Pulling Back the Curtain, Part 2 | Tuning and Warranty
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 72
From: Palatine, IL
Speedriven
i guess that's a fair answer considering you're new to the 55k marketplace and aren't familiar with what some people have gone through but we both know what "should" be done and what actually gets done are often two different things. i'm not talking about frankencars so i won't address those comments but over the last few years there have been enough stage 1 failures that lead to major repairs in which tuners did not step up. it is what it is...
As for "stage 1 failures", I honestly don't know what shops you're referring to, but I'd be surprised if they were established shops pushing "canned" packages and still didn't A. stand behind the product or B. get crucified on the boards, like they should have been.
PM me or email me if you want to fill me in on the details. I won't "out you" for giving me a scoop.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,735
Likes: 1
CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition
I agree 100% with you on this. If the company is reputable, and have done enough R&D before they put their products on the market, they should feel comfortable enough to warranty their parts/work/products against failure. That's why R&D is so important: it is designed to test the product thoroughly and ultimately find the failure point. And make no mistake about it, R&D costs will be paid one way or another.... if the company does not pay to do their own R&D, the customer's car becomes the guinea pig and costs will be coming out of his/her own pocket.
I know plenty of people who have been promised reliability and get a ticking timebomb because someone wanted to save a few bucks and cut costs...And then take into account the quote below in bold and you have some real problems:
That's the problem here. Most of these cars here are a parts bin of stuff. I dont know many people that take their car to Renntech, Kleeman ect. and have them do all the work. That is where things go bad! When a engine blows or whatever, the blame always goes to the tunner. Not to mention half the people dont even do normal maint. and have high miled cars they are tunning the crap out of.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 72
From: Palatine, IL
Speedriven
As long as the customer knows that going in, and all the terms of liability, build schedules, etc., are laid out on the table before money changes hands and the real work begins, then that's OK ... it's the price someone has to pay to be the first guy/gal with shiny-new "product x" on their car, you know?
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 72
From: Palatine, IL
Speedriven
That's why you get your expectations and deliverables in writing. It's a sad statement on tuning in general, maybe, but I go by the philosophy that someone who's not willing to write things down is already planning to f*** me. It's a big red flag.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,649
Likes: 207
'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 5
From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
Totally agree about the "relationship" part when it comes to the dealer but please please don't forget this everyone. In order for your dealer to put an expensive part in your car under warranty (the tripwire amount I am unsure of) they need authorization from the dreaded "regional guys". These are the real ****'s whose only job is to save Benz money by making sure we being good boys and girls and not modding or pulling funny business. They spot anything out of sorts with the car and they have authority to stamp DENIED on the request for new engine/tranny/ rear diff etc.
You can be dealing heroin to the service manager, but when it comes to catastrophic faillures, they bring in the corporate regional guys for approval.
That's why you need to play the game when modding. Save all parts and be ready in case of the worst case scenario. A weekend of wrench turning and 1K of install charges to rip out mods could save you $$$$$$$$$$$$$ if the unthinkable happens.
Honestly it's part of why I am so addicted to modding. It's kinda like gambling. You are rolling the dice that a 44,000$ (yup what she used to cost new) engine will not pop on you. Weirdest thing to describe but it's kind of a rush doing it.
I am out of warranty now so the thrill is gone.
You can be dealing heroin to the service manager, but when it comes to catastrophic faillures, they bring in the corporate regional guys for approval.
That's why you need to play the game when modding. Save all parts and be ready in case of the worst case scenario. A weekend of wrench turning and 1K of install charges to rip out mods could save you $$$$$$$$$$$$$ if the unthinkable happens.
Honestly it's part of why I am so addicted to modding. It's kinda like gambling. You are rolling the dice that a 44,000$ (yup what she used to cost new) engine will not pop on you. Weirdest thing to describe but it's kind of a rush doing it.
I am out of warranty now so the thrill is gone.
Luckily, the MBWorld family came through for me and I left with a smallish dent to my wallet vs. a gaping hole if I went through MB. Two years later, my Beast is still a Beast with no help from MB.
My service writer was the best but only so much he can get away with without telling his manager and possibly jeopardizing his own job.
Great thread BTW.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
...Speedriven’s obligation under this warranty extends only to the repair or replacement [of] parts sold by Speedriven...
Examples and threads attesting same abound, including those sold by this forum’s current and former vendors.
Not sure what veil has been lifted, but I do believe the OP’s premise is well-intentioned.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 72
From: Palatine, IL
Speedriven
Most aftermarket manufacturers’ warranties specifically exclude any claims relating to merchantability, fitness and/or ancillary damage.
Examples and threads attesting same abound, including those sold by this forum’s current and former vendors.
Not sure what veil has been lifted, but I do believe the OP’s premise is well-intentioned.
Examples and threads attesting same abound, including those sold by this forum’s current and former vendors.
Not sure what veil has been lifted, but I do believe the OP’s premise is well-intentioned.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
