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Too Many Problems!
In March 2008 I saw an advertisement for Mercedes SL 600 available in Encino. I did go to see the car. Silver Colored Mercedes SL 600 looked pretty good. The salesman told me that the car was originally sold in Encino, was always serviced in Encino, and the owner traded it in when he wanted a bigger car. The salesman actually showed me the car the SL 600 was traded for.
The car was precertified, had a recent complete check in Encino, was brought to an excellent condition and extended warranty for another year was granted. Thus I bought it.
Shortly there have been some problems.. To start with an inability of the car to start. A service man came and eventually exchanged the starting battery. That would seem to be somewhat strange if the car was completely checked just a few days prior to this.
On June I drove on the Freeway. I saw the traffic in front of me slowing down, and the car in my lane stopped and put the break lights on. I pushed the break pedal, but the car did not respond, and I collided with the rear end of the automobile in front of me.
This car was 1987 Cadillac, solid.
The Cadillac was not drivable, because the rear bumper was pushed in and the fenders on both sides were pushed in as well, so the wheel could not move.
I tried to call the salesman, and left numerous messages on his office as well as cell phone. I have not gotten any response.
I eventually called the service manager. I told him that not only the brakes failed, but the airbags not came out and also the roof does not fold.
He “explained” to me that the problem with air bags is a problem of the Mercedes-Benz factory and give me their tel.number.
After somewhat disappointing visit with the Encino Mercedes dealer I reviewed all documents I could find. They did provide to me some “interesting informations”. The car was sold on October 15, 2004 by Mercedes in Beverly Hills, not by Mercedes Benz in Encino. The car was serviced in October 18, 2004 and again on December 23, 2004. There was no information of any other service until February 12, 2008, when the car was serviced by All Star in Glandale, not in Encino as claimed. Car might have been serviced somewhere in Santa Barbara early on.
So the car was not sold in Encino, was not serviced in Encino at all, was serviced in Glendale and Santa Barbara as far as I could determine.
By some friends I was referred to Forums MB World and read some of the communications. Many current or past owners reported many unpleasant experiences with SL 600. Shocking were problems with electronically controlled break system. Mercedes had to recall 680,000 vehicles because of SBC bracket, suction hose and also SBC hydraulic unit problems. I looked at the break fluid reservoir, the level of fluid was quite low.
There were problems with starter motor which was deemed to be electrical fault in February 2008.
I called the telephone number given by the Encino service manager, and was able to talk to a lady .She promised that Mercedes Benz will send someone the next day to examine the car. Nobody showed up. I called Mercedes again, and this time talked to another lady. She told me that they will not send anyone to inspect the car, I should provide them with all pictures and mail them to her office in New Jersey. She gave me her tel, number and her extension 7843.
After considerable waiting period. I called again and left messages. Eventually I got a letter from MB USA that it was determined after examination of the pictures that the air bags worked properly. The pictures showed quite significant damages to the old Cadillac and front of my car the AB worked properly? – by not working at all?
I had the car repaired. The impact bar ( bumper) in front of the car, covered by plastic cover, had to be replaced and hours were spent an repair of the frame.
Again- the AB did not deploy!!! And they “worked properly”??
Since that time I was contacted by 2 people with brake malfunctions and I suspect there are some more. 680.000 cars recalled!!!
I believed that MB star on the hood is a guarantee of quality of the car and excelent service. I was wrong in both.
My expensive top of the line car had 23 defects repaired in less then 3 ½ years and I am afraid to drive it.
The car was precertified, had a recent complete check in Encino, was brought to an excellent condition and extended warranty for another year was granted. Thus I bought it.
Shortly there have been some problems.. To start with an inability of the car to start. A service man came and eventually exchanged the starting battery. That would seem to be somewhat strange if the car was completely checked just a few days prior to this.
On June I drove on the Freeway. I saw the traffic in front of me slowing down, and the car in my lane stopped and put the break lights on. I pushed the break pedal, but the car did not respond, and I collided with the rear end of the automobile in front of me.
This car was 1987 Cadillac, solid.
The Cadillac was not drivable, because the rear bumper was pushed in and the fenders on both sides were pushed in as well, so the wheel could not move.
I tried to call the salesman, and left numerous messages on his office as well as cell phone. I have not gotten any response.
I eventually called the service manager. I told him that not only the brakes failed, but the airbags not came out and also the roof does not fold.
He “explained” to me that the problem with air bags is a problem of the Mercedes-Benz factory and give me their tel.number.
After somewhat disappointing visit with the Encino Mercedes dealer I reviewed all documents I could find. They did provide to me some “interesting informations”. The car was sold on October 15, 2004 by Mercedes in Beverly Hills, not by Mercedes Benz in Encino. The car was serviced in October 18, 2004 and again on December 23, 2004. There was no information of any other service until February 12, 2008, when the car was serviced by All Star in Glandale, not in Encino as claimed. Car might have been serviced somewhere in Santa Barbara early on.
So the car was not sold in Encino, was not serviced in Encino at all, was serviced in Glendale and Santa Barbara as far as I could determine.
By some friends I was referred to Forums MB World and read some of the communications. Many current or past owners reported many unpleasant experiences with SL 600. Shocking were problems with electronically controlled break system. Mercedes had to recall 680,000 vehicles because of SBC bracket, suction hose and also SBC hydraulic unit problems. I looked at the break fluid reservoir, the level of fluid was quite low.
There were problems with starter motor which was deemed to be electrical fault in February 2008.
I called the telephone number given by the Encino service manager, and was able to talk to a lady .She promised that Mercedes Benz will send someone the next day to examine the car. Nobody showed up. I called Mercedes again, and this time talked to another lady. She told me that they will not send anyone to inspect the car, I should provide them with all pictures and mail them to her office in New Jersey. She gave me her tel, number and her extension 7843.
After considerable waiting period. I called again and left messages. Eventually I got a letter from MB USA that it was determined after examination of the pictures that the air bags worked properly. The pictures showed quite significant damages to the old Cadillac and front of my car the AB worked properly? – by not working at all?
I had the car repaired. The impact bar ( bumper) in front of the car, covered by plastic cover, had to be replaced and hours were spent an repair of the frame.
Again- the AB did not deploy!!! And they “worked properly”??
Since that time I was contacted by 2 people with brake malfunctions and I suspect there are some more. 680.000 cars recalled!!!
I believed that MB star on the hood is a guarantee of quality of the car and excelent service. I was wrong in both.
My expensive top of the line car had 23 defects repaired in less then 3 ½ years and I am afraid to drive it.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Wim van Acker on -
What a terrible story, I am sorry to hear this. I own a 2007 S550 4Matic, which I bought new. I also have been afraid to drive the car for a long time because of a defective brake system, which they finally repaired. My front wheels locked when braking hard during a period of 6,000 miles. To prevent that is the very reason why anti-lock brakes have been developed. Everytime I alerted the dealership, they would inspect the car and declare it 100% safe. In the end they dispatched a MB USA technical Specialist, who test drove my car with me and said, after the wheels had locked during braking while making a loud squealing sound "The brake system does what it is supposed to be doing". Fortunately, I have a friend who has spent 30 years of his life on the development and production of anti-lock brake systems with the world's most reputed brake supplier and his diagnosis was "Your front wheel speed sensors are defective and your car is unsafe. Do not drive it anymore."
So, finally the entire front brake system was replaced under warranty. It is a shame, that they have let me drive this vehicle through rain, snow and ice with an unsafe brake system.
I will spare you the many other technical problems, I have had with this S550 4Matic and will just summarize it in 4 words: Never Again A Mercedes.
Good luck with your car and best regards, Wim van Acker
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Permalink Reply by michael hoover on
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I purchased a 2006 cpo sl500 in jan 2009. Over the last year it has remianed in the shop. All under warranty but still 12 month and 6 service calls. I have had everything from a starter needing to be repacked with grease,electrical problems,to srs sensor issues to automatic door locks not working to total brake failure TWICE.
The brake failure was the last straw. I was at a dead stand still when my brake pedal went to the floor and i started rolling. I had it complete pressed and then used the emergency brake (which failed). I down shifted to first then thru it in neutral to coast to a complete stop. I called MB and I had the vehicle towed and they advised it was a hydralic pump which had a EXTENDED TIME RECALL so it was covered. A month later I had the same issue occur only this time i was moving. Luckily i was in a elevated parking garage and was moving slowly and was able to coast to a stop. I had it towed again and was advised it was a defective replacement hydralic pump and they replaced again. I dont trust this car. I have been luck twice the third time someone might get hurt or killed. I am presently dealing with MB corp.
The service people advised i had brakes(look like they read blogs) and it was almost a direct quote from a blog.
That if I fully press the brake it would stop. I am 6.2 250 and was standing on the brake and still moving,I dont think i could press any further.
The dealership would like to put me in a 2007 but from what I have read on these blogs they have the same braking system. Not sure I want to be in the same boat again.
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Permalink Reply by michael hoover on
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can you belive the MB regional rep refuses to do anything. His response is that if it fails again they will repair it again. God help me if i hit another car or pedestrian. I guess the only thing to do is drive it if it fails get a good attorney.
michael hoover said:I purchased a 2006 cpo sl500 in jan 2009. Over the last year it has remianed in the shop. All under warranty but still 12 month and 6 service calls. I have had everything from a starter needing to be repacked with grease,electrical problems,to srs sensor issues to automatic door locks not working to total brake failure TWICE.
The brake failure was the last straw. I was at a dead stand still when my brake pedal went to the floor and i started rolling. I had it complete pressed and then used the emergency brake (which failed). I down shifted to first then thru it in neutral to coast to a complete stop. I called MB and I had the vehicle towed and they advised it was a hydralic pump which had a EXTENDED TIME RECALL so it was covered. A month later I had the same issue occur only this time i was moving. Luckily i was in a elevated parking garage and was moving slowly and was able to coast to a stop. I had it towed again and was advised it was a defective replacement hydralic pump and they replaced again. I dont trust this car. I have been luck twice the third time someone might get hurt or killed. I am presently dealing with MB corp.
The service people advised i had brakes(look like they read blogs) and it was almost a direct quote from a blog.
That if I fully press the brake it would stop. I am 6.2 250 and was standing on the brake and still moving,I dont think i could press any further.
The dealership would like to put me in a 2007 but from what I have read on these blogs they have the same braking system. Not sure I want to be in the same boat again.
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Permalink Reply by Wim van Acker on
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Scary story. And reading Mercedes owners' experiences on the internet on this forum and others, you and I are not the only Mercedes owners who had/have to cope with failing brake systems.
The passive attitude of MB USA puzzles me. If I were a MB USA manager, I would immediately ground every vehicle with a potentially defective brake system and make sure it is 100% right, to avoid injury and loss of life as well as enormous damage to the brand.
Just like in your case, the Mercedes-Benz USA regional "Technical Specialist" refused to take action because "the brake system is doing what it should be doing". However, when I picked up my S550 4MATIC from the dealership, they had replaced the entire front brake system and the dealership staff was not allowed by Mercedes-Benz USA to show me the parts which they had taken off. The same happened when they exchanged the failed engine mounts and the failed transmission mount. I studied the invoices and noticed that the failed engine mounts were replaced by engine mounts with different part numbers, so apparently Mercedes_Benz reengineered the engine mounts without recalling the 2007 S550 4MATIC vehicles.
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Permalink Reply by michael hoover on
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MB has replace my engine mounts also. Luckily it was covered by my 5000.00 extended warranty. I can say that the MB greenway plaza is doing all they can. These guys are professional but there hands are tied. I know there is a webpage for people who have had personal injury due to these issue LawyersandSettlements.com. I just hope it doesnt get to that point. I just find it hard to believe MB corp risk management doesnt take a better look at this.
Wim van Acker said:Scary story. And reading Mercedes owners' experiences on the internet on this forum and others, you and I are not the only Mercedes owners who had/have to cope with failing brake systems.
The passive attitude of MB USA puzzles me. If I were a MB USA manager, I would immediately ground every vehicle with a potentially defective brake system and make sure it is 100% right, to avoid injury and loss of life as well as enormous damage to the brand.
Just like in your case, the Mercedes-Benz USA regional "Technical Specialist" refused to take action because "the brake system is doing what it should be doing". However, when I picked up my S550 4MATIC from the dealership, they had replaced the entire front brake system and the dealership staff was not allowed by Mercedes-Benz USA to show me the parts which they had taken off. The same happened when they exchanged the failed engine mounts and the failed transmission mount. I studied the invoices and noticed that the failed engine mounts were replaced by engine mounts with different part numbers, so apparently Mercedes_Benz reengineered the engine mounts without recalling the 2007 S550 4MATIC vehicles.
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