Quick update: received a response from Txxxx Hxxxx (GM of sales), politely and professionally worded, no quibble, not carrying any actionable proposals though, just asking for more time.

 

I think that you can verify for yourself if the engine is actually an AMG power plant. As much as I can remember with my E63, all AMG's have a unique serial number and if I'm not mistaken it has to do with the first four letters of your VIN. Anyways it was like that when I had my AMG, don't know if they still carried it on.

Glad the dealer responded, it really should have not gone this far in making sure that you were satisfied. I still feel that MBUSA should be involved at least to clear up the QC issues and to verify that you indeed have the P30 option.

 

In fact I did consider the Porsche Cayenne, but after spending considerable time on line building the vehicle, then going to the dealers and try to work out something, after that exercise I just put it behind me. It is VERY easy to get $25,000-$30,000 in options where other vehicles consider them standard or part of a package. Loved the Porsche, just didn't make sense to me.

 

Tooffer clarity to you - for what it's worth - on the CF engine cover - the dealer can issue you a written "We Owe" letter to you with assurance to you to deliver/install when the part is available from MB.

On arrival at the dealer - frankly yes, I can see the tech inspection/setup no catching that cover on the mechanical/electronic - there is no "checklist" for that - and I can see most salespersons missing it to sales missed it too - especially in peak season - and shame on them for that

On the dealer side for that part - it is not "orderable" within the MB dealer system as a accessory or orderable as a standard replacement part - putting the signed assembler's plate aside for the moment - so that specific CF cover - consider it a handbuilt item - is going to require a whole manual process back dealer.

To give perspective - a somewhat different situation - on a anthracite/poplar ML wheel that my customer wanted added after delivery - changed their mind on the wheel - also not a accessory/replacement item - with actually a total of three wheels in production inventory in Germany for that non-orderable part - and vendor reorder in singles - and with only 11 vehicles in the US that had ever been delivered with that part - it took 6 weeks to complete that special request.

With the CF engine cover - and the added non-orderable/never-ever-done AMG assembler plate - for me I would expect 8-10 weeks as possible window for availability.

On your P-Package the engine # in your rig - in the unthinkable event that somehow/someway the wrong cover was triggered by the wrong engine - the engine # in the rig now can be visually checked for double confirmation.

Frankly - it will help both you and the dealer if you call MB Customer Service on the replacement engine cover situation - that sets up a 2nd back channel that does help in this situation - if you understand the best objective for your call is to help in the solution of the 'problem" of securing the correct non-order able part - and correct AMG builder plate.

 

fabbrisd1,

Thanks for your comments, all make perfect sense.

There is no concern that a wrong engine was installed. It is logistically, technically and scientifically impossible. The official answer I’m not able to receive to date is whether or not my vehicle’s motor has the technical characteristics that have been adjusted in line with the P30 package specification.

To illustrate, below is the set of components one can expect when ordering an ML 63 AMG with the Performance Package these days (along with a comment on the configuration that was sold to me):

Red brake calipers - checked
AMG performance steering wheel - checked
Top speed raised to 174mph - unable to determine, waiting for MBUSA to confirm
Additional power (550 hp and 560 lb-ft) - unable to determine, waiting for MBUSA to confirm
Carbon fiber engine cover – substituted with a standard cover

 

Update: I have received a response from the General Sales Manager indicating that the dealership is prepared to fully address my concerns to a highest possible satisfactory level. I replied stating that I’m willing to continue doing business with them and become a very satisfied customer, provided they help me get a better quality ML63 that matches the advertised specification and has gone through the appropriate quality control procedure at the factory.

As a proof of my serious intentions, I proposed that they keep the deposit and all the fees I paid for the pre-paid maintenance and insurance.

I’m expecting their response in due course.

 

A new truck then ?..

 

wow, i know US build quality isn't same as german build quality... but didn't expect to have so many flaws on brand new car...

i'd request dealer to replace all the flaws with new parts plus extra for all the inconvenience they caused...
if dealer doesn't cooperate, go straight to MBUSA and complain.

i waited 2 months for keyfob from local dealer...
salesman had excuse after excuse...
contacted MBUSA and i got keyfob in 3 days...

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't most of the parts Made in Germany or by their respective suppliers in what ever other country ie; door panels, shift consoles, seat skins, and the like, then shipped to the Alabama location for final assembly? That's usually the process for most Foreign or Japanese manufacturers. They do this so they can have that MADE IN THE USA stamp on the window.

If this is the case then the door panel issues are from the original manufacturer hence an MBUSA problem, the scratches on the exterior are ABSOLUTELY the dealers problem (as was the case with my ML) and the missing CF cover is MBUSA.
Granted your dealer should be doing all the leg work for you concerning the manufacturing issues in dealing with MB, then they need to fix your paint issues asap as that was done on their lot prior to delivery.

This makes me think of when my father bought his 1989 Turbo Trans Am and the car came in off the truck with zero emblems, my dad was like WTF! other than the GN motor sitting under the hood how do you know its a genuine pace car? The owner of the Pontiac dealership walked out to meet my father with a letter from Pontiac explaining the issue, workers on the assembly line were stealing the Turbo Trans Am and Indy Pace Car emblems so they began shipping them separately to dealers to put on after the cars hit the lot. The point is there was a letter stating there had been an issue with something missing from the car and it was documented. Terminator2029 has nothing to document his plight with the CF cover other than someones story about the supplier being backlogged.

I know I sound like a broken record but if you really want to get this fixed I suggest going to the AMG lounge. Search out William Vetter, you will find resolution to this issue.

 

not 100% sure but my guess is only key components (i.e. engine, control modules, switches, etc...) are from germany/europe and door panels and such are sourced locally...

cuz when i had w163, trims and panels were quite different from other models made in germany...

 

Wow, this is huge! I've never seen a post attract so much attention so quickly, although I don't read them all.

If there's not somebody with at least a tiny bit of clout at MBUSA, or ideally Germany, watching and reading these forums we're all just wasting our time I suppose.

Everyday I'm amazed at the amount of people who are disgruntled at the Mercedes-Benz brand. It just seems to be getting worse and worse.

Personally, my whole experience the last 18 months has also been quite woeful too, and it's so disappointing. I love my car though, but not as much as I thought I would, sadly.

Wake up & smell the coffee guys (to the guys at MB who are hopefully paying attention to what we're all writing!) ... FFS, seriously!

 

1 million plus Mercedes sold each year. Not everyone is going to be happy. I'd venture to say there are many more happy customers than disgruntled. As we all know, angry people tend to spread their views at an exponentially higher rate than satisfied customers.

 

It's a valid point that unhappy customers are far more vocal than happy customers, however, if you go to X5, Q7/Q5, or Cayenne forums, there's far fewer posts about recurrent problems, QC issues, or problems with the dealerships. Since I'm trying to replace my '13 ML, I happened to look at the most recent Consumer Reports on ML reliability and it was well below average. Personally, I was a little surprised but it did echo my own experience which has been that my ML has made far to many unscheduled stops at the dealership.

PS- I'm curious how you like the SQ5, that's been mentioned by my wife as a potential replacement for the ML.

 

Sorry - no one has ever presented the GL63 (or any other MB for that matter) to have documentation "confirming" either hp or speed limiter on the speedo.

If you want to find self-justification on the return and "reorder of another" ML63 - all one production line subsituted engine cover - which can be corrected...

 

Just wanted to chime in on build quality since that has been referred to. I've had my ML for almost 3 weeks (220 miles) and has the infamous noise on start-up issues which was confirmed today by my SA. They have to replace the timing chains and belt tensioner. There is a bulletin on this so I just don't understand why Mercedes is still sending out cars with this issue. So far with my sales/delivery experience plus this I'm not feeling the exceptionalism which has been disappointing being this is my first Mercedes. I can't complain that I'm driving a E350 sport loaner though. Maybe the mean the exceptional service they refer to is the chocolate cake I received today from my dealer as small token of thank you for my purchase. ;-)

 

As mentioned previously, I did have an E63 which for the most part served me well. Had several issues, mainly brakes and hesitation but won't get into that because those issues are what caused me to leave the MB line and get into my current X5 50i ride. Placed several posts here about the terrible way that Terminator was treated, and hopefully with his latest communication with the dealership, they will step-up and make sure that he is satisfied by either a buy-back and reorder a new one, or fix the issues only to his satisfaction.

This leads me to point two. I have been looking at a MB 550 purchase, but as I read more and more of these posts, I'm really on the fence. By the way, my E63 had the belt tensioner issue also, seems that MB really has not learned or really don't care as long as it's produced and out the door.

 

Update: yesterday, I met with the General Sales Manager face-to-face. We discussed the situation and leveraged the power of common sense and professional human interactions to come up with a satisfactory resolution. The common sense allowed us to avoid running into extreme "return & re-order" scenario. The human element helped set out the concrete next steps focused on eliminating each issue one by one to my ultimate acceptance and convenience.

It is very clear that the dealership was prepared to go above and beyond in order to rectify and polish every dimension of my problematic experience. I truly respect the way they handled the last few communications with me. If we set aside the reaction in which their sales guy responded on my inquiry (the famous "sorry, I’m out of the loop" statement), I think I will stick to this dealership for the time being. I will be looking to order the all-new S-Class coupe next year and will use the same guys to handle this transaction. If something will be missing in that car as well, expect another post with a similar title.

On a positive note, it would be fair to expect that as time goes by and my ML63 sees more and more miles on its clock, I will look at all new interior damages caused by wifes, kids, dogs and other animals with a smile.

Happy holidays, everyone! Stay safe! Enjoy the weather whatever it is in your geographies these days!

And thanks for the great insightful discussion!

 

That's great news..too bad it dragged for so long...you will luv the truck !! (especially tuned )
Season's Greetings to you as well..

 

I second everything that Nanook said. Glad you are getting satisfaction to your desires.

Happy Holidays to all!

 

Like often you said it all

Val , you Will really love the ml63 once you did the first 1000miles no doubt!

 

EVOII_Racer,

I still have a long way to go, sir. It is only 27 miles on the odometer at the moment. :-)

Getting a clear bra installed next week, followed by radar detector (thanks to Nanook's excellent user guide), AMG door pins, window tint, Renntech ECU firmware. It will be months before I hit the 1000-mile mark though.

 

Mr. T have you even completed the mandatory photo post ? I don't even recall the color you got..

 

Of course I did. I posted some pictures on the main "W166 Picture THREAD" discussion here


https://mbworld.org/forums/new-m-cla...ml#post5869246

 

By jove I totally missed that !!...Very Nice..see ya got the fastest color too ...and oh how I wish I had that juke box ..
See if you better my 5K kms longevity of the rear P tires

 

BTW what's the switch to the right of the headlight dial ?