A45 build quality rears its head!
Discussion
Guffy said:
tbh, i think this is part of your problem, the perception that you have purchased a £50k car! It's really a ~£20k car with some bells and whistles.
Agreed. Nothing against Merc in particular but maybe 30 years ago there was a clear difference in quality/engineering between (say) a Ford and a BMW or Merc. Nowadays ? I don't think it really exists, the lower end have come up to the middle and the higher end have dropped. Instead they have started filling cars with tech that is either not needed and/or doesn't work properly - electronic handbrakes, fake engine sounds in the cabin, pedestrian detection systems that slam the brakes on when a carrier bag floats in front of the car, DPFs, lane detection systems, tyre pressure monitors. All this stuff does is raise the cost of the cars and any subsequent repairs when it goes wrong. A guy at work has an XF, light on the dash, headlight system not working, needs one replaced.. £970! its becoming utterly ridiculous. A 3 year old car out of warranty is a complete liability.I do not believe there is any significant build quality difference between the fords, vauxhalls, peugeots etc to the audis, BMWS, mercs etc.
Its at the point now that given £30k I'd struggle to buy a new car off the showroom floor that I'd be happy spending my own money on.
Your not alone my rs3 has the same issue at the moment! Mentioned it to the tech at audi when it was in for the mot last week and he said if it has got standing water at the bottom they accept it as a warranty claim, that said it does come as go, hope my a45 doesn't suffer to much from the quality issues you've had I take delivery next month
Ubbs
Ubbs
ecain63 said:
My other niggling issue.
I have a W212 and have exactly the same with it. The manual states the following: -
Headlamps fogged up on the inside
The headlamps may fog up on the inside if there is high atmospheric humidity. Switch on the light and drive off.
The level of moisture diminishes depending on the length of the journey and the weather conditions (humidity and temperature).
If the level of moisture does not diminish have the headlamps checked at a qualified specialist workshop.
Not overly impressed to be honest.
ecain63 said:
REALIST123 said:
Not good. Seems to be a fairly common issue these days across many makes. Is the car kept outside?
Yeah, but that should make no odds. A bit of fog is common but actual water in the housing is not normal. Still not good.
REALIST123 said:
ecain63 said:
REALIST123 said:
Not good. Seems to be a fairly common issue these days across many makes. Is the car kept outside?
Yeah, but that should make no odds. A bit of fog is common but actual water in the housing is not normal. Still not good.
Beg you pardon, but you've already suggested a faster than appropriate speed through 10" of standing water. Where do you expect the water to go?
Water in the headlights, trims, brake ducts....don't get me wrong there is some valid observations there, but if you treat the car with scant respect, then I would not be hopeful of anymore from MB in return.
Water in the headlights, trims, brake ducts....don't get me wrong there is some valid observations there, but if you treat the car with scant respect, then I would not be hopeful of anymore from MB in return.
windydog said:
Beg you pardon, but you've already suggested a faster than appropriate speed through 10" of standing water. Where do you expect the water to go?
Water in the headlights, trims, brake ducts....don't get me wrong there is some valid observations there, but if you treat the car with scant respect, then I would not be hopeful of anymore from MB in return.
Thank you for your observations. You know me that well with only 5 posts to your name.Water in the headlights, trims, brake ducts....don't get me wrong there is some valid observations there, but if you treat the car with scant respect, then I would not be hopeful of anymore from MB in return.
ecain63 said:
windydog said:
Beg you pardon, but you've already suggested a faster than appropriate speed through 10" of standing water. Where do you expect the water to go?
Water in the headlights, trims, brake ducts....don't get me wrong there is some valid observations there, but if you treat the car with scant respect, then I would not be hopeful of anymore from MB in return.
Thank you for your observations. You know me that well with only 5 posts to your name.Water in the headlights, trims, brake ducts....don't get me wrong there is some valid observations there, but if you treat the car with scant respect, then I would not be hopeful of anymore from MB in return.
REALIST123 said:
Yes, but he's been reading for 8 months. And he may have a point don't you think?
Yeah, if you look at it from the keyboard detectives perspective then you could put 2 and 2 together to make an assumption like the above. For his information, the water in the headlight has only been a factor since a couple of days after the event. During this time we've had a lot of rain, far more than any other point since owning the car. Also, water in what trim?Anyhow. A call from MB has returned a verdict that cable ties are in accordance with regulations and have passed all necessary test and inspection standards. Why some other A45s have bolted ducts and others have ties is a question they could not answer. The felt undertray will be inspected at next service.
Case closed. Ownership experience remains fun but dissapointed at quality of the product
ecain63 said:
REALIST123 said:
Yes, but he's been reading for 8 months. And he may have a point don't you think?
Yeah, if you look at it from the keyboard detectives perspective then you could put 2 and 2 together to make an assumption like the above. For his information, the water in the headlight has only been a factor since a couple of days after the event. During this time we've had a lot of rain, far more than any other point since owning the car. Also, water in what trim?Anyhow. A call from MB has returned a verdict that cable ties are in accordance with regulations and have passed all necessary test and inspection standards. Why some other A45s have bolted ducts and others have ties is a question they could not answer. The felt undertray will be inspected at next service.
Case closed. Ownership experience remains fun but dissapointed at quality of the product
ecain63 said:
Thank you for your observations. You know me that well with only 5 posts to your name.
Pardon, I certainly didn't come here to troll your post and offered no personal insult, I played the ball not the player so to speak. I knew only what you presented in your OP, a tone which if taken to a MB dealer would probably not engender a sympathetic result. With a whole 7 posts to my name now, I would like to add plenty of adjectives worthy of a "keyboard detective" that paints an ironic picture of your first jab, but for the benefit of all, I will desist. FWIW, I agree that felt and cable ties are not what one would expect in a relatively expensive new car. But I will not congratulate you on ruining the residuals for those who enjoy and respect their A45s, and those that have a firmer grip on their tempers.
Edited by windydog on Thursday 20th November 12:57
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