He's the deal:

I have had fairly good luck with my previous MB's. I loved my supercharged E430 and E55 (W210's). They were, for the most part, problem free. All that has changed with the purchase of my 2006 E55. Since I bought it at FJ (big mistake), I had to drive it home in bumper to bumper traffic which helped to hide a stumble the car has accelerating from a stop, almost like the ignition were switched off momentarily. The other thing not noticed at first is the "droning" between 70-75 MPH. I believe this is the speed/RPM that "resonates" in the cabin and is exhaust related. Next is the transmission. Pull out of the drive in reverse when cold, and there is a major delay getting it to engage once you come to a stop and put it in drive. This is accompanied by a pretty good "clunk". Even warmed up, the trans is slow to react (but faster), and "shudders" slightly on gentle upshifts. Now, both front and rear axles "clunk" as you go over speed bumps. I'm not talking trashing the car by driving over them at speed, but very slowly. You feel something in the suspension and/or brakes as you go over them, in both axles.

Once the stumble and trans issues were discovered (within 2 days of delivery), I sent an e-mail to my salesman at FJ asking if there was someone "special" I might speak to about the car and possibly leave it for a day or 2 for a thorough inspection. No response, not even a call or e-mail reply. Now I know he doesn't work in service, and his job is "done" after selling me the car, but a reply is the least he could do. I know he read the e-mail, I got a read receipt. They even screwed up getting my Tele-aid activated, so without any problems, I still would have had to make a trip to a dealer to get it working. I went to Silver Star in T.O. and got the Tele-aid activated and was told on the trans: "it's a little slow, but there are no codes, it's OK", and for the stumble: "are you sure you're not spinning the tires?, ESP will cut power like that if you gas it too much". I swear.
I left and told them I am fully aware of how ESP works, and the trans is a POS, I don't buy their "non-diagnoses". I returned at 1500 miles for it's first service and re-stated the trans slow/rough complaint, the stumble, the suspension "clunk" over speed bumps, and the highway "droning". They didn't even give me a copy of the paperwork for the service. I rode with the "head technician" to try to demonstrate the stumble, crappy transmission operation, and "clunking" over speed bumps. I was told the cars are essentially crap compared to the W210, but are WAY better than the CLS which they have a lot of trouble with. Not what I wanted to hear. Unfortunately, the idiot porter had my car half warmed so the trans was not as bad as would have been cold, it wouldn't clunk over a speed bump, and he had no idea on the stumble (but it did with him in the car). The "droning" wasn't addressed, I was so frustrated I just left. I detailed a lot of the issues with this car on my initial survey and have never heard back from MB. I never got a survey from Silver Star to tell them how bad the service has been. I know the next step is to try another dealer, but I gave up on Calabasas over a year ago (more than 1 horror story there). I don't want to drive all the way into L.A. or to Santa Barbara to hear the same old B.S. This folks, is how MB has fallen so far, so fast in the ratings. I guess they really don't build them the way they used to, but that's not the issue here. It's the fact that there is zero sense of urgency on the part of the dealers and MB themselves.

 

Fast55

Sorry for your troubles. What does FJ stand for?

Anyway the service advisor I deal with says that MB cars have way more problems than they should. He thinks they are over engineered.

All dealers aren't created equal. I would research local dealers and try another. I think the problem is that they are used to these complaints and there is only so much they can do. They didn't build the car.

 

FJ = Fletcher Jones. There are those that swear by them, and others who swear at them. As far as problems, it was the comments by the tech. about how bad these cars are compared to the W210 that I really didn't like. He actually went on to say that the CLS is "*******g junk", although that was mostly directed at the 7 speed trans. which I guess is a problem in every model. It's quite a drive to any dealer other than Thousand Oaks. Calabasas was next, but they aren't just incompetent, I have been lied to by both sales and service there and will not return. I guess I'll try driving to Santa Barbara next, although I don't have the time to keep wasting on this and honestly, I don't see this changing. There is almost a hostility when you have to tell them you didn't buy the car at their dealership, but need service. It took 3 weeks on a waiting list to be able to get a loaner from Silver Star in T.O. because I bought the car at FJ. Some dealers will not give a loaner at all, some only if you bought the car there. Another tough thing about taking the car to a dealer that is 50 miles from home, and 75 miles from the office. MB, are you listening???

 

The first thing I would do is make an appointment with the Service Manager at the dealership of the tech who made those statements and inform him of what kind of techs he has on staff. This tech does not deserve to be working on MB's cars if that is his attitude. His job is to LISTEN to your problems and attempt to fix them...not bad mouth the product.

Next I would do the same with the Service Manager at FJ and explain your problems to him. Request that he have his best mechanic check the car out with you and then recommend what they can do to fix it. I deal with FJ in Las Vegas and even though I did no buy my S550 there, I get preferred treatment with loaners and my SA is the best! The dealer is an authorized rep of MB and is obligated to provide you service regardless of where you bought the car.

As far as the 7G tranny...there were some readily identified problems with early versions and there are several TB and repairs authorized to fix the thunk and other problems. My S550 tranny is as smooth as they come and not a hiccup yet (over 7000 miles).

Make sure you approach the SA or Service Manager without an attitude...discuss but don't argue or become negative.

Just some advice and hopefully you can get that Beast to perform as it should...

 

All that sounds great, but you are not able to speak with the SM at Silver Star or any other dealer I have been to. They want you to deal with your Service Advisor. Maybe if I jump up and down and act like a complete a$$ instead of trying to speak with them calmly and professionally?? As far as Fletcher Jones goes, they are over 100 miles away through the worst freeway system in existence. Needless to say, that makes getting the car there problematic at best. That was how the droning and stumble wasn't noticed at first. The drive home was 3+ hours! While every dealer may be required to provide service, they do not have to give you a loaner and I'm not imagining the difference in treatment if I did not buy the car from them. Since I'm stuck with the car for at least the short term, I will continue to try to get things fixed when I have the time, but unless EVERYTHING somehow gets addressed, MB is all done in my book. Finally, while I agree that no one at a dealer should be bad-mouthing the products they sell and service, I do welcome honest comments and opinions from these guys. I mean, if the service department really feels that there are an inordinate number of problems with a certain model/engine/whatever, I'd rather hear the truth than get anymore B.S. like I got from Calabasas.

S in white looks great by the way. I never would have considered that color but

 

Thanks for the comments on the S. Hope you can get the problems worked out...I hear good stuff on the E55.

 

I like almost everything about the E except it's problems. The one thing that really irks me however, is the loss of being able to seek your radio or satellite presets from the steering wheel buttons. This was/is a great feature my W210 E55 had, and I haven't heard of a single W211 owner that doesn't say the same thing. I can't imagine how MB didn't anticipate people complaining about the loss of that feature. The other thing I really wanted but decided against was a change to the euro COMAND to get DVD playback (Steve has done many of these and everyone loves his work). Unfortunately, if you want built-in satellite radio, you must keep the US spec COMAND, you can't get satellite and DVD capability at the same time. I have none of the more commonly reported problems like a noisy PANO roof or squeeky brakes.

 

Umm, am I missing something here? You drive an AMG, simply e-mail Rob Allan a DETAILED list of problems and how you were/are being treated. He will forward it on and the lemon process will begin, it takes 6-8 weeks and they deduct for mileage used. I dumped my CLK55 and am currently a proud owner of a SL500.

 

Ummm, right. Why would he care that I have a car with problems when no one else seems to? If it's that easy, give me an e-mail address.

 

allanr@mbusa.com

phone # ( 201 ) 573-2624

 

E-mail sent, including a link to this thread. I'll let you all know when/if I hear back.

 

Great,....now I'm hung out to dry.

 

It's all good. It was going to end up there anyway, you might have saved me a little time and effort. Thanks.

Like I said, I don't expect perfection, but an attempt to help me. Hard to believe there is such a range of service from dealers. I have heard of people complaining about the tires and getting a full set of whatever they want!!! I noted to the SA at Silver Star how the Continentals are THE WORST TIRES I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED as far as "tram-lining" goes, and the response was a blank stare. I've tried a lot of different pressure settings. I guess the Conti's do, in fact, SUCK! I guess if the other problems are fixed, I'll buy my own set of PS2's or whatever. If not, the Conti's stay until I can unload this thing, lemon or not. Thanks again.

 

Well folks, 8 days since e-mailing allanr@mbusa.com and what do you think the response is??? Drum roll please...................................... NOTHING, nada, zilch. Man, it's gettin' to the point I'm lookin' around for the hidden cameras. I must be invisible. At least I was able to talk my cousin out of buying a new MB this past weekend.

 

Funny story - last 4th of July -MB event at Philadelphia Racetrack - opportunity to drive the ML & C-class - sponsered by MB & Michelin.I take the C230 out around their course layout - aggressively.The tires are squealing around everycorner.When I finish one of the guys from the event staff come up and says "Driving the car a little bit too aggressive huh? I think you need to slow down." I reply " get some decent tires on this thing and maybe it'll grip better - how about some Michelins." He responds " its has Michelins on it - don't you see all the banners and the inflatable Michelin man ?" I tell him "look closer,there are Continentals on the car!".He looks down at the tires and with an embarassed look responds - "You're right".

 

Effing priceless. I'd have given good money to see his face!!!

Read this thread and learn folks. I've had better service from a frickin' Chevy dealer.

Hell, I even had an exhaust leak fixed on my Yukon for free, AFTER it was out of warranty.

 

Guys,
I may have spoken too soon on this. I called, and according to MBUSA customer service, AllanR@MBUSA.com may not even be a good e-mail address although it didn't come back undeliverable. The very helpful lady took my info and told me I will be hearing from the "Service and Parts Director" at Silver Star to address my problems. I'd be happy to just get rid of the stumble and the clunking as I go over speed bumps. I figure the droning can cured by modifying the exhaust (figured to cut out the resonator), but I don't know what to do on the trans. It's one of those things where you know something isn't right, but without it grenading, I don't know what they will do about it. I guess I could just pull out of the drive tonight, put it in drive and hit the gas. THAT would definitely cause SOMETHING to happen.

 

I have noticed that service has gone down hill at the MB dealers in general.
But I have had good experiences at Rusnak and Penske motors in SoCal.
House of Imports is one of the worse ones out there.
Never had a chance to take my car to FJ but I wont bother now.
Hope you get it worked out and keep us updated.

 

Fast55 , don't be surprised if he doesn't return your email.I've e-mailed him at least 6 times back in March in regards to the AMGFest and he never returned any of them.I've also called and left messages with his personal secretary and never heard back either.It seems to be the norm anymore with MB.

 

Who is Alan? I'm surprised at that really. He may not be the man to fix my problems, but you'd think people would at least point you in the right direction. It was the same with FJ though, and I know the sales guy read the e-mail, he just blew me off. He probably figured I'd never be back since I'm 100+ miles from FJ. That might be true for regular service, but with problems at delivery, I would have taken it back there and gotten a loaner while they checked it out. Silver Star is really pressed for space and doesn't have many loaners. At least they've always given me ML's instead of a C.

 

Rob Allan is the Product Manager for /// AMG

 

Fast55, give me a call, let me what I can do.

Thanks,

 

Vadim,
That is a generous offer and I will be calling you although I'm not sure what you can do. If you can help me in any way, I will be quick to post that, especially for a guy and dealership that didn't sell me the car. Hell, the offer alone gets you my vote.

I got the car back from Silver Star this morning after being checked over by a "factory representative". Here is the recap:

1. Trans issue is a non issue, since there are no codes, although it was reported that the fluid level was a little high, not low. How this was missed by S.S. the first time is beyond me. I was not able to check it's response from reverse to drive while cold, but I'll know tomorrow morning.
2. Stumble on acceleration is "normal". The voice mail I got from my service advisor suggested that it has something to do with ECU code protecting the transmission, or it's the SC clutch engaging. If that's the case, I would think a factory guy would know and could definitively tell me that, but I guess they just don't know.

Here's where it gets interesting:

3. The highway "drone" was not written up FOR THE SECOND TIME. I was told that yes, the car "drones" at 72 MPH as I claim, but that is "normal". I guess if it's "normal", they don't document things to protect themselves from arbitration????
4. Same on the "clunking". I believe it's related to the brakes not suspension, but who knows? It was claimed that this is "common to all W211 chassis", so again, they didn't even write this up!!!!!!

I love my car, but I don't see getting another MB unless it's another old 450 or 560 SL, the new ones and the service just aren't there. 20K more than my 2002 E55 and I got a less responsive engine, transmission, droning at the exact highway speeds I'm most likely to drive, and clunky suspension. What a deal.

One thing's for sure. The SLK55 will not be traded for a ML63 while I shop for a new baby hauler.

On the positive side, I've been able to talk my cousin out of a new MB, and at the rate I buy cars, there are at least 10-12 new ones I'll be buying before I'm too old that won't be MB's either.

 

My CLS 55 also drones at highway speeds. At around 80MPH you can almost feel the vibrations. This symptom started at around 2,000 miles or so.

I am going to try changing the stock air filters to see if it aliviates the problem.

Sorry to hear about your troubles... but im sure the people from MBUSA would act very quickly on this info.

 

That sucks to hear everything you've been going through. It's also sad that mercedes treats people this way. I have an issue with me car. It's been into the shop twice for the problem. The first time it was in they said the found and fixed the problem. After I picked it up i noticed that it was not fixed so back in it went. They had it for a week this time, they found the problem and were trying to fix it. The shop forman was the one working on my car for the week. He was on the phone with mercedes trying to figure out how to fix the problem. After a week of this I get a call from the dealer telling me it's normal. I call BS. If it's normal my car would not have been in the second time. They would not have told me there was a problem and they're trying to fix it which after a few days they told me they couldn't fix it. If they can't fix a problem they just say it's normal for the car to do that. I think it's just plain stupid. I will be selling both of my mercedes soon.