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Mercedes SLK230

Mercedes-Benz • c230 • c240 • c320 • CL500 • CLK320 • CLK55 • G55 AMG • ML320 • S55 • SLK230 • Odds 'n ends --- News • Mercedes Hopes to Buff Its Image

Patricia of Alexandria VA (5/20/03):
I bought an SLK230 Mercedes in June 2002. A couple weeks after there was a problem with the air conditioning and heater. I took it in, they replaced the compressor. In March 2003 the car caught on fire while I was in it.

My insurance declared the car totalled. I put in for a refund on my extended warranty with Mercedes of Alexandria and have not received a check or a response from anyone. I have called many times and no one has returned my calls. I have called Mercedes Benz headquarters and they keep telling me I have to contact the dealer. To add insult to injury, they only want to pay me 89% of what I paid for the warranty, which was not even in effect yet.

I have no transportation. I paid $4,000 down on this car and now I have no vehicle and no down payment to purchase another car. I would like my money and some type of compensation for the trauma. I feel that Mercedes Benz should be held responsible for a car they sold me that could have killed me.

Patricia's insurance company will pay her what they determine the value of the car to be. That's how it works. If she wants a refund for the amount she paid for the extended warranty, she can go to Small Claims Court.

Fahima of San Jose CA (5/14/03):
I purchased an SLK 230 on 5/00 and 40 days later, the fuse for controls died and the car over heated. They had to order the part from Germany and I was without a car for two weeks. The interior leather in the center console started peeling 2 months after I bought it. I made them fix it, but they sent it to some cheap place because it kept peeling again until I took it to a more reputable shop again 6 months later and now it's fine.

After that the coolant light came on 3 times, the third time, there was an oversight in the mechanics handling (they forgot to the let the bubbles out) and the light came on again; I should have considered that the third element to meet the lemon law requirements, but I let it go. The coolant light has come on numerous times ever since. I took it in a month ago to the Smythe Dealership in San Jose, and they said they looked at it. But the light came on again immediately after I took the car back.

3 weeks ago, the O2 sensor died and I had to have that replaced. Yesterday, I found out something is wrong with the exhaust because my car suddenly sounds like a motorcycle. I can't drive it and have to take it in today.

The warranty ran out on it 10k miles ago, so I have to pay out of pocket for all these expenses. I have to take my car in and that means losing time from work. I have no peace when I drive my car because I keep thinking something is going to go wrong with it. I drive my car with care. I treat it with car because I worked hard to purchase it. I only use premium unleaded. I have all the service agreements/paper work for every time I have taken my car in - which amounts to every other or two months ever since I purchased it.

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