Streamliner

UPDATE: It has now been NINE WEEKS since MBUSA approved the repurchase of my 2022 S580, yet it still sits outside my home. Supposedly, Sedgwick “mistakenly overlooked” my approval of the offer they sent me and said that the whole process had to start over again. Let me say, once again, that I believe that MBUSA is experiencing a TSUNAMI of repurchases and that the system is way overloaded, causing “accidental” errors. I’ve tried contacting MBUSA, but they never get back to me. I’m going to try once more and if I don’t hear something concrete, I’m going to hand the mess over to a Lemon Law attorney, of which we have seemingly MILLIONS of here in California.

This wouldn’t be so bad, but based on the original timetable I had been given, I purchased a CPO 2020 S560 and having the unneeded liability of the S580 hanging around is getting to be a bit much. I know, First World problem, but it’s still a pain in the backside.

Frenetic

I’m just curious but has the buyback amount already been put in writing or will it be established when you turn in the car? Are you sure they’re not giving you the runaround and stringing you along?

If they did that to me, I would silently hire an attorney and just do it the hard way and stick them with legal fees.

Streamliner

Yes, I have received the written offer, telling me exactly how much I will receive.

Frenetic

Ok, well enjoy the free ride I guess.

Can you share the offer?

kenromero

Have you called Sedgwick? I had dealt with Amber and she was very responsive in answering or returning calls. I sent her a 2lb box of Sees Candy in appreciation of her assistance. Sedgwick can tell you the status and if they have submitted all data to MB it’s just a matter of time. No cost to you for their delay, they will pay everything.

chassis

Look up the company Sedgwick. Not inspiring.

Streamliner

Well, after I received their FIRST offer, I responded immediately that I would accept it. Then I waited and waited and heard nothing. So, I call them and they say "you never accepted our offer." So I walked them through the emails and they said "oh, we must have missed that." So, the entire thing had to be done over again, with a recomputed offer, etc. So, I have now accepted their SECOND offer and they are telling me, weeks later that they "still have not received funding from MBUSA." I'm sure it will get done eventually, but in the mean time, I am insuring the car and not really driving it. If anything should happen to the car, such as a fender bender, I would have to get the car repaired and then the whole process would start over again. If the car were to be stolen or be totaled in an accident, I'm quite sure MBUSA would say "collect from your insurance company, we are done." In such a case, I would lose over $30K. I just want the P.O.S. GONE!

Streamliner

As mentioned previously in other threads, I'll be happy to share the details, once they actually take the car back and it's a done deal.

W205C43PFL

Well, he is not enjoying it and therefore don't want to even sit in it let alone drive it so it will just be parked there probably at the same spot 24/7.

W205C43PFL

Ugh, sorry to hear! Are they the only company that handles the buyback or did MBUSA give you one of the worse ones and there are better companies that are more prompt?

Streamliner

Being in what is probably a very small “club,” having had TWO new S Class sedans in a row repurchased, the first time it was Sedgwick as well and the process seemed much smoother. I do not believe they use any other company, but I’m not sure.

W205C43PFL

Well, hopefully it gets done sooner rather than later.

Peter

Hi Streamliner….Might I correctly say that you’re done with Mercedes Benz? Never to return?

Streamliner

No, not at all. I just went backwards and bought a CPO 2020 S560. I cannot tell you how much more I like this “old” car over my S580. I’m hoping MB REALLY fixes the W233 for the 2025 refresh.

W205C43PFL

but you just got the door locking issue :/ on the W222 hopefully just a minor glitch and it resets itself.

Streamliner

There’s another odd issue: when listening to AM radio while driving, when I hit the brake pedal, through the speakers, I get three shots of static, like SHHHHH—SHHHHH—SHHHH and then, the sound is perfect. Let off the brake and it continues to sound fine. Hit the brake and the static hits three times, etc. Very easily to demonstrate. I’ll take it into the dealer for both issues.

Peter

Made of steel you are, Streamliner! A modern day saint. When I think MB service, my PTSD manifests. I always feel as tho I’m being “played” while there. I think you’re one cool guy, seriously.

W205C43PFL

Hmmm, does the sound change depending on driving mode?

Streamliner

Received an email from SEDGEWICK yesterday saying that the “funding” had been received from MBUSA and asked me which dealer I preferred to drop the car off at. Should be getting close to sayonara time. Can’t wait!

W205C43PFL

Finally! and... good news!

Bubba1

That's great news Streamliner. You’ve had quite the ordeal with your car.

You and I have had some disagreements on this forum but I wish you nothing but the best.

I hope one day to bump into you on the Newport coast as I spend a fair bit of time down there. I’ll keep an eye out for a silver S560. Coffee on me!

Streamliner

Well, I finally got the call from the Sedgewick rep and met him at the dealer yesterday. He looked the car over, had me sign a bunch of papers and then handed me a check for about $56,000.00. I was refunded my down payment, every lease payment, all taxes and there was no deduction for the 15K miles I put on the car over the 18 months I had it. They even refunded the prorated portion of the remaining license. I have contacted the dealer where I leased the car and they will be refunding the unused portion of the MB Pre-Paid Maintenance contract. In the end, my expenses were for the one “A” Service, the set of conventional tires I put on the car, license, insurance and gas.

Before anyone makes the comment that MBUSA was just so generous in finally resolving my nightmare experience with their $153,700.00 flagship sedan, please let me point out that their “generosity” was pretty much mandated by California Lemon Law legislation and that by voluntarily offering to repurchase the car, they saved themselves the attorney fees that would have resulted had they forced me to hire legal counsel. In this insane state where I live, the Lemon Law is on the extremely short list of only TWO benefits, the weather being the other one.

I know that several folks here felt that I should have just traded the car over a year ago since I was so unhappy with it. However, that would have resulted in me taking a massive loss on the car and I would have most likely ended up with another new MB, which to me now, is unacceptable. For the first time EVER, since I was of driving age, I can truthfully say that there is not one MB model in the current line that I would like to drive.

Lastly, I should mention that had MB Financial Services allowed me to seek out a “well qualified” person to take over the lease on this car, this whole fiasco could have been avoided long ago. In 2014, when I leased a new ML350BT and later found that I really missed my big sedan, I placed an ad on this site and found a gentleman who assumed the MBFS lease and I ordered a new S550. The fellow still has the ML and loves it. Since that time, I went on to lease SIX new MB’s. Even though MB is not the only company who does not allow lease assumptions anymore, they were “MY” favored automaker and with this last very trying S580 “MASSACREE,” even IF there was a new MB I was interested in, I would have thought long and hard before I signed on the dotted line. It makes zero sense to me to lock customers into a vehicle they are unhappy with and I hope they change that back one day soon.

Thanks to all here who commented on my S580 posts. I’d like to say that I’m done complaining about it, but I’m sure you all know that I’m probably not.

Frenetic

Thanks Steamliner for sharing the details. It’s good to know what people can expect and I was surprised they didn’t deduct anything for the mileage accrued. Is that part of the lemon law as well?

Quietride

I’ve often heard “oh if you have a problem you can just lemon it.” Which is like, yeah if you’re willing to spend the next 6-12 months of your life arguing with the invariable slimy car company you might be successful.

This was super clear cut, in a very strong consumer protection state and it still took ridiculous time and aggravation.

I remember Audi telling us (Texas), something along the lines of “we’re sorry but because of the laws of your state we cannot help you.” Right… The car was a disaster. The tailgate would open on its own at any time, backup camera wouldn’t work, media wouldn’t work, blind spot monitoring wouldn’t work.

Glad to hear this was finally resolved, but as prospective MB customer I am incredibly unimpressed and not the least bit surprised.

Streamliner

Yes, I believe that is the case.