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Mercedes-Benz

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Mercedes-Benz • c230 • c240 • c320 • CL500 • CLK320 • CLK55 • G55 AMG • ML320 • S55 • SLK230 • Odds 'n ends --- News • Mercedes Hopes to Buff Its Image

For many, the Mercedes-Benz represents the height of automotive engineering, or something. For many others, it's a status symbol. The latter it most certainly is. The former some of our readers aren't so sure about.

One reason for the recent spate of complaints may have to do with the growing reliance on electronics in today's cars and porked-up SUVs. European cars have always been known for, shall we say, delicate electrical systems. Adding gadgets of the complexity now common in the Benz is a recipe for big trouble -- and very big repair bills.

Here are a few of the more recent complaints ...

J.y. of San Jose CA (10/06/08)
I financed a lease-end 2003 C230 Coupe Kompressor in 2006 for 22K. Did not have any notable mechanical failures until the extended warranty expired (Nov07). Since then, the moon roof has completely died on me but more traumatically, I've discovered a compression problem - cylinder #2 is dying and the cylinder head needs to be completely rebuilt (7K repair dealership, 4.2K repair certified mechanic). The car is now worth less than the outstanding loan I hold on it. How could Mercedes not have recalled this engine?? A customer writing in that forum mentions writing MBUSA and receiving no help or advice with the problem. Is there a class action possibility here?

John of Mahopac, NY September 30, 2008

John of Mahopac NY (09/30/08)
To Follow is a letter i have sent to mercedes challanging them on the shameful switch they pulled. I have unlimited documentation to back up everything i am saying. 

Thank you for your concern on the deadline of the ordering date of the 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 Sport you mentioned in your letter. Its not my lack of knowledge of what your information packet stated that has delayed the order placement of the car that I won in the Hole-In-One contest for the Make a Wish Charity - Mercedes outing. Truth be told what has held up this order is the way your company has changed the winning prize after the prize was won by me and awarded to me at the awards ceremony, the new post win prize has been reduced to as you put in your letter base model?

C300 sport sedan, changing it drastically from the car presented to me as my prize on the day of the event. Clearly the car you now speak of is not the same car that was parked beside the tee box of the 17th hole par 3 on the day of the outing at Manhattan Woods. I am baffled as to how a company such as Mercedes can so un-shamefully change the grand prize after the fact. It is obviously poor sportsmanship as well as poor customer relations the way Mercedes has handled the outcome of my hole-in-one win. The car that your company proudly and prominently displayed was a C300 sport 4-matic with navigation, automatic transmission & premium packages. Possibly you were not aware of the grand prize that was displayed.

I was told after I won the car and the prize was changed that it was clearly stated in my invitation what the prize was.? In the invitation I received there was nothing mentioned about the car at all. I have enclosed a copy of the invitation that I received. Also, this being a celebration of a golfers dream, I have several pictures of myself and friends that were present at the 17th hole, they were also present at the award ceremony when the keys to my prize were presented to me. These photos clearly show that the car that was presented to me was not a C300 base model? as you now contend. It cannot be any clearer to me that whoever put this deal together did not plan on anyone winning. The sad part of this is I have been a Mercedes customer for years and have purchased several Mercedes Benzs and would not have expected the lack of integrity your company has displayed. I am looking for nothing more than the prize car I was awarded as well as presented with the day of the outing.

the difference in the car that was at the tee box as well as presented to me at the award ceremony is aproximately 15,000. different than the car that is being offered to me as my prize I have countless pictures of the car the day of the event as well as letters from mercedes as they have reduced the prize. I also have my oeriginal invitation that was emailed to me. There is NOTHING stated about the car on the invitation what so ever. Anybody knows the prize that sits on the tee box at a hole in one contest is the prize that is awarded.

Michelle of Dunwoody, GA September 7, 2008

Michelle of Dunwoody GA (09/07/08)
My brakes failed and I was involved in a serious accdinet.

My car was deemed totaled, by Progressive insurance Co.

Bruce of Chicago, IL August 2, 2008

Bruce of Chicago IL (08/02/08)
We had a lease on a 2006 CLK 350. We loved the car and was happy to keep it until the end of the lease. A sales person called and said that someone wanted to buy our car, it has a special order color and very low miles. They implied that there was no early termination fee. We were pressured into buying a new car alreadty in inventory in a very short peroid of time to get all the incentives.

At the time of sale the cost of the car was 10,000 more than sticker price. We were not give any explanation for the discepency. I am filing fraud complaints with Mercedes USA and ILL attorney generals office. I feel that more consumers need to know of this scam.

Paying 10,000 over sticker price during an ecomonic turn down where auto sales are stagnant.

Camille of La Quinta, CA July 21, 2008

Camille of La Quinta CA (07/21/08)
Service representative said repairs were needed on vehicle that were not needed. Also said repairs were done that were not done. Vehicle runs worse than before I took it in for repairs. Also driver's door was dented and driver side rear tire was vandalized requiring me to replace the tire. Vehicle interior was also vandalized with grease. Dealer had this car on 2 occasions in an attempt to make repairs. They had vehicle for nearly one month and have failed to correct rough idle. Idle is now worse than before I took it to this dealership.

Judy of Langhorne, PA July 20, 2008

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