As a follow up, I received a call back from Steve Chenlo, from Magna Donnelly (his direct line is 616-786-7495), and he said unfortunately Magna Donnelly is not servicing these mirrors on 1999 Mercedes as they provide no warrantee service.
He said that I have three options:
1) I can contact my Mercedes-Benz Dealership to arrange for a part replacement, and that I needed to understand that since this wasn’t under warrantee that there would likely be diagnostic, parts, and installation charges.
2) I could research after market makers of replacement components, search on Ebay, or possibly find a local automotive repair shop that may be able to replace my mirror at a reduced cost then the Dealership
3) I could contact a specialist third-party company named Sybesmas (www.sybesmas.com or call them at 800-456-4265
), who specializes in servicing out of warrantee electronics (such as radios, DVD players, and electronic mirrors, etc.). He said the way this company works is they will send me a remanufactured, like new, replacement mirror for approximately $75 US Dollars, with the requirement that I return my broken mirror to them. They would then use my mirror to remanufacture and send to someone else.
There is an implied 4th option of doing nothing as my mirror is a bit blurry but completely usable. It’s most like wearing a pair of dusty glasses.
Steve was very polite in his voicemail message, and invited me to call him back if any of this message wasn’t clear, or I felt I needed to speak with him.
I’ve considered if I were to call Steve back and press politely (diplomatic assertiveness) and let him know that Magna Donnelly has provided replacements for many of you (e.g., the previous 10 pages here), and that selectively choosing to replace some mirrors seems at least questionable in my mind as precedent has already been established.
I’m also curious if this may be why the Dani Andriacchi mentioned in many of the threads as very helpful was fired for providing unauthorized warrantee service for many of you engaging Magna Donnelly early.
I’ll consider my options and try to choose a path forward, and then follow back up with you. If any of you make progress, I would very much appreciate seeing your path forward; as mine is really still not clear.
Sincerely yours,
__________________
1999 SLK 230, Sport Pkg, Auto, Special Order Obsidian Black Metallic, Oyster leather, First met on August 20, 1999
<IMG src=http://home.comcast.net/~dbottoms/douglasslk2.jpg>
Nicely done! I havent noticed mine leaking (01 SLK230 K) but my dimmer has never worked since I have owned the car. Everytime someone pulls up behind me at night, I get completely blinded. Same goes with my passenger side mirror. Any thoughts?
When you call back be polite,, but let him know about good old evil AmericanPie who worked out Taillight recall. Mirror will be next - Likely under contract with Mercedes his company will have to eat all the cost
Nicely done! I havent noticed mine leaking (01 SLK230 K) but my dimmer has never worked since I have owned the car. Everytime someone pulls up behind me at night, I get completely blinded. Same goes with my passenger side mirror. Any thoughts?
My cabin mirror stopped dimming about 3 moths ago, no "lava lamp" leaking thankfully. My side mirror still works just fine. Sucks.
well, i waited too long and the milks gone bad. just as well as it seems having a new one would only delay the eventual reality that these things dont last forever. funny though, a conventional rear view mirror DOES last forever, and i never really had a problem with any of them in any of my cars. what i would like is a replacement rear view mirror that has a little flip toggle on it, you know like our moms and dads had to use? seems archaic i know, but since it worked for them i think it would work for me too. anyone know of such a mirror, possibly a benz unit from the junkyard or ebay, that would give this result without any wires or liquids or crystals involved?
I'm new to this site and new to writing on this kind of site, so please bear with me. I have appreciated reading the comments about the cloudy, broken rearview mirrors. After 5 years, my SLK230 2002 also just experienced this problem.
I have talked Donnelly company this week and they will not send out any more courtesy mirrors, nor will they sell one at cost.
Sybesmas sounds like a reasonable option. They, interestly enough, are also located in Holland, Michigan which is where Donnelly is located.
I'm trying to remove my rearview mirror this morning so that I can properly order the Sybesmas mirror. I understand that the mirror has a small hole in back that I should stabilize with a small tool, and then rotate the mirror 90 degrees.
Could someone that has a 2001-2003 SLK please advise me what preparation I need to do first.
I've put the top down.
I then unscrewed 4 Phillips screws to take down the sunvisors.
I then thought that the whole 5 foot wide piece across the top of the windshield would slide off, but it doesn't seem to.
Please advise. I would greatly appreciate your help.
well, i waited too long and the milks gone bad. just as well as it seems having a new one would only delay the eventual reality that these things dont last forever. funny though, a conventional rear view mirror DOES last forever, and i never really had a problem with any of them in any of my cars. what i would like is a replacement rear view mirror that has a little flip toggle on it, you know like our moms and dads had to use? seems archaic i know, but since it worked for them i think it would work for me too. anyone know of such a mirror, possibly a benz unit from the junkyard or ebay, that would give this result without any wires or liquids or crystals involved?
Pre 2000 Ozzie internal rear mirrors have the flip.
Vehicle: 1998 SLK230 Bahama Blue/Quartz Sand 97,XXX Miles
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Posts: 3,141
Quote:
Originally Posted by berk
well, i waited too long and the milks gone bad. just as well as it seems having a new one would only delay the eventual reality that these things dont last forever. funny though, a conventional rear view mirror DOES last forever, and i never really had a problem with any of them in any of my cars. what i would like is a replacement rear view mirror that has a little flip toggle on it, you know like our moms and dads had to use? seems archaic i know, but since it worked for them i think it would work for me too. anyone know of such a mirror, possibly a benz unit from the junkyard or ebay, that would give this result without any wires or liquids or crystals involved?
I bought one two weeks ago
oem and reasonably priced
Had the lava lamp mirror episode and ended up going the Sybesmas route via Magna Donnelly referal. Everything worked out fine, but the mirror sure was a bitch to re-attach. Hope I never have to do that again. Now I just have to solve all the other little issues that keep popping up on this cute little car for the wife.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
