2020 gle 350
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gle 350
2020 gle 350
Hello world I have never posted here before. I am hoping to get a solution on what to do now. I took in the car to dealership to get brake pads changed. The dealership told me I needed to change the rotors an along with the pads and I also told them about the AC was making noise. I declined to change the rotors and asked if they can just change out the brake pads. I got an estimate to fix the AC unit which was about $7000 because there was a leak in the evaporator something I tried looking in the email but didn’t find it. I declined so I went to pick up the car and noticed that the AC light didn’t even turn on. I took it back to the dealership and was told that they noticed the leak and that is why they didn’t fill it up with Freon again. Am I being scammed? I would think that even if they did all the things they said they did the light would turn on and AC fix can really cost $7000. Please advice.
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Joined: Dec 2016
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From: Charlotte, NC
2024 E450 AT Wagon, 2024 EQS450+ / Had: 2021 E350, 2019 E300, 2021 + 20 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s)
The evaporator leak is somewhat common in V167 GLEs - and it is a big, ugly job where they have to take the dash apart. Guessing your vehicle is not still under warranty, which is a shame given the size of the potential repair bill. I would not expect that they would charge your AC given that there is a known leak - it would be a waste of time and money to do that. I wouldn't say you are being scammed - but you may find an independent shop that could do it for less - although I am not sure most shops with have the experience to put it all back together without making a mess of things. I wonder if you could get a decent trade in value for it and avoid spending $7K to repair it - just a thought.
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GLE 580
The evaporator leak is somewhat common in V167 GLEs - and it is a big, ugly job where they have to take the dash apart. Guessing your vehicle is not still under warranty, which is a shame given the size of the potential repair bill. I would not expect that they would charge your AC given that there is a known leak - it would be a waste of time and money to do that. I wouldn't say you are being scammed - but you may find an independent shop that could do it for less - although I am not sure most shops with have the experience to put it all back together without making a mess of things. I wonder if you could get a decent trade in value for it and avoid spending $7K to repair it - just a thought.
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gle 350
Or you could buy the parts and make it a weekend job:
https://youtu.be/eNm9DQhsHKc?si=9Gi8efRLdtqrGaQS
https://youtu.be/eNm9DQhsHKc?si=9Gi8efRLdtqrGaQS
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 259
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From: southwest US
2020 GLE 350 4Matic, 2016 E350
not if the core is leaking. it has to be replaced. I can see why it so expensive to replace it. The only way I can see those cores exploding it a faulty core in the first place our an over pressurized AC. Man, I hope I never see this happen to mine. I've had 5 Mercedes and only had one of them (2003 ML 350) require a evaporator replacement and that was when it was still in the engine compartment.
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 259
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From: southwest US
2020 GLE 350 4Matic, 2016 E350
That video was verry helpful on how to disassemble the center console that gets all scratched up on the surface. The wood trim doesn't show it but the gloss black one does. I disassembled it removed it from the vehicle and used polishing compound to remove the fine scratches. and reinstalled it again. Looks Brand spanking new again. 
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GLE 580
That video was verry helpful on how to disassemble the center console that gets all scratched up on the surface. The wood trim doesn't show it but the gloss black one does. I disassembled it removed it from the vehicle and used polishing compound to remove the fine scratches. and reinstalled it again. Looks Brand spanking new again.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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GLE 580
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From: MA
MY2024 GLE 450
Or you could buy the parts and make it a weekend job:
https://youtu.be/eNm9DQhsHKc?si=9Gi8efRLdtqrGaQS
https://youtu.be/eNm9DQhsHKc?si=9Gi8efRLdtqrGaQS
This seems like the type of job where you would want to go to a dealer or a shop that pays for MB software and support, even if your warranty has expired. Taking it apart, putting it together, and praying you don't mess up any electronics. It's also surprising that the person admits in the comments that they don't have access to MB systems, at least the ones that show the labor hours required for the job. That is, he may be doing all this work without manufacturer support in case something goes wrong. It's also unclear whether evaporator coil kits (or whatever you end up damaging and replacing) require coding. If they do, I guess you could do it on pre-2024 vehicles offline, but 2024+ V167s require online coding, which makes it even more interesting from there.
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 174
Likes: 30
From: RI
2020 GLE 450
The evaporator leak is somewhat common in V167 GLEs - and it is a big, ugly job where they have to take the dash apart. Guessing your vehicle is not still under warranty, which is a shame given the size of the potential repair bill. I would not expect that they would charge your AC given that there is a known leak - it would be a waste of time and money to do that. I wouldn't say you are being scammed - but you may find an independent shop that could do it for less - although I am not sure most shops with have the experience to put it all back together without making a mess of things. I wonder if you could get a decent trade in value for it and avoid spending $7K to repair it - just a thought.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 33
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From: DFW, Texas
GLE 350
There was a recall for this previously, can you verify that it was checked and actually fixed?
My AC went out with 500 miles on my warranty, thank God, but when I got it back the first time we got around the block and it stopped working so we had to take it right back. The second time we got it back it was fine for a while, but then I noticed a few weeks later that the SD card lost connection which is common, and also the Apple Car play port was messed up...all symptoms of the AC issue and probably all of the work that was done with the AC. Of course the stealership did nothing about it. I was going to take it back in after all this, but I was rear ended and my car went to the shop for a few months and by that time it was winter. Come to find out there is now an issue with the heater too. The AC on the drivers side will go out occasionally, but luckily it worked a good portion of this hot Texas summer.
I would file a complaint with the NHTSA for a safety concern.
My AC went out with 500 miles on my warranty, thank God, but when I got it back the first time we got around the block and it stopped working so we had to take it right back. The second time we got it back it was fine for a while, but then I noticed a few weeks later that the SD card lost connection which is common, and also the Apple Car play port was messed up...all symptoms of the AC issue and probably all of the work that was done with the AC. Of course the stealership did nothing about it. I was going to take it back in after all this, but I was rear ended and my car went to the shop for a few months and by that time it was winter. Come to find out there is now an issue with the heater too. The AC on the drivers side will go out occasionally, but luckily it worked a good portion of this hot Texas summer.
I would file a complaint with the NHTSA for a safety concern.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 33
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From: DFW, Texas
GLE 350
That would be the best decision you'll ever make.--- Was trying to reply to another post, or delete this one, but I don't see how to do that?
Last edited by MissingLEX; Oct 10, 2024 at 12:20 PM. Reason: It was supposed to be a reply, but I can't delete
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