SLK/R170: MB-USA won't work on my grey market SLK
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, Calif
SLK-230
MB-USA won't work on my grey market SLK
I knew the saphire blue 2001 SLK-230 was a grey market car when I bought it 3 months ago. But for the price and condition, I took a chance (eBay auctions)
I knew it didn't come with any warrentee but I didn't expect the Mercedes dealer to flat out refuse to do any kind of service on the car!
They said because the VIN is not a USA format, they can't enter it in their computer to generate any kind of invoice or paperwork.
Not so much as even a simple oil change even if I'm paying cash!
Fortunately, I found a good local shop that I can deal with. Got the checkup done and probably saved some $$ in the process. Well, whatcha gonna do...eh?
Anyone else run into this kind of experience with MB-USA?
...Mark (in San Jose, Calif)
I knew it didn't come with any warrentee but I didn't expect the Mercedes dealer to flat out refuse to do any kind of service on the car!
They said because the VIN is not a USA format, they can't enter it in their computer to generate any kind of invoice or paperwork.
Not so much as even a simple oil change even if I'm paying cash!
Fortunately, I found a good local shop that I can deal with. Got the checkup done and probably saved some $$ in the process. Well, whatcha gonna do...eh?
Anyone else run into this kind of experience with MB-USA?
...Mark (in San Jose, Calif)
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, Calif
SLK-230
Mine is imported from Germany and it has been converted to US specs. (eg: speedometer/odometer is in miles and mph)
Mercedes didn't ask to examine the paperwork, which I have. I had to submit the orginals to the State of Calif to have it registrered.
Mercedes just flat out refused because the VIN won't work i their computer.
..Mark
Mercedes didn't ask to examine the paperwork, which I have. I had to submit the orginals to the State of Calif to have it registrered.
Mercedes just flat out refused because the VIN won't work i their computer.
..Mark
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,588
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, BC, Canada
2010 Prius & Miata MX5 PRHT, 2010 Toyota Venza AWD, 05 C55 AMG, Yamaha 1100 Custom, Honda 250 Reflex
Seems to be a world-wide company policy......
I re-call 2 instances (1 poster and other a friend) in the Philippines when these people imported their MB C-Class from Germany instead of buying from the local dealer. They were refused service at the authorized local MB dealership. 
