Vacation trip is ending up terrible

[Drisean]

Cannot add much except for having driven Mercedes cars for many years. In Germany and Europe they stand for endurance and value, and that for a reason.

But, there's always a but. Through my work I have a good insight into the automotive industry and how they operate with OEMs. My contacts are mainly research but also quality engineering. Most of car manufacturing has become putting together of pre-assembled parts. If an OEM supplier runs foul, a whole batch of cars will have a flaw. That's not specific to MB, it's everywhere in the auto industry.
When MB merged with Chrysler in the early 2000, MB thought it's nice to get Chrysler's cheap suppliers. Well, that's when you could see your MB breaking down with the same transmission issues as the Chrysler next door. We happened to have a Chrysler and an MB at the same time, and guess what. But I think that's in the past.

My main issue with MB is the dependency on an MB trained mechanic and the specific equipment needed to read the engine's computer. If you have a BMW, same issue. Some tools are so specific that if you don't have them, you're screwed. You just won't get this in an ordinary shop. With a Ford or GM you don't have this issue.

Still I'd put my faith into a MB if I went with a class B. But we won't, it's a Ford 350 and a 5ver for us.

I wish you more luck next time, and thank you for sharing your odyssey.

[Murf2u]

Just food for thought, especially since you didn't seem too excited about driving the RAV4 a long distance.......

See if MB will pay for your airfare to Florida via Chicago and back to MT instead of shipping your m/h.

You then salvage the last part of your trip, avoid a long drive and MB saves a boatload of $$$$.

A couple of airline tickets is chump-change compared to shipping your coach clear across the country on a flat bed.

[SteveW123]

Just for what it's worth, before we purchased our MH I asked the shop foremen of a diesel repair shop I had done business with for twenty years if he had any preference of engines. His response was this, "anything but Mercedes! ".Like I said for what it's worth.

[hoosierrun]

Originally Posted by Drisean

Cannot add much except for having driven Mercedes cars for many years. In Germany and Europe they stand for endurance and value, and that for a reason.

But, there's always a but. Through my work I have a good insight into the automotive industry and how they operate with OEMs. My contacts are mainly research but also quality engineering. Most of car manufacturing has become putting together of pre-assembled parts. If an OEM supplier runs foul, a whole batch of cars will have a flaw. That's not specific to MB, it's everywhere in the auto industry.
When MB merged with Chrysler in the early 2000, MB thought it's nice to get Chrysler's cheap suppliers. Well, that's when you could see your MB breaking down with the same transmission issues as the Chrysler next door. We happened to have a Chrysler and an MB at the same time, and guess what. But I think that's in the past.

My main issue with MB is the dependency on an MB trained mechanic and the specific equipment needed to read the engine's computer. If you have a BMW, same issue. Some tools are so specific that if you don't have them, you're screwed. You just won't get this in an ordinary shop. With a Ford or GM you don't have this issue.

Still I'd put my faith into a MB if I went with a class B. But we won't, it's a Ford 350 and a 5ver for us.

I wish you more luck next time, and thank you for sharing your odyssey.

I appreciate your input. My knowledge of auto mechanics and ability to do self repair pretty much diminished in the late 1990s. They started extensive microprocessor control systems that were linked together via the CAN bus and made the voltmeter and storage scopes for troubleshooting obsolete except for a few basic electrical systems such as the alternator, fuel pump, and starter systems. It is pretty hard to know when those microprocessor control systems occasionally glitch. Every dealer service department is supposed to have the manufacturers service diagnostic tool and they are expected to obtain the latest software updates. Many modules are VIN dependent and require existing mileage and the VIN # programmed in via the dealers tool before they can be made functional. You just can't substitute the same module from a salvage yard for repair or for even troubleshooting purposes. Basically, the vehicle manufacturers have created proprietary parts that locks out the consumer or independent shops from going outside a dealer service dept. for many repairs.

The problem with all this... the design is so complex that even automotive engineers that work for the manufacturer can't always figure out what is wrong.

When all this done sometime in the future, we may need to consider getting away from a motorhome and going your route.

[hoosierrun]

Originally Posted by Murf2u

Just food for thought, especially since you didn't seem too excited about driving the RAV4 a long distance.......

See if MB will pay for your airfare to Florida via Chicago and back to MT instead of shipping your m/h.

You then salvage the last part of your trip, avoid a long drive and MB saves a boatload of $$$$.

A couple of airline tickets is chump-change compared to shipping your coach clear across the country on a flat bed.

This has certainly been a consideration. One thing that is concerning is not having our vehicle (actually 2 vehicles) back home for an unknown period of time.... let alone many of our basic living needs like cool weather clothing, kitchen supplies, and many other items that couldn't be put on a plane. We've packed much of the necessities in the RAV, but a lot is being left behind. If Mercedes is willing to transport the RV at their expense, it is the cleanest way. If they can't fix it, that will probably change their mind about the transport costs and we could be screwed. That is when we have to put the legal gurus to work. We hope it never comes to that.

[nothermark]

Out of curiosity have you priced the smalled U-haul or similar that you could rent? That would let you load up all or most of your stuff and towbar the Rav4. I'd pull the controls for the tow setup along with my goodies. If they get it fixed I would just have one person go back with a minimal kit to bring it home. Not the most fun but maybe the cheapest overall.

[hoosierrun]

UPDATE: We left Missoula yesterday (Tuesday) and tonight we are in Jamestown, ND, about 800 miles from Missoula.


So today about 4:30 PM we get a call from the Mercedes dealership. They replaced 3 injectors and did a short test drive. They say that it never acted up in the test drive. Tomorrow, the Mercedes specialist will be arriving from out-of-state. Supposedly, they are going to have the specialist run it through a series of tests and I told them to drive the heck out of it.


Tomorrow we are going to go back toward Missoula, perhaps a couple of hundred miles after we talk to the manager in NJ to insure he is OK with that. I'm not getting my hopes up yet, but just maybe we will get our Serenity back. What a cluster 'mess-up'.
For those that have read only some of this (or picked up this thread near the end), we have been without a running RV since June 26 and stayed over a month in Missoula in a motel (2700 miles from home) waiting for repairs to the Mercedes engine on our Sprinter class B, LTV Serenity model that is less than a year old.

[iamblum]

Glad it's moving forward for you guys. Hope all turns out well. You are very patient people, and have my respect

[LarrytheBear]

I truly hope they got it right this time.
You and your wife have my sympathy and admiration.

[TMan59]

Great news! Your attitude and perseverance through this whole thing you should be a role model for people with issues that own RVs. Best of luck to you!

[Spk64]

If the injectors are indeed the problem. Sounds like what you suggested looking at back on 7/20 in post #88.

Sure hope that is it and you can enjoy the RV and life on the road.

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by hoosierrun

UPDATE: We left Missoula yesterday (Tuesday) and tonight we are in Jamestown, ND, about 800 miles from Missoula.


So today about 4:30 PM we get a call from the Mercedes dealership. They replaced 3 injectors and did a short test drive. They say that it never acted up in the test drive. Tomorrow, I told them to drive the heck out of it.


.

I would insist that they take your coach all the way north to Kalispell then west to US95 and south to I-90 and east back to Missoula... let them see how it feels to be stranded with out cell service....AND INSIST that they produce receipts from Kalispell, somewhere on US-95 and Coure D Lane. to prove that they indeed did do the long drive..TRUST NO ONE!

[MTSam]

Originally Posted by saddlesore

I would insist that they take your coach all the way north to Kalispell then west to US95 and south to I-90 and east back to Missoula... let them see how it feels to be stranded with out cell service....AND INSIST that they produce receipts from Kalispell, somewhere on US-95 and Coure D Lane. to prove that they indeed did do the long drive..TRUST NO ONE!

Saddlesore-- couldn't agree more! Receipts and phone pics. That's a good route for them to give it a go.

Hoosier-- still giving you support from MT sidelines. Man. SD? Well I guess there's been a little different scenery for you guys the last 24.

Keep us in the loop, as I know you will. Good luck!

[UncleJamie]

Still have my fingers crossed for you. Glad to see that MB is compensating you. Your good attitude continues to inspire me.