnostic bill. The Ford dealer called yesterday wanting the 2022 Ford Edge that they lent me returned (it sold). They sent me home in my (dusty) Mercedes with the promise of scheduling the repair mid next week (they will provide another loaner, and fully detail the car). The Ford service and sales managers still aren't sure whom will be doing the repair. I'm gonna let them do it. WTF? why not. The Ford dealer has already invested $1900. into this repair (per Mercedes). Additional repairs should total about the same.

Upon picking up the lovely, albeit dusty car last evening, I totally enjoyed the way the Mercedes drove ... Quite refined, and plenty of power for an old drunk like me. The seats are comfortable even without the contour seat function working.

Now...If the Ford dealer offers me $2000. (ten percent of the purchase price) to go away...should I accept? I would then combine that and just pay for any additional expense myself , with the repair preformed at the Mercedes dealer. Or should I have a lawyer friend write a love letter to the Ford dealer demanding other action? Lawyer feels that a $2k. re-imbursement would be pretty easy to collect. I was scolded by my lawyer friend for taking the Mercedes and not demanding a replacement Ford loaner.

I can't give this car up...I like it. And it was only $20K..plus it really fits me well.

I have documented every step of this odd situation over the last 54 days. I have not had to pay for any fuel...but I have passed around over $200. in gratuities to various service personal (with additional gratuity to be paid).

Likely the leak is one of two things.

~ a cracked plastic connector somewhere?
~or a leaking bladder (likely the driver seat lower back bladder). I will need to re-train my entry and exit from the drivers seat, as I always raise my *** up upon entrance..to straighten my dress pants underneath..which puts too much pressure on the lower bladder (like a balloon).

Ps. I was pleased to see that the 2 gasoline cards ($200.) were still in the glove box. Today I will wash the paint (looking for any odd damage).

again, I adore everything about this machine, and plan to keep it.


Thanks for reading my post.

Best,

Mark

 

If you're hell-bent on keeping this car (and it sounds like you are), I wouldn't let the Ford mechanics touch it again.

 

I am bent!



to be continued...

 

continued... Hello.

Mercedes repaired the contour seats.
Ford paid.
I am ever so pleased.
Next improvement will be a new set of tires.
Not quite due..but why not?

What a lovely machine.


The seat repair cost me about $200. (total) in gratuities...maybe less.

A bargain.


Cheerio, and hi.

Mark





ps. Our building has the only waterfront car wash on Palm Beach...a total waste of land. But I sure am glad. And nobody else ever uses it. Nope. High. I do!

 

I don’t know why Mercedes did the column shifter.
The window controls have been on the door since power windows were invented.

 

My first car was a 1974 Mercedes 280C. The power window buttons were located on the center console. And occasionally I was too. This was back in 1976.

Best,

Mark

 

And my second car was a 1980 Mercedes 300cd. The power window buttons were located on the center console. Then after graduate school, I felt the love for the BMW 528e... as I could order a manual transmission, and the window buttons were located in the middle ( power seats, too). I had 2 of them, a 1984 and a 1988. I drove the 1988 until I bought a new Mercedes c280 (sport) in 1999 ( awful car). I forget where the window buttons were located? , but I think in the middle. Next came a new 2001 Mercedes e320 (another disappointing car)...and I just can't remember where the window buttons were located? So I returned to driving 5 series BMW's soon after. My MINI had the window buttons near the gearshift also.

Carry on...

 

I found a picture! My 1999 and 2001 Mercedes both had the power window buttons on the center console. I did (for a short time) own a 1978 Mercedes 280 sedan...but the windows were crank-up. (and the seats were a plaid cloth!! haha). It got crunched.


yup.