Any advice - Mercedes ignoring ruling of Ombudsman

[Vron]

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/miscellaneous/201...

Currently in a hire car with associated costs. Would appreciate any advice on legal action.

[Vron]

Her husband's an engineer we've been through the Ackerman geometry thing. I said the same as my Turbo did it (only on full lock) but her point is the X5 she had before with 21" alloys didn't and the Merc does it when not on full lock.

Mercedes were saying it was because she didn't have winter tyres on and only happens below 12 degrees C (!) But it happens all the time. They told her to buy winter alloys and tyres £4k on top to solve the issue. From reading the other complaints with this issue the winter tyre thing doesn't help. Others have come forward and said their cars don't display the fault so all very strange.

I suppose the key point is can Mercedes just ignore the Ombudsman? The Dealer Principal has told her 'yes' and see you in Court.

Edited by Vron on Friday 13th January 11:04

[Vron]

Yes she exhausted all the normal complaint channels and Mercedes Benz UK said take it to the ombudsman so she did. I understand the inference was that they didn't think the Ombudsman would decide against MB so that would be that. She has been trying to reject it since the day after delivery.

[Vron]

Sheepshanks said:

Magic919 said:

I think you have discovered the answer to that. The Motor Ombudsman doesn't seem to have any real power and I really can't see Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, Maserati and the other manufacturers accepting the view of the Ombudsman here.

I'd suggest they sell it and move on.

It's got nothing to do with the manufacturer, the Ombudsman's decision is binding on the retailer.

They've got to enforce this, otherwise the scheme becomes a nonsense.

Quite - I am expecting them to settle and make her sign a gagging order to limit the publicity.

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KevinCamaroSS said:

Pretty much every 4wd car I have ever had will crab slightly at close to full lock at slow speeds due to drive shafts and differentials. However with 'normal' profile tyres it results in squeal as the tyre slips rather than this juddering. Problem to me is the low profile tyres. Fit smaller wheels and higher profile tyres and it probably won't happen.

Mercedes should change the wheel tyre package to eliminate the issue and not sell ridiculous low profile tyres on a car with off-road pretensions.

There are owners who have put the smaller alloy / winter tyre combination on as a suggested fix by MB and it's made no difference. They've stumped up another £4K for the privilege.