|
Exclusive Owners Community
David writes: 2003 SL 500 designo introductory model mileage at sale about 5,000- purchased new in April 2002 - This vehicle was in the shop so often it made ownership a misery (main issue was electrical, after five visits for diagnoses and work the Mercedes dealership mechanics still could not get the automatic lights to work). The worst thing about this car was not the electrical issues but the leather/suede trim of the designo edition. This trim could not handle the high heat and humidity of Houston Texas, it smelled like cat's piss - The LA Times noted that this may have been caused by the glue MB used, regardless I was offered no compensation. I will always wonder if somehow an animal had relieved itself in the vehicle, but conversations with another owner of the same designo model (and also with the dealership's mechanics) confirm that this outrageous smell is widespread with the designo trim. I lost about $10,000 on this vehicle. I doubt whether Mercedes ever properly heat tested a designo vehicle and I suspect it should never have been sold for use in Texas. Join the Exclusive Mercedes Benz Owners Community. Share your story and interact with other owners. Click Here to Create an Account >> Peter writes: I bought an SL 500 in September 2003 [August 2003 build].
Anybody else had rattling noises on the Glass Roof? Please let me know as i would like to decide do I sell this car and buy something elso or do I just have a one off Lemon! In the UK we regretably do not have the 'Lemon Law' and Mercedes feel it is beneath them to talk to customers even if it is a Safety issue. I really wish Chysler had not bought MB as the cars are now just overpriced ~ $126,000 Ford look-a-likes! or are my expectations too high? Bill writes: what's the current status? Did you file for lemon law? I bought my SL500 from Fletcher and have had many problems, leaking roof, elect, all the leather turned green and has been replaced, doors will unlock when you hit a bump, fuel gauage, paint and body damage while in for service.Fletcher sends out warranty work to non MDUSA certified shops and use cheap labor as well as replacement parts that are not MB. I have filed a lemon law against MBUSA and Flectcher Jones. I have a court date for Sept 2nd. Joe writes: having same problem with MB rep..never called me...cars 2001 sl500 has had problems with soft top, window, gas gauge, lights., tire sqeeling constintly, etc..been to dealer over 18 times so far and counting..going lemonlaw with this and damages David writes: I purchased my 1998 sl500 from Flecther Jones in Newport Beach, Ca in early 2000. It was a "pre-owned" model with about 7000 miles on it. It has been in the shop so ofter that my neibors kid me about the number of new "loaner" always in my driveway. The most critical problem is that periodically while driving at a maintained speed the car just dies.. no power nothing. It has happened at freeway speeds, slower sppeds etc. When I pull over "coasting" the car will not start for about 15 minutes. After numerous meetings with Fletcher, thet simply tell me nothing is in the computer and they cannot duplicate the problem. It is not only frustration but down right dangerous. This car has 78,000 miles on it and has so many parts replaced it is almost funny. Including new leather interior, remachined and rebuilt left bank of cylinders, complete rewiring of zenon headlamp,powerseering pump, metal ribs in convertable top, 7 new visors, all plastic parts from sun damage( it is a convertable! maybe they should have tested the effect of the sun on the parts) electronic transmission wiring, front srtut tower brackets-due to cracking welds, the lights in the dash and shifter marker and acces. 2 fuel tank guages this list comtinues and I won't bore people. The paint chips really easily in the front area, my front tires ( with AMG wheels and Mich Pilots) won't stay alighned. The tire people I use now computer adjust them every month. Botton line is that this was a $90,000. dollar vehicle when new and while I love driving it ( I also have a classic style 560sl) I cannot understand the poor design and quality . A service advisor once laughed as he changed some burned out bulbs yet again," These are the same type bulbs used in my 58 Chevey, youwould think the electrical system woulds would have advance more in so many years". I hope this long email finds some other interested in this propblem with Merceds Benz. David writes: 2001SL current mileage: 14,000 - leased new in the summer of 2001 - it has as been in the shop for six different events (air conditioning problems on multiple occasions, lights, external trim falling off, loud clattering noises, driver seat squeaking). I would dearly love to trade this one back or sell it if I could get a better price! I am told the value is about $46,000 and Mercedes-Benz Credit Corp has a book value on my lease of about $62,000 - sp it's cheaper for me to pay the remaining eleven payments than return the vehicle now. Sharyl writes: I purchased my 1999 SL500 Sport 'pre-owned' with 23000 miles and an extended "StarMark Warranty" covering the car up to a full 2 years/100000 miles. New, this car cost almost 99000 US Dollars. Thus far, I've enjoyed: - Chipping quickly wearing paint at all surfaces exposed to head-on road debris - Uneven wearing of the front tires not comparable to the rear - Dash lights going out then on again intermittently - A trunk lid which won't open, seemingly, if the temperature is over 85 deg F. Of course, the dealer can't reproduce the problem. - Wearing leather not commensurate with the car's use - A driver's window which vibrates mercilessly when it rains - A transmission that once disengaged as I tried to merge into high speed traffic - Extreme brake noise/squeal. I'm told that 'It's Normal' I'm bracing for further problems. Time to consider other brands. George writes: I have a 2003 SL55 and a 2004 S600. They both have had numerous problems with different items, and to the dealer's credit they have ironed out every one of them after 4 months of working on both cars. One problem that both cars have though and the dealer has never heard of this before, is that as I tried to get into traffic from an onramp, both cars jumped out of gear and went into neutral. One of those times was scary indeed as a truck almost hit me. The car seems to be running fine and the gear shift is in Drive but has no transmission power. If you take it out of Drive shut it down and start it back up it runs fine. Until next time? Both cars have done this once each. Has anyone had that happen before? The dealer has been good about fixing all the short comings of the Mercedes but as a long time owner of Mercedes (have had six cars in the past) I am sure that I will not buy them anymore. Join the Exclusive Mercedes Benz Owners Community. Share your story and interact with other owners. Click Here to Create an Account >> James writes: My 450 SL staulls when hot and will not cranck or turn over, sluggish taking off at a stop sign. Will compeletly die when engine is warn but Ok in the mornings and no problem starting when cold. Zach writes: SL 500 designo model. Mercedes and the dealer have been quite difficult to deal with since there concerned about being my wife being sick from the fumes from the door panel. after much screaming the told the door panel glued separated and thats where the smell came from. first we told it was cat pee! my wife has been very sick since the exposure of at least 3 months when they could not find the problem.they have refused to tell of the exact nature of the glue if thats what it is. the cars still smells bad after they replaced most of the interior.at this point mercedes has ingnored our request for more information and deletes messages i put on there web site i am looking for other people with same and to know if is not feeling well. this problem is not only annoying but dangerous and there has not been a recall or alert to any owners of this model Frank writes: My friend's Mercedes has a problem. When the car is left for more than three days the battery will not start the car. Eventully something is draining the battery when it is left for just a few days. Mercedes dealer says this is my friend's fault - that she is not driving the car enough and fast enough to keep the battery charged. There only suggestion is to provide a device that she can plug into an electric socket in her garage and keep the battery charged. Of course this will do no good when she must leave the car at the airport parking lot. What can be done?? Jeffry writes: I have a 2000 SL500, piece of #@$% is now ticking, they say because I did not have the oil changed at the dealer (went somewhere else because the dealer is a bit of a drive, and I don't have much time on my hands) that they would not fix the car under warrantee. To further this upset, they then tell me; Mr. Williams it appears as if your car has thrown rod bearings in one of the cylinders, it is a matter of time before a connecting rod comes through the side wall of your 135,000.00 AMG! And a new engine is 40k. David writes: 2003 SL 500 designo introductory model mileage at sale about 5,000- purchased new in April 2002 - This vehicle was in the shop so often it made ownership a misery (main issue was electrical, after five visits for diagnoses and work the Mercedes dealership mechanics still could not get the automatic lights to work). The worst thing about this car was not the electrical issues but the leather/suede trim of the designo edition. This trim could not handle the high heat and humidity of Houston Texas, it smelled like cat's piss - The LA Times noted that this may have been caused by the glue MB used, regardless I was offered no compensation. I will always wonder if somehow an animal had relieved itself in the vehicle, but conversations with another owner of the same designo model (and also with the dealership's mechanics) confirm that this outrageous smell is widespread with the designo trim. I lost about $10,000 on this vehicle. I doubt whether Mercedes ever properly heat tested a designo vehicle and I suspect it should never have been sold for use in Texas. Peter writes: I bought an SL 500 in September 2003 [August 2003 build]. 1. Factory installed Mobile Phone [Nokias 6310i] constantly refuses to work - this is only minor irrritation except they changed the law here last week! 2. Terrible rattles over uneven roads [this is a BIG issue as most small A & B roads in the UK are uneven!]. It's been in for repair for 2 days and again for 3 more days. As one accellerates even gently it sounds as though the car is bending or tearing apart under duress.. a disconcerting creaking noise, and in addition so many rattles from seat, roof, and rear compartments it's hard to tell where they are coming from. The noise from the drive train also sounds rough!! as though it has no oil in it. This is my 6th Mercedes and the only one that sounds like a bigfiat punto. 3. I noticed a rather nasty small that I thought was the catalytic converter - as they can stink a bit when new. However I did notice that it was worse when one had opened up the engine some and was therefore hot! Now I keep reading about the hot weather in Texas causing a smell like cat's pee - So I'm really looking forward to next summer!!!! PS: I have 'Exclusive' Nappa leather i.e. it's all over all the panels - the dash area and rear compartment area etc. In Nappa Leather but not a Designo colour. I also had a real problem with 'tramlining' [following ruts in the road] on the make of factory fitted tyres, this brand made the car seriuosly unstable under heavy braking. It was so bad that tyre manufacturer immediately paid me ~ $1,360 to buy a replacement set of 18" Pirelli P Zero Rossos. This cured the problem totally! Now drives beautifully but rattles like hell. Anybody else had rattling noises on the Glass Roof? Please let me know as i would like to decide do I sell this car and buy something elso or do I just have a one off Lemon! In the UK we regretably do not have the 'Lemon Law' and Mercedes feel it is beneath them to talk to customers even if it is a Safety issue. I really wish Chysler had not bought MB as the cars are now just overpriced ~ $126,000 Ford look-a-likes! or are my expectations too high? Bill writes: I bought my SL500 from Fletcher [Jones Newport Beach] and have had many problems, leaking roof, elect, all the leather turned green and has been replaced, doors will unlock when you hit a bump, fuel gauage, paint and body damage while in for service.Fletcher sends out warranty work to non MDUSA certified shops and use cheap labor as well as replacement parts that are not MB. I have filed a lemon law against MBUSA and Flectcher Jones. I have a court date for Sept 2nd. Join the Exclusive Mercedes Benz Owners Community. Share your story and interact with other owners. Click Here to Create an Account >> Joe writes: having same problem with MB rep..never called me...cars 2001 sl500 has had problems with soft top, window, gas gauge, lights., tire sqeeling constintly, etc..been to dealer over 18 times so far and counting..going lemonlaw with this and damages David writes: I purchased my 1998 sl500 from Flecther Jones in Newport Beach, Ca in early 2000. It was a "pre-owned" model with about 7000 miles on it. It has been in the shop so ofter that my neibors kid me about the number of new "loaner" always in my driveway. The most critical problem is that periodically while driving at a maintained speed the car just dies.. no power nothing. It has happened at freeway speeds, slower sppeds etc. When I pull over "coasting" the car will not start for about 15 minutes. After numerous meetings with Fletcher, thet simply tell me nothing is in the computer and they cannot duplicate the problem. It is not only frustration but down right dangerous. This car has 78,000 miles on it and has so many parts replaced it is almost funny. Including new leather interior, remachined and rebuilt left bank of cylinders, complete rewiring of zenon headlamp,powerseering pump, metal ribs in convertable top, 7 new visors, all plastic parts from sun damage( it is a convertable! maybe they should have tested the effect of the sun on the parts) electronic transmission wiring, front srtut tower brackets-due to cracking welds, the lights in the dash and shifter marker and acces. 2 fuel tank guages this list comtinues and I won't bore people. The paint chips really easily in the front area, my front tires ( with AMG wheels and Mich Pilots) won't stay alighned. The tire people I use now computer adjust them every month. Botton line is that this was a $90,000. dollar vehicle when new and while I love driving it ( I also have a classic style 560sl) I cannot understand the poor design and quality . A service advisor once laughed as he changed some burned out bulbs yet again," These are the same type bulbs used in my 58 Chevey, youwould think the electrical system woulds would have advance more in so many years". I hope this long email finds some other interested in this propblem with Merceds Benz. Anonymous writes: 2001 SL current mileage: 14,000 - leased new in the summer of 2001 - it has as been in the shop for six different events (air conditioning problems on multiple occasions, lights, external trim falling off, loud clattering noises, driver seat squeaking). I would dearly love to trade this one back or sell it if I could get a better price! I am told the value is about $46,000 and Mercedes-Benz Credit Corp has a book value on my lease of about $62,000 - sp it's cheaper for me to pay the remaining eleven payments than return the vehicle now. Sharyl writes: I purchased my 1999 SL500 Sport 'pre-owned' with 23000 miles and an extended "StarMark Warranty" covering the car up to a full 2 years/100000 miles. New, this car cost almost 99000 US Dollars. Thus far, I've enjoyed: - Chipping quickly wearing paint at all surfaces exposed to head-on road debris - Uneven wearing of the front tires not comparable to the rear - Dash lights going out then on again intermittently - A trunk lid which won't open, seemingly, if the temperature is over 85 deg F. Of course, the dealer can't reproduce the problem. - Wearing leather not commensurate with the car's use - A driver's window which vibrates mercilessly when it rains - A transmission that once disengaged as I tried to merge into high speed traffic - Extreme brake noise/squeal. I'm told that 'It's Normal' I'm bracing for further problems. Time to consider other brands. George writes: I have a 2003 SL55 and a 2004 S600. They both have had numerous problems with different items, and to the dealer's credit they have ironed out every one of them after 4 months of working on both cars. One problem that both cars have though and the dealer has never heard of this before, is that as I tried to get into traffic from an onramp, both cars jumped out of gear and went into neutral. One of those times was scary indeed as a truck almost hit me. The car seems to be running fine and the gear shift is in Drive but has no transmission power. If you take it out of Drive shut it down and start it back up it runs fine. Until next time? Both cars have done this once each. Has anyone had that happen before? The dealer has been good about fixing all the short comings of the Mercedes but as a long time owner of Mercedes (have had six cars in the past) I am sure that I will not buy them anymore.
|
Read the complaints other owners have had with Mercedes Benz
This site has no official relation to Mercedes Benz