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I took my car in today to Mercedes Long Beach for service - like many others here have had, my trunk struts are failing so my trunk will not stay open more than a minute or two. Also, my center console on the right side does not spring open, so I asked them to look at that as well. They are claiming neither is covered under warranty and that I have to pay to have the work done - waiting to get an estimate on the cost now. I know a lot of you have replaced the trunk struts yourselves and we may resort to doing that, but I'm curious, are these the kind of things that should be covered by CPO warranties or is there any value in me trying to take it to another dealer first?
Also, my spouse and I bought the car together - we are both on the title, registration and loan. But I am the only one that ever drives it and the one that would service it. Unfortunately, my name has been placed second in Mercedes computer and they won't reverse it for us. Has anyone had an issue like that on their car and any ideas on how I can get that name order swapped?
I had those same two issues with my SL during its third year. Dealer fixed both under warranty with no real issues. These repairs were not done at the same time, probably about 6 months apart. Ironically, at least to me, the dealer (not the same dealer I purchased the car from) wanted to plug my car into their Star system to diagnose the trunk strut issue. The SA explained that this was the best way to proceed and the cost was $130. I told her "Absolutely, do whatever is necessary I’m not concerned about the cost since the car is under warranty." She then admitted she didn’t realize the car was still covered and there would be no charge for the repair. I never found out if they actually plugged it in.
Sorry, but I can’t help you with how the car is listed in the MB system.
I had those same two issues with my SL during its third year. Dealer fixed both under warranty with no real issues. These repairs were not done at the same time, probably about 6 months apart. Ironically, at least to me, the dealer (not the same dealer I purchased the car from) wanted to plug my car into their Star system to diagnose the trunk strut issue. The SA explained that this was the best way to proceed and the cost was $130. I told her "Absolutely, do whatever is necessary I’m not concerned about the cost since the car is under warranty." She then admitted she didn’t realize the car was still covered and there would be no charge for the repair. I never found out if they actually plugged it in.
Sorry, but I can’t help you with how the car is listed in the MB system.
I’m glad to hear you got both covered. They said the strut issue would cost me $780 and they wanted 2k for an entirely new console. They also charged me $101 for a “diagnostic” since it was “not” under warranty. No mention of that when I gave them my car of course as it was presumed under warranty. But I had to pay it to get my car back.
I made an appointment to go to Fletcher Jones on Monday (where I bought the car CPO last March). I am hoping to have better luck there. Even though they are about 20 miles from my house I’m happy to service it there if they honor the warranty they sold to me through the car. If they won’t I guess I’ll live with the broken console door. As for the struts, I guess we head to YouTube for instructions because I am certainly not paying almost $800. Unfortunately the extent of my auto knowledge is how to drive it.
As for the name issue Fletcher told me they would make me primary in their system so that is a start.
Last edited by wickedwahine11; Jan 24, 2022 at 11:19 PM.
I recall a thread either here or on one of the other forums here (maybe GLC?) about the console door issue. It’s very common and there was a detailed thread about a “self fix” that had some success. Do a search on it, starting on this forum, and you should find it. It’s worth a shot to avoid a huge bill.
Replacing the struts is a quick job once you figure out how to compress the new struts to the right length.
I found a simple band clamp was the best way. The price you were quoted is outrageous, even a bad mechanic would find it hard to spend more than 5 minutes on this job.
I think you're making the right choice going elsewhere. Sounds like a short drive is going to save you a lot of money and heartburn!
Replacing the struts is a quick job once you figure out how to compress the new struts to the right length.
I recently replaced the trunk struts in my SL63 and found that no compression of the new struts was required. The trunk mechanism has a little "flex" to it so I had my daughter push up the trunk lid on the side that I was working on and then I could easily slip on the new part. Once the new strut was installed the weight of the trunk lid compressed it slightly so it wasn't staying elevated at the increased height. Same for the other side.
I recently replaced the trunk struts in my SL63 and found that no compression of the new struts was required. The trunk mechanism has a little "flex" to it so I had my daughter push up the trunk lid on the side that I was working on and then I could easily slip on the new part. Once the new strut was installed the weight of the trunk lid compressed it slightly so it wasn't staying elevated at the increased height. Same for the other side.
Always nice to get a helping hand.
Last edited by David2244; Feb 3, 2022 at 09:38 AM.
Any dealer that quotes $780 to replace the trunk lid struts is a dealer to be avoided like the plague. That's astonishing!
For a bona fide CPO car, I would expect the struts and center console to be fixed under warranty. (If it's a "regular" used car with a third-party warranty, they wouldn't be covered.) Anyway, if your original dealership won't cover these repairs, then definitely go the do-it-yourself route. As others have noted, the struts are not difficult at all, and this website has posts on addressing the console doors.
Dealer in Thousand Oaks would not fix my center console either, even though my car was a CPO with warranty. Service tech also claimed whole unit required replacement as per MB. I did not bother to pursue further, it is not a big deal for me. The dealer also wanted to replace my spark plugs because of the car being a 2016 (5 years old) even though the mileage was only about 23,000. This would have added over $500 to an already expensive routine service. All of my mechanic friends felt this was BS so I declined. My service tech did not take sides, he just said that this is what MB says needs to be included in the required service. I thanked him, but declined. Since the CPO warranty is only one year, I am off warranty and will probably continue maintenance with an independent MB/Porsche mechanic who I used to replace my dirty brake pads with dustless ones. He is not inexpensive, but I am guessing he is not as bad as the dealer.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Trust is the added value that cannot be measured in dollars. You lost trust in your dealer and the independent guy gained it. You may or may not save money with the independent, but at least you know that he won't rip you off.
Yes, the spark plugs should be changed at some point, but if I remember correctly, factory plugs are iridium and are good for at least 100,000 miles (at least they were on my SL500). Not sure if the dealer was going to replace the ignition coil boot as part of the service, but parts alone are $200.
It is the need I question, not the cost of parts and labor. I understand an old belt can get brittle over time as can a hose, so time is an issue. Spark plugs, not so much. Also, if they fail they let you know - poor gas mileage, misfiring, etc.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by RonNSoCal
It is the need I question, not the cost of parts and labor. I understand an old belt can get brittle over time as can a hose, so time is an issue. Spark plugs, not so much. Also, if they fail they let you know - poor gas mileage, misfiring, etc.
Correct. If you aren't having problems, leave them alone. Changing the plug on the M276 is somewhat involved. It requires removing the intake manifold, so several hours labor is not excessive.
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