lumix

bought in Oct 2011. brand new, of course.
1. felt driver seat click in a few weeks. dealer checked twice, said no problem. 3rd time, identified the problem and fixed.
2. error message on panel: l front airbag dysfunction..., was told no problem. reseted.
3. I heard slight noise from engine when sitting on driver seat. sounds like normal engine noise, but did not hear it in the past. MB tech checked, identified it is abnormal, from inside of engine. need further investigation.

I am driving the loaner GLK now.
I told the service manager that I don't want to get engine fixed. if it is engine problem, I just want to have it replaced. Do you think if my request is reasonable? It is a 1 year old mercedes. can't believe this.

nosnoop

The first two problems are pretty minor.

As for the engine problem, it may or may not be something serious. I would wait to find out if they know what the problem is and how to fix it.

hutch300

A repair is what will happen, they could not afford to replace a whole engine every time there was an issue. MB will get you squared away

lumix

thank you guys for nice reply. I feel regret to buy this ml.

hutch300

They fix these all the time, any vehicle can have problems

Mercedes has good service

lumix

thank you for giving the comfidence for mb.

lumix

btw, anybody has comment for mb gps system and voice control.

katiesdad7

Let me tell you what I think will happen. No repair will be performed and the noise will be considered "normal". Especially since no error code was evident. Getting MB to fix ANYTHING without an error code is almost impossible. Especially when it comes to engine problems.

frtdog

I'm not sure about the no code no fix policy. Now I am talking about my previous ML not my new 2013 but when I had the car in for maintenance the mechanic said he heard a noise coming from the lifters, check it out and found a few to be out of adjustment and then fixed them. Vehicle was in warranty so no charge. I have had, over the years, a few minor items that were fixed because they were discovered/confirmed by a mechanic without any code displayed. It just might come down to the dealer.

lumix

update:
I just got call from MB service manager who stated there is a part inside the engine needs to be replaced and updated. A mb tech with 20 year experience will fix it. it is guarrented that the car will not have this problem after repair. they will not replace the engine. the manage also said he will ask mb to pay one month payment of my car loan($950). the car will be ready next wed.

please comment. do I have to accept this offer? or keep fighting?

hutch300

I think that is generous. I don't know what there is to fight for as they are not responsible to compensate you.

lumix

do you think if it is reasonable to ask for extented powertrain warranty?

mthien

I think they are fulfilling their duties for warranty. I don't think they have an obligation to extend the warranty. They certainly don't have any obligation to compensate you $950.

I think you have got a good deal. I can think of other scenarios that have not worked out so nicely for others.

tjg0024

When I had problems with my 2012 ML, they offered to pay 2 payments and extend the warranty on the car. In the end, they ended up trading me into another ML. If your dealership has a good relationship with mbusa I would think that you could get an extended warranty out of it, especially if your payment is 950 per month...

katiesdad7

From What you have said I have to give MB an "atta boy". Seems they are trying to do the right thing. The $950 is a nice plus.

But I don't think they have a crystal ball and can say you will NEVER have that problem again. However, I would be OK with the repair.

hutch300

I think all obligations are being fulfilled and then some. The four year warranty is long and you will know before then of likely issues.

iankayem

When I had a problem with a Subaru TriBeCa, they had it for five months of my eight month ownership. So they offered me an extended warranty. They forgot I had already paid for that. Your deal sounds fantastic under the circumstances. Be happy!

jtorrebl

You are being too picky about the engine

katiesdad7

You are so right. After all, who needs an engine in good working order anyway. :-)

lumix

I don't understand why someone said I am so picky. I asked the service manager if it is my problem or it is original defect of the car. He said it is original defect. If I am not that picky, I may not be able to hear the noise and find the problem. this car just had 12 month maintainence 3 weeks ago, and they did not find anything wrong. Just 3 weeks later they told me there is original defect of engine, and the engine needs to be opened up, and the part needs to be replaced. Is that ridiculous?
If it is original defect of the engine, the whole line of the ml 350 may need to be recalled. It could be serious like that.

JALLEN4

As a retired franchised automobile dealer who handled everything from Volkswagen to Rolls-Royce, the expectations of the consumer never cease to amaze me.

You purchase the vehicle with a four year warranty but evidently with the expectation nothing will ever go wrong with it. If they were somehow perfect, dealers would not need service departments and consumers would not need warranties.

There is a noise detected which evidently caused no problem other than aural. They give you a car to drive, fix the problem with no charge, and now are wanting to give you almost a thousand-dollars for your inconvenience.

Although both my Mercedes have less than 2,000 miles on them, I am now officially jealous. I can only hope both of them have the same problem and it will make me two thousand dollars better off! I sympathize with your problem but I am certainly envious. Good luck going forward because you are certainly doing great so far.

hutch300

I just find your perspective perplexing... MB is being more than fair... I don't feel you are owed anything and this constant desire for people to be coming out ahead is what makes everything cost more for the rest of us. Mercedes is a business and honestly I believe your being what many would call greedy. Accept the repaired vehicle... drive it... enjoy it... and if you have more problems deal with them at that point.

lumix

thanks you, guys, for your kind explanations. I don't know much about car. I had owed a honda for 10 years and a toyota for 8 years. I never experieced any powertrain problems from engine to transmission. Maybe my expectation from MB was too high. I just don't want to get any nightmare of engine repair in next a few years even though it is covered by the warranty.

hutch300

I still don't get it? When you get a cold are you worried your head will actually explode? Its nothing to worry about MB will back the product if it ever came to being such an issue.

Its only a car it can always be sold...

TigerJK

I'm having a engine noise when I push the gas. I can't really describe it but it sounds like metal grinding noise from the dashboard. When I stop, car is dead quiet. It only occurs when I accelerate. It used to be very quiet and now, extremely annoying and my car is just passed 1000 miles (2013 350 gas model).
I'm going to check with dealers on this Tuesday, let's see if it is a same problem with yours.