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.
After 17 years of motoring my MINI Cooper S (daily driver...only car), I knew that it was time to upgrade. Miraculously the local Ford dealer received a very (very) clean 2013 E350 coupe...a body style that has always made me smile. Darker grey (can't remember the color..and black MB Tex. It has the AMG sports appearance package... 61,000 pampered miles, spotless car fax, recent ceramic coating to the wheels/ paint...basically a very nice car.
BUT.....
I've owned the car for 3 weeks...and it has been at the Ford repair facility for the past 16 days. The issue is that the comfort seat controls didn't work.
AND THEN..
The Ford garage attempted to repair the seats. After further sniffing , the Ford garage felt that the car requires a new fuse box, as the circuit board below the box is cooked. Now folks, I am out of my league here..
So after that attempt failed (day 14), the Ford dealer sent the car over to the Mercedes dealer... where it remains. Luckily I have a 60 day warranty on this car, and they have provided me with a filthy Nissan Altima to drive.
KIND THOUGHTS WELCOME...
Should I ask for a refund? Should I just be patient? Could the Ford mechanic have down additional damage? I really liked the car (what little I drove it). What an odd way to begin a relationship with a lovely car. What would you do?
Best,
Mark
ps I will learn to post a picture of the sweet machine soon!
Usually these cars have hardly any issues, if at all. They're really reliable. But, there is absolutely no way a Ford mechanic has any of the right tools to diagnose problems on a Mercedes, other than the basic things. I'm guessing they made the problem worse.
I would get in touch with the Mercedes dealership and talk to your service guy [and have him relay from mechanic]. If the problem has become big, then I'd go for another vehicle. Tell us what they have to say, but you might make your decision based off of their knowledge.
Yes, I thought of driving over to the Mercedes dealer, slipping the service advisor a fifty...and asking advice. But I fear that doing such might be moot, in that would the Mercedes dealer throw shade at the Ford dealer (basically next door)? Methinks that the Mercedes service adviser would tap dance around that question. But perhaps you are correct. This has to work out!!! I very much like the car, and it was exactly how much I wanted to spend...and I'd prefer to have a tooth extracted before dealing with a car dealer (I kept the MINI...in perfect shape...for 17 years, haha).
Thank you for letting me vent, and also for confirming that additional damage may have occurred at the Ford dealer.
So will your 60-day warranty cover the cost of the repairs that the Mercedes dealer says are needed? If not, then I'd seriously consider asking for a refund.
Yes, the repair bill from the Mercedes facility will be paid by the Ford dealer.
So, as usual, I have additional questions???
~ whilst under the 60 day warranty, should I have the machine overly inspected by a reputable foreign car repair facility?....The place that I trusted to work on my MINI? Perhaps they could offer some assurance, and possibly find a minor issue that I've missed...
~ and will this repair damage the perfect car fax report?
My god... so many thanks to all of you for your insight. Drinks are on me.
If you're concerned then I think a thorough inspection would be a good idea — but I wouldn't trust just any foreign car repair facility to do it, I'd have my MB dealer check the car from top to bottom. It might cost more, but it would be more thorough and would address issues that other shops simply may not be aware of. These cars are very complex with numerous systems, many of them electronic; dealers get updates from MB that simply aren't likely to be known (or even available) to your local repair shop.
Hey @Snarla , here is some extended warranty information from both of our providers to consider going forward. Fidelity and Freedom Warranty are accepted at all Mercedes-Benz dealers and licensed independents in the country. I'd go with Freedom Warranty, Fidelity gets a little crazy about anything with over 30k miles, I have the same Freedom policy on my person vehicle, zero issues at the dealership. My contact information is tgibson@highline-autos.comor (855) 924-1333 if you have any questions and would like to see example contracts that explain coverage.
2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 w/ 61k miles
Freedom Warranty Complete Manufactures Extension:
36 months / up to 100k miles $0 deductible -$3,060 $100 deductible -$2,910
48 months / up to 100k miles $0 deductible -$3,170 $100 deductible -$3,020
60 months / up to 100k miles $0 deductible -$3,335 $100 deductible -$3,185
0% Financing is available / up to 125k miles available for only $400 more
I shudder at the thought of a Ford service department trying to troubleshoot any Mercedes-Benz. As someone else stated above, these are complex machines with a lot of computerized electronics and you have to know what you're doing and have access to the right diagnostic equipment to work on them. Best of luck, and I hope the Ford folks didn't do more harm than good.
I have arranged for a PPI inspection with the Mercedes dealer while the car is in their care. A labor rate of one hour will be paid by me for this service. Hopefully they will be able to tell me if any damage occurred. And hopefully they will be able to fix the seat bolster issues. I will test every feature upon picking up the car....if I ever get to pick it up. Vodka helps.
Since consuming a quick highball, I feel that I must get better acquainted...hack/spit...
My name is Mark.
I live on Palm Beach.
I'm usually picking up the bar tab.
I am way overboard on car care...
I am glad to have found this forum and the so helpful posts.
I've read every c207 posting...twice.
My former car (daily driver...300 miles per month....ish) was a 2005.
I have sellers remorse. I do. I've cried enough tears to fill a waterbed.
I adore the sculptured lines on this Mercedes coupe. Handsome!
I prefer the pre-face lifted model (although I've had a face lift myself..or 2). for many reasons.
My MINI just got too expensive to maintain, as I do no wrenching. No.
I do miss having three pedals on the floor.
I need therapy.
Best,
Mark
ps the car situation will be fine. There are much more important issues to be concerned about. and here is my final photo of my old MINI taken 3 weeks ago. Totally stock. about 65K on the clock. Missed.
Thank you for letting me update my strange (to me) situation. I still have not received the lovely Mercedes, it has been at the Mercedes dealer for a four days, after 16 days at the Ford dealer. I did stop and greet my Mercedes service advisor, who said that she will report back to me ...as to what is being repaired, etc. Still awaiting her call. I was not allowed into the service bay. My guess is that this surgery will take another week, resulting in me having to drive a filthy Nissan Altima rental for a total of 1 month to repair the stupid seat inflaters...or whatever? The Mercedes service manage mentioned that I can have the car inspected and will then enable me to purchase a Mercedes Benz extended warranty ( 5 years). The inspection will cost me $850. .. that amount will be reduced from the cost of the policy. This will give me some peace of mind.
I must have this car. Oddly , I miss it. Yet I've have very little motoring time behind the wheel.? Maybe 50 miles, all under 35 mph. Thanks for letting me vent this morning.
Mark
ps the Mercedes service adverse assured me that they can fix ALL Mercedes issues. I was polite.
@Snarla Your vehicle is too old to qualify for a warranty from Mercedes, not sure why they are misleading you because whatever coverage they are offering you is going to be 3rd party,. The rates I had you at were around $3k with $275 in labor an hour covered, 100% customer claims accepted at Mercedes dealers across the country.
,,,but it allowed me a Mercedes loaner car...and pick up/drop off from home. But I should rethink this...
Mark
Definitely rethink this. My MB dealer has always provided me with MB loaners, despite the fact that I've never purchased any of the 3 MBs from them nor have I ever purchased extended warranties. I've always had my E-classes serviced there, some under warranty and some out-of-pocket for me. They even took care of a blown driver's side wheel bearing, after servicing the passenger side wheel bearing. Of course, they were compensated by MB, but it was gratis to me.
Definitely rethink this. My MB dealer has always provided me with MB loaners, despite the fact that I've never purchased any of the 3 MBs from them nor have I ever purchased extended warranties.
Just to provide another experience, my car was regularly serviced by a dealer from whom I did not buy it and they always gave me a loaner as well, until the warranty ran out. Post-warranty, no more loaners.
I rarely need a loaner as I have another car at home and have been doing all of my work from home since the pandemic began back in 2020. When I have to leave my car for service, my MB dealer orders an pays for a ride from Lyft to take me home when I drop off my car and to bring me back to the dealership when it's ready, including the tip.
When I have to leave my car for service, my MB dealer orders an pays for a ride from Lyft to take me home when I drop off my car and to bring me back to the dealership when it's ready, including the tip.
My indy shop just did this for my annual service in August.
A good day today. I stopped into the local Mercedes facility to inquire about my car. I insisted upon being re-assigned a new service adviser..as the female service adviser had no idea who I even was???? Oh my god ( and I gave her fifty bucks 2 weeks ago. oh well...). So I am now dealing with her boss. He seems to understand.
First, he insisted upon me giving him the key to the filthy Nissan Altima rental (enterprise), and loaned me a new mid Mercedes sized suv ( I don't know the nomenclature ..but nice). A good thing.
Next he schooled me that a Ford dealer has no business cranking around a Mercedes Benz. Agreed.
So..the Mercedes mechanic found numerous codes upon scanning. ie, a tail lamp bulb not working, and some other small things. This was all corrected by resetting the hard drive?? or what ever., by Mercedes. But the seat inflaters still do not work. I was told by the Ford service person that the seats had already been dis-assembled...not true. They lied to me.
So I then had to await (3 days) approval from Ford, for Mercedes to remove/repair seats. That magic happened today ( thanks to my stellar service adviser).
Mercedes will be replacing all motors, tubing , fittings and controls at a cost of over $4000. paid for by the Ford dealership. And they have already paid $1300. for the repair/replace? of the fuse box, etc.
My god...what a strange introduction to a car. I know that I should abandon this car...but it is otherwise perfect! So.....
I shall report back upon pick-up!...probably in two weeks.
"I know that I should abandon this car...but it is otherwise perfect!"
Hi Mark,
I think it will be well worth it in the end since you are getting new parts and dont have to pay for it. I am a new E coupe driver (C207) like you receiving mine in May 2021, I posted about it twice (links below). I have absolutely loved the car and feel like I am driving a proper Mercedes with one of their best engines ever. I grew up on Mercedes, my father had 1979 300SD, 1986 420SEL, 1997 S500, and 2008 S550 4Matic. We still have the 2008 S550 4Matic and less than 50K miles on it. I have a certain love for Mercedes due to him and the fact I was mentioned in my local dealership's mailer when my dad bought the 1986 Mercedes as part of a family exposé as to why he decided to buy it. Over the years I would have loved to get one of the 2018 or newer vehicles with the 4.0 twin-turbo motor (M177) however did not want to go too much in investing in a coupe or convertible. I think E coupe/cabro are underrated and I am thrilled and enjoy greatly the 4.7 twin turbo motor (M278) in my vehicle. It's one of the last of the great Mercedes ICE engines as they will spend their R&D in the future on Electric Motors and Batteries which is understandable.
Good luck with everything and hope to read soon you received your car and it exceeds your expectations!
I saw your above posts whilst reading all of the w207 threads. The Olivine green is spectacular! ... and as much as I like my darker grey metallic, ( I still can't remember the color code...and I need to buy a paint touch up kit), ,,, I prefer your Olivine. I've never spied that color down here in the swamps of Florida. I have total confidence in the local Mercedes dealership, and I will never sniff around a Ford dealer again! The complimentary Mercedes vehicle is a 2022 GLC300 (white) , but I prefer the used model that I purchased. In re-reading you posts, I noted that I need to try and figure out if my Mercedes has a ceramic coating??. The Ford dealer told me that they ceramic coat all of their "Hi Line" vehicles. The paint and wheels(and rotors) are highly polished!,,, but the dealer lied to me twice, so I'm just not sure. I will try and figure it out...any hints would be superb! I don't want to wax the beast until I am sure. This forum has been a blessing for me.
Motor on,
Mark
ps I'll ask my service adviser about the color code.
Just to provide another experience, my car was regularly serviced by a dealer from whom I did not buy it and they always gave me a loaner as well, until the warranty ran out. Post-warranty, no more loaners.
That's odd. My '15 E400 has been out of warranty for years, but my dealer still provides free MB loaners, though it's first-come, first-serve, so if you come later in the day, you may not get an MB, but they'll still provide a free loaner.
One other point about dealer service, mine is very responsive on social media, i.e., Yelp!, Twitter, etc. If you post a grievance, they are quick to respond and provide a remedy.
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.
