I have started having problems with my Combined Air Mass Meter and ECU – on a V Reg – year 2000 A140 –showing signs of lumpy engine running at low revs, which is getting worst.
As the car is now out of warranty, I am really loathed to spend the £600+ I have been quoted to get this fixed. I believe that this is a fairly common fault with the earlier 140’s. My personal feeling is that as I have not broken the part, I think this is a bit steep having to pay to sort out MB poor quality and bad design issues!
Has anyone had any experience of getting MB to fund/part fund this sort of work outside of warranty??
Any suggestions welcome!!!
Just wanted to do a follow up to the above piece… Having discussed the above problem with my main dealer, they were very receptive and helpful.
My vehicle is 9 months out of warranty and has 43,000 miles on the clock. Having outlined my concerns that the part failure was not really attributable to me, they suggested the bill should be split 3 ways, 1 part to the dealer, 1 to Mercedes UK and the final part to me – I thought this was a good win, so if you are out of warranty, speak to your dealer.
[:)]
We have just been informed that our A140 Elegance has the same problem. It's a T Reg (Jul 99). We have been quoted £385, plus VAT for the part and £75, plus VAT for an hours labour.
I am waiting for a MB HO to ring me back next Monday. I believe that this is a common fault and the part/labour costs should be paid by MB. The car has had regular services, with the last one in November 2003, just over a month ago! [V]
Im glad I came across this forum. I have had my A140 (1999 with 38k on the clock) in for service and MOT this week. It failed the gas emission test with the same problem as you guys (Combined Air Mass Meter and ECU). I was given an estimated price of 750 pound for everything to be done and repaired (parts, VAT and labour). After I mentioned to the service guy that this was a common fault he said he will ask the main warranty people for a 'gesture of goodwill' but he got back to me saying that they declined.
Im seriously infuriated. Does anybody know who I should contact regarding this. Surely if its a common fault than we shouldnt have to pay.
I discussed this problem with Mike Walsh of MB Germany. He contacted my dealer (Vikings of Canterbury)and asked them about the problem. Vikings contacted me and asked if I would be satisfied with a 3-way split on the costs. Vikings put this to Mercedes and it was accepted. My share for the part and the labour costs was to be £180.00. We had the work done yesterday (20 Jan 2004). Vikings charged us for 2 hours labour - £150.00 and waived the cost for the part as a goowill gesture! My thanks to Peter (Service Manager - Vikings of Canterbury) for his efforts on my behalf.
If Mercedes do a recall, I shall be asking for the £150.00 back, as I still think that this problem is due to faulty goods!
At least the car is back on the road after 1 month!
Thanks Ive faxed, emailed and phoned up Mercedes but they are just refusing to help. They replied with the following:
"We can advise that when Mercedes-Benz deem there to be a "manufacturing/design fault" on a vehicle range or on a particular production lot then these vehicles will be sunject to a recall or a service measure which is issued direct from the factory in Germany. There has been no service measure or recall issued for the entioned fault on the A Class or any other model by Mercedes-Benz and indeed having checked your vehicles chassis number we can confirm there are no outstanding recalls or service measures on your vehicle. Mercedes-Benz do not consider the said fault to be a problem."
"We have been informed that it is unfortunately not possible to meet with your request for financial assistence in this instance, as your vehicle has miles and entered into its fifth year of operation thus placing it 1 year and 8 months ouside of its original manufacturer's warranty period."
What I dont understand is why they help some people, and not others? If they had rejected all of requests for gestures of goodwill, i'd say fine. Its just the feeling of unfairness. When I asked the customer sales rep, he told me each case is judged on its own merits, and 'its none of your business' to ask why another person may have received a good will gesture. I dont have any other choice then to carry out the repairs so that the car passes the MoT so that i can get the road tax and start driving the thing.
Linear Mode
