$1500.00 cup of coffee
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 192
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From: Florida
2007 E350/2001 SLK320
$1500.00 cup of coffee
Yep - that's right. A cup of coffee from Burger King cost me $1500 after it splashed from the Mercedes designed cup holders down into the gear shift area. The car automatically locked up and wouldn't move out of gear - the windows started going up and down involuntarily.
The parts were darn expensive and the labor at the stealership was ridiculous - I finally had the car towed to an independent Mercedes shop who fixed it for a couple hundered bucks cheaper than the dealer's quote.
The shop owner and the stealership both told me that they could nearly retire off the amount of fixes done due to spills into that shift area. The independent said there was once talk of a class action lawsuit due to the design flaw. Who in da hell would put a cup holder in a area that cannot withstand moisture????? the older Benz's did not have this design.
My question is - has anyone heard of this lawsuit - where can I sign up?!
The parts were darn expensive and the labor at the stealership was ridiculous - I finally had the car towed to an independent Mercedes shop who fixed it for a couple hundered bucks cheaper than the dealer's quote.
The shop owner and the stealership both told me that they could nearly retire off the amount of fixes done due to spills into that shift area. The independent said there was once talk of a class action lawsuit due to the design flaw. Who in da hell would put a cup holder in a area that cannot withstand moisture????? the older Benz's did not have this design.
My question is - has anyone heard of this lawsuit - where can I sign up?!
Last edited by Neicey59; Mar 29, 2006 at 04:42 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Denver
02 E55
When I just bought my car I was reading whole bunch of similar stories here on MBworld - one guy spent 7k or smth to fix his car.
My cupholder is broken so I just threw it away and I'm not buying new one!!
I only put sun glasses in there or properly closed water bottle.
This flaw sucks big time, especially for USA users.
My cupholder is broken so I just threw it away and I'm not buying new one!!
I only put sun glasses in there or properly closed water bottle.
This flaw sucks big time, especially for USA users.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,815
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John Deere
I once saw a guy spill his coffee there too, but he calmly dismantled the center console and wiped down all the switches. All worked fine in a few mins. Maybe he got very lucky.
I usually enjoy a $1000 cup of coffee whenever I visit the dealer for service, and it's that nasty machine-made stuff in the dixie cup.
I usually enjoy a $1000 cup of coffee whenever I visit the dealer for service, and it's that nasty machine-made stuff in the dixie cup.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 192
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From: Florida
2007 E350/2001 SLK320
the MB tech told me that he advised his wife not to drink ANYTHING in their car - he says it only takes 30cc (1 oz) of liquid in that gear shift area to start problems. My coffee actually had a sip top tightly secured on it - the splash occured during braking and the rest is history. The tech at MB told me that tech's all over the USA have sent feedback to MB of North America regardig the problem, and that MB is very much aware that owners are pissed. btw my extended warranty wouldn't cover it because it was a coffee spill that caused the problem <sigh>
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 213
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From: New England
2000 E 320S4 210.282 4Matic Estate
Ultimate cup holders
I have prevented that from happening by using this:
http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/containers.html
I am not affiliated with them in any way and can recommend Mike.
Both his customer care and products are awesome.
Hope it helps.
http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/containers.html
I am not affiliated with them in any way and can recommend Mike.
Both his customer care and products are awesome.
Hope it helps.
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 957
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From: Ventura, CA
AMG 55, 335i, Mini Cooper S
Originally Posted by Franasia
I have prevented that from happening by using this:
http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/containers.html
I am not affiliated with them in any way and can recommend Mike.
Both his customer care and products are awesome.
Hope it helps.
http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/containers.html
I am not affiliated with them in any way and can recommend Mike.
Both his customer care and products are awesome.
Hope it helps.
My buddy just spent $700 because of his 32oz Pepsi. He said the mechanic turned som stuff upside down in case it ever happend again.
Mario
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
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Mercedes-Benz w124
Originally Posted by Neicey59
the older Benz's did not have this design.
My question is - has anyone heard of this lawsuit - where can I sign up?!
My question is - has anyone heard of this lawsuit - where can I sign up?!
The older benz's has cupholders?! Lol,
My 300e sure doesn't have them, and i haven't heard of that lawsuit...
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Salem, OR
08 Lexus GS350 AWD. 08 Lexus RX350 AWD - wife's. 94 MBZ E320 - still have it.
Why not sue Burger King for not placing some sort of disclaimer on the cup. You now, something like "not for use inside Mercedes Benz automobiles".
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From: asdfasdf
One with 4 wheels
Originally Posted by Neicey59
HUH? How can the back seat cup holders assist the driver?
Best way to avoid this IMO is to just drink water in a bottle with a screw-cap, or buy a good tumbler that allows you to close the opening when you're not drinking out of it. I got an MB stainless steel tumbler for my morning coffee, and it works great. It's designed to fit snugly in the MB cupholder and resists spilling, no matter how hard or sharp the turn. $35 for a tumbler is a good investment over spending $1k+ for spillage-repairs......
Last edited by TA-9FF; Apr 23, 2006 at 11:35 PM.
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1
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2001 slk320a
mbslk320
ok so I spilled my water which was in the cup holder with a lid on it which is located above the gear shift.. the car locked up I called a tow company the top driver poped the wood off and out my car back in gear I drove about 1/4 mile pulled over car never shifted called tow truck drive again towed me they replaced the gear shift 1000.00 and are telling me I blew the transmission? anybody have anything like this ..?? Help please
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 33
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From: San Jose, CA
2002 E320 sedan, 1990 Mazda Miata
This wasn't really a problem back in the days when MBZ's used a mechanical shift linkage. But I agree that they should have either relocated the cupholder or done a better job of sealing the shifter.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 33
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From: San Jose, CA
2002 E320 sedan, 1990 Mazda Miata
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
Likes: 178
From: Seattle WA
99 E320
well known weakness in design with the w210s. spill water on the shift console
and you will either be damn lucky (fans, hair dryer, etc $0), or a transmission
control unit replacement which can reach $1k.
and you will either be damn lucky (fans, hair dryer, etc $0), or a transmission
control unit replacement which can reach $1k.
