GregW / Oregon

I'm continuing from posts in W203Ramos's thread because this is an inceasingly alarming issue. There is what seems to be a big incidence of front differential failures in mostly '06 (but not all) MLs and also some R-Class vehicles at low mileage, often just out of warranty. I identified a front driveline noise that has been increasing over the past 10k miles and 1 year (now at 59k and 6+ years), but it took 3 trips to the dealer to pinpoint it. They believe the front diff needs replacement after finidng metal shavings in the fluid. Total cost, $5,260 ($4,455 parts & $805 labor).

After researching this on two forums, I unfortunately correctly called it before it was confirmed. In half an hour I put together the following spreadsheet of cases that I quickly found from these two forums.

The initial offer from the assistant service manager at Mercedes of Portland (formerly Rasmussen) was to pay for 50% of the parts, which would leave me with a $3k bill. After seeing that a couple member had gotten "out of warranty goodwill assistance." A call to MBUSA only resulted in them telling me they give dealers an allocation of funds for such things, but they cannot cover any costs directly.

I requested an appointment and met with the service manager today. I gave him the background that I had purchased the very first W163 & W164 they had delivered, and am considering a W166 soon. I came prepared with documentation from the forums, including an invoice from Phil Mount in Alabama that show he only had to pay $1,290 out-of-pocket. Shannon was professional, and after a little discussion offered to cover 75% of the parts, leaving me with a bill of $1,900. I find this an acceptable compromise.

What I question is whether MB is hiding a possible service action item. Be forewarned that you might want to consider getting rid of '06s sooner rather than later if you are out of warranty. That said, I think quality is improving with every new model and I'll be ordering a '12 as soon as the configuration I want is available, probably very early next year. I wanted to make sure mine was in the condition I would want to buy before I sold it, however.

If other forum members want to give me additional data for the chart I will update it and eventually find a way to get it to MBUSA.

komp55

This is alarming indeed, but if you knew you planned to keep the vehicle past its original basic factory warranty, why did you not take advantage of the extended warranties available for the vehicle (from MBUSA or elsewhere) and purchase one for the vehicle? It's usually money well spent.

When I bought my used ML, knowing I planned keeping it past expiration of the standard factory warranty, I only looked at CPO vehicles, and then purchased the longest, highest mileage version of the extended CPO warranty offered by MB. The warranty absolutely covers the drivetrain. Driving any MB (or other late model high-end vehicle) out of warranty is always a big roll of the wallet dice IMO.

GregW / Oregon

You're right, it's a roll of the dice. I won't go more than 20 months or so past warranty, and the ~$3k cost of an extension is significant. Unless I have another big failure in the next few months my gamble will have paid off. However, I will consider buying the extension before the warranty on my next one expires.

GregW / Oregon

Differential should be in tomorrow. I'll try to get some pics of the replacement next week.

sosh

Greg:
How many miles on your ML? If I remember correctly you took delivery about the same time as I did on my 06 ML500. That ML turned out to be flawless during my tenure of ownership. I traded on a 10 ML550 in Sept of 09 with 40000 miles on it. MY 10, has been flawless to date.

GregW / Oregon

I took delivery 7/7/06 and it now has 59k. I've been through the balance shaft sprocket replacement (requiring pulling the engine) and a couple Airmatic repairs, along with some more minor things. Not flawless by a long shot, but I still like it.

sosh

Interesting, I have had none of the stuff you experienced. Of course I had a differnet engine but the airmatic worked perfectly thru my ownership. I am curious as to what in the front diff actuallly failed. Have any idea?

GregW / Oregon

Update: Going in Monday.

GregW / Oregon

Dealer replaced the front differential yesterday in one day. Noise is gone - yeah! Net cost $1902.51 with dealer paying 75% of parts. Invoice attached.

C43AMG

They had to replace the differential AND the axle housing?

GregW / Oregon

I believe that "axle housing" is the term they use for "differential" - after all, that is where the axles attach.

GregW / Oregon

To clarify, the first charge on the invoice of $805.36 was for labor, the next line is 25% of the differential cost.

C43AMG

I saw that....that's why I deleted the post.