Legal Department contact on MBUSA?
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: chicago
2003 E500
Legal Department contact on MBUSA?
It appears that a case is FINALLY being opened with regard to the ongoing intermittent audio and climate control problem the car has had since I purchased it nearly two years ago. I was recently able to demonstrate the audio problem live in front of the service manager.
Numerous software updates, replacement of several audio gateway parts, a new complete audio gateway and a new head unit have not fixed the problem. Now they are looking to install another complete audio gateway and open a case.
I am looking for a name because I need to understand what my exposure is on this problem when the warranty runs out in the next year. Obviously a standard 60 day (or what) parts and labor won't cut it as the problem will sometimes go away for almost that long. Any help is appreciated. A PM is fine.
Numerous software updates, replacement of several audio gateway parts, a new complete audio gateway and a new head unit have not fixed the problem. Now they are looking to install another complete audio gateway and open a case.
I am looking for a name because I need to understand what my exposure is on this problem when the warranty runs out in the next year. Obviously a standard 60 day (or what) parts and labor won't cut it as the problem will sometimes go away for almost that long. Any help is appreciated. A PM is fine.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
I can't help you with a name in the MBUSA Legal Department (assuming there is one; they may use outside counsel instead) but you don't want legal advice on your warranty rights from them anyway. If it becomes an issue, you should search under "Chicago" or "Illinois" and such terms as Consumer Protection; Lemon Law; Automotive Warranty Law; Breach of Warranty; Warranty Law, and locate an Illinois attorney who practices in those areas. I'm also not in a position to recommend any specific attorney, obviously.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 397
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From: Sunny S. California
03 E500
Originally Posted by rdtjr
It appears that a case is FINALLY being opened with regard to the ongoing intermittent audio and climate control problem the car has had since I purchased it nearly two years ago. I was recently able to demonstrate the audio problem live in front of the service manager.
Numerous software updates, replacement of several audio gateway parts, a new complete audio gateway and a new head unit have not fixed the problem. Now they are looking to install another complete audio gateway and open a case.
.
Numerous software updates, replacement of several audio gateway parts, a new complete audio gateway and a new head unit have not fixed the problem. Now they are looking to install another complete audio gateway and open a case.
.
I wanted them to update the command software so I can play mp3, if I can show them the command rebooting by itself maybe I can get them to update it for free.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 110
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From: chicago
2003 E500
Dvinn:
Audio problem - ranges from classic transient static to complete loss of audio related functionality. Lately have gotten "tuner device not recognized" once in a while. In addition to the gateway and software fixes, they've also replaced the rear view mirror for a bad microphone when the transmission would not engage during the first instance of the audio problem and I could not contact Teleaide for assistance. But that is another story...
I was fortunate to have one instance last over an hour on my commute from home and I went right to the dealer. Another time, I was in area of dealer and was able to get there again before the problem went away. The ironic part is that the service manager said diagnosis was made more difficult by the fact that the technician could not get the car to do anything. Give up trying to duplicate this on cue as it is intermittent.
Climate control problem - When on MAX COOL or front defroster comes on, the climate controls will occasionally completely freeze up in the same manner as audio and the fans shuts off. With the defroster, it usually freed up in a few minutes. With the air conditioner, not usually until car restarted. An AC blower regulator was replaced about a year ago when the system finally threw off a fault. Now the problem has returned.
Audio problem - ranges from classic transient static to complete loss of audio related functionality. Lately have gotten "tuner device not recognized" once in a while. In addition to the gateway and software fixes, they've also replaced the rear view mirror for a bad microphone when the transmission would not engage during the first instance of the audio problem and I could not contact Teleaide for assistance. But that is another story...
I was fortunate to have one instance last over an hour on my commute from home and I went right to the dealer. Another time, I was in area of dealer and was able to get there again before the problem went away. The ironic part is that the service manager said diagnosis was made more difficult by the fact that the technician could not get the car to do anything. Give up trying to duplicate this on cue as it is intermittent.
Climate control problem - When on MAX COOL or front defroster comes on, the climate controls will occasionally completely freeze up in the same manner as audio and the fans shuts off. With the defroster, it usually freed up in a few minutes. With the air conditioner, not usually until car restarted. An AC blower regulator was replaced about a year ago when the system finally threw off a fault. Now the problem has returned.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Originally Posted by rdtjr
Dvinn:
Climate control problem - When on MAX COOL or front defroster comes on, the climate controls will occasionally completely freeze up in the same manner as audio and the fans shuts off. With the defroster, it usually freed up in a few minutes. With the air conditioner, not usually until car restarted. An AC blower regulator was replaced about a year ago when the system finally threw off a fault. Now the problem has returned.
Climate control problem - When on MAX COOL or front defroster comes on, the climate controls will occasionally completely freeze up in the same manner as audio and the fans shuts off. With the defroster, it usually freed up in a few minutes. With the air conditioner, not usually until car restarted. An AC blower regulator was replaced about a year ago when the system finally threw off a fault. Now the problem has returned.
They kept the car 2 days & drove it home. Repair order states:
541011 Short Test, Perform
1 230-821-02-51 Blower Regul
833750 Blower Motor - Heating & A/C R&R, Replace if req
960WMB00
Whatever they did , its been OK since Friday
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: chicago
2003 E500
Barry45RPM:
Hope for the best. As I stated, mine worked for about a year after the AC blower regulator was replaced before acting up again. Statistically hard to believe these parts keep going bad and there is not a more fundamental problem.
Ethically, I am in a very difficult position knowing the history of the car and selling it the way it is now, even though it is still under warranty for a while.
Hope for the best. As I stated, mine worked for about a year after the AC blower regulator was replaced before acting up again. Statistically hard to believe these parts keep going bad and there is not a more fundamental problem.
Ethically, I am in a very difficult position knowing the history of the car and selling it the way it is now, even though it is still under warranty for a while.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
OK I agree with you. These cars are woefully under-engineered in areas that DON'T relate to the basic car. MB Builds a great automobile, but the electronics and accessories are poorly designed & excecuted. It really is a shame, since all of us were brought up to "go get extra help if you are not doing well in a subject in school", and MB in their arrogance will let a World Class luxury car slip from the top because they can't build a 21st Century Luxury car, with all the bells & whistles, and won't get "extra help" outside the company (Japan) to fix their electronics woes. They dont realize that you can't keep building a late 20th Century model forever, and stay on top. You'd think that after watching Cadillac fall from the top like a rock, they would be alarmed, but no... Hey, I can remember when the best cameras in the world were designed & made in Germany, but now Japan beats them there too.
As soon as Lexus starts building stunning good lookers like the current E class, Mercedes will be in a losing battle to stay on top. Right now Lexus is in its infancy when compared to MB... soon it will be in adolesence... then watch out. So far, an MB still hods a "special" level of admiration by the masses, Lexus hasn't quite achieved that yet, but its coming.
As soon as Lexus starts building stunning good lookers like the current E class, Mercedes will be in a losing battle to stay on top. Right now Lexus is in its infancy when compared to MB... soon it will be in adolesence... then watch out. So far, an MB still hods a "special" level of admiration by the masses, Lexus hasn't quite achieved that yet, but its coming.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: chicago
2003 E500
Barry45RPM:
And I essentially agree with you. Even with the rather bland looks of the current LS430, I would have purchased it in a heartbeat if it had driven like the E500. That was the deciding factor in the purchase - the driving experience. I rolled the dice and bought the E at the end of the model year and still came up craps.
I recently test drove the Infinity M45 Sport. This car is a near miss for me, because the interior quality and layout is a step down. I also don't like the way the packages are bundled with your having to spend thousands on "bells and whistles" to get the absolutely superb stereo. If you can - and I certainly can - get over the prestige factor, it offers great value. I (6'4") can even sit comfortably in the back seat with the driver's seat fully positioned to the back.
Monitoring their owners' fora, the main complaint is the high engine rev's at highway speeds. Very little in the way of real problems has been mentioned so far, although it is still early days. I think Infiniti is going to sell a lot of them.
The leading replacement candidate for me is the 2006 Audi A8L. Even my wife (5'2") enjoyed driving it but that's a LOT of money to spend on a car. Monitoring their fora, seems like the 2004 roll-out problems are gone and that it's pretty dependable now, at least in the first several years.
Sam Samaha:
Maybe not. I have also had the transmission gasket replaced (leak), both rear differential seals replaced (leak) and a shock replaced. Except for hitting the accelerator on the on-ramps, I probably drive like your grandpa so it's not abuse.
And I essentially agree with you. Even with the rather bland looks of the current LS430, I would have purchased it in a heartbeat if it had driven like the E500. That was the deciding factor in the purchase - the driving experience. I rolled the dice and bought the E at the end of the model year and still came up craps.
I recently test drove the Infinity M45 Sport. This car is a near miss for me, because the interior quality and layout is a step down. I also don't like the way the packages are bundled with your having to spend thousands on "bells and whistles" to get the absolutely superb stereo. If you can - and I certainly can - get over the prestige factor, it offers great value. I (6'4") can even sit comfortably in the back seat with the driver's seat fully positioned to the back.
Monitoring their owners' fora, the main complaint is the high engine rev's at highway speeds. Very little in the way of real problems has been mentioned so far, although it is still early days. I think Infiniti is going to sell a lot of them.
The leading replacement candidate for me is the 2006 Audi A8L. Even my wife (5'2") enjoyed driving it but that's a LOT of money to spend on a car. Monitoring their fora, seems like the 2004 roll-out problems are gone and that it's pretty dependable now, at least in the first several years.
Sam Samaha:
Maybe not. I have also had the transmission gasket replaced (leak), both rear differential seals replaced (leak) and a shock replaced. Except for hitting the accelerator on the on-ramps, I probably drive like your grandpa so it's not abuse.
Last edited by rdtjr; Jul 13, 2005 at 03:42 PM.
