Mercedes C220 UPDATE: Sold after 9 years and 1.05 lakh km!

sandeep108 · 28th May 2009, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

I beg to differ. I work for one of those companies. A reason for reduced warranties are

1: Degraded environment - extra heat and dust means increased chance of failure
2: competition does not offer this so why put one's head on the block. Only now are car manufacturer's going beyond the 1 year mark
I agree on the taxation part of things as a percentage of the product cost is to cover warranty

Possibly your company is one that is more 'ethical' than the others. Unfortunately my experience quite differs. Whenever I have bought any stuff from the US/UK, it simply lasts and lasts, no issues inspite of our heat/dust. Whenever similar items are bought in Mumbai - officially with bill and warranty, I have experienced various issues.

In case of cars, probably the localisation and quality issues also play a part, but I am yet of the opinion that the Indian customer continues to be taken for a ride.

Akki_5 · 28th June 2009, 04:16

I got the estimate for my E280 second service from AutoHangar at close to 35k

Not looking at shelling out that much on just a service, i got the number of Ajay Parekh (GTC) from GTO.
just for confirmation GTO, should i go ahead with this guy? is he trustworthy and knowledgeable enough? i treat my cars like my babies and don't want to give them to just anybody i don't know enough about

(and this gets hard when it comes to my luxury cars)
For how long have u been getting your C serviced from this guy? What is the kind of price i should expect for this service?
Help required and appreciated.

Thanks,
Akshay

*just glad that the forum is back*

diffsoft · 28th June 2009, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandeep108

Possibly your company is one that is more 'ethical' than the others. .....
In case of cars, probably the localisation and quality issues also play a part, but I am yet of the opinion that the Indian customer continues to be taken for a ride.

Sir,

I worked for an MNC in India (other than one mentioned by Ajmat) and know of friends who work in some others across industries including auto. I think the notion they knowingly take customers for a ride is simply terribly false. In fact I have seen them bring in far better ethical practices than some established large Indian companies I know and worked for.

I guess it takes them a while to understand the market, customers, dealers while their cost structures remain high because they have a "developed country" mindset.

Cheers,

GTO · 5th October 2009, 17:23

Electronic key gone kaput. Basically, the plastic buttons have broken off entirely. In only 4 years of use. Says a lot of the quality (or lack of) of the plastic used. Cost of key from authorised : Rs. 12,000!

Looking for aftermarket options. Or will simply use the second key for another 4 years

Rudra Sen · 5th October 2009, 17:34

A duplicate VIN key is 12000/-? What's the kind of margin dealer/company is keeping here!!

pranavt · 5th October 2009, 17:51

I haven't read up on programming these electronic keys, but I'm very sure I've seen blank keys being sold for peanuts on Ebay. They can be reprogrammed for your car, provided you have someone in the know with a key programmer for the exact key. If someone has a few monies to spare, try buying this and making a business out of programming keys for even half the OEM rates.

Auto Diagnostic Series,Original Diagnostic Equipment,Auto ECU Programmer,Car Key Programmer,Code Scanners,Auto Electronics Series,Auto Testing Series,Auto Repair Series,Auto Cleaning And Care Series,Auto Store Series

Jaggu · 5th October 2009, 17:54

Yup OE duplicate keys cost a bomb and you have to wait for a year lol.

Crv first key the plastic case has broken after 4 years, was held with super glue for couple of weeks. When that gave away, duplicate was used and in 2 weeks the battery went kaput and the jammed screw head got buggered, so cant open to replace the battery. Have to take it to some lathe which can do a precision drill job and not break the second key. Right now works as a normal key without remote activation!

Cost of replacement 14k INR. I guess Merc is cheaper in some areas.

EDIT: @GTO if you are going to use second key, first replace the battery! Before the screw gets jammed with salt from sweat and attacked by the elements. In our case the 2 years storage had done the trick on the screw and the battery :(

mohit · 5th October 2009, 18:46

Its a blatant cash grab and yes every manufacturer is good at it! Out here, a genuine Honda key costs $250 so I guess its the same ballpark amount.

GTO · 5th October 2009, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

A duplicate VIN key is 12000/-? What's the kind of margin dealer/company is keeping here!!

Well, lets put it this way. They're healthy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pranavt

I haven't read up on programming these electronic keys, but I'm very sure I've seen blank keys being sold for peanuts on Ebay.

Aha, whenever in doubt, use Ebay. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu

@GTO if you are going to use second key, first replace the battery! Before the screw gets jammed with salt from sweat and attacked by the elements. In our case the 2 years storage had done the trick on the screw and the battery :(

Will do tonight itself. Thank you

Jaggu · 5th October 2009, 19:54

Also if there is slightest hint of jamming, take it to a watch repair guy they are experts in opening such screws!

diffsoft · 6th October 2009, 07:51

Another example of poor reliability or longevity. German engineered cars are a terrific delight to drive but the clawing feeling of maintenance and their upkeep costs really makes me and my wallet shudder.

If there's one lesson I learn again and again from Team BHP it is that practicality is important and it matters more than delightful driving experience. The latter invariably seems to come at some "uncertain" future cost.

Every time I read ownership reports of an Audi / BMW / Merc / VW my heart yearns for it. I tell myself I will earn enough to buy one of these cars. But the more reports I read about failure of such complex engineering and thus the downtime, extra costs and the hassle, the mind takes over and says, "How the heck are you going to justify these spends?"

This battle between the heart and the mind is getting resolved in favor of the mind (atleast for now

) after learning from others' experience, which is of course far cheaper

.

evo · 6th October 2009, 11:57

As I posted earlier, the Skoda keys cost upwards of 8000, a guy with some machine is capable of making a key that opens doors but it seems he cant do the radio stuff required to start the engine.

manson · 11th October 2009, 00:32

Something even I'm a little troubled about since a few weeks. My Honda runs a H.I.S.S. and I only got one key from the previous owner.
Is there anyone around in Mumbai who could replicate the code from the key itself to make me a second key?

manson.

ImmortalZ · 11th October 2009, 08:17

Nope. You have to get it done from Honda. People keep talking about blank keys that can be reprogrammed by some imaginary corner shop person, but if you have a new age car with immobilizers, you'll need to get it done from the A.S.S..

Vid6639 · 11th October 2009, 08:59

Immortalz, I've seen those corner shops which are not really corner shops.

They have all the diagnostic tools to plug into the ECU for every car model. From there they program the new blank key and test it out. They even give a warranty with the new key.

The place is near mission road in bangalore and the Skoda/Honda/Toyota keys were costing Rs.2,000.

The keys are branded from an italian company Electronic Keys

28th June 2009, 04:16	#182
Akki_5 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 311 Thanked: 66 Times	E280 CDi Elegance Service # 2 I got the estimate for my E280 second service from AutoHangar at close to 35k Not looking at shelling out that much on just a service, i got the number of Ajay Parekh (GTC) from GTO. just for confirmation GTO, should i go ahead with this guy? is he trustworthy and knowledgeable enough? i treat my cars like my babies and don't want to give them to just anybody i don't know enough about (and this gets hard when it comes to my luxury cars) For how long have u been getting your C serviced from this guy? What is the kind of price i should expect for this service? Help required and appreciated. Thanks, Akshay just glad that the forum is back Last edited by aah78 : 28th June 2009 at 06:09. Reason: Please limit smileys to 2/post. Thanks!
	() Thanks

5th October 2009, 17:23	#184
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 60,936 Thanked: 201,746 Times View My Garage	Electronic key gone kaput. Basically, the plastic buttons have broken off entirely. In only 4 years of use. Says a lot of the quality (or lack of) of the plastic used. Cost of key from authorised : Rs. 12,000! Looking for aftermarket options. Or will simply use the second key for another 4 years
	() Thanks

5th October 2009, 17:34	#185
Rudra Sen Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,123 Thanked: 5,494 Times View My Garage	A duplicate VIN key is 12000/-? What's the kind of margin dealer/company is keeping here!!
	() Thanks

5th October 2009, 17:51	#186
pranavt Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,630 Thanked: 287 Times View My Garage	I haven't read up on programming these electronic keys, but I'm very sure I've seen blank keys being sold for peanuts on Ebay. They can be reprogrammed for your car, provided you have someone in the know with a key programmer for the exact key. If someone has a few monies to spare, try buying this and making a business out of programming keys for even half the OEM rates. Auto Diagnostic Series,Original Diagnostic Equipment,Auto ECU Programmer,Car Key Programmer,Code Scanners,Auto Electronics Series,Auto Testing Series,Auto Repair Series,Auto Cleaning And Care Series,Auto Store Series Last edited by pranavt : 5th October 2009 at 17:52.
	() Thanks

5th October 2009, 17:54	#187
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 19,520 Thanked: 12,886 Times	Yup OE duplicate keys cost a bomb and you have to wait for a year lol. Crv first key the plastic case has broken after 4 years, was held with super glue for couple of weeks. When that gave away, duplicate was used and in 2 weeks the battery went kaput and the jammed screw head got buggered, so cant open to replace the battery. Have to take it to some lathe which can do a precision drill job and not break the second key. Right now works as a normal key without remote activation! Cost of replacement 14k INR. I guess Merc is cheaper in some areas. EDIT: @GTO if you are going to use second key, first replace the battery! Before the screw gets jammed with salt from sweat and attacked by the elements. In our case the 2 years storage had done the trick on the screw and the battery :( Last edited by Jaggu : 5th October 2009 at 17:57.
	() Thanks

5th October 2009, 18:46	#188
mohit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto / Kurukshetra Posts: 667 Thanked: 154 Times	Its a blatant cash grab and yes every manufacturer is good at it! Out here, a genuine Honda key costs $250 so I guess its the same ballpark amount.
	() Thanks

5th October 2009, 19:54	#190
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 19,520 Thanked: 12,886 Times	Also if there is slightest hint of jamming, take it to a watch repair guy they are experts in opening such screws!
	() Thanks

6th October 2009, 07:51	#191
diffsoft BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 772 Thanked: 398 Times	Another example of poor reliability or longevity. German engineered cars are a terrific delight to drive but the clawing feeling of maintenance and their upkeep costs really makes me and my wallet shudder. If there's one lesson I learn again and again from Team BHP it is that practicality is important and it matters more than delightful driving experience. The latter invariably seems to come at some "uncertain" future cost. Every time I read ownership reports of an Audi / BMW / Merc / VW my heart yearns for it. I tell myself I will earn enough to buy one of these cars. But the more reports I read about failure of such complex engineering and thus the downtime, extra costs and the hassle, the mind takes over and says, "How the heck are you going to justify these spends?" This battle between the heart and the mind is getting resolved in favor of the mind (atleast for now ) after learning from others' experience, which is of course far cheaper . Last edited by diffsoft : 6th October 2009 at 08:02.
	() Thanks

6th October 2009, 11:57	#192
evo BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kolkata/Shillong Posts: 779 Thanked: 143 Times View My Garage	As I posted earlier, the Skoda keys cost upwards of 8000, a guy with some machine is capable of making a key that opens doors but it seems he cant do the radio stuff required to start the engine.
	() Thanks

11th October 2009, 00:32	#193
manson Team-BHP Support Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 3,769 Thanked: 3,073 Times View My Garage	Something even I'm a little troubled about since a few weeks. My Honda runs a H.I.S.S. and I only got one key from the previous owner. Is there anyone around in Mumbai who could replicate the code from the key itself to make me a second key? manson.
	() Thanks

11th October 2009, 08:17	#194
ImmortalZ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 2,153 Thanked: 368 Times View My Garage	Nope. You have to get it done from Honda. People keep talking about blank keys that can be reprogrammed by some imaginary corner shop person, but if you have a new age car with immobilizers, you'll need to get it done from the A.S.S..
	() Thanks

11th October 2009, 08:59	#195
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 16,825 Thanked: 34,199 Times View My Garage	Immortalz, I've seen those corner shops which are not really corner shops. They have all the diagnostic tools to plug into the ECU for every car model. From there they program the new blank key and test it out. They even give a warranty with the new key. The place is near mission road in bangalore and the Skoda/Honda/Toyota keys were costing Rs.2,000. The keys are branded from an italian company Electronic Keys
	() Thanks

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