I have a 2002 S55. Greatest car I have ever owned. A couple of electronic glitches does not diminish my enjoyment of this ride.
I have spent over $3,000 out of pocket on replacing damaged front end street effects. The first was when I parked over a parking lot curb space divider. I pulled in with no problem and plenty of clearance. When I started to pull out...$1500+ to replace front end that caught on the curb.
Second time at golf course. Pulled over low cement space divider...plenty of clearance...I checked having been once burned. Finished 18 holes, pulled out...$1500+ to replace. My collision guy loves me...I'm the gift that keeps giving.
Shortly after the repair, I was waiting in the car for my wife. Suddenly, I thought I was rear ended. The car shook and dropped. No one hit me. I called MB direct and got a real runaround. I went to my dealer who invested time and expense to check but couldn't find anything.
Since then, on at least a dozen occasions, when I have been sitting in the car waiting for my wife, usually idling, the car has gone into the lurch and drop mode. Folks, this is not a subtle transition. It feels exactly like someone just hit the back of the car at parking lot speed. The Benz definately drops dramatically. I am certain this anomoly is what caused the damage on the first 2 occasions. Of course the heartless MB central people think I'm off my meds and have blown my e-mails off. Not their problem they contend.
Can any engineering detectives out there give me a clue as to what is happening?
hi there
wow that is a real shame, i cant imagine how upset ie. bummed and pissed off i would be after second time and now realizing it has something to do with the car. i wish i was writng to tell i knew something but i dont. i just noticed no one had written a reply and figured you could at least use some sympathy. you do own a very cool looking car and i bet you enjoy it. better luck in the futer and my i sugest what i do with my van with ground effects. never pull up close enough to get front over anything.
I have absolutely no knowledge of your car whatsoever.
However, could it be a hydraulic suspension or pneumatic suspension releasing its pressure all at once, if you have such?
Joe
Quote:
cabo35 - 11/22/2005 3:02 PM
I have a 2002 S55. Greatest car I have ever owned. A couple of electronic glitches does not diminish my enjoyment of this ride.
I have spent over $3,000 out of pocket on replacing damaged front end street effects. The first was when I parked over a parking lot curb space divider. I pulled in with no problem and plenty of clearance. When I started to pull out...$1500+ to replace front end that caught on the curb.
Second time at golf course. Pulled over low cement space divider...plenty of clearance...I checked having been once burned. Finished 18 holes, pulled out...$1500+ to replace. My collision guy loves me...I'm the gift that keeps giving.
Shortly after the repair, I was waiting in the car for my wife. Suddenly, I thought I was rear ended. The car shook and dropped. No one hit me. I called MB direct and got a real runaround. I went to my dealer who invested time and expense to check but couldn't find anything.
Since then, on at least a dozen occasions, when I have been sitting in the car waiting for my wife, usually idling, the car has gone into the lurch and drop mode. Folks, this is not a subtle transition. It feels exactly like someone just hit the back of the car at parking lot speed. The Benz definately drops dramatically. I am certain this anomoly is what caused the damage on the first 2 occasions. Of course the heartless MB central people think I'm off my meds and have blown my e-mails off. Not their problem they contend.
Can any engineering detectives out there give me a clue as to what is happening?
Apparently, the issue you describe isn't limited to the S body. I've had the same experience with my SL500 . . . .pull into a parking space-- no scraping on the curb or parking bumper-- ample clearance.
But backing out of the space a short time later and it sounds like the whole nose is being ripped off and invariably, the tow hook cover will pop loose- although I've not yet lost it and have wired it to the tow hook like a retaining strap.
Although I don't recall reading about it, I'd conclude that the MB's have a ride-height adjustment in the suspension and accordingly, I'm now giving ever curb a wide berth!
Thanks for the reply. The damage usually includes cracked and ripped street effects requiring replacement to bring the car back to mint. Frustrating but I've learned the lesson the hard way.
It does have height control auto and manual. Thanks for the input.
S55 is a hydraulic suspension system, and sometimes while the vehicle is at idle speed either the front or rear suspension suddenly drops down, in any case it is not normal. Some remidies with this problem is that the oil should be flushed and replacing the reservoir filter will solve the problem, but most common case is the ABC control unit defective or the both hydraulic valve block internal leakage. Have your mb workshop check it out.
Were I in your shoes, I'd be upset too: A) with the car & B) with MB Consumer Affairs.
That said, I can see both sides of the story. Mercedes as yet, has not observed your car display the complaint/condition of which you speak, so I can see why they would be reluctant to perform any repairs.
As a former Service Manager of a busy high line import dealership (no, not Mercedes-Benz), it sounds like a communication problem is getting in your way.
It sounds as though the car does have something very wrong with the suspension height control from what you describe. Not something that either you or Mercedes-Benz wants, especially in light of the tarnished image the marque has earned over the last several years.
You know, Video is a very powerful tool. If you had/have a camcorder mounted on a tripod, recording a side view (nearly filling the frame) of the car idling away and all of a sudden the car drops with a BANG!.....
Gee, that would be a tough argument to refute, don't you think?
Were Mercedes Consumer Affairs presented with the body shop repair orders, and the video documentation, I think you'd get not only your car fixed properly (at no charge, of course), but I think you would be happily reimbursed for the two prior incidences as well.
Linear Mode
