[katil.garage]

Originally Posted by lamborghini

Do get the alignment and balancing checked again. I've had this issue on other cars where at higher speeds only you could feel the difference post tyre change, etc.

I am sure more technical members maybe able to point out if any suspension parts should be checked out as well.

I did get the alignment and balancing done under personal supervision at the ASS, but will get it checked again.

Alternatively, it’s better to leave it like this, will help me keep the speed in check

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by katil.garage

Till about 110kph, you can’t notice much difference, post that with the same drive mode selected for both the tyres, on the same route, the steering isn’t as confidence inspiring as before, and the car tends to wobble a bit more than earlier at those speeds.

Get your tyres balanced on a Hunter machine with Road force balancing. There's one in Delhi. If you got the balancing from T&T, complain to them and ask them to do it when the Hunter guys get their machine this week at T&T for Demo. If they ask, how do you come to know? Just

[BowMan]

Originally Posted by Mission_PGPX

An interesting update on my W204 2014 pre-owned C-class:
We decided to have a spiritual drive to shirdi, Shani and Trimbakeshwar followed by Stay at The source by Sula. I prepared the car for the trip, did 2 part service in MB service center in ahmedabad. Had to change the brake-pads and read disks since it was due. We started early morning, spent couple of hours at saputara and finally moved to Shirdi. Just 15 kms before our hotel, we stopped at a traffic signal and car lost power. It doesnt move. I restarted it, and famous CEL came on but car can now move in D1 only. Basically it was in limp mode as MB calls it. Somehow managed to reach hotel limping at 30-40 kmph.

I called SAs at MB but no one answered. Nearest MB service station was in Nashik, where i called and receptionist informed that she will arrange a callback from service advisor, which i never got. Called my FNG guy and he suggested to let the car cool down 25-30 minutes and then reset the gearbox. I allowed the car to cool for the night and next day morning reset the gearbox and fired her up. The CEL was on. I slotted in D and started to move it started changing the gears and i thought it must be a malfunction of some sensor, took 2-3 kms ride and parked her back in hotel but CEL was bothering me so I started a search for laptop and diagnostic tool in Shirdi. Luckily found a guy who had Delphi for diagnosis, he came later that night and scanned. The error code was P2767, speed sensor malfunction. He erased the code which made the CEL go away and I thanked god before going to much required sleep.

Next day morning we started early to reach Nashik, just 15-18 kms in our drive and car went in limp mode again. CEL came on and now it was time to put her on flatbed. Nashik was still 70 kms away. Luckily found a good rest-stop on highway where I parked and a bus was leaving from rest-stop to Nashik. I asked family to hop on and reach to hotel in Nashik so I can think at peace

Towing was a good option, though time consuming but certainly safe. The wait was over 2.5 hrs, which made me search for FNG in Nashik. I finally found one "Ideal Automotive Engineers", photos of bmws and mercs were convincing enough to trust the guy. Called him and his response was straight it can be fixed by him, the sensor or solenoid valve may have failed in TCM. Hence, I decided to reach there instead of MB service station. I needed a quickfix and he seemed to be the guy.

Reached his workshop at 3 pm, he immediately took the car on ramp and opened the gear oil chamber parallelly scanned the error. It was "y23xx sensor faulty". Now diagnostic was clear, the sensor needs replacement which he ordered from Mumbai. I had to extend the stay one more night which I happily did. Next day the car was ready, I was asked to change the tranny oil once every 50000 kms. My ODO was at 87000 kms and according to him it was never changed. While MB service record states that it was changed at 57000 kms as a part of routing maintenance. Apparently my car was on lease program and was maintained at MB for four years. The Trust comes very costly

Anyway, We could reach home safe and sound enjoying the drive more than ever, the shifts feels smoother now and GB feels more relaxed. Total dent on pocket including towing on flatbed is 29000/-.
Lessons learned:
1) Never panic. **IT happens. Happens for good teaches you something in life.
2) Explore your options before you decide. I could only explore option of FNG thinking that if MB has service station in Nashik, there must be alternate. Eventually end up finding one. Had I thought of it a day before, i may not have to extend the stay by one more night.
3) Once CEL come on, accept that there is something wrong. Dont rely on your luck or spurious sensors etc etc. Get it diagnosed and do the repair.

After this, I started believing more and more on FNGs rather than company service stations. Yes, the standards may not be that high, but atleast you know what is getting done on your car.

With your car approaching 100K Km and apparently no fluid change it just might not be the end of your story.

The speed sensors tend to fail on these transmission but often the cause is loss of friction material from the clutches and brakes that gets lodged in these sensors. A change is not always required, a clean and flush often does resolve but a replacement is a more sure solution.

I would suggest you get your car scanned at MB and ask them for fill times. If the wear is too much you might be looking at a transmission rebuild. Did you check the condition of your pan and magnets?

[Mission_PGPX]

Originally Posted by earthian

So the first quote from the Authorised service centre was Rs 1.53 lacs for replacement of only front shocker assembly. The revised quote after i fumed at them was Rs 1.08 lacs ( Some discount on parts and labour).

I got shockers and other related parts from Shetty at Mumbai for Rs 28,800/- (Sachs) and paid the Authorised service centre Rs 4400/- as labour. Since the service had not been done for nearly 1.5 years ( the car is hardly used), Engine oil and brake oil were replaced costing me another Rs 10,000/-

So for Rs 43,500/-, shockers were replaced and service done.

ps: Do check whether link rods need replacement. After checking the MB dealer said they were fine.

Hi can you please share contact details for sourcing the Shocks for W204? Which service centre you approached and got your work done in ahmedabad? I need to change mine and i am in two minds. The reason is that mine is 2014 C 220d, which came with agility control suspension, which provides best of both worlds, comfortable at slow speeds and tight at high speeds.

[Mission_PGPX]

My W204 went in MB service center for Transmission service last Friday. I was in two minds whether to get it done from good FNG or go MB route and then decided to go with MB authorised service station since it is a question of Transmission and for next 50000 kms or so. I discussed with SA that i will be witnessing the entire process and he was happy to allow me to service bay. This was a genuinely satisfactory service experience i had with MB.

FNGs were informing that only 7 ltrs of oil is required while MB quoted for 10 litres. They emptied 11 ltrs in the bucket and filled full 10 ltrs. The Torque converter also needs to be drained which i suspect FNG may not do. They have a professional guage to measure how much has oil has gone in.

The FNGs are flooded with fake parts and oil as well and very hard to identify fakes these days. For such critical parts i would always advice to go with OE. Apparently I take back my words about using FNG, purely from the authenticity of parts.

Next is Brake pads and drilled discs from Brembo. Hope they perform as per reputation.

[lambodara]

Hello,
We have a petrol 2019 GLA which went for service and we were sent a report as below. At first glance, the price quoted looks exorbitant ! Even my X3 costs less for service with both filters included. I just wanted to know if the quoted price is in line with merc and they are not overcharging.
They have also proposed that we purchase their service package which I am not sure is worth it or not. 82k for service with air and ac filter seems like highway robbery to me ! Thanks !

[wildsdi5530]

Originally Posted by wildsdi5530

Has anybody used the OBD2 activator to activate CarPlay? The description says supported for B class 12.2015 +, Mine is 07.2015, but as far as I understand, the model is the same.

Attachment 2370927

I had ordered this and bought it. It is not working in my car. On plugging in, it says Diag and switches off, but Apple CarPlay is not getting activated.

[lamborghini]

Originally Posted by lambodara

Hello,
We have a petrol 2019 GLA which went for service and we were sent a report as below. At first glance, the price quoted looks exorbitant ! Even my X3 costs less for service with both filters included. I just wanted to know if the quoted price is in line with merc and they are not overcharging.

Should ask them for a detailed break up of the work to be done - for all you know they must be bundling alignment, polishing, etc. and other work into the bill.

Even the brake pads and discs at Rs. 1,20L is bonkers if you ask me.

Service package depends on your running.
I haven't opted for it since apart from routine service (30-50k/year for the W205 C220d but I prefer an annual visit to the A.S.S. as they are the only ones I can complain to about the rattles and expect a fix + they give a thorough inspection report of the car), I prefer to get other mechanical work done from outside - brakes, wipers, mechanical repairs, etc.

[earthian]

Originally Posted by Mission_PGPX

Hi can you please share contact details for sourcing the Shocks for W204? Which service centre you approached and got your work done in ahmedabad? I need to change mine and i am in two minds. The reason is that mine is 2014 C 220d, which came with agility control suspension, which provides best of both worlds, comfortable at slow speeds and tight at high speeds.

As mentioned Shetty of Mumbai: 9820225414 Somnath Shetty Motors

[patientbug94]

Hi all, my 2015 W212's stereo (head unit) has stopped working, and I am having a tough time locating the spares in Delhi NCR. Any leads would be well appreciated.

[aditya_911]

Originally Posted by patientbug94

Hi all, my 2015 W212's stereo (head unit) has stopped working, and I am having a tough time locating the spares in Delhi NCR. Any leads would be well appreciated.

They will be able to help you out.


https://instagram.com/themechanixind...d=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

[patientbug94]

Originally Posted by aditya_911

They will be able to help you out.


https://instagram.com/themechanixind...d=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Have been calling him since weeks now, has not picked up a single time. Thanks for the reply though.

[nitrogary]

Originally Posted by lambodara

Hello,
We have a petrol 2019 GLA which went for service and we were sent a report as below. At first glance, the price quoted looks exorbitant ! Even my X3 costs less for service with both filters included. I just wanted to know if the quoted price is in line with merc and they are not overcharging.
They have also proposed that we purchase their service package which I am not sure is worth it or not. 82k for service with air and ac filter seems like highway robbery to me ! Thanks !
Attachment 2403233

It does not look worthwhile to pay the money upfront. Only way it may be worthwhile is if you own a business and want to show expenditure in this financial year etc.

They gave a similar quote to me for the GLC and I decided to not opt for the package.
Got the car serviced last week - bill was around 60k and i will have to change the transimission oil in a few months. Have decided to do it in April.

[nareshtrao]

Originally Posted by Raj55

There is a reason why most people do not go back to the German car brands such as Mercedes, BMW, VW, Porsche etc, after owning one. They are usually expensive to buy, expensive to maintain, reliability is a big question after the guarantee period, the response and service from their dealer workshops are probably the worst in the car branch. Their attitude is one of that they are doing you a big service and favour by selling and servicing your car. They always come last in all the consumer garage relationship and service survey in almost every European country. My personal bad experience was with BMW and VW, but I hear my colleagues having similar experience with Mercedes and Porsche. When troubles and cost with the car rise, the fun of driving and trust for the company disappears.

I have the exact opposite experience on Mercedes though. I have the C Class for now exactly 4 years and I have been going to Sundaram Motors in Bangalore. Apart from being responsive, reasonable and extremely courteous, they are also very cautious on what gets done and what "needs" to get done. I do not know if this is because I have developed warm relationships or because they know this is an individual ownership and not a Business or a company ownership or perhaps because they see I care for the car. Either way, I have found them to be the best and very caring. I recall once I had a slightest doubt on the front suspension and they changed the entire setup under warranty - No questions asked. They said we need you to be satisfied. Initially they changed the dampers but I was not happy and went back next day. Then they changed the shocks and all related parts. ( I saw the parts bill when I signed for zero amount under warranty and it cost close to 1.5 L ). Even for the regular service they advice what needs to be and what can be pushed to next service.

And most importantly, for a TBhpian like me, they allow me to be on the shop floor all the time and let me talk to technicians and understand what they are doing. And I see the technicians enjoying the conversations and explaining patiently and not getting bugged with me. I surely will go back to them if I replace this car with another one.

Though I must say I did purchase from another dealer Akshaya who I stopped going to after 1st free check-up due to exactly the same issues you mentioned. Attitude and behaviour apart from poor quality of work done.

I would rather associate the issues you mentioned with specific ASCs and their internal organizational culture. That could be the answer.

p.s. I have a Ford Endeavour and I get a very similar service with their ASC PPS Ford. Even after 7 years the truck is a whale to drive and not a single creak or rattling. In fact even the 4 year old sturdy low mileage C Class feels fragile in front of it with some creaks.

However, I did not have the same level of experience with many other brands I have owned including Hyundai, Maruti, Mitsubishi and Honda.

[car_addict]

Originally Posted by nareshtrao

I have the exact opposite experience on Mercedes though. I have the C Class for now exactly 4 years and I have been going to Sundaram Motors in Bangalore. Apart from being responsive, reasonable and extremely courteous, they are also very cautious on what gets done and what "needs" to get done.

+1 on this.My CLA sees less usage. So during annual service, the service personnel have gone to the extent of checking the cabin air filter & recommending that it need not be changed as it is still very clean. They do this for all consumable parts (like brake pads, filters etc) if I let the executive know that it is a low usage vehicle. There is no push for "3M" cleaning & all other common scams done by Maruti, Hyundai service centers. Overall a very enjoyable & stress free experience. Many times, my Creta & Baleno gets estimates (with additional "items") more than what I pay for CLA service