Help with how to solve issue with Mercedes purchase

[marcusjames]

Need some advice before I proceed with next steps.

As background, I purchased a Mercedes GLC AMG from Mercedes just before lockdown. On the test drive I noticed the front tyres were crabbing badly (I now learn this is a common fault with GLCs). The sales guy said it was due to dirty tyres and that it would disappear by the time I drove home. I was understandable suspicious and expressed my concerns. He then explained that Mercedes offer free Continental tyres and this will solve the issue. He said they are unable to charge to Mercedes GB but customers can force this if they complain post purchase. I asked for that in writing and accepted title.

We then went into lockdown and the car did not get used (apart from a run around the block to clear cobwebs). Once the dealers were open again I contacted them to request the replacement tyres. They are now denying all knowledge of the conversation, even after being shown the conversation trail in email. The sale executive was furloughed and then made redundant.

I raised the issue to their after sales manager who just wasted my time for a month and then handed it to customer services. They have replied saying they will not supply tyres. I complained that the car was therefore mis-sold but they claim it wasn’t “because Continental tyres wouldn’t actually solve the issue”. When I pushed, they referred it to their legal team.

I’ve passed the case to the Motor Ombudsman but they are backlogged from Covid and expect it to take six months to respond.

Any ideas on the next step (in addition to boycotting the Motors Group of course)?

Thanks

Mod edit. No name and shame.

[catman]

If you can prove that you were told that the tyres would solve the problem and they are now saying that it won't, then it was mis sold on that basis.

[CAPP0]

marcusjames said:

Any ideas on the next step (in addition to boycotting the -------------------- of course)?

Thanks

Next step - redact your post (non name and shame rules) if you want it to stay here for people to comment on, would be my advice.

[HTP99]

Marcus James said:

The sales guy said it was due to dirty tyres and that it would disappear by the time I drove home. He then explained that Mercedes offer free Continental tyres and this will solve the issue

I would have walked at that point!

[bilbo555]

My sister had the same issue with the wheels, Merc changed the tyres and it solved the issue.

[juice]

There's a suspension change that should be under warranty which helps mask (Not alleviate) the issue. I had it done on my GLC (350d) under warranty at the start of this year.

https://www.glcforums.com/threads/steering-knuckle...

[Sheepshanks]

It seems very random the way people are treated - some get new tyres without even asking, the steering knuckles replaced (it's a 6 hour job apparently so many dealers aren't keen to do it) and geometry. Others are stone-walled - I saw one owner who went to the Ombudsman and they found in MBs favour that the crabbing was a characteristic of the car!

[marcusjames]

My model is a GLC 63 AMG. Apparently the replacement suspension is not available for this version.

I will not darken their door again with my business.

[mikey P 500]

All right hand drive GLC (and some other C class models) make a crabbing noise when steered full lock at low speed (performance models with wider tyres are worse) it's not really an issue as only hear when parking or very slow speed. No negative to handling caused. Because people don't like the noise though some dealers fit budget tyres with less grip to reduce the noise. There is no proper fix of the issue that was caused by making the right hand drive version (bad geo at full lock).
Personally I would not worry about it just enjoy the cars many positives rather than focus on what's a fairly small issue.