I own a 2002 (52 plate) Mercedes, C200, Avantgarde, Kompressor and feel I must let you know (the public) about the vehicle I bought. I am not a "boy racer" but a sixty year old male who has never experienced such unreliability in 40 years of driving with the more common cars (Fords, Vauxhalls etc.).
This car was a 6 month old demonstrator with 7,500 miles on the clock and I paid £ 21,500 for it in 2003. It required a replacement CD player and wing mirror (whilst in warranty). Whilst it was in warranty I also complained about the noise coming from the engine but was told there was nothing wrong with it. Since 55,000 miles it has needed: 1) A new mass air flow sensor for the engine (a static component) 2) A new cylinder head gasket (a static component) 3) Another new wing mirror (due to defective wiring for the indicator) 4) The heatermotor is in imminent failure mode (due to a clicking from the motor). 5) Whilst the new cylinder head gasket was being fitted I was told the exhaust manifold was cracked (see initial comment above) and this needs replacing.
This car has had 4 of its services carried out by a Mercedes main agent and 2 by qualified mechanics.
The cost of the above repairs are/will be in excess of £3,000 (for a car less than 6 years old). I have approached both the Mercedes main agents where I bought the vehicle from and written to Mercedes, Germany. You may want to know that it has all been in vain and they can not even tell me the expected design life of the components that have failed.
After first writing to Mercedes Benz, Germany and asking if they would help in the repairs, Daimler, Germany replied, they initially stated that they would not as I had not had the car serviced by their main agents since 2005. After I wrote back and stated that all my problems had occurred since a main agent service in 2007 (proof was supplied) they wrote back to say I had not had my repairs carried out by their main agents. So they kept changing their reasons and I think the term CARTEL springs to mind here.
So beware when buying a Mercedes C class, they are not all you may think they are especially from a quality/reliability viewpoint. You will be expected to pay top class money but will not get a top class service from this once renowned (but no longer) car manufacturer. Writing to the main office is a meaningless task and any excuse comes back from them. Dave
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Mercedes A-Class - Hatchback - Front (FWD) - 6 Speed - (Man) / Autotronic - (Auto) - 1992 cc - Max Speed: 116 mph - 109 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: Elegance SE, Classic SE, Classic, Avantgarde SE, Long
Aug 30th, 2008
(Nov 1st, 2008)
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