Lemonade
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MB E53
Lemonade
Has anyone had direct experience with a new car that turned out to be a lemon?
Each state has its version of Lemon Law, and I've heard there is also an option for Mercedes-Benz buyback.
I'm unsure which option is better, faster, and less stressful.
Should I seek legal support for this? I am concerned about the cost.
Dealing with MB USA has been as enjoyable as running a mile with barbed wire wrapped around my feet.
Each state has its version of Lemon Law, and I've heard there is also an option for Mercedes-Benz buyback.
I'm unsure which option is better, faster, and less stressful.
Should I seek legal support for this? I am concerned about the cost.
Dealing with MB USA has been as enjoyable as running a mile with barbed wire wrapped around my feet.
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I'd recommend that you work something out with the dealer.
Back in the 90's I had a lemon experience with a GMC Jimmy that turned into lemonaide. I approached the dealer's service manager asking for info about the Florida Lemon Law. He asked me to consider a proposal from the dealership rather than get the regional GM management or the state involved. Evidently the dealership is penalized somehow for service related issues. By that time the vehicle was 18 months old (2 model years) with 30k miles on it. The bottom line is that they bought back the Jimmy for the original purchase price including the addons. I also got a new GM Jimmy that was 2 model years newer at wholesale and pocketed the $500 extra cash. They really wanted to keep me as a frequent buyer and I still buy an SUV from them every year.
Back in the 90's I had a lemon experience with a GMC Jimmy that turned into lemonaide. I approached the dealer's service manager asking for info about the Florida Lemon Law. He asked me to consider a proposal from the dealership rather than get the regional GM management or the state involved. Evidently the dealership is penalized somehow for service related issues. By that time the vehicle was 18 months old (2 model years) with 30k miles on it. The bottom line is that they bought back the Jimmy for the original purchase price including the addons. I also got a new GM Jimmy that was 2 model years newer at wholesale and pocketed the $500 extra cash. They really wanted to keep me as a frequent buyer and I still buy an SUV from them every year.
Last edited by ua549; Feb 6, 2025 at 01:02 PM.
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It still a long drawn out process that I would not recommend to anyone. Nowdays dealers don't care about keeping customers happy after the sale and strive for repeat business. It's more like wam bam thank you ma'am.
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From: New York
2025 E450 Sedan: 2019 E450 Coupe
I recently had an issue with a MY2024 E450, the dealership advocated for me with MB USA, so i would not have to go through the lemon law process. I was offered a replacement car, there wasn't one with the same spec's in the whole country, so they placed an order for one, since the model year turned over I received a MY2025 E450 with one additional option that I failed to include in the MY2024 order, Even though the replacement was a MY2025, I did not have to pay the price increase, nor the cost of the additional option. I was given the choice of driving a loaner or my 2024. I drove my 2024 since it was much better optioned than the loaner. Took about 2 months for the replacement to arrive and no issues with the MY2025.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
I have had only one experience and it was with BMW on a 740i: In the first 18 months many things needed replacement. At 22,000 the entire engine. This was the final straw. BMW took the car back and it was replaced with the next model year at no cost to me.
My experience was similar to Estark post #4. If you have documentation of the faults, time spent in repair, etc. I believe Mercedes will work with you. If not then start a Lemon Law proceeding. That usually gets Mercedes attention.
Good Luck!
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GLE 580
I recently had an issue with a MY2024 E450, the dealership advocated for me with MB USA, so i would not have to go through the lemon law process. I was offered a replacement car, there wasn't one with the same spec's in the whole country, so they placed an order for one, since the model year turned over I received a MY2025 E450 with one additional option that I failed to include in the MY2024 order, Even though the replacement was a MY2025, I did not have to pay the price increase, nor the cost of the additional option. I was given the choice of driving a loaner or my 2024. I drove my 2024 since it was much better optioned than the loaner. Took about 2 months for the replacement to arrive and no issues with the MY2025.
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Have you ever tried and what was your experience? See post #2
I have had only one experience and it was with BMW on a 740i: In the first 18 months many things needed replacement. At 22,000 the entire engine. This was the final straw. BMW took the car back and it was replaced with the next model year at no cost to me.
My experience was similar to Estark post #4. If you have documentation of the faults, time spent in repair, etc. I believe Mercedes will work with you. If not then start a Lemon Law proceeding. That usually gets Mercedes attention.
Good Luck!
I have had only one experience and it was with BMW on a 740i: In the first 18 months many things needed replacement. At 22,000 the entire engine. This was the final straw. BMW took the car back and it was replaced with the next model year at no cost to me.
My experience was similar to Estark post #4. If you have documentation of the faults, time spent in repair, etc. I believe Mercedes will work with you. If not then start a Lemon Law proceeding. That usually gets Mercedes attention.
Good Luck!
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MB E53
Why can't I have a dealership as reasonable as yours?
And speaking of elusive creatures, MBUSA's response is enough to make a statue cry. They assigned me a case manager who promised to get back to me in 24 hours. Well, it’s been a week now, and all I get is his answering machine, which sounds like a bad magic trick: "I'm trying to locate the party you have called." I didn’t realize I was signed up for a scavenger hunt!
Maybe I should send out search parties instead!
And speaking of elusive creatures, MBUSA's response is enough to make a statue cry. They assigned me a case manager who promised to get back to me in 24 hours. Well, it’s been a week now, and all I get is his answering machine, which sounds like a bad magic trick: "I'm trying to locate the party you have called." I didn’t realize I was signed up for a scavenger hunt!
Maybe I should send out search parties instead!
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From: Northeast
2012 S350 Bluetec, 2014 GLK250 Bluetec, 2026 E350 4Matic
I had more than one lemon. Here is what to expect:
1.. It will take at least a year.
2. The lawyers will tell you that "manufacturers are not in the business of buying back cars"
3. It will be tedious and painful.
4. You will have to do a lot of legwork and stay on top of the lawyer.
5. Most likely it will result in a cash settlement, which is what always happened with me.
The lawyers will take these cases with no out-of-pocket to you. I recommend a smaller practice with a single lawyer that does nothing but lemon law. The big firms are mostly a waste of time and will drop your case without explanation after months of waiting.
1.. It will take at least a year.
2. The lawyers will tell you that "manufacturers are not in the business of buying back cars"
3. It will be tedious and painful.
4. You will have to do a lot of legwork and stay on top of the lawyer.
5. Most likely it will result in a cash settlement, which is what always happened with me.
The lawyers will take these cases with no out-of-pocket to you. I recommend a smaller practice with a single lawyer that does nothing but lemon law. The big firms are mostly a waste of time and will drop your case without explanation after months of waiting.
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Joined: Dec 2024
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MB E53
I had more than one lemon. Here is what to expect:
1.. It will take at least a year.
2. The lawyers will tell you that "manufacturers are not in the business of buying back cars"
3. It will be tedious and painful.
4. You will have to do a lot of legwork and stay on top of the lawyer.
5. Most likely it will result in a cash settlement, which is what always happened with me.
The lawyers will take these cases with no out-of-pocket to you. I recommend a smaller practice with a single lawyer that does nothing but lemon law. The big firms are mostly a waste of time and will drop your case without explanation after months of waiting.
1.. It will take at least a year.
2. The lawyers will tell you that "manufacturers are not in the business of buying back cars"
3. It will be tedious and painful.
4. You will have to do a lot of legwork and stay on top of the lawyer.
5. Most likely it will result in a cash settlement, which is what always happened with me.
The lawyers will take these cases with no out-of-pocket to you. I recommend a smaller practice with a single lawyer that does nothing but lemon law. The big firms are mostly a waste of time and will drop your case without explanation after months of waiting.
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
This will highly depend on where you live and what the lemon criteria are in your state. I haven't personally done one, but there's one forum member @Streamliner who's had several MBs bought back by MBUSA. However, he lives in California and we have one of the best lemon laws here and the manufacturers know it. It still takes time, though. MBUSA seems to be inundated with buybacks. Many of the latest models have issues. You are not the only one. The old advise of never buying a first or second model year car has never been more advisable than these days. I've always waited for the midcycle refresh of any car I ever bought. By then, the initial issues are usually sorted out or it has become clear to stay away from a particular car. Especially with all the software in modern cars, manufacturers ship them unfinished thinking they can just push out an OTA update later, but also money is diverted to R&D for all the electric car development, so quality has been taking a hit.
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
As Superswiss said, what state you live in is a HUGE deal. If your state has very consumer friendly lemon laws, the process will go quicker and easier. In California, it takes about 60 to 90 days. In other states it can take much longer.
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From: New York
2025 E450 Sedan: 2019 E450 Coupe
My dealership explained to me that the dealership doesn’t take the financial loss. The dealership will fix the problem and then wholesale the car and MBUSA reimburses them the difference between the cost of the replacement and what they sold it for to the wholesaler.
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MB E53
Sometimes, cars and parts do not turn out as expected. I paid for a three-course gourmet dinner but received a microwave meal instead.
During my four-week ordeal (technically #6 since taking delivery), Mercedes-Benz's response, customer support, and service have failed to meet even the most basic standards.
I would give their customer support a 1% rating on a hypothetical Rotten Tomatoes scale for companies.
The responses in this forum are a clear example of this. While some states have better Lemon Laws than others, it is unfortunate that some dealerships also provide better responses than others.
Mercedes-Benz advertises itself as the pinnacle of car companies, but there's an asterisk next to my experience.
During my four-week ordeal (technically #6 since taking delivery), Mercedes-Benz's response, customer support, and service have failed to meet even the most basic standards.
I would give their customer support a 1% rating on a hypothetical Rotten Tomatoes scale for companies.
The responses in this forum are a clear example of this. While some states have better Lemon Laws than others, it is unfortunate that some dealerships also provide better responses than others.
Mercedes-Benz advertises itself as the pinnacle of car companies, but there's an asterisk next to my experience.
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From: Northeast
2012 S350 Bluetec, 2014 GLK250 Bluetec, 2026 E350 4Matic
Don't let it stress you out. There were a few things I didn't like about my W214 so I sold it after a couple months and just took the hit. No regrets and done deal.
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
Sometimes, cars and parts do not turn out as expected. I paid for a three-course gourmet dinner but received a microwave meal instead.
During my four-week ordeal (technically #6 since taking delivery), Mercedes-Benz's response, customer support, and service have failed to meet even the most basic standards.
I would give their customer support a 1% rating on a hypothetical Rotten Tomatoes scale for companies.
The responses in this forum are a clear example of this. While some states have better Lemon Laws than others, it is unfortunate that some dealerships also provide better responses than others.
Mercedes-Benz advertises itself as the pinnacle of car companies, but there's an asterisk next to my experience.
During my four-week ordeal (technically #6 since taking delivery), Mercedes-Benz's response, customer support, and service have failed to meet even the most basic standards.
I would give their customer support a 1% rating on a hypothetical Rotten Tomatoes scale for companies.
The responses in this forum are a clear example of this. While some states have better Lemon Laws than others, it is unfortunate that some dealerships also provide better responses than others.
Mercedes-Benz advertises itself as the pinnacle of car companies, but there's an asterisk next to my experience.
Posting your state of residence may help "us" help you
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MB E53
I've decided to hire legal representation, so it is best to keep this hush-hush.
The car's electronics turned out as reliable as a politician's promise.
What really frustrates me is MBUSA's customer support—it feels like a complete black hole. You'd have better luck getting a straight answer from a fortune cookie.
The car's electronics turned out as reliable as a politician's promise.
What really frustrates me is MBUSA's customer support—it feels like a complete black hole. You'd have better luck getting a straight answer from a fortune cookie.
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From: Northern NJ, USA
2018 E300 4Matic Sport
Sounds like a mixed bag of experiences. I am sure the state will impact this. That said, I dislike generics, but in today's day and age, and the landscape of the industry -- I think dealers care less about sales due to the profit margin, and they know that most buyers are not going to be annual/repeat buyers. Sure, if you are a repeat customer, have a great relationship, and even more, buy a new car every year or two -- you have much higher chance of a better experience. I had a problem with Toyota, certainly not a MB, and one of the things the NA corporate office told me specifically was that they look at how much "revenue" I generated over the years, specifically, if I had my car serviced, regularly, at the dealer.
I've used two local dealers, and truthfully, until my last visit, I never got a good feeling from either. I get the reality of today, but it's still non-stop upsell, immediate inference that something is not covered by warranty (before they even know the details, specifics, etc.), and constant increased revenue generation. But, like I said, I get it.
I've used two local dealers, and truthfully, until my last visit, I never got a good feeling from either. I get the reality of today, but it's still non-stop upsell, immediate inference that something is not covered by warranty (before they even know the details, specifics, etc.), and constant increased revenue generation. But, like I said, I get it.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Sounds like a mixed bag of experiences. I am sure the state will impact this. That said, I dislike generics, but in today's day and age, and the landscape of the industry -- I think dealers care less about sales due to the profit margin, and they know that most buyers are not going to be annual/repeat buyers. Sure, if you are a repeat customer, have a great relationship, and even more, buy a new car every year or two -- you have much higher chance of a better experience. I had a problem with Toyota, certainly not a MB, and one of the things the NA corporate office told me specifically was that they look at how much "revenue" I generated over the years, specifically, if I had my car serviced, regularly, at the dealer.
I've used two local dealers, and truthfully, until my last visit, I never got a good feeling from either. I get the reality of today, but it's still non-stop upsell, immediate inference that something is not covered by warranty (before they even know the details, specifics, etc.), and constant increased revenue generation. But, like I said, I get it.
I've used two local dealers, and truthfully, until my last visit, I never got a good feeling from either. I get the reality of today, but it's still non-stop upsell, immediate inference that something is not covered by warranty (before they even know the details, specifics, etc.), and constant increased revenue generation. But, like I said, I get it.
I know others will say that not paying may ruin your credit standing but on the otherside you are not out $80K. I think I would rather take my chances fighting with a credit score than be out $80K.
Just my $.02
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
From everything that has been said, perhaps the safest thing to do is to lease: At least with a lease, if you have all these problems, you are not out cash. With a lease you are always ahead: If problems start and you are not getting any satisfaction, you have the option of not paying: similar to a rent strike.
I know others will say that not paying may ruin your credit standing but on the otherside you are not out $80K. I think I would rather take my chances fighting with a credit score than be out $80K.
Just my $.02
I know others will say that not paying may ruin your credit standing but on the otherside you are not out $80K. I think I would rather take my chances fighting with a credit score than be out $80K.
Just my $.02
Leasing is exactly what all the car companies want. The whole industry is going to a subscription model and leasing is a form of subscription. Maybe the poor experience many people have is by design to encourage people to move to a lease model.
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MB E53
I agree with the points that have been raised.
However, buying a lemon—especially in my case, a Mercedes-Benz lemon—
feels like trying to pass a kidney stone during a migraine attack, all while sitting in the waiting room of an endodontist who has just run out of local anesthetics. Painful!
P.S. As the legal drama unfolds, I will continue to post here.
However, buying a lemon—especially in my case, a Mercedes-Benz lemon—
feels like trying to pass a kidney stone during a migraine attack, all while sitting in the waiting room of an endodontist who has just run out of local anesthetics. Painful!
P.S. As the legal drama unfolds, I will continue to post here.
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From: Northeast
2012 S350 Bluetec, 2014 GLK250 Bluetec, 2026 E350 4Matic
