Mercedes Benz and AMG Owners

magicroundabout · 1 Dec 2023 at 13:15

GF's car has just been into local Mercedes as an error kept appearing stating "4 matic system not functioning".

Mercedes have stated they've recalibrated the rear differential. Can I ask the experts here what that would entail?

Car is GLA A35 AMG.

dlockers · 1 Dec 2023 at 13:22

magicroundabout said:
GF's car has just been into local Mercedes as an error kept appearing stating "4 matic system not functioning".

Mercedes have stated they've recalibrated the rear differential. Can I ask the experts here what that would entail?

Car is GLA A35 AMG.

Smacked it with a hammer so it loosened up

magicroundabout · 1 Dec 2023 at 19:18

So not quite a hammer but apparently a software patch.

Drove 10mins down the road and "4matic Inoperative" pops up again.

Back to Mercedes we go :confused:

magicroundabout · 8 Dec 2023 at 07:54

So the A35 is going back to Mercedes next week (again) and this time it appears the rear diff is going to be replaced after x 2 visits, x 2 software updates and still we have 4matic inoperative appear and the car runs on 2 wheel drive.

A little frustrating but that's what a warranty is for I guess

GravyMonster · 8 Dec 2023 at 10:19

magicroundabout said:
A little frustrating but that's what a warranty is for I guess

Definitely. A little slow on the uptake, but at least they're sorting it for you. Have they given you an estimate on how long it'll take to get replacement parts in an fit them? Are you getting a courtesy car for the full period?

bazzabear · 8 Dec 2023 at 10:49

magicroundabout said:
GF's car has just been into local Mercedes as an error kept appearing stating "4 matic system not functioning".

Mercedes have stated they've recalibrated the rear differential. Can I ask the experts here what that would entail?

Car is GLA A35 AMG.

Even before I read the further post where it has re-appeared, my guess for 'recalibrated' was going to be - checked the error codes, couldn't find any, so just reset the whole thing and hoped for the best.

Housey · 8 Dec 2023 at 11:37

Mercedes dealers (I am now on my 4th) show themselves to be average to terrible. Occasional going the extra mile goodness and that is great, but usually they end up letting you down. Last time my car was in for an airbag error which related to the seatbelt connector on the passenger side, I was miffed to find they had removed the fire extinguisher in the footwell and forgot to refit it. No biggie, took me 1 minute so let it go.

Few weeks later, girlfriend gets into the passenger seat to find they had also forgotten to refit the lap belt on the passenger side too!! Again, took a couple of very fiddly minutes to resolve, but another example of shabby work on one of their halo cars. Yet to fire up the energy to message the dealership about it.

Not as if seatbelts are important of course....

MrRockliffe · 8 Dec 2023 at 12:55

Housey said:
Mercedes dealers (I am now on my 4th) show themselves to be average to terrible. Occasional going the extra mile goodness and that is great, but usually they end up letting you down. Last time my car was in for an airbag error which related to the seatbelt connector on the passenger side, I was miffed to find they had removed the fire extinguisher in the footwell and forgot to refit it. No biggie, took me 1 minute so let it go.

Few weeks later, girlfriend gets into the passenger seat to find they had also forgotten to refit the lap belt on the passenger side too!! Again, took a couple of very fiddly minutes to resolve, but another example of shabby work on one of their halo cars. Yet to fire up the energy to message the dealership about it.

Not as if seatbelts are important of course....

When companies fail at the basic things, it can be incredibly demotivating.

My experience with Audi actually started my journey of thinking about selling my car and I did eventually sell within a year.

It wasn’t as bad as you, by any means, but little things, such as refusing to do just the interior clean when in for a service, as it may be “too confusing for the valet staff who are used to doing inside and out”.

I’m really hoping I have a better experience with Porsche.

MissChief · 8 Dec 2023 at 13:21

Anyone owned, or owns a CLK AMG 6.2? My 428i will be paid off by the end of next year and musing a change to a V8. There's also a CLS AMG as well as the C and E. Budget would be around £20k next year.

Housey · 8 Dec 2023 at 14:30

MrRockliffe said:
When companies fail at the basic things, it can be incredibly demotivating.

My experience with Audi actually started my journey of thinking about selling my car and I did eventually sell within a year.

It wasn’t as bad as you, by any means, but little things, such as refusing to do just the interior clean when in for a service, as it may be “too confusing for the valet staff who are used to doing inside and out”.

I’m really hoping I have a better experience with Porsche.

I emailed the head of service to let him know. The post stimulated me to let him know and he came back immediately. asked for nothing more than get it right next time please. He has proven to be highly responsive so sense he will have words.

Steedie · 8 Dec 2023 at 15:08

Yeah Mercedes dealers are pretty awful now. The Sytner dealership near me was brilliant, so much so I bought two cars from them, but then they got bought out by Sandown and have become possibly the worst dealership I've ever experienced.

I think the only company to top Mercs incompetence is BMW, I've not encountered a dealership that isn't the pits.

Robbo · 8 Dec 2023 at 15:27

My experience with BMW is generally quite good, one dealer in particular has been outstanding on multiple occasions.

I've heard nothing good about any Merc dealers for a long time now... a pity.

magicroundabout · 8 Dec 2023 at 22:36

GravyMonster said:
Definitely. A little slow on the uptake, but at least they're sorting it for you. Have they given you an estimate on how long it'll take to get replacement parts in an fit them? Are you getting a courtesy car for the full period?

Will find out on Tuesday but will request a courtesy car. Hopefully it won't take too long to sort

magicroundabout · 8 Dec 2023 at 22:37

bazzabear said:
Even before I read the further post where it has re-appeared, my guess for 'recalibrated' was going to be - checked the error codes, couldn't find any, so just reset the whole thing and hoped for the best.

yes I imagine so. Drove it today to London and back without issue though. Strange one tbh

floatindolphin · 9 Dec 2023 at 23:01

MissChief said:
Anyone owned, or owns a CLK AMG 6.2? My 428i will be paid off by the end of next year and musing a change to a V8. There's also a CLS AMG as well as the C and E. Budget would be around £20k next year.

I had a normal CLK, 2002 I think it was. they rust! back arches go. Mine had had them fixed by the previous owner, so not an issue.

I had a C63, was epic! absolutely drinks fuel more than you can imagine!

MissChief · 9 Dec 2023 at 23:34

floatindolphin said:
I had a normal CLK, 2002 I think it was. they rust! back arches go. Mine had had them fixed by the previous owner, so not an issue.

I had a C63, was epic! absolutely drinks fuel more than you can imagine!

Thank you. I don't do that much in town driving these days. Since I got my 428i in June 2021 I've done 20,000 miles more or less but this past year I've done less than 9k so it's not too much of an issue. Last fill up was 26.63mpg! It's a real struggle to keep it over 30, but will be driving like a nun to see how much better I can get it to be for this tankful.

floatindolphin · 10 Dec 2023 at 12:23

MissChief said:
Thank you. I don't do that much in town driving these days. Since I got my 428i in June 2021 I've done 20,000 miles more or less but this past year I've done less than 9k so it's not too much of an issue. Last fill up was 26.63mpg! It's a real struggle to keep it over 30, but will be driving like a nun to see how much better I can get it to be for this tankful.

Driving like a nun never helped!

Still a thirsty girl!

MrRockliffe · 10 Dec 2023 at 13:15

MissChief said:
Anyone owned, or owns a CLK AMG 6.2? My 428i will be paid off by the end of next year and musing a change to a V8. There's also a CLS AMG as well as the C and E. Budget would be around £20k next year.

What about an E9x M3? If you find one with throttle actuators and rod bearings done, you could have a “cheap” year or two of ownership.

MissChief · 10 Dec 2023 at 14:01

MrRockliffe said:
What about an E9x M3? If you find one with throttle actuators and rod bearings done, you could have a “cheap” year or two of ownership.

Given I don’t have the £4-£5k @DRZ recommended for annual maintenance I think that’s a non-starter. I do love the saloon though.

MrRockliffe · 10 Dec 2023 at 15:21

MissChief said:
Given I don’t have the £4-£5k @DRZ recommended for annual maintenance I think that’s a non-starter. I do love the saloon though.

I really can’t see you spending that much more to run an M3 vs the 6.2L Merc, especially if the big jobs have been done