The end is near....
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
The end is near....
Third time is a charm? Not.
Yes, what started as a 'joke' actually happend. The hose blew again 403 miles from home 75 miles East of Tallahassee today on I-10. I was doing a steady 80-85 mph and slowed down to ~70 mph for some highway workers and when the distronic resumed speed the hose came off. It was deja vu all over again.
My first reaction was to keep up speed which I was able to do and then pull up the closest MB dealer which was in Tallahassee 75+ miles away. Next, I called tele-aid and then my dealer. All agreed that since I was not in 'limp' mode that I could crawl back home doing 55-70 mph with zero passing power. Lucky for me traffic was nearly as bad as it could have been this time of year. With the kids on board I had no choice but to stop for a break and food. Getting off the interstate and back on again was terrible but we did it. A 8 hour trip took me 10.5 hours!
I don't remember my mileage from the last occurance but I do know I turned 7000 miles just shortly after it happened today.
I've already put my dealer on notice as to my intentions ,which is request a buy back. I will allow a friendly negotiation for settlement. I've been through it before and now what to expect, so no games.
MB should be ashamed for not recalling this vehicle and one of a few calls I plan to make tomorrow is file some paperwork with NHTSA and anyone else that needs to know.
Its late, I'm tired and frustraed as you can imagine so more tomorrow......
Yes, what started as a 'joke' actually happend. The hose blew again 403 miles from home 75 miles East of Tallahassee today on I-10. I was doing a steady 80-85 mph and slowed down to ~70 mph for some highway workers and when the distronic resumed speed the hose came off. It was deja vu all over again.
My first reaction was to keep up speed which I was able to do and then pull up the closest MB dealer which was in Tallahassee 75+ miles away. Next, I called tele-aid and then my dealer. All agreed that since I was not in 'limp' mode that I could crawl back home doing 55-70 mph with zero passing power. Lucky for me traffic was nearly as bad as it could have been this time of year. With the kids on board I had no choice but to stop for a break and food. Getting off the interstate and back on again was terrible but we did it. A 8 hour trip took me 10.5 hours!
I don't remember my mileage from the last occurance but I do know I turned 7000 miles just shortly after it happened today.
I've already put my dealer on notice as to my intentions ,which is request a buy back. I will allow a friendly negotiation for settlement. I've been through it before and now what to expect, so no games.
MB should be ashamed for not recalling this vehicle and one of a few calls I plan to make tomorrow is file some paperwork with NHTSA and anyone else that needs to know.
Its late, I'm tired and frustraed as you can imagine so more tomorrow......
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
How can we help?
I've kept my previous vehicle for eight years and 217,000 miles, not because I was so loyal to it but I had no reason to replace it. The GL320 was one of two reasons to replace it; the new version of the Sprinter Van is the other (oddly enough). If my GL goes away, it's a Sprinter for me and a long time before Mercedes crosses my RADAR again. (I know, Sprinter is Mercedes, but for a hell of a lot less money! Yes, that does make possible problems much easier to face.)
Let me know what I can do to help from this end?
Steve
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Sorry to hear about the latest episode. Glad you made it back OK.
This is enough to frustrate anyone. Get some resst and, hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day. FWIW, in CA, this would be the 3rd time under lemon law and MB would be buying back or replacing with a new one. Hope you have the same, if not better, luck.
This is enough to frustrate anyone. Get some resst and, hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day. FWIW, in CA, this would be the 3rd time under lemon law and MB would be buying back or replacing with a new one. Hope you have the same, if not better, luck.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
You know its really strange that there seem to be no problems at all with the ML320CDI... They are a different body style, so the assumption is that the intercooler is in a different location and therefore the hose is a different design.
It apparently is only a problem with the GL class... I wonder why?
It apparently is only a problem with the GL class... I wonder why?
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2019 Volvo XC90 Magic/Amber, '95 E320 Cabriolet Midnight,'14 GL350 Lunar/Almond was '07 GL320CDI
Third time is a charm? Not.
Yes, what started as a 'joke' actually happend. The hose blew again 403 miles from home 75 miles East of Tallahassee today on I-10. I was doing a steady 80-85 mph and slowed down to ~70 mph for some highway workers and when the distronic resumed speed the hose came off. It was deja vu all over again.
My first reaction was to keep up speed which I was able to do and then pull up the closest MB dealer which was in Tallahassee 75+ miles away. Next, I called tele-aid and then my dealer. All agreed that since I was not in 'limp' mode that I could crawl back home doing 55-70 mph with zero passing power. Lucky for me traffic was nearly as bad as it could have been this time of year. With the kids on board I had no choice but to stop for a break and food. Getting off the interstate and back on again was terrible but we did it. A 8 hour trip took me 10.5 hours!
I don't remember my mileage from the last occurance but I do know I turned 7000 miles just shortly after it happened today.
I've already put my dealer on notice as to my intentions ,which is request a buy back. I will allow a friendly negotiation for settlement. I've been through it before and now what to expect, so no games.
MB should be ashamed for not recalling this vehicle and one of a few calls I plan to make tomorrow is file some paperwork with NHTSA and anyone else that needs to know.
Its late, I'm tired and frustraed as you can imagine so more tomorrow......
Yes, what started as a 'joke' actually happend. The hose blew again 403 miles from home 75 miles East of Tallahassee today on I-10. I was doing a steady 80-85 mph and slowed down to ~70 mph for some highway workers and when the distronic resumed speed the hose came off. It was deja vu all over again.
My first reaction was to keep up speed which I was able to do and then pull up the closest MB dealer which was in Tallahassee 75+ miles away. Next, I called tele-aid and then my dealer. All agreed that since I was not in 'limp' mode that I could crawl back home doing 55-70 mph with zero passing power. Lucky for me traffic was nearly as bad as it could have been this time of year. With the kids on board I had no choice but to stop for a break and food. Getting off the interstate and back on again was terrible but we did it. A 8 hour trip took me 10.5 hours!
I don't remember my mileage from the last occurance but I do know I turned 7000 miles just shortly after it happened today.
I've already put my dealer on notice as to my intentions ,which is request a buy back. I will allow a friendly negotiation for settlement. I've been through it before and now what to expect, so no games.
MB should be ashamed for not recalling this vehicle and one of a few calls I plan to make tomorrow is file some paperwork with NHTSA and anyone else that needs to know.
Its late, I'm tired and frustraed as you can imagine so more tomorrow......
UGH...I know you are one PI$SED OFF MAN! It has happened to me once, just recently, and I was told there was a second redesign, which i got.
I am trying to accurately reflect on your situation before calling my dealer today-the first time on yours, the dealership did nothing but re-place or retighten the clamp, correct? So, MBUSI never got involved.
Then you got a "corrected part" (Q2), which is what mine shipped with, and mine blew last week. I got the newer (better than Q2 part) last week which i was told was just released.
I know you want out of your vehicle NOW, and i can't say as i blame you, but i am not quite at that point, and so am wondering if MY new part is actually a true new fix?
Keep us posted as to what the dealer says, please, and don't lose faith in MB. I hate to be such a loyalist in your time of ill-will, but i certainly think they are very much aware of and are attempting very rapidly to fix this issue; as i have said before, they ought to keep all of us up-to-date rather than allow breakdowns, but perhaps they have just become aware of the issue (not many 320's have been delivered).
Keep the faith-at least in the company if not the car.
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For those banging "bama" the engines are made in Germany and the hoses are also German made and supplied from Germany. I am sure the engineering for the old and new hoses were developed in Germany. Vance merely assembles the car with the parts they get from their suppliers.
Having been a MB fan and owner since 1977 I am one of their strongest supporters and even with the problems with the W211 in 2003 I bought one. I bought the new S class with all the criticism of the W220 model. But to be stranded on the highway for one customer is reason to stop and find out just what went wrong. MB has handled this in a bad way and has (and will) create more negative PR based on their stubborn and sometimes arrogant attitude toward their customers. I have lost faith in MB and did what I think was the right thing to do...cancel the order and possibly drive something else. If MB wants my loyalty then they better damn well earn it!
Last edited by Nevada Jack; May 23, 2007 at 09:50 AM.
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Jack I am banging "bama" because that is the only plant the problem exists from, that I have heard of anyway. Bama is the one the puts these hoses on. Maybe it is a problem with the design making it difficult to assemble? Or completely tighten it. This happens a lot. Where the part works fine on the mock-up in the lab but once you try to put it together in a plant it isnt the same.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
I am trying to accurately reflect on your situation before calling my dealer today-the first time on yours, the dealership did nothing but re-place or retighten the clamp, correct? So, MBUSI never got involved.
Then you got a "corrected part" (Q2), which is what mine shipped with, and mine blew last week. I got the newer (better than Q2 part) last week which i was told was just released.
Then you got a "corrected part" (Q2), which is what mine shipped with, and mine blew last week. I got the newer (better than Q2 part) last week which i was told was just released.
My faith is gone.
I had nothing but tranny problems with the W163 and the engine light comes on and off randomly on the W164 we have now. I just live with it or rather wife does since dealership says there is no problem.
I've already filed a claim and request for buy back from MB and was told to expect a response from a MB rep within two days or less.
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Jack I am banging "bama" because that is the only plant the problem exists from, that I have heard of anyway. Bama is the one the puts these hoses on. Maybe it is a problem with the design making it difficult to assemble? Or completely tighten it. This happens a lot. Where the part works fine on the mock-up in the lab but once you try to put it together in a plant it isnt the same.
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From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
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Jack I am banging "bama" because that is the only plant the problem exists from, that I have heard of anyway. Bama is the one the puts these hoses on. Maybe it is a problem with the design making it difficult to assemble? Or completely tighten it. This happens a lot. Where the part works fine on the mock-up in the lab but once you try to put it together in a plant it isnt the same.
Originally Posted by Nevada Jack
It's the only plant the car is built at. Are you saying that when this problem was analysed in Germany, they didn't try the revision on a GL and take if for a pretty good test? If so, then the problem lies with the engineers, not the bama employees who put the thing together.
No trying to pick sides here but I can see Kar Don's point. I deal with the shop daily on issues of a similar nature. Blaming the engineer isn't always what is correct. The system and the time pressure to keep the line moving is just as much to look at as everything else. In the assmbly portion of the industry the assembler doesn't always see the bigger picture. All he knows is his time requirement to keep the line moving. Now, we constantly talk to the line and ask for their input; but at the same time let them know what happens down the line as well.
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It's the only plant the car is built at. Are you saying that when this problem was analysed in Germany, they didn't try the revision on a GL and take if for a pretty good test? If so, then the problem lies with the engineers, not the bama employees who put the thing together.
You are correct though, most of the time it is not the person's fault who is assembling the car. It is probably engineered poorly which makes installation difficult.
No trying to pick sides here but I can see Kar Don's point. I deal with the shop daily on issues of a similar nature. Blaming the engineer isn't always what is correct. The system and the time pressure to keep the line moving is just as much to look at as everything else. In the assmbly portion of the industry the assembler doesn't always see the bigger picture. All he knows is his time requirement to keep the line moving. Now, we constantly talk to the line and ask for their input; but at the same time let them know what happens down the line as well.
Amdeutsch hit it, thats exactly what I was getting at. Being a new line the assembly workers probably aren't up to speed, especially if these hoses are new. So the problem could be several things... lack of proper training so the worker keeps in cycle time, etc. This mentality of pushing product down the line is when you run into quality issues.
The reason I think it is an assembly issue Jack is that MB has had these vehicle test mules for quite a while... and they log lots of miles on these cars. But they are all pretty much hand assembled with one off parts... costing sometimes millions of dollars. To have an issue this early in the GL320's life makes me think it is something to do with the manufacturing process, not the actual design as that was verified with the test mules.
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From: Land of Magnolias and Mint Juleps
The solution is also in engineering. There are many examples of high pressure lines that don't "blow off." Hydraulic lines can carry slippery fluid at high temperatures and pressures. What about threaded connectors on the ends of the hose? Lots of easy solutions to this problem, if MB had the will.
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The problem is in the engineering, but in my opinion it is possible that it is magnified by the assembly process. It probably was a 'bama manufacturing engineer that designed the hose installation method and tool for installing the hoses.
You are correct though, most of the time it is not the person's fault who is assembling the car. It is probably engineered poorly which makes installation difficult.
Amdeutsch hit it, thats exactly what I was getting at. Being a new line the assembly workers probably aren't up to speed, especially if these hoses are new. So the problem could be several things... lack of proper training so the worker keeps in cycle time, etc. This mentality of pushing product down the line is when you run into quality issues.
The reason I think it is an assembly issue Jack is that MB has had these vehicle test mules for quite a while... and they log lots of miles on these cars. But they are all pretty much hand assembled with one off parts... costing sometimes millions of dollars. To have an issue this early in the GL320's life makes me think it is something to do with the manufacturing process, not the actual design as that was verified with the test mules.
You are correct though, most of the time it is not the person's fault who is assembling the car. It is probably engineered poorly which makes installation difficult.
Amdeutsch hit it, thats exactly what I was getting at. Being a new line the assembly workers probably aren't up to speed, especially if these hoses are new. So the problem could be several things... lack of proper training so the worker keeps in cycle time, etc. This mentality of pushing product down the line is when you run into quality issues.
The reason I think it is an assembly issue Jack is that MB has had these vehicle test mules for quite a while... and they log lots of miles on these cars. But they are all pretty much hand assembled with one off parts... costing sometimes millions of dollars. To have an issue this early in the GL320's life makes me think it is something to do with the manufacturing process, not the actual design as that was verified with the test mules.
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This is an engineering problem pure and simple. The assembly guys can only put together what the engineers have designed. As we have seen, replacement parts put on at a dealer (no assembly line pressure) have failed as well.
The solution is also in engineering. There are many examples of high pressure lines that don't "blow off." Hydraulic lines can carry slippery fluid at high temperatures and pressures. What about threaded connectors on the ends of the hose? Lots of easy solutions to this problem, if MB had the will.
The solution is also in engineering. There are many examples of high pressure lines that don't "blow off." Hydraulic lines can carry slippery fluid at high temperatures and pressures. What about threaded connectors on the ends of the hose? Lots of easy solutions to this problem, if MB had the will.
Hydraulic lines have different fittings, not hose clamps. The different hoses may be easier to assemble.
Regarding the assembly line pressure... the dealer is trying to do the install after the vehicle is completely assembled, so it is still more difficult than at the factory. The engine is in the bay and access is more difficult. Obviously there are many things it could be, I'm just stating what I think it is given the facts of the situation and from my experience in the industry.
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From: Land of Magnolias and Mint Juleps
My point. What I was saying is that there are numerous ways to affix hoses in varied high temperature/pressure applications. It's simply a matter of adapting one of those many methods to the intercooler hose. It can't be nearly as hard as a hydraulic line in a D8 Cat or a 6" hose in a concrete pumping truck.
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My point. What I was saying is that there are numerous ways to affix hoses in varied high temperature/pressure applications. It's simply a matter of adapting one of those many methods to the intercooler hose. It can't be nearly as hard as a hydraulic line in a D8 Cat or a 6" hose in a concrete pumping truck.
At least you have a 450.
Now if they made a biturbo 450....
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Guess what?
The super I talked to at Phoenix Motor service said in like 2000 there was a twin-turbo E-class (I think he said it was an E) with a prototype BluTec engine they were running at the VW test track out here, and the used to bring it to thier garage to park it, just to keep it running longer during the day. He said they ran that thing out in about six months, just trying to kill it all day long.
So there's hope for a twin-turbo 420! Ha!
So there's hope for a twin-turbo 420! Ha!
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
Dealer received a Q2/Level II hose, which is longer, and was installed.
Just had the GL returned to me.
My demand for buyback stands. I can't take chances. My confidence in this fix is not good.
Just had the GL returned to me.
My demand for buyback stands. I can't take chances. My confidence in this fix is not good.
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2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
I agree with your conclusion Jack. The test track for this new solution is the the interstates and the test drivers are the buyers. No thanks....
