Mercedes Class Action/Engine Sludge??

mtrialsmmtrialsm Member Posts: 159
edited March 2014 in Mercedes-Benz
Anyone know the details of the Mercedes class action on egine oil sludge? I'm a new owner of
a used '99 SLK. I received a $35.00 voucher for
a synthetic oil change due to this action.
Seems like Mercedes has also extended the warrente
on the engine for 10yrs/150kmiles against sludge.
Toyota did the same on some of their engines.
I've always used synthetic lubes anyway.
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Comments

  • zueslewiszueslewis Member Posts: 2,353
    and I think I would in my line - strange.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Can you "read us" some of what it says on your notice?
  • zueslewiszueslewis Member Posts: 2,353
    on the Toyota issue - they preempted that with the warranty extension.
  • mtrialsmmtrialsm Member Posts: 159
    I don't have the letter in front of me,,,
    I traded my '98 Sienna van in on this '99 SLK.
    I also received a letter from Toyota stating
    that my Sienna engine is covered for 8 years from
    damage due to sludge.
    I received a letter from Mercedes (it could also
    pre-empt a class action?, stating that my engine
    will be covered for 10 yrs/150Kmiles from damage
    due to sludge. Also included was a voucher for
    $35.00 for oil chnage to convert to synthetic oil.
    Synthetic oils are recommended to prevent oil sludge. I've used synthetics for many years anyway. My SLK came from dealer and has Starmart
    extended warrentte and already has Mobil 1 in it.
    I was at my dealer yesterday to have brake light
    fixed. Service manager was aware of this letter
    and said "yes" my engine is covered for 10yrs.
    He also said an oil change would be about $80.00!!
    I'll continue to do my own,thank you.
    Ask your dealer.
    Mick
  • zueslewiszueslewis Member Posts: 2,353
    What is the source of the letter? It sounds like an oil change place sent it.
  • haspelbeinhaspelbein Member Posts: 227
    ...like the stuff I get from Mercedes dealer in my area, trying to get me to do an oil change at their place. They're probably using the sludge argument to push synthetic oil changes. (Not that there is anything wrong with synthetic oil itself.)
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well, go fetch the letter mtrial, and we'll figure it out together!
  • mtrialsmmtrialsm Member Posts: 159
    I'll scan the letter in if you like.
    It covers '98/'99 cars. It's a proposed settlement
    for a filed class action on engine damage due to
    oil sludge. The proposed settlement is to cover
    engines for 10yr/150kmiles and includes the $35.00
    voucher (good only after Dec 1,'02) after judge
    makes final decision. The copy of class action is
    4 pages. The letter from Mercedes-Benz is 1 page.
    Looks and sounds official to me.
    But I'm also surprised that I'm the only one that
    has received this letter. I'm the 2nd owner of this car and the letter states that a previous letter was sent out a year ago, recommending oil
    change to synthetics. This is also what the service manager told me when I picked up my SLK.
    mm
  • zueslewiszueslewis Member Posts: 2,353
    and no one has heard of it. I'd say the person filing the class-action is grasping at straws.

    Take the free oil change and run.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I did some searching on Internet and didn't find anything on any of my class action websites. I did see where they finally slammed Slick 50 for the engine treatment scam. The only Daimler Chrysler suit I saw was for seat belts.
  • zueslewiszueslewis Member Posts: 2,353
    Kia Sephia for brakes, engine management and fuel system and Mitsubishi Galant for brakes.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Are you saying Slick 50 doesn't work??

    Say it ain't so!
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well the courts seem to think it doesn't work--apparently they've been asked to cough up a large pile of millions of dollars because they are unable to substantiate their claims for prolonging engine life. Not that I'm surprised. Their claims were absurd. Snake oil!
  • bburton1bburton1 Member Posts: 395
    The manufacturer of Teflon sued to make these snake oil crooks stop making claims about Teflon's lubrication properties cause they knew they were not true. But there are still people out there hawking lubricants containing Teflon.

    P T Barnum was right and it is proven every day.
  • yamanyaman Member Posts: 113
    I own a 99 SLK and also received the letter and voucher last week.It also included a description of a class action lawsuit filed at the behest of some guy in New Jersey.
    It certainly seemed legit to me-
  • mtrialsmmtrialsm Member Posts: 159
    Glad to know I'm not the only one to get "the letter". My dealer quoted a synthetic oil change
    at about $80.00!!!! I'll continue to change my own
    oil. I'll use AmsOil 5W-30.
    Now if I can use that voucher for a 2 or 3 oil
    filters?:)
    mm
  • stvirstvir Member Posts: 13
    The MB letter is related to a mistake they made when they recommended that oil changes be performed every 10,000 miles. In that recommendation, MB 'forgot' to tell the owners to use synthetic oil (ex. Mobil 1). Because of this omission, MB agreed to extend the warranty on the affected cars to 10 years.

    I believe this subject has been discussed at MBWorld.org.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Just another reason why I tell people to "short-change" their oil, under the manufacturer's mileage recommendations these days.

    Automakers seem to be using "low maintenance intervals" as a selling tool and I personally think this is most unwise.
  • zueslewiszueslewis Member Posts: 2,353
    "Why are my spark plugs fouled at 75,000 miles? The TV ad said I don't have to change them until 100,000 miles!"
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