Need suggestions dealing with dealer / MB
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9
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2010 E550 4matic
Need suggestions dealing with dealer / MB
Short version of a long story is that I have had brake / rotor issues with my 2010 E550 4matic since I bought it. I have only recently seen threads here talking about 2010 / 2011 E550 rotor issues.
My first brake job was at 18000 and my second at 25000 and I have now had 8 through 95000miles. Many were covered under warranty many weren't. It is important to note that I feel the dealer has done their best in terms of trying- but obviously havent been sucessful.
I am looking at my 9th brakejob in 105000 miles! What happens is after 8 - 10K miles my steering wheel begins to vibrate at medium braking. It is enough to feel and see. Even passengers can feel the vibration! I am at my wits end. I had hoped to be able to drive this car for a couple of more years but clearly that isn't reasonable given this problem.
(ok... so not so short verson
)
My question is this: what should I expect from the dealer and mercedes? How do I engage them? On one side I've felt vibration in my $70k car for 1/3 of the time I've had it. On the other hand, I do have 100k on it (although clearly not very happy experience).
I am kinda pissed at myself that I didn't pull a nutty earlier because I then would have had more leverage. But I felt the dealer really was trying so I wanted to be reasonable.
so again: any thoughts on what I should be asking for in terms of compensation, consideration, etc....?
Thanks
My first brake job was at 18000 and my second at 25000 and I have now had 8 through 95000miles. Many were covered under warranty many weren't. It is important to note that I feel the dealer has done their best in terms of trying- but obviously havent been sucessful.
I am looking at my 9th brakejob in 105000 miles! What happens is after 8 - 10K miles my steering wheel begins to vibrate at medium braking. It is enough to feel and see. Even passengers can feel the vibration! I am at my wits end. I had hoped to be able to drive this car for a couple of more years but clearly that isn't reasonable given this problem.
(ok... so not so short verson
)My question is this: what should I expect from the dealer and mercedes? How do I engage them? On one side I've felt vibration in my $70k car for 1/3 of the time I've had it. On the other hand, I do have 100k on it (although clearly not very happy experience).
I am kinda pissed at myself that I didn't pull a nutty earlier because I then would have had more leverage. But I felt the dealer really was trying so I wanted to be reasonable.
so again: any thoughts on what I should be asking for in terms of compensation, consideration, etc....?
Thanks
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
My humble, and quite possibly ignorant, opinions on this subject.
** It appears from the many posts on this site that Mercedes has a very serious brake quality problem, at least with 2010 and 2011 model E's.
** In my opinion, pulsing, vibrating brakes are much more than an annoyance --- it is a serious safety issue. I feel that it can't help but interfere with skid control, etc., because it sends wrong and confusing signals to the computer during braking, not to mention simply uneven braking.
** My experience after warranty replacement at 9,000 miles, and then a paid for full brake job at 43,000 after months of vibrating and noisy brakes, is that, finally, for the first time, I have brakes that are smooth and quiet. Reason? I note that the replacement rotors are new part numbers --- just maybe MB found a solution, or a more reliable vendor???
** As for squeaking brakes, say in a parking lot, or backing up, the dealer was never able to bring himself to admit it's a problem. Accused me of riding the brakes (my left foot has never left the floor since my last stick shift in 1978.). I suspect the problem is endemic to E Class (at least), and the official MB position is to blow off the customer on the issue, even though it's embarrassing to both the customer and to Mercedes --- I know it got a lot of attention in my neighborhood shopping area where a whole lot of MB, BMW, Audi potential customers gather. I'll bet it has cost my MB dealer sales (and I've kept my mouth shut --- the car "speaks" for itself.)
** Some people here, and at the dealer, say, "Mercedes has 'high performance brakes' you have to expect noise and vibration." BS BS BS
** It appears from the many posts on this site that Mercedes has a very serious brake quality problem, at least with 2010 and 2011 model E's.
** In my opinion, pulsing, vibrating brakes are much more than an annoyance --- it is a serious safety issue. I feel that it can't help but interfere with skid control, etc., because it sends wrong and confusing signals to the computer during braking, not to mention simply uneven braking.
** My experience after warranty replacement at 9,000 miles, and then a paid for full brake job at 43,000 after months of vibrating and noisy brakes, is that, finally, for the first time, I have brakes that are smooth and quiet. Reason? I note that the replacement rotors are new part numbers --- just maybe MB found a solution, or a more reliable vendor???
** As for squeaking brakes, say in a parking lot, or backing up, the dealer was never able to bring himself to admit it's a problem. Accused me of riding the brakes (my left foot has never left the floor since my last stick shift in 1978.). I suspect the problem is endemic to E Class (at least), and the official MB position is to blow off the customer on the issue, even though it's embarrassing to both the customer and to Mercedes --- I know it got a lot of attention in my neighborhood shopping area where a whole lot of MB, BMW, Audi potential customers gather. I'll bet it has cost my MB dealer sales (and I've kept my mouth shut --- the car "speaks" for itself.)
** Some people here, and at the dealer, say, "Mercedes has 'high performance brakes' you have to expect noise and vibration." BS BS BS
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
2010 E550 4matic
Last week I went to a large independent Mercedes specialist for a question with my SL and I mentioned the brake issue on my E550. Without skipping a beat he said "2010 or 2011". I responded yes and he said "they've replaced the model number once or twice... I keep in meaning to check if they are thicker... clearly under speced for that car". UGH!!
So getting back to my initial inquiry... anyone have any idea what I should do with dealer / Mercedes?
Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 342
Likes: 83
From: SOUTHWEST OHIO
2016 E350 2015 ML250 2002 Z06 CORVETTE
A number of manufacturers have had problems with rotors warping and then exhibiting the symptoms you have experienced. They have attempted to reduce the weight factor for the rotors and have made them thinner and used different alloys to manufacture them. This is a problem far beyond only Mercedes and 2010 and 2011 models.
The different manufacturers have blamed this problem on dealers not torquing the wheels properly when removed, customers driving through standing water when the brakes are hot, and a number of other situations but rarely have accepted the consensus opinion of poor design and inferior specs.
Dealers and manufacturers are well aware of these problem but are not going to admit their culpability for fear of massive warranty expense. I have seen the problem handled quietly in different ways. Generally it involves warranting brake repairs that don't meet guidelines or in some rare cases issuing a voucher of monies to be used in the purchase of a new product from the manufacturer.
Unfortunately, the dealer has no responsibility as long as they have followed proper warranty terms and the manufacturers have basically chosen to "stone-wall" the consumer in most cases. Having over 100,000 miles on the vehicle is certainly going to make the discussion more difficult.
The different manufacturers have blamed this problem on dealers not torquing the wheels properly when removed, customers driving through standing water when the brakes are hot, and a number of other situations but rarely have accepted the consensus opinion of poor design and inferior specs.
Dealers and manufacturers are well aware of these problem but are not going to admit their culpability for fear of massive warranty expense. I have seen the problem handled quietly in different ways. Generally it involves warranting brake repairs that don't meet guidelines or in some rare cases issuing a voucher of monies to be used in the purchase of a new product from the manufacturer.
Unfortunately, the dealer has no responsibility as long as they have followed proper warranty terms and the manufacturers have basically chosen to "stone-wall" the consumer in most cases. Having over 100,000 miles on the vehicle is certainly going to make the discussion more difficult.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
2012 E250 Avantegarde Coupe
2012 E250 Coupe Coupe Avantegarde
A number of manufacturers have had problems with rotors warping and then exhibiting the symptoms you have experienced. They have attempted to reduce the weight factor for the rotors and have made them thinner and used different alloys to manufacture them. This is a problem far beyond only Mercedes and 2010 and 2011 models.
The different manufacturers have blamed this problem on dealers not torquing the wheels properly when removed, customers driving through standing water when the brakes are hot, and a number of other situations but rarely have accepted the consensus opinion of poor design and inferior specs.
Dealers and manufacturers are well aware of these problem but are not going to admit their culpability for fear of massive warranty expense. I have seen the problem handled quietly in different ways. Generally it involves warranting brake repairs that don't meet guidelines or in some rare cases issuing a voucher of monies to be used in the purchase of a new product from the manufacturer.
Unfortunately, the dealer has no responsibility as long as they have followed proper warranty terms and the manufacturers have basically chosen to "stone-wall" the consumer in most cases. Having over 100,000 miles on the vehicle is certainly going to make the discussion more difficult.
The different manufacturers have blamed this problem on dealers not torquing the wheels properly when removed, customers driving through standing water when the brakes are hot, and a number of other situations but rarely have accepted the consensus opinion of poor design and inferior specs.
Dealers and manufacturers are well aware of these problem but are not going to admit their culpability for fear of massive warranty expense. I have seen the problem handled quietly in different ways. Generally it involves warranting brake repairs that don't meet guidelines or in some rare cases issuing a voucher of monies to be used in the purchase of a new product from the manufacturer.
Unfortunately, the dealer has no responsibility as long as they have followed proper warranty terms and the manufacturers have basically chosen to "stone-wall" the consumer in most cases. Having over 100,000 miles on the vehicle is certainly going to make the discussion more difficult.
