benz_addict

On my friends CLS 63. The rear subframe fell onto the exhaust and is resting on it. The airmatic thinks the car is too low and now the whole rear is sitting VERY high with the subframe sitting on the exhaust. The car is under factory warranty still and they are denying the repairs under warranty. They want to replace the frame, which is costing $15,000 out of his own pocket. They are blaming the small "hair line cracks" in the STOCK wheels. They are saying he hit a POTHOLE that caused this to happen.

What do you guys think?

They are denying work under factory warranty, seems to be a common problem but can they blame it on a pothole without any proof? That's ridiculous if you ask me!

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...g-problem.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...y-chassis.html\
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ch-pulley.html

tgoss

Ummmmmm wtf?!? A pothole? That is horse*****.

I really didn't know you could hit a pit in the road and the frame would fall off.

If that's the case I'll put this $90k hunk of german crap up for sale.

There's no way I would accept to hear that from a dealer if my car was still under factory warranty. What a crock.

dacls63amg

I agree with tgoss. That dealer is full of crock!

gonzjed

dispute resolution...voluntary arbitration, but please tell your friend to pursue legal action towards a class action lawsuit against MB. Our 55's depreciation value is more than negligible considering the cost to repair subframe. Dayum..good luck

220S

I thought the fix was simply replacing the subframe inserts. A 1-2k body shop job if caught early before any other major damage. Anyway, hitting potholes doesn't cause frame failure. The dealer's playing games.

fwiw, the E46 BMWs had the same issue. It was a "secret" warranty fix, i.e., most dealers would repair it if you knew about the issue and asked. But there was finally a class action suit put together last summer (I got a letter in June for my 330i) Inspection and repair if you joined the class. But if they found no problem during inspection, then they're officially off the hook.

imho, it was better to not join the class as the frame separation could still occur later on after inspection. Since it's now fully in the open as a manufacturing and safety issue then it's easier to get it done on demand if and when it happens, class action or not.

Yacht Master

Post the dealer information.

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

This is more common than you think on these cars. Happened to Sunny55's E55 back on '05. Subframe just tore right off in normal driving.

revolutionml55

WOW sorry to hear bout that is there any way to check if your subframe is going to pop off sooner or later???
Are you comming down for the gumball 3000??

MB_Forever

They would have to prove that you hit a pot hole and that the pot hole directly caused the cracks in the rims..... and even then, they would have to prove that some how those small hair-line cracks in the rims caused the sub-frame to come lose. They're playing major games Request a regional MB inspector to look at it.

Busta Riles

The OP is from Ontario, Canada.

If you're dealing with MB Canada's warranty division, good luck.

I am an employee of MB and they won't replace my SC Clutch...my car is also still under warranty. Pretty frustrating.

MBTech51

hitting a pothole that cause "hairline cracks" in the wheel is not going to cause something like this...unless he was drifting and hit a curb. Good luck getting this situated.

artowar

What a great story for the local news! Do the Ontario stations have a "consumer interest" reporter? Maybe your buddy can have the story done right in front of the MB dealer, or better yet the MB corporate offices (if nearby). If that didn't work, I'd go straight to a lawsuit, especially if the arbitration records show bias towards MB...

Gondon

torch it

gts007

pot hole BS.... try another dealer. hope they take care of it! good luck to your friend.

TopGun32

19" rims bend and crack very easily...

trust me.. i know.

it the damage was done by a pot hole.. file a claim with your insurance..

tell them you could not avoid it...

I would call MB customer care and unleash hell.

nJuDunno

Worst case if things don't pan out you should be able to file an accident claim with your insurance company since hitting a large pothole is one type of accident. Obviously it counts against you, but still better than having to pay $15k

AMG4EmE

I had a recent problem myself dealing with the Factory Warranty / CPO.

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...g-problem.html

Things were finally resolved, but I still paid out of pocket eventhough I feel it should have been covered under the warranty.

Why would MB want to pay for something when they can stick it to the customer?

I paid a bit more for my car than what it was going for because I was getting a CPO car. For my future purchases, CPO / Factory Warranty won't mean **** and I'm going with the best deal.

My 2 Cents.

mikekuriger

I agree 100%. I don't even buy aftermarket warranties. Such a waste of money.

~mikE~

TopGun32

The chrysler warranty has paid $12k in repairs.. and I only paid $3200 for the warranty..

most dealers.. would welcome warranties to get paid.

Factory CPO is a bit different..

I would still buy a CPO car just to make sure it was completely abused or hidden issues.

But I would also buy extended warranty to cover things CPO does not.

I have had both on my E55. I speak from my case only.

400RWHP

Would this be covered by the Chrysler warranty?

alaacom

HI EVERY BODY

I just want to share the smae problem with you, this is a real serious stupid & risky error/mistake from the manufacturing, I have CLS 63 AMG 07, the rare sub frame fall down. as you know all the rare suspensions & exhaust muffler connected to gather. the sub frame is the base for all the mechanics parts. After its fall down all these parts damages including the sub frame due to manufacturing error ( Airmatics, muffler system, suspensions, sub frame etc. when I went to our bad dealer, they said that this the first time happened on any Mercedes benz in general & the engineer said 20 years working on Mercedes for different dealer, I didn't never ever seen this case. i sent the car to the cars Auctions on our country and I wrote on body ( FOR SALE DUE TO MANUFACTURING ERROR) as gift / marketing for the main company. Pls. note that parts & repairing cost for this issues is US$ 27,000+ which is equal the price of the CAR.

This too dangers & risky problem lead the User for this worse car is lead us for death by this manufacturing mistake, that’s mean we are paying money for the main company to kill us.

I never heard in any car on my life for different brand about this issue even the cars manufactured on 1970's or 1960's. the sub frame of the car should be never fall down even if there is an accident, the car fall down itself. I owned many classes of Mercedes S, CL, CLS, E. I have S class not happened on it this problem.

I'm searching & collection the same problem to make issue a case against the main company & factory as well as take the legal action due to playing and killing the people.

Partners, if you heard any such these issue just forwarded to my email to assists my research & the case as well.

alaa_com@hotmail.com

THX

stevieg

Hate to hear MB ducking their responsibility to do the right thing for a AMG owner. They sure take the time in the showroom to sell you that warranty and then when you go to use it they run to the hills claiming a pot hole did it? What a great way to weaken a brand.
Trust me, a good lawyer would love a case like this. Plus take the advice of the other post in making this a newsworthy item. Once it gets a little air play on the TV and in the papers, watch how fast the car gets straightened out and then it will just be labeled as a "misunderstanding".
Good Luck in getting this sorted out.

moosejaw

Would someone care to translate what happened to the Poster two posts up ? I got lost in his post

tri-star tech

Try calling the roadside number in your visor. That is MB USA and not someone from a dealership.