On a more serious note though, I had some problems regarding the cat recall. Basically here's how the day went down:
I took the ML in the morning to my own mechanic who called me soon after to tell me that it was catalytic converters that were cracked. He offered me a choice of replacing them ($1100) or trying to weld it back ($200). I told him to try welding it first, if that worked then great.
Later on, I found out from these forums that there was a catalytic converter recall in place. I called MB of Laguna Niguel to verify this and the service manager confirmed. I told him that I had taken the car to another mechanic but that I'd tell him to stop working on it and bring it to them instead.
I called my mechanic back tell him about the recall, but he was already working on it. He says he called mercedes to find out if this was to be covered in warranty and the answer was no. I told him to not work on it anymore, because I'd just take it to MB and get them to run the recall on the cats anyway. He did not charge me for welding the cats.
I dropped my car off on wednesday and today on friday I get a call from the service manager at MB saying "Good news! I was able to replace one of the cats and get it covered, but since the other one had been welded, it won't be covered, and so we won't replace it."
At the time I wasn't sure what to say, and it seemed understandable that they won't cover things that void the warranty. But after thinking about it some more, this really sucks. Because I did not know about the recall, so I took the car to my own mechanic (the ML's way past the warranty), and took it to mercedes on the same day, when i found out about the recall. Besides, the cats cracked WHICH IS WHAT THE RECALL IS FOR!
I called the SA back and told him this is a bad situation, that just because I didn't know about the recall I'm being punished for it. He says my mechanic should have called MB in the first place and asked if it was going to be covered. That's what my mechanic did in the first place!
I'm not sure how to proceed so I wanted to get advice from fellow ML owners and people who have dealt with MB dealerships in the past. I dont' want to end up in a situation where the welded cat does crack anyway, and now I have to pay $1100 to get it fixed.
Thanks,
Riz
__________________
2000 ML430
Cypress Green exterior, Tan interior
Unfortunately the MB guys did not tell him about the recall. The just said that the car was out of warranty (which it is, it's an MY2000). This is a different place than Laguna Niguel.
You were not out of warranty! You were still covered by the much longer emissions equipment warranty.
DelJ
Quote:
Originally Posted by rizwansattar
Thanks for replying so fast
Unfortunately the MB guys did not tell him about the recall. The just said that the car was out of warranty (which it is, it's an MY2000). This is a different place than Laguna Niguel.
About 7 months ago I was visiting my mom in Mississippi while she was helping with the Katrina clean up and about half way there from Oklahoma the cat exploded. Since I was unfamiliar with the area I waited until I got back to OK to have it looked at. The noise that these exploded cats made was nearly unbearable and also embarrassing, the whole way home I was thinking about running my 2000 ML 430 into a tree because I was so pist. Once I got back to OK I decided to take my car to an excellent non-dealer MB mechanic due to the outrageous price gouging prices that the MB shops charge. While my ML was at his shop being repaired I was at home reading my manual and realized that all emissions components were covered under a US GOV enforced warranty. I called up the mechanic working on my ML and told him what I’ve just discovered. Eminently after I picked up the ML and called the Tulsa OK dealership, they said they knew nothing about an emissions warranty (while being extremely rude) and that the cats were on back order (WTF). So I called the dealership in Oklahoma City and they said that my car was still within the warranty guidelines and to bring it up ASAP. A few days after taking it to OKC they called me and said the cat seems to be in working order and since it has been welded back together the emissions warranty is void (WTF). So I called up MB HQ and explained what happened, they replied by saying "Sorry, maybe next time you will make better decisions and always take you vehicle to a certified MB shop". So I gave up on trying to get it fixed for free and hopefully they don’t come un-welded. [Some words to thought] It wasn’t the weld that initially caused the cats to explode, it was a manufactures defect so they should be fully responsible for the replacement, and since the warranty is to be enforced by the US GOV, I’m not sure that they have the right to determine what is void and not void. I am really discussed with the way MB conducts business.
About 7 months ago I was visiting my mom in Mississippi while she was helping with the Katrina clean up and about half way there from Oklahoma the cat exploded. Since I was unfamiliar with the area I waited until I got back to OK to have it looked at. The noise that these exploded cats made was nearly unbearable and also embarrassing, the whole way home I was thinking about running my 2000 ML 430 into a tree because I was so pist. Once I got back to OK I decided to take my car to an excellent non-dealer MB mechanic due to the outrageous price gouging prices that the MB shops charge. While my ML was at his shop being repaired I was at home reading my manual and realized that all emissions components were covered under a US GOV enforced warranty. I called up the mechanic working on my ML and told him what I’ve just discovered. Eminently after I picked up the ML and called the Tulsa OK dealership, they said they knew nothing about an emissions warranty (while being extremely rude) and that the cats were on back order (WTF). So I called the dealership in Oklahoma City and they said that my car was still within the warranty guidelines and to bring it up ASAP. A few days after taking it to OKC they called me and said the cat seems to be in working order and since it has been welded back together the emissions warranty is void (WTF). So I called up MB HQ and explained what happened, they replied by saying "Sorry, maybe next time you will make better decisions and always take you vehicle to a certified MB shop". So I gave up on trying to get it fixed for free and hopefully they don’t come un-welded. [Some words to thought] It wasn’t the weld that initially caused the cats to explode, it was a manufactures defect so they should be fully responsible for the replacement, and since the warranty is to be enforced by the US GOV, I’m not sure that they have the right to determine what is void and not void. I am really discussed with the way MB conducts business.
MY 2000 ML320 also had the cracked cat converter and also started sounding like a vehicle at NASCAR. It only has 55K miles on it. Took it to the dealer and they are replacing it (right side). Are they supposed to replace both?
Also, they told me brakes and rotors need to be replaced (rear). Is that usual for that to happen so fast (only 55K miles?)
Thanks
I know it sucks, but if you are messing around with original MB parts, you can't expect to get reward do you?
If the mechanic has any evidence of the call he supposable made, that might be a case against the dealership, but hard to prove.
Try to call 1-800FOR MERCEDES
BTW. Lot of good mechanical tools have lifetime guarantee.
But ... most of manufacturers will void the guarantee if you grind your name on them.
Something to think about.
These STEALERSHIP are known to pull these " MB wont cover your CAT bcuz it has dirt on them crap!!"....... NOT saying you should do this but I once had an issue with an INFINITI STEALERSHIP with some warranty issue at @$4,500 that they tried to STIFF me with the bill. All I did was write them a check and make sure you have the money in the bank to cover the check bcuz they WILL call the bank to verify. As soon as you pick up your car drive straight to the bank and place a STOP payment on the check. They will contact you re: the stop payment at which time you tell the to go PHUCK THEMSELF and sue you and let them know that you are on to their SCHEME of DOUBLE DIPPING. I will assure you that they wont do diddly and I will tell you WHY! They will have ALREADY billed MB for that warranty work to your CAT that they says was NOT covered and was hoping that you were an IDIOT who would pay for service that they are going to bill to MB regardless. So there the CATS (pun intended) is out of the bag!!
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