csmith35

Anyone else having trouble being reimbursed for replacing their rusted subframe? I've been going round and round with the warranty administrator who will not submit the claim because they need receipts from both the repair shop and their supplier with both receipts showing the same part numbers. It's very frustrating because the repair shop clearly included the part number on their receipt.The warranty administrators are telling me that they need to make sure they're paying for Mercedes parts; but, I've been told that there are no other types of frames available that would fit a Mercedes.

Wondering if others have faced similar challenges getting reimbursed and if there are any suggestions on how to address this?

Thanks in advance for any insights!

MJ50

moved to W212 forum...

Sunnyslope48

What is your repair shop doing to help you with this?

Quint22

There are non MB subframes out there from what I recall. Just FYI

csmith35

At this point, my repair shop is doing nothing. Initially there was significant push back by the shop when I asked for their receipt from who they purchased he parts. They finally gave it to me after months. However, when I told them that the receipt also needs to have the Mercedes part number on it, they said there's nothing more they can do, which I kinda understand.

I even called Mercedes corporate and they referred me back to the dealer because they are the ones that submit the claims to Mercedes.

Honestly, I'm at a loss. I don't know where to go from here.

csmith35

My service manager at the dealer said the same thing. When speaking with the claims/warranty manager he said you and I both know there are no other subframes out there that fit Mercedes cars.

OldManAndHisCar

I had to put a new rear subframe on one of my cars....cost of ownership for it, I guess. To me, the reality is - the car was out of warranty. I do not expect anyone (even a third party warranty) to pay for it.

rapidoxidation

Re read what he said. He believes there ARE sub frames out there that are not mercedes.
How old and how many miles are on your car? What causes you to believe you are owed warranty coverage? Did you go to the dealer with your original claim for repair?

ChuangTzu

The warranty for corroded subframes on a W212 is not restricted by age of vehicle or number of miles on it.

Edit to clarify: it is not YET restricted by age of vehicle, since the earliest vehicles affected are under warranty until 2030. See below:

rapidoxidation

Ebay has aftermarket subframes for the W212 all day long...
https://www.google.com/search?q=merc...hrome&ie=UTF-8

csmith35

I'll take a look . Thx

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Are you aware of the recall? THAT is what causes him to believe he is owed coverage.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Really? Then why have any warranty? You buy a third-party warranty as insurance to cover manufacturing defects and failures. Replacement of a major component, such as a rear subframe, is NOT a wear-and-tear or maintenance item.

If I spend $5000 or $6000 for a vehicle service contract, commonly referred to as an extended warranty, I damned well expect them to cover repairs for the items under that agreement.

pierrejoliat

Seems maybe you got your sub-frame replaced by an independent before Mercedes decided to warranty them, If you replaced with a Mercedes part and can prove that I'd bet they would cover it, now that they're covered the dealer would be the best place to get it replaced as there's no question a genuine part was installed. Mercedes will not pay you for an aftermarket part installed,unless it was an emergency or similar, you might reach out to your Indy, get a receipt or order from whom they bought the part from so you can prove it was a factory part installed and it's likely they will reimburse you? they did say in the letter warranting these repairs a non-Benz part or a independent mechanic would not necessarily be a covered claim?

Baltistyle

From reading into it, the repair facility used an aftermarket part.

OP, what was the cost of the part in the repair.

Op, were you given an option or oem or aftermarket at the time of the repair? If not, what was the date of the repair, and were oem subframes available at that time. (Was there choice)

These finite questions may help you pinpoint why.

If you had no choice and oem was not available, I would ask for and expect the repair to be covered…at least for the labor portion. You may offer to waive any future warranty Mercedes may include for the oem repair, meaning you don’t expect them to warranty the part you put on, but the part you replaced.

csmith35

Thanks for the advice. I got the repair done about 3 weeks before the warranty extension letter came out. I have video showing how bad the frame was rusted, which I considered an emergency situation. The Mercedes dealer quoted about $6k so I shopped around and found another shop who would do the repair with OEM parts for about $4k, so I went with it. I have the receipt from the shop that did the work and the receipt from where they git the part. I'll try to find out where they got they part. It's a lot, but my repair shop insists its an OEM Mercedes part, so I would like to be reimbursed.

Arrie

Some parts are sold as OEM parts from the same manufacturer that makes then for Mercedes but they sell them to other part sellers without the MB name and part number on them so it will not qualify for the MB requirement as such. But, I think if you raise a claim against MB over this for example in small claims court (below $5000) and explain to them that car was dangerous to drive and as there was no MB solution yet you had to go shopping for emergency repair and naturally went with a lot lower cost option. And why would you go with MB when their part corroded so bad, it would do it again?

i think they would reimburse you in a hurry.

Baltistyle

Anybody know where the part number on the sub frame is? That could make this an easy answer

csmith35

I feel like this is heading to court. I'm definitely not intimidated by court, especially when you frame my argument like that. Thx!

csmith35

I could try to have the frame inspected 🤔 Yes, I'd appreciate insight into where the part number or any distinctive marking might be.

Baltistyle

a quick Google and it looks like there is a tag on the crossbar over the dif. Just look at the images and you’ll see it. A boroscope or a long mirror could solve this for you.

csmith35

Thx for the help. Much appreciated

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Just remember, court is about justice only on TV. You really need to weigh the cost and possible outcomes of trying to take MB (or anyone) to court. Small Claims Court is not a trial by jury, but the unilateral decision by a judge or sometimes even a magistrate. And, if the claim goes one cent over the limit (often $5000, but check where you live), it all of a sudden gets very expensive since you now move into the District Court (this is all based on the US courts system). Also, either party can be represented by a lawyer, so be prepared for that, as well. You must pay for your own lawyer. Lawyer fees may not be reimbursed. Again, check where you live. If either party appeals the judge's decision, the case is moved to the Circuit Court and you start all over again. Oh, and YOU have to serve the defendant (i.e., MB, the dealership, someone else?).

Also, what would you claim? In the letter it says that you must show a bunch of stuff. And if you can't, MB can deny your claim. I don't know if this extended warranty is the result of a lawsuit settlement or just a preemptive act of "good will". But, unless you know the terms that brought about the extended warranty, you don't know if MB is non-compliant or not.

My recommendation is to find out from the dealer exactly what you need to provide. If you can't get a definitive answer, call the number in the letter (see my post above).

OldManAndHisCar

I am going to ahve to call and see....I did the math. It it takes more than 2hrs of my time I am wasting my time. I had an Indy put a new rear-subframe on about two years ago. If they write me a check, great, if not - what ever. Not worth my time at a certain point (about two hours)

OldManAndHisCar

I did call Mercedes - they wanted me to bring my car to a dealership and have them check it. It was already replaced...not worth my time to look any further into this. For me, this was a cost of ownership. If I am not mistaken, it was not to terribly expensive of a repair.