This link to tyre testing has an excellent intro to what the difference is between a ‘normal’ tyre and the same tyre that has an original Equip marking
It shows a Michelin tyre and same design, that has been ‘modified’ for the car manuf. Hence MOE markings on casing for Mercedes and BMW having * star markings.
Maybe worth sticking with MOE, but change Brands, if unhappy with current tyre design ?
Interesting article in Melbourne newspaper discussing price rises over certain car makes and modelsPeriod from 2020 till now (Jan 2022).
Mercedes C300 up in price by 24%
Mercedes GLC300 up in price by 14%.
I do not know if the lates price factors in the new fixed price selling philosophy ???
A new Mercedes GLC SUV is in development and is set to be launched in the autumn. The GLC is an important car for the brand - SUVs made up 49% of Mercedes’ sales in 2021 - and it’s expected that the next-generation model will play host to the firm’s latest infotainment and electrification technology.
Have no idea yet when new model for Australia, and I doubt MBAu will bring back the diesel, such a pity.
Mercedes-Benz on Tuesday provided the first details on a redesigned GLC-Class currently in the works.
Prototypes for the third generation of Mercedes' small SUV have been testing in public for more than a year, and recently Mercedes completed the last of the cold-weather tests. Sales are confirmed to start in 2023.
The new GLC-Class is based on the same platform underpinning the redesigned 2022 C-Class, albeit a version designed specifically for high-riding models. It's an updated version of Mercedes' MHA (Modular High Architecture) platform that underpins the outgoing GLC-Class, bringing with it significant weight savings primarily through increased use of aluminum over steel. The updates make the new GLC-Class the most dynamic SUV from Mercedes on any terrain, according to the automaker.
Recently drove out of garage and radio and satnav completely shut down, Command unit dead. Briefly came on 5 min down the road, stuttered then dead again.
returned home, rest of car electronics seemed to function. Charge rate was high at 14.7 and 14.8v from my voltage indicator in the 12v socket.
Placed car battery on charge with Ctek charger, registered 3 on scale of 7, left charge for 24 hours - result - all back to normal !!
Main battery might be on way out due to age, winter here has started with 3c overnight temp. May need charging every 3-4 weeks during this time. Replacement OEM AGM battery from Dealer is close to $500, similar price to Auto shops here.
have a battery jump start power brick in trunk (boot) if I get stranded whilst away from home as backup.
Mercedes-Benz plans to shrink its worldwide dealer network over the coming years, with most of the cuts to take place in the automaker's home market of Germany.
In an interview with Automotive News (subscription required) published on Monday, Bettina Fetzer, Mercedes' vice president communications and marketing, said the cuts will be completed by 2025 for most markets. She said cuts in Germany will run through 2028 and cover between 15 and 20% of the dealerships there.
Mercedes has around 1,000 dealerships in Germany covering both the Mercedes and Smart brands, versus about 6,500 for the rest of the world. It isn't clear if any cuts are planned in the U.S., where most dealerships are franchise owned.
At the same time, Mercedes will continue to add dealerships in its less mature markets, such as China. It will also move to establish smaller, boutique-style stores for its AMG and Maybach sub-brands, Fetzer said. The move is part of Mercedes' recently announced strategy to focus on high-margin, low-volume vehicles.
I wonder how current negotiations and litigation is progressing here in Australia re Dealer issues.
I wonder if the flip side of the coin for servicing is “ quality service at affordable prices”, given the high margin, low volume vehicle sales formula ?????
VFACTS sales figures reveal 771 units of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe were sold in 2021, against 3435 examples of the regular GLC wagon and 981 sales for its arch-rival, the BMW X4, over the same period.
Appears the GLC is a big money ticket item for Mercedes.
Law Firm here in Oz – GMP Law have started registrations for Mercedes GLC diesel owners (and other MB diesel models) to register for Class Action.
….www.dieselemissionsclaims.com.au
You may be eligible to be included in the Mercedes diesel class action if you bought or leased a diesel Mercedes vehicle (new or second hand) that was manufactured between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2018.
Hi Techno,
Did you register yours? Do you think this is legit? and we don't have anything to do if we lost the case? Or be on the watch list because we register against Mercedes Benz? (I mean when we do servicing our car). I'm on the A7 service next year.
Thanks
I think it is legit, yes.
They are targeting, MB, BM and Hino I think.
Yes we will register - I do not expect much $$ even if they win, Oz payouts are very small compared to EU and USA.
MB have significantly changed software and not told us like UK did re AdBlu usage, range for 27l tank reduced from 27,000km to just 11,000km. All linked to diesel and NOX and enviro .
UK extended NOX sensors warranty, nothing from MBAu…..
all the best.
Re tyres and new Michelin Cross Climate tyre in Europe and USA -
Options in Australia very limited for tyre choice - Goodyear has cornered All Season market. Wrote to Michelin Australia and they were bordering on rude, stating Australia would never get the tyres as our weather did not warrant such a tyre. I even called and requested a call back from a tech or sales manager, but 4 weeks later Nothing. Shame they are so ignorant and cannot see a marketing opportunity - Something that Mercedes and Goodyear jumped into bed together. Each major tyre importer in Oz have dedicated staff to service major car manufactures and Michelin is either arrogant or just ‘dumb’. The owners book in Oz states to change to winter tyres or all season when road temp drops to 7 degrees C to stop tyre crabbing. Maybe I need to find the CEO in Oz and discuss a marketing opportunity ?????
I am not anti Michelin, we fitted new tyres to out classic BMW 330Ci (replaced Conti) and will replace Dunlop on BMW X1 to Michelin in due course. Might see if COSTCO will import or some other tyre outlet using the ‘grey’ import’ avenue.
Not happy to having to pay an annual fee, that may increase, after buying car outright - they should be careful- you can only squeeze so much out of a lemon before you toss it and get an orange. - or some ‘saying’ like that.
Colleague has done extensive testing re aggressive transmission shifting and juddering with drive train. It appears that MB may be filling cars with cold climate oils when manuf in European plants, even if vehicle is for warm or hot climates. He has changed all oils and transmission to spec for relevant region and reset computer to clear codes – BIG improvement in performance and smoothness of drive, interesting ‘find’ on his part. Applies to GLC and a number of other AMG models too.
Colleague has done extensive testing re aggressive transmission shifting and juddering with drive train. It appears that MB may be filling cars with cold climate oils when manuf in European plants, even if vehicle is for warm or hot climates. He has changed all oils and transmission to spec for relevant region and reset computer to clear codes – BIG improvement in performance and smoothness of drive, interesting ‘find’ on his part. Applies to GLC and a number of other AMG models too.
Very interesting report.
The V167 GLE forum has several people talking about hard shifting, a topic of discussion. (US built)
I wonder if their problems could be climate related. Is there more to the story?
2016 GLC 250 Crabbing and Steering Knuckle replacement
Quote:
Originally Posted by Teckno
In the last 7 days, I have met 3 other GLC owners who had no knowledge of the Kunckle fix.
Several had recent services as well as needing more tyres, no one at the dealerships told them about the ‘fix’.
They are now returning to challenge staff for the knuckle fix.
Sad that there appears to be no ethical approach.
Surely there needs to be a review of ‘recall’ or self disclosure rules for auto owners, supporting only those owners who are savvy enough to have the time and technical drive to seek a solution, as opposed accepting the ‘characteristic’ story is frankly quite shameful.
Pay forward and let other owners you see know of their options, before the knuckle free fix is withdrawn.
Hi Teckno,
Have been quickly reading your thread. Thank you for taking the time to post your experiences. It's a must read!
My Wife's 2016 GLC250 X253 is in the dealership right now. We have extended factory warranty. We have put a up with this steering crabbing issue for a while. So took it into the dealership for the steering knuckle replacement. The service advisor just called and advised the knuckle replacement is only for GLC300 models. As far as I am aware the GLC300 models are for the updated Series 2 GLC's which would still be under factory warranty.
Could you elaborate on the points that made your steering knuckle replacement possible?
It is so hard to get good help, especially from people called ‘Service Advisors”!!!!
The knuckle fix is for all GLC 250 and 250D series from 2015 build through to early 2019 builds. As far as I know GLC 200 series are not impacted.
GLC 350D, 43 and 63 series have NO FIX.
All UK owners were sent a letter from MB UK re a free conversion. Australia started in July 2019 after owners started requesting fix following UK info. NZ also had conversions done.
If your Dealership is so ignorant or lazy, contact MB Mulgrave and request warranty inspection for free conversion.
Happy for you to PM me.
This should never happen and if MBAu had the ethical approach,all owners would have been contacted and given the option. This should not be so hard-it is up to MBAu and Dealers to support owners, not owners to educate themselves to become subject matter experts.
Happy to help, good luck.
It is so hard to get good help, especially from people called ‘Service Advisors”!!!!
The knuckle fix is for all GLC 250 and 250D series from 2015 build through to early 2019 builds. As far as I know GLC 200 series are not impacted.
GLC 350D, 43 and 63 series have NO FIX.
All UK owners were sent a letter from MB UK re a free conversion. Australia started in July 2019 after owners started requesting fix following UK info. NZ also had conversions done.
If your Dealership is so ignorant or lazy, contact MB Mulgrave and request warranty inspection for free conversion.
Happy for you to PM me.
This should never happen and if MBAu had the ethical approach,all owners would have been contacted and given the option. This should not be so hard-it is up to MBAu and Dealers to support owners, not owners to educate themselves to become subject matter experts.
Happy to help, good luck.
Thank you for the info Teckno.
I whole heartedly agree. I am based in NSW where there seems to be a lot of deflection by the dealership on this. Two years ago I was "advised" by my "service advisor" that front tyre crabbing/skipping was a "characteristic" of the vehicle. I wonder if the A-Class moose test result was initially reported as a characteristic of that vehicle as well. Today I was advised again that the knuckle fix was only for the GLC300's. 300's were introduced in Australia in 2019. It seems that this model does not require the knuckle fix.
It is a shame we need to prepare a brief of evidence including known precedents, individually, for a resolution.
Saw this link re subscription and 3G connection on some GLC units in Oz.
Not sure if it will work with our cars and and telecom set up, but may be worth further investigation. https://www.midcityengineering.com/mb3gsundown/
All the best
Thanks.
Stay focused, contact MB Mulgrave to arrange an inspection. ALL GLC 250 and 250D family vehs from 2015 to mid 2019 were affected and eligible for the front knuckle conversion. Those manuf in Germany from early to mid 2019 had the new knuckles fitted on the assembly line. No GLC 300 family vehs needed a conversion (all made after 2019.
I wish you luck in your quest. Monty Python would be proud. Keep the search for the ‘Holy Grail”…… Good luck and Merry Xmas from down south in Mexico (Victoria).
It's a poor showing for the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Not only is it ranked as the worst overall model for owner satisfaction, but it also has the lowest average score for reliability. Owners criticise the GLC SUV for its high fuel costs and below-average ride comfort but do praise the car for its practicality and road performance. Hopefully, things will improve with the introduction of the new GLC.
These are the UK's worst cars to own, according to the results of the latest Honest John Satisfaction Index.
Each year HonestJohn.co.uk lifts the lid on the good, bad and ugly sides of car ownership. These are the cars that disappoint you the most when it comes to owner satisfaction.
The results are based on feedback from 6,000 drivers who rated their cars and provide practical insight into the cost of ownership, fuel costs, road performance and reliability. These are the 10 models that received the lowest average scores across the board.
From EU data – no info for Australia here.
Mercedes-Benz – 39 recalls for 24 of its models.
GLC is included in this info.
Seven recalls were made for the S-Class, six of which were for the latest generation model. There were multiple recalls across the range – indeed 39 from 24 models. Nearly a million examples of the C-Class, E-Class, G-Class, S-Class, Vito, V-Class, CLS, GLC, GLE and GLS built between January 2017 and October 2021 were recalled to rectify a possible engine fire risk in April 2022.
Another million examples of the ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class built between 2004 and 2015 were recalled over a faulty brake issue in June 2022. 315,000 Sprinter vans built between 2017 and 2020 were also recalled for faulty brake lights.
From Fleet News in Australia.
” Each week the Australian Institute of Petroleum publishes fuel price data to show the movements in retail and wholesale prices. When you look at these changes over a year, it paints an interesting picture of how pump prices change with a global pricing model.
In 2022, the average national pump price for diesel was $2.07 per litre which was 45% higher than 2021 at $1.43 per litre. The increase was consistent across all states though Western Australia was slightly lower averaging $2.03 per litre in 2022.
This was the highest average price for a calendar year since the records started for diesel in 2007 and a significant gap from the lowest average in 2016 of $1.18 per litre.
Historically the national average for unleaded and diesel have risen and fallen together though the gap hasn’t been significant. In 2022, the national average pump price of unleaded petrol was $1.84 per litre which represents a 13% difference. The last time there was a double digit gap between petrol and diesel was in 2008 when the Global Financial Crises (GFC) hit; diesel averaged $1.62 per litre over the year; and diesel was 14% more per litre than unleaded. “
From EU data – no info for Australia here.
Mercedes-Benz – 39 recalls for 24 of its models.
GLC is included in this info.
Seven recalls were made for the S-Class, six of which were for the latest generation model. There were multiple recalls across the range – indeed 39 from 24 models. Nearly a million examples of the C-Class, E-Class, G-Class, S-Class, Vito, V-Class, CLS, GLC, GLE and GLS built between January 2017 and October 2021 were recalled to rectify a possible engine fire risk in April 2022.
Another million examples of the ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class built between 2004 and 2015 were recalled over a faulty brake issue in June 2022. 315,000 Sprinter vans built between 2017 and 2020 were also recalled for faulty brake lights.
I haven't received any recall notice, but think it is silly of me to assume that my vehicle is safe.... Sep 2021 built GLC. Had its first service last week but they didn't mention anything
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
