[CMcD]

Had to drop my G off at the dealer last week so MBNA could take a look at for my lemon law issue I have going on, the list off problems is simply unbelievable & embarrassing for any new automobile sold this day and age.
So, since I had to drop it off any whey I figured they might as well fix what is presently broken on the truck.

This time the washer fluid light would not go out even when full
But I could not check the fluid any more because the hood was broke and would not open

The rear of the front passenger seat was falling off (the driver side already fell off and was replaced)

But the funny one is my passenger side window goes up very, very slow compared to the rest, making all sorts of straining noises, some days worse than others, possibly weather related.
I also think it goes up even slower if the heat of A/C is on high. In the recant past it actually stopped and had to be helped by pulling it.

My truck has had every window break in the down position at least once, the driver side broke several times.

So I go to the dealer to get my G and the dealer tells me that the MBNA representative said they could not fix my window because it still works within MBs specifications.

I believe now that I am working on the lemon law they are refusing to fix things because it just adds to the list for the judge to look at.

The argument is what is broke??? It is very obvious that my window does not work properly…. But does that mean it is broke??? Does just because, for the most part, it goes up and down mean that it is not broken???

I drive it home and two days latter I get gas (no self service in NJ) drive for 5 minuets and the gas cap off light and the check engine light come on. I pull over and the gas cap won’t go on. Now this is my second or third gas cap… the first few I would reline the spring mechanism myself every time this happened until it just simply broke. But this one was not cooperating.
By time I get home, about 15 miles I lost a quarter tank.
I give my dealer a call to schedule an appointment and the M.F er tells me I can fix it myself with some basic tools, and this always happens because the gas attendants are to rough. (never had it happen on the many other vehicles I have had)

What great customer service

Needless to say I am gona drive it back to the dealer tomorrow.

Two questions

Are the fog lights supposed to have moisture in them (like I was told?)

And there is something going on in my front end since mile 1, the steering wheel has plenty of play when turning to the right but is tight turning to the left.
If I hold the steering wheel straight at higher speeds it sort of drifts to the right.
its annoying
I have mentioned it during several of its visits, they keep telling me they cant find anything.

God I miss my 1986 G280

thanks

 

[Storm]

Drive it through the dealers windows!!

Too bad the UK and US are such nanny states otherwise I'd advise you go to your dealer and drag whoever is telling you your car is ok outside and smack him about till he agrees to actually listen to you and do something about your ride.

On second thought,.... don't take my advice unless you like getting sued.

 

[bushbenz]

Maybe you should take a video camera into the next meeting, ideally have a friend with a big news camera,
Its always good for a quick responce.

Alternatively just film everything that happens, including your personal comments, I'm sure it would give you some real ammunition as the case drags on.

Good luck

Regards Steve

 

[Brent]

You are driving a $75k Mercedes Benz. It is nothing short of absurd for a dealer to tell you that fog lights normally have moisture in them. Everything you list is completely unacceptable. That dealer should be strung up for treating a customer so poorly.

The unfortunate truth is that many dealers, regardless of brand, will pull this junk on customers. I assume that you have been very patient and tried doing things "their way" and now finally you are fed up. I think you are doing the right thing by getting it lemoned.

I suggest you become downright nasty with the dealership management. Make sure there is NO mistaking you extreme displeasure with this vehicle. Contact the BBB and FORCE the lemon law proceedings. Contact MBUSA in writing and express you dilema in no uncertain terms. Decide now what you want form this proceeding and do not back down. Unfortunately you really have to become a painful thorn in their side to get action. If you do not, be prepared to remain a doormat for them because they will not act without serious prompting.

 

[2000BEAST]

If you have a consumer afairs reporter on your local TV or Radio staion(s) that really gets their attenton too. Bad PR goes a long way in the local community. otherwise you are just one voice...

 

[Nonong]

my friend's 2004 cayenne-s has moisture problems in both headlight units and the dealer says it's normal to all cayenne's in temperate countries. do cayenne's in the US also have these problems?

 

[JamesG]

I was also told moisture was acceptable in the fog lights. Knock on wood, my problems ended when I replaced the 02 Computer module and the display with an 03, thanks to MarCo. I also told the dealer this will be my first and last Mercedes! He just shrugged his shoulders. Consumer Reports indicates a bad product across their lineup. I am sorry I let my 97 Landcruiser go. I feel bad for you.[]

 

[DUTCH]

Fog Light Moisture

JamesG - 1/9/2005 7:48 PM

I was also told moisture was acceptable in the fog lights.

If you don't use them for a while, there's a chance that moistyure could build up. However, there is a sealed vent tube that runs up to the inside back of the fender liner on each side. When the light is operated, the heat from the filament should drive the water vapor out that tube.

If this doesn't happen with use, it's possible that the tube fitting is loose on the back of the fog light assembly or that the tube is cut. Also, improper assembly of the light after replacing the bulb could result in bad placement of the rubber seal between the plastic lens and the reflector. This sure would allow moisture inside.

No matter, the lights are designed to prevent and eliminate any moisture buildup.

 

[JamesG]

Dutch, Thanks for the heads up, I'll crawl under and check that tube.

 

[DUTCH]

JamesG - 1/9/2005 8:06 PM

Dutch, Thanks for the heads up, I'll crawl under and check that tube.

The tube has a screw in fitting at the back of the fixture.

 

[ewalberg]

drifting to the right...

europa found some of the trucks needed a little offset spacer on the right front stabilizer. I think it's a little bushing/spacer that moves the right from side of the front axle forward slightly to address complaints of drifting to the right. Might be worth a shot.

Considering that people have also noted these trucks tend to sit slighlty squat on the left side, and having used trim packers under the left side springs to make it sit level, i wonder if this left side squat couldn't somehow contribute to the problem.

 

[Brent]

Some Cayennes have the headlight moisture problem. Mine has not and it sees extreme temperature and moisture swings. The fix is a little moisture absorbing bag that goes in the housing. They come from the factory with them and they are replacable.

On the G fogs, my vent lines are blue, easy to spot under there.

 

[Kerr]

if you do get to talk to anyone high up beside the people that answer the phone at 1 800 we dont care, give them my name and phone number I two would like to talk to some one higher up. I have had all your issued plus about 42 other, as or now i still have 6 to 8 issues that need to be addressed and fixed. Oh wait they have been and they cant fix them...

Im serious though if you get some one at mb tell them i two would like to talk.

Shawn Kerr
Bristol Va.

They can look it up in the computer, im the one with 4 pages of warranty clames.

 

[CMcD]

Kerr I don’t think there is a phone # of a higher up who does care… why would they??
I too tried 1 800 we don’t care several times, finely getting the # to 1 800 ha ha.
But if ever get anywhere ill let you know.
Only 4 pages and you’re complaining??

Dutch, I don’t use the fog lights all too often so they never really dry out like you say, but as you also I would think that they would be designed to prevent any moisture build up.

I was so enthused about finely getting a new G, only to get kicked. I have a 5 year old and I thought what a cool truck it would be for a first car in 12 years. My 93 400 sel runs like a champ.

One of my friends said the reliability of a G gives him the same felling as finding out the hot chick at the bar is a guy.

 

[DUTCH]

CMcD - 1/10/2005 7:25 PM



I was so enthused about finely getting a new G, only to get kicked.

One of my friends said the reliability of a G gives him the same felling as finding out the hot chick at the bar is a guy.

It's really a shame, because I've had no problems with either of my G's; but I've never allowed a US MB dealer to touch either one of them.

 

[luminox]

I too have the right drift problem in my 2000 G, also I have noticed the squat problem when approaching the vehicle from the front. I thought the right pull was from bad alignment or low tire pressure, but Walberg thanks for the info on the spacers, ill call them about it.
As far as your problems with your G, write a letter to the MBNA director or costomer service director. Tell them how the dealer has treated you etc. Also, the local news thing is a great idea, even if they don't run the story, the "dealer stiff client on $75k dollar lemon" would have to be enticing. I hate to say it, and know there are many happy 2002+ owners out there who are without problems, but cases like yours and Kerr's were why I opted for a 2000. Push the dealer, also go to another dealer etc.
On the subject of service for anyone who has a Europa G or any other type of European car that may need specialised service in the Albany/Massachusetts/Connecticut area, Redline Engineering in Caanan, NY (25 min from Albany) is a wonderful shop. They are expereinced with everything from 1980 G's to Ferrari and are honest and incredibly reliable.
However, Wolfgang Inc. in Tenafly, N.J. remains the east coast authority in my experience.

 

[MarcO]

I do not mean to belittle your issues but

I have read through these posts and I must comment on the original post. Your complaints really break down into the following:

1. Window regulator and repair thereof

2. Hood Spring

3. Seat (I believe that you are referring to the trim piece that is poorly designed on the MBUSA G's). As you or your passenger exits the plastic trim panel gets displace and broken. I have fixed this by dismantling and adding something called "GOOP" to the screws and surrounding housing.

4. Fog light vent tube kinked or foglight housing not sitting correctly

5. Gas cap - this is a known issue and simply requires a plier to reposition. In fact, I have done this with two keys and some muscle.

6. Steering wheel/ suspension / alignment



Now I do believe that from your description above that the dealer really has demonstrated a miserable understanding of your vehicle. You need to start a new relationship with a new service group. The regulators (1), passenger window (1), hood (2), seat (3), and alignment (6) need to be and will be attended to by a competent service group. Finally the gas cap is truly an educational issue (5). I have had the same experience at the stations along the NJT and fixed it right there. Finally, regarding the fog lights you may just want to dismantle and reseat them.

Having said all of the above, if it makes you feel any better I have had a multiple of your problems with my '02. Some of my problems were such that the vehicle was almost undriveable. I had electronic motors and switches for the Traction Control and the lockers fail. I once had the center diff lock by itself and I could not get it unlocked. Now if you are serious about the lemon law remember that your vehicle has FSS. This means that the vehicle monitors itself for routine service. If your vehicle demands a service visit (Visit Workshop) that is outside of the standard (A or B Service) 10K service intervals then you can quantify the degradation of performance against the manufacturers own recommended program. This is a quantifiable and even graphable phenomenon. Having said all this, I must tell you that in my humble opinion had my vehicle had only the problems that you had I would have been happy compared to where I started from. I still have this particular vehicle and not to bore everyone on this board it is now a model citizen that I drive everywhere. I drive once every other week to Bethesda, MD from NYC. I am piling the miles on and the vehicle is outstanding. I hope that this is constructive and helps you. Remember the old saying "the devil that you know...."

 

[CMcD]

RE: I do not mean to belittle your issues but

Don’t worry you cant belittle me any more,, after bringing a $75,000 problem upon my self it just cant be done. The problems you listed 1 thru 6 are what I origanly posted, but there just my current problems. I left out many, such as the transfer case leaving me stranded twice. Or the problem with my front hub during the “G�s first 2000 miles on a family trip to Florida with me spending a day sitting in the waiting room at a MB dealer to get things fixed. And yes I too have fixed the gas caps in the past several times until something internal broke that made it unfixable, as I said MB replaced the cap several times.

No insult intended, but you point that “Finally the gas cap is truly an educational issue� is crazy. Yes I agree that if I were to put the cap on every time my self it might not break, but as I said in NJ there is no self service, and my wife gets gas too. I expect gas caps to be idiot proof and not need any formal education to install. If I could go to auto parts store and get a replacement I would. A gas cap should work in a real world environment.

The windows had more than the regulators replaced in the past, only to break again, again and again, and still not work properly to this day.

The seat issue I am speaking about is the rear panel of the front seats, the panel that has the map pocket, both fell off exposing the interior of the front seats.

Im not going to dismantle and reseat my fog lights myself, not that I mind doing little odds and ends like that (I am a commercial roofer and certainly spend my share of time dirty), but it is more the point. Why should I have to??? Why should you have to Goop the screws on you plastic trim???

This was the first time the hood would not open; I was told the cable stretched out???

How did we by a MB and become part of there research and development. Overall I was bamboozled into thinking I was buying a time tested heavy duty reliable vehicle and willing to pay more for it.
When the truth of the matter is my new F250 diesel King Ranch is every bit as heavy duty and has not skip a beat, (I understand I am not comparing apples to apples) just like all my other work trucks,,,, except my Sprinter, but I think it have finally had its problems worked out.

Now I may not have had as many issues as you, but the amount I have had is completely unacceptable.

 

[RAFAEL MEDINA]

CMcD

THE PROBLEM THAT YOU HAVE WITH YOU STEERING WHEEL TILTING TO THE RIGHT IS BECAUSE THE FRONT ANTI ROLL BAR OR SWAY BAR IS BENT...YEAP THAT BIG 3" INCH SOLID TUBE ON YOUR FRONT AXLE IS BENT AND THAT WHAT IS CAUSING YOUR G.. TO TILT TO THE RIGHT SIDE EVEN IF YOU PUT YOUR STEERING STRAIGHT.. VERY ANOING. IT HAPPEND TO ME WHEN MINE HAD 500 MILES AND THEY HAVE TO REPLACE 2 OF THEM AND FINALLY THE PROBLEM GOT AWAY.. ASK YOUR DEALER TO CHECK ON THE SPECS OF THE SWAY BAR AND YOU WILL SEE THAT THAT IS THE PROBLEM


[}]RAFA

 

[CMcD]

Thanks I look into it, it was not the alignment.. its been aliened twice