[spockmckoy]

just turned over 700 miles yesterday. came out of work tonight at 11 pm. after 4 calls to MB roadside assistance, a hook has been called. The metris won't shift out of park. information display reads 2 warnings. Wiper Malfunction. ESP Inoperative. it starts, but going nowhere. BACK to dealer, again, coming up on 1 am, waiting for hook. PISSED OFF!!!

 

[Greenmanedlion]

I understand your frustration. I hope you can adequately explain your frustration to the dealer and that you get compensated for it. I think you got a lemon- 31k and change on mine, knock on wood, I've never had a disabling error, no continuous errors with any system, and only one need to restart the car (ran it too hard on ASD, CEL came on, it ran rough, restart solved the problem, no repeat as of yet).

My biggest complaint is paint quality. I hope that your problems get worked out and it's just a bumpy start to a overall happy vehicle ownership.

 

[spockmckoy]

Update: dealer called me and said at this time they can't duplicate what/why it did what it did. Still working on it. A problem they said, 'NOT all codes get stored by the computer, so they may never know". The van was flatbedded to dealer after dropping me off at my home @ 2:30am. Dealer calls me at 8 am and I tell him what all of the 4 calls to MB roadside assistance achieved. MB kept telling me how to fix a Sprinter. I said over and over, 'IT IS NOT A SPRINTER! It's a Metris!" I was told to shut off van, get out, close door, lock, let it go to sleep, unlock, get inside, close door, start. I did this 3 times and nothing changed. Then I was told to get a screw driver and take apart the steering column and look for a hidden switch to manually put it into gear. Couldn't get it apart. I got a call from a tech and I told him what is going on and he said, "the electronic transmission CAN NOT be put into gear manually!!"". This is now the 3rd time it has gone back/had to call the dealer. 1st time; muffler hanger needed bent away from factory trailer hitch cause it was rubbing. Also, main gasket on rear doors was cut in 2 places and needed replaced. 2nd call; radio would not shut off. eventually, 'product specialist' said to 'reset' the system and walked me through that to fix. 3rd time, this incident. I told my salesman I am seriously going to look into the lemon law. He told me it is now good for up to 15,000 miles. I said I just turned over 750 miles!! WTFMB!!! I have a lader rack on my van, and due to concerns of the hook operator and possible underpass height, I'm taking ladders off the metris while up on a flat bed and lowering to my driveway @ 2:30 AM. Tried not to disturb my neighbors. PIA...... NOT happy with MB. NOT in the LEAST!! For what it is worth, in the bottom side of the steering column is a RED button. I tried to push and pull it. It will pull out a little, but I still couldn't get the steering column apart. Not sure what that button is for, my salesman didn't know either.

 

[spockmckoy]

thanks. I took on GM before the lemon law took effect in my state and I won. I will have no problem taking on MB if I have too. As a side note, I finally got the roof to quit shaking when the windows are down. I installed a ladder rack, which did nothing to help. HOWEVER, when I installed 2 extension ladders = 120 pounds, all quiet in the vehicle when the windows are down and I do over 35 mph. So, go out and put 120 pounds on your roof and you should be good. O

 

[spockmckoy]

dealer updated me...

The dealer just called me and said the computer stored a code for a 'defective steering module'. It is ordered and will be back to me sometime tomorrow. To review, the information display alternated between 'ESP inoperative' and 'wiper malfunction'. Also, on the speedometer had the little yellow car with squiggly tire tracks behind it lit. This somehow does not allow the electronic transmission to leave Park. I want to let you think about this: Because the tranny can't be put into Neutral, the car was DRAGGED out of the parking spot, wheels locked, skidding across the pavement far enough for the hook operator to turn the car to flatbed it. I had it backed into a parking space against a curb/hillside. The hook operator tried placing nylon pads in front of the tires to lesson the friction, but didn't really do much at all. rubber marks across the asphalt. I started it and turned the wheel to help guide it out of the spot.

 

[parsi]

You really have gotten the short end so far, multiple problems from day 1. You're definitely in your right asking for a replacement, though I doubt that goes anywhere without legal help. Sounds like crappy workmanship all around and makes you wonder the history of that particular vehicle since no one else seems to be having those particular problems.

I'd especially take issue with how they treated your roadside assistance call. Disassemble your steering column??? That's insane and possibly voids your warranty. That's been my peeve since owning this van. Dealers, technicians, parts people, etc. know nothing about our vehicle and when things go wrong it's frustrating being met with blank stares or evasive non-answers.

Better luck with whatever you decide.

 

[mb513]

. . . .
I'd especially take issue with how they treated your roadside assistance call. Disassemble your steering column??? That's insane and possibly voids your warranty. . . . .

Call me skeptical, but in 45 years of car ownership I have never had a dealer technician tell me to do anything that involved tools. Process? Yes. Tools? Never.

Coupled with the fact that at 12:56 AM in a deserted parking lot waiting for tow help, I would not, in a million years think to post a "Metris is Crap" post to a website. Add a "What don't you like about your Metris" thread and I would have to suspend disbelief to conclude anything but either a troll or chronic malcontent is the author of this stuff.

Having said that, the lemon laws are very simple and very objective. And, since they all provide for attorney fees, it is rarely necessary to employ an attorney since doing so simply increases the cost to the company. If you have had the requisite number of safety related issues, or unresolved service issues within the requisite amount of time, they comply with the remedies available under the state law. Certainly better than having non stop damning posts on the only Metris Form.

 

[Greenmanedlion]

While I do think that a better title for the thread would have been better (even "my Metris is a piece of crap"), the Leonard DeForrest here exploding in anger because he couldn't shift his Metris into drive (or neutral) at 2:30 in the morning after spending $30k+ on the thing at a mere 700 miles is not surprising behavior.

You call MBRA, go through some irritating nonsense, finally get them to dispatch a tow truck. And then you sit and wait fuming at Mercedes customer service blunders and your particular car, too. Is it not a reasonable thing to spend the time you are twiddling your thumbs waiting to post a complaint/warning on the forum where you learned about about it and discussed it with others?

As for the things you don't like about the Metris thread, when he posted it the forum was full of people singing pure praises about their vans. And as you can see there are certainly things people don't like about it.

Truth be told I had been thinking of posting a list of the things I don't like about it. Mercedes builds the best cars in the world in my opinion - and a long history of owning them to back that up- but they are far from perfect.

 

[parsi]

I would have to suspend disbelief to conclude anything but either a troll or chronic malcontent is the author of this stuff.

The author has chronicled his issues since day one. Is he supposed to be content having multiple issues requiring dealer service immediately after purchasing a new vehicle? Sure he's been grumbling, but sitting in a parking lot at 1AM I think we'd all be a bit intemperate at that point.

Troll? Who exactly is he trolling? The six people who post here regularly? Or are you implying he's a subversive industry secret agent?

Chronic Malcontent? Sign me up. I expect service, knowledge and responsibility from my suppliers just like my clients expect from me. Of my last four vehicles I've been least pleased with MB customer service and have been vocal about my displeasure on this forum. I also have been complimentary when it's appropriate. I thought that's what forums were for and not to limit discourse.

The only people who may want to limit negative discourse would be the subversive industry secret agent types

cheers,
parsi

 

[spockmckoy]

to MB 513, my office building is attached to the parking lot where I work. After dealing with MB roadside assistance, the girl from MB located in New jersey, [I asked} said at this point since I can't find the switch in the steering column, the only option left is to call for a hook. I sat in my metris reading the manual for possible help. Do you know the display has different meanings if you have buttons in your steering wheel or do not have buttons. I do not have radio control button or any other buttons in the steering wheel. Paddles behind it, +/-, only. I got a robo call from MB stating my hook will be aprox 65 minutes out. I then locked the van and walked back into my office building. I was so pissed off, I got online and posted my complaint here. NOW, are you satisfied? If you want, I'll post the dealers name in PA, you can call them, and you can ask them about it. Would you like to do that? My dealer called me today and we spoke of the information I was given about the steering column and such. I asked about the RED button. He didn't know but said he'd find out. For yourself, go out to your Metris, lay down and look up at the bottom center of the steering column. Do you see a red dot? Let me know what it is. I'm not a malcontent, or a troll. Personally, whether you believe me or not is little concern to me. IF someone gets some help in seeing the 2 warning messages in their info display, great. To all of the Sherlock's in here, have a nice life.

 

[DKTVAV]

I would be more pissed off if it was my van I paid more than $46,xxx.xx with the title of the thread will be more heavy.

 

[spockmckoy]

Picked up the van this AM. 25 miles 1 way to dealer. Traffic 1 hr each way. Had to schedule a ride with someone who worked nite shift and could take me. I'll attach a copy of the receipt, for anyone's future reference. No charges, but it cost me 2 days of work with no vehicle, plus I bought gas for my ride taking time out of their day. I will be contacting owner of dealership in writing to compensate me in some manner. sorry if jpg isn't right size for you to view. I blocked out my info/dealer info. I asked about the red button on the bottom of the steering column, but techs at dealer looked at it while I was there and don't know what it is for. I guess the steering module isn't in the steering column cause they didn't know button was even there.

 

[Greenmanedlion]

I'm surprised you didn't get a loaner.

Edit: heh, I wonder how many "126" code parts are in my Metris. That was one of the finest cars ever made, and I can't imagine a car that debuted 37 years ago, and ended production 25 years ago shares a part with a Metris- even if just a screw.

 

[spockmckoy]

I asked about a loaner program and they don't offer. I asked if someone could pick me up at my home and they didn't have anyone free. Nor to drop off at my house. probably cause it would take at least 4 man hrs [2 guys/2 hrs each round trip] My dodge ram had the 5 star program and I got a loaner if in the shop. a loaner truck so I could do my business. I expected more from MB. I signed an invoice for today's repairs at over $430, not including tow fee. No charge directly to me. I just filled out the 'MB survey' and I continued on sep site to complain. Pity only 1500 characters and they shut you off. I'll let you know if anything comes from it.

 

[Greenmanedlion]

That baffles me. My car is in for a warranty issue (bad radio reception, paint issue)- nothing disabling like yours. And I'm driving a 2016 GLE350- don't think they offer loaner vans, although I know Mercedes of Devon does. Nice truck, although it would be useless for doing markets if I still did them.

 

[spockmckoy]

My radio amp was replaced due to poor reception. About a week later, the radio wouldn't shut off when I shut off the engine. I called the dealer and they walked me through a 'system reset' on the radio. Been fine since, but AM reception sucks. I get an alternator whine through the AM side when I have my Tomtom GPS on and it's charging while plugged into the cigarette lighter. It seems once the battery in the GPS tops off, the whine goes away. None of my other vehicles experience this. Guess the filter capacitor is better in my other rides.

 

[Haulin]

I hope they fix this for you asap. Sounds like your dealership is part of the problem because their customer service sounds crappy.

 

[S7H]

Keep us posted with the updates please!

 

[S7H]

Any updates???

 

[normanfoley]

I'm on my second Sprinter and my dealer will provide a loaner van based on availability..... If all the loaners are allocated, you aren't getting one that day.