A warning
Don't go jumpin off the cliff, yet.
Ohlord, yes I did try that trick. I assumed they disconnected the battery for some reason and it created an issue. So I did what I always tell others, “read your manual”. I went through the resync and tried a few other things just to be sure. No joy. Nothing was going to help the back window, as it was a mechanical disconnect (could hear grinding). The front appeared to be binding and kicking in the “protect” mode. Here is what chaps my ***. The service guy assumed I was an idiot and could not think for myself. I know that this production has issues with rear regulators that tend to break on a regular basis. Now here is the logic of the situation: everything works ok, the dealer gets the car for a few hours, they service and wash the car, they hand it to me and all the sudden two windows on the same side now do not work? Sounds like someone probably used a power washer on the car and hit that side with sufficient force to create binding in the window channels. The front is stout so it does not break outright. The back is a weak design to begin with and gives out completely. Service guy isn’t about take responsibility, nor is his boss, so they charge the customer full boat and show that they didn’t cave to the stupid customer who they “think” wouldn’t know the difference between a left handed cresent wrench and his butt. If these guys had played it straight with me I would have been just as vocal with praise, but they didn’t and I’m not going to forget or forgive.
My problem is there aren't any other cars that I would prefer to drive.
Trending Topics
One (and only one) of my regulators failed and I bought a new one on eBay for $30 and fixed it myself. It was a PIA to do but not impossible. My mechanic would have probably charged me about $250. Its just about all I've had to fix in the past 6 years.
It doesnt matter if you bought a expensive luxury car or cheap economy car. A dealer will charge you to fix it, and charge considerably more then an indy rapair shop. If he was guilty of anything, it may have been actually trying to open your windows that were jammed closed due to lack of use. If you havent changed the tires or taken the wheels off in the past 11 years, be prepared for some lug bolts that wont come lose bolt heads shearing off.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
edit: ok, I reread your post and you state that it was the B service. How exactly do you purpose that they broke your window regulator while performing this service?
B SERVICE (~ $379.95 + tax) :
- Inspect windshield wiper inserts and service windshield washer system (Replacement of wiper inserts additional*).
- Inspect and rotate tires, record tread depth, and correct tire pressure. (Wheel balance additional*).
-excludes AMG, Sports Models, SLK, and vehicles
with staggered wheels
- Engine oil change and oil filter replacement
-Includes Mobil 1 synthetic oil
- Lubrication service
- Includes hood hinges, lock cylinders, striker
plates, sun roof tracks and top off all fluids
- Cooling system inspection
- Includes antifreeze protection level, hoses and
clamps
- Brake inspection
- Includes check of pad thickness and condition of
discs, fluids and lines
- Inspect heating and ventilation dust filter, replace if needed. (Replacement additional*. Dust filter prices vary by model)
- Function check
- Includes warning lamps, headlights, exterior
lights, seat belts, windshield wiper and washer
- Inspect and lubricate throttle linkage
- Check and clean air filter
- Reset flexible service system counter
- Inspect front axle ball joints; check steering play and power steering clutch; and rear differential levels
- Inspect Poly V-Belt for condition
- Inspect starting and charging system and service battery
- Inspect climate control refrigerant
The dealership also gives the car a complimentary wash before returning it to the customer. Do I know that they did something to cause TWO window regulators to go bad at the same time on the same side of the cars? No absolutely not. Do I think there could any number of causes that could just be pure coincidence? It is possible, however very unlikely. Do I think that the front might have been rectified with something simple rather than a full replacement? Yes! Do I think that it was easier to blame the failures on pure bad luck and coincidence rather than share the burden of possible responsibility and consequence? Do I think it was more expedient to replace both regulators and motors? Would this all add up to greater revenue? Yes! Do I think that this was a juncture at which a number of possible responses could have been made? Do I feel that they made the wrong decision? Yes! Do I feel there is a question of ethics here? Yes! Am I pissed at the situation? Yes! Do I think that this is happening to others? Yes!
- They weren't working on or near the component that failed
- You do not know what caused the failure
- There's no proof that it was working prior to bring the car in for service
- People try this scam all the time
Now if all of your oil leaked out and the motor seized after an oil change then yes they could have been at fault - AFTER you determine the root cause. Now a failed window controller because of an oil change... c'mon, that's not very likely.
The burden of proof is on you to determine the cause of failure and link it to the service, because what your advisor is telling you is that there is a 99% chance that it was not their fault based on the service that was done.
If everyone were honest then this would not be an issue and the dealer would probably comp the repair (or at least part of it), but you have to understand how many people try to pull one over on them. I would expect this same response from any dealership, whether it be Honda or Bugatti.
- They weren't working on or near the component that failed
- You do not know what caused the failure
- There's no proof that it was working prior to bring the car in for service
- People try this scam all the time
The burden of proof is on you to determine the cause of failure and link it to the service, because what your advisor is telling you is that there is a 99% chance that it was not their fault based on the service that was done.
If everyone were honest then this would not be an issue and the dealer would probably comp the repair (or at least part of it), but you have to understand how many people try to pull one over on them. I would expect this same response from any dealership, whether it be Honda or Bugatti.
Again, someone who does not get it. It was not and it is not about money. And Now I’m a SCAMMER. Well lets get this straight how many Automotive repair businesses have been accused of scamming customers? It happens on both sides. Doesn’t mean I should be held in that light!
You don't quote MBWorld. You don't quote your manual. You do quote a competing forum. You do post a dissatisfaction on MBWorld. All of your posts are in this thread you started.
Get the point?

10 years ago regulators were made mostly of metal not plastic.. Its a car its not magic
and the wty is 4yrs not 11yrs.... ive seen benz goodwill 10k jobs 1yr out of wty but your asking alittle to much i think
I have a 98 E320 with a rear passenger regulator that is shot, that same window was broken back in 2001 by some thief. The dealer replaced the window and regulator, and now that it is out again, can I blame that dealer? No. The car is 13 years old, and I expect some parts to go.
Now, on the flip, I can see the point about the newer MB's being a "conduit" to bank accounts, especially that 99-04 cars which had some gut wrenching failures that have tarnished MB's image of quality and reliability and the rep still haunts them today. Not to say MB is terrible, but honestly they could do much better on QC and customer relations which appears to be improving currently. Some dealerships as of late are certainly not helping MB's image with the rip-offs and pricing games true enough. I get that POV from the OP as well.
But its your car and your intitled to think whatever .. just dont get mad when others laugh it off and think this is ludacris way of thinking ..
Goodluck
I agree that the QC has gone down for MB, but seriously..I drive an 03 E500, so i would be glad if i had just the two window regulators go bad.
On hot days its not unusual for the mechanics to roll the windows down -- and I normally see the driver door window down on cars in the service bay - often both on the driver side.
Short of having an order to all workers to never touch the back windows of a w210 -- I'm not sure what a dealer is to do about the failing of a window regulator on a 10 year old car.
The same thing goes for washing the car. If I take my car to the car wash and water gets in the door --- do I blame the carwash?
I certainly would have pointed out the problem to the service writer and inquired what he thought may have happened to the front door - and I would have expected him to inquire with the mechanic as to a possible cause if he did not have one. They may have a normal failure point -- I have no idea. Did the rear window fail as you tested it? Because if it had failed when the mechanic opened it -- I don't think it would have closed.
In addition, part of your problem is you making and sealing imaginary deals in your head... who ever heard of a dealer coming halfway? They either accept responsibility, or they don't. It was your own fantasy expectation that made you so angry. The dealer, or Mercedes, did not make any promises they didn't keep.
Best of luck with your car. A window regular will cost you less than $200, and you can DIY it yourself. Screw going to the dealer for repairs.
"I have opened the rear windows (maybe) two or three times in eleven years."
"When the dealer received the car everything was in working order."
This is the type of thing I have seen all my life working in the car industry. Dealers get ripped off all the time and this just goes to show you it's happened again. Not only did they have to pay for half of the repair bill now you have gone online and trashed them also persuading other customers not to use their service. I also do not think it's a coincidence. I am sure the back one was broken for a while and then the last one gave out. I had a E46 BMW 3 series and had 5 go bad in one year, but I never blamed the dealer I also do not use the rear windows passengers do though, but I guess you never had them.










