Merc E280 CDI Problem - Rear differential!

Sahil · 21st November 2009, 11:09

Ridiculous is all I have to say. Not only are Merc's electronically unreliable but also mechanically unfit on several counts.

The only other car that has ever left me stranded on the road was our first Mercedes C180, the damn thing refused to let the clutch come back up while driving on the highway! Was a close call. Reason's explained by helpline "The clutch oil gets hot so it gets stuck sometimes, nothing to worry!!"

GTO · 21st November 2009, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akki_5

UPDATE:

Got a text from AutoHangar today. Part is expected on 25th of this month.
However, MBIL is yet to reply even after two emails! :(

That's unusually long to procure a part, without which the car is undriveable! Auto Hangar's taken 2 weeks to source a driver's seat adjustment switch on my benz, but the crucial parts were always air-lifted and procured within a week (or less). I'm surprised that your E280 is going to be off the road for so damn long.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

Ridiculous is all I have to say. Not only are Merc's electronically unreliable but also mechanically unfit on several counts.

I agree. It's an inexplicable failure for a 50 lakh rupee car.

Akki_5 · 24th November 2009, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Shouldn't be. Auto Hangar is an A+ grade organisation. They did a lot of arguing on my behalf (and for my benefit) with Mercedes

. Do update this thread with developments.

Have you got contact numbers or email ids of any influential person in MBIL? AutoHangar is not doing anything in my case! I am yet to hear from MBIL despite repeated emails.

Do these guys even care?

Akki_5 · 24th November 2009, 20:39

Car was towed on a flat-bed truck to AH today afternoon at 1400hrs. They said that after thorough inspection, they will pass on the report to MBIL and keep me updated about the proceedings. Till then, it's a wait and watch. Some pictures for you all.

GTO · 25th November 2009, 11:13

Aw shucks, hurts to see our baby going to the hospital like that. Hope the part is sourced soon, and work done FOC under goodwill warranty.

ajmat · 25th November 2009, 12:50

Now that the car is in Autohanger, MB will inspect and give a suitable reply

drpullockaran · 29th November 2009, 10:08

Any updates? Bolt photos please.

Akki_5 · 2nd December 2009, 17:38

UPDATE:

The entire differential assembly is being replaced FOC under warranty. Parts are not available in India or Singapore (Mercedes Asia HQ) and are being sourced from Germany. ETA Pune is 9th Dec. ETA Bombay AutoHangar is 11th Dec. Car should be delivered by 13th Dec.
Spoke to the manager at AH regarding the bolt being incorrect. He said," Impossible. AH has always sourced original parts from MB in the past and will do so in future. Same for present."
Tried to explain that the bolt was longer than required and should not have threads all over it. He agreed about the threads part and said that AH had a similar opinion about it. But he assured that he has checked other Es too and all have a similar bolt. He will try and ask MB engineers about the anomaly of the bolt.
So, another fortnight of waiting.

Vid6639 · 2nd December 2009, 18:07

Good response from Mercedes. I'm impressed.

Akki_5 · 2nd December 2009, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by vid6639

Good response from Mercedes. I'm impressed.

I am not. Such a situation should not have arrived in the first place. Over that, my car will be off-road for 5 weeks (8 Nov to 14 Dec)! All this for a small bolt! Arrgh.

Vid6639 · 2nd December 2009, 20:46

I guess all these high end cars have long lead time issues. Yes this problem should not have happened but such freak failures are rare and I guess you were the unlucky one to have encountered it.

Most common parts are always in stock but parts which almost never fail are usually not stocked.

This is true for even low end manufacturers like Honda and Toyota, especially for german ones like Skoda and VW.

Akki_5 · 2nd December 2009, 23:25

Yes, AH did say that such a differential problem had not happened on an E in the past 4 years and hence, they did not have the part in stock. Understandable.
But somehow it is difficult to digest that the car is away for so long. There should have been a better way out.

ajmat · 3rd December 2009, 14:25

I would blame Autohanger. They should have taken the car immediately, got it evaluated by Mercedes. Mercedes could do nothing until the car was in a position to be examined propoerly on a hoist. Things only moved once Merc reviewed and took a decision

deutscheafrikar · 3rd December 2009, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akki_5

All this for a small bolt! Arrgh.

Any idea what exactly the damage to the diffrential is? Did you take a photograph of the diffrential from underneath the car before they took it to the workshop?

Akki_5 · 3rd December 2009, 20:07

As mentioned earlier, the bolt that fixes the differential in place had broken off and a part was stuck inside. Pictures are on page 1. Here is an updated drawing which clearly depicts the reason for this accident. Should there be any queries, feel free to ask.
The damage to differential is:
(1) A part of bolt is stuck inside.
(2) The back plate got damaged.
(3) The Aluminum cup has got thread marks (visible in pics posted earlier) due to constant hammering on the bolt.

21st November 2009, 11:09	#16
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	Ridiculous is all I have to say. Not only are Merc's electronically unreliable but also mechanically unfit on several counts. The only other car that has ever left me stranded on the road was our first Mercedes C180, the damn thing refused to let the clutch come back up while driving on the highway! Was a close call. Reason's explained by helpline "The clutch oil gets hot so it gets stuck sometimes, nothing to worry!!"
	() Thanks

24th November 2009, 20:39	#19
Akki_5 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 311 Thanked: 67 Times	UPDATE: Car towed to AutoHangar for inspection Car was towed on a flat-bed truck to AH today afternoon at 1400hrs. They said that after thorough inspection, they will pass on the report to MBIL and keep me updated about the proceedings. Till then, it's a wait and watch. Some pictures for you all. Attached Thumbnails Attached Images Last edited by Akki_5 : 24th November 2009 at 20:41.
	() Thanks

25th November 2009, 11:13	#20
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,508 Thanked: 300,646 Times View My Garage	Aw shucks, hurts to see our baby going to the hospital like that. Hope the part is sourced soon, and work done FOC under goodwill warranty.
	() Thanks

25th November 2009, 12:50	#21
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,860 Thanked: 27,950 Times View My Garage	Now that the car is in Autohanger, MB will inspect and give a suitable reply
	() Thanks

29th November 2009, 10:08	#22
drpullockaran BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: ERNAKULAM Posts: 962 Thanked: 385 Times	Knock Knock Any updates? Bolt photos please.
	() Thanks

2nd December 2009, 17:38	#23
Akki_5 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 311 Thanked: 67 Times	UPDATE: The entire differential assembly is being replaced FOC under warranty. Parts are not available in India or Singapore (Mercedes Asia HQ) and are being sourced from Germany. ETA Pune is 9th Dec. ETA Bombay AutoHangar is 11th Dec. Car should be delivered by 13th Dec. Spoke to the manager at AH regarding the bolt being incorrect. He said," Impossible. AH has always sourced original parts from MB in the past and will do so in future. Same for present." Tried to explain that the bolt was longer than required and should not have threads all over it. He agreed about the threads part and said that AH had a similar opinion about it. But he assured that he has checked other Es too and all have a similar bolt. He will try and ask MB engineers about the anomaly of the bolt. So, another fortnight of waiting.
	() Thanks

2nd December 2009, 18:07	#24
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,728 Thanked: 43,463 Times View My Garage	Good response from Mercedes. I'm impressed.
	() Thanks

2nd December 2009, 20:46	#26
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,728 Thanked: 43,463 Times View My Garage	I guess all these high end cars have long lead time issues. Yes this problem should not have happened but such freak failures are rare and I guess you were the unlucky one to have encountered it. Most common parts are always in stock but parts which almost never fail are usually not stocked. This is true for even low end manufacturers like Honda and Toyota, especially for german ones like Skoda and VW.
	() Thanks

2nd December 2009, 23:25	#27
Akki_5 Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 311 Thanked: 67 Times	Yes, AH did say that such a differential problem had not happened on an E in the past 4 years and hence, they did not have the part in stock. Understandable. But somehow it is difficult to digest that the car is away for so long. There should have been a better way out.
	() Thanks

3rd December 2009, 14:25	#28
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,860 Thanked: 27,950 Times View My Garage	I would blame Autohanger. They should have taken the car immediately, got it evaluated by Mercedes. Mercedes could do nothing until the car was in a position to be examined propoerly on a hoist. Things only moved once Merc reviewed and took a decision
	() Thanks