Mercedes diesel software update
Discussion
Anyone with a diesel MB who receives the letter ftom Mercedes would do well to read this thread
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/v6-diesel-soft...
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/v6-diesel-soft...
I spotted your post earlier, and coincidentally just got home to the recall letter from MB (2015 GL350). The envelope is marked “safety recall” and the letter makes clear it is being driven by the German authorities. I’ll read the thread you link to - thanks. After the VW dealer unilaterally carried out an emissions upgrade without warning when my daughter’s Golf went in for service, I’m keen to know more before the GL’s next service in March.
Lots of people on there saying their fuel consumption has been hit by the update; as they would have been obliged to prove the emissions with the new software, does Mercedes have to publish new fuel consumption numbers retrospectively? If so, that's a tangible financial loss to the person who bought/leased the car.
Any idea if anyone has been successful in getting a financial contribution or been able to hand the car back without penalty?
Any idea if anyone has been successful in getting a financial contribution or been able to hand the car back without penalty?
When mine went in for Service I told them not to do the update (or wash it!) I know they didn't wash it, they say they didn't do the update (as its voluntary) leave well alone I say, trouble is with all this the next car I get will be a choice of petrol / petrol hybrid, this may cost me more to run, my car may be worth less as a PX, so yet again it's the consumer who looses out not the manufacturer or government, perhaps as with scrappage scheme there should be a contribution if you change from diesel to compensate for the loss of value (as it was government advise that lead to so many changing) it will either never happen or it will come into force the day after I change mine 
Further to the above, there's a new thread running on the mb club forum (unfortunately, can't post a link) where an owner has made a complaint to MB UK but their response (summarised) is basically that once done it's not reversible.
Also, the following comments are 'interesting':
All Approved MBs sold will now have update done before sale
It will be in T&Cs that all cars serviced by MB will have update done (presumably if not already done) as part of the service
Gear-change speeds altered, not likely to change into top (7th of 9th) until approx 76mph
Uses more AdBlue for those cars with it
Big Brother?
Also, the following comments are 'interesting':
All Approved MBs sold will now have update done before sale
It will be in T&Cs that all cars serviced by MB will have update done (presumably if not already done) as part of the service
Gear-change speeds altered, not likely to change into top (7th of 9th) until approx 76mph
Uses more AdBlue for those cars with it
Big Brother?
I found the thread on the MB forum and one guy reckons they can’t do it without your permission and others say they are just doing it. Does anybody know if you can actually refuse to allow them to do it? Caoukd you provide the, with a letter for example when you drop it in for a service to state they must not update the software?
sooty61 said:
I found the thread on the MB forum and one guy reckons they can’t do it without your permission and others say they are just doing it. Does anybody know if you can actually refuse to allow them to do it? Caoukd you provide the, with a letter for example when you drop it in for a service to state they must not update the software?
Just ask them not to do it, it's fine (experience from the other side of the desk)We just had our 2017 C220D Sport in for a service (32,000m) where they did a "Software" update.
The next day, the orange engine management light came on, error codes indicating problems with NOX Sensor.. Followed by an Ad Blue warning saying engine start not possible in 496 miles.
Am wondering if the "Software Update" has caused the error.
Has anyone experienced a similar problem after the update??
Many thanks
VB Rgds
Rob
The next day, the orange engine management light came on, error codes indicating problems with NOX Sensor.. Followed by an Ad Blue warning saying engine start not possible in 496 miles.
Am wondering if the "Software Update" has caused the error.
Has anyone experienced a similar problem after the update??
Many thanks
VB Rgds
Rob
I had this with my VW Golf when they cheated the emissions a few years ago. The local VW garage guaranteed that the update wouldn't affect anything.
Literally a few weeks after it had been done the engine management light came up - I took it back to VW and they plain refused to admit that it was the update that had caused it. Ironically they agreed to fix it without charging me though?
When I went to pick it up, I spoke to the mechanic - he told me that at least 1/3 of the cars that they had updated had come back. Apparently the car is set up to work in a specific way and has been built for that. When you change something, the engine can't keep up with it.
That wasn't the end of it, it went back to VW 3 times and they reset it 3 times without charging me. It happened again at which point I'd had enough and ended up selling the car the way it was with the engine light on.
I was later told that the law applies to VW and not to me as the car's owner - so I could lawfully opt out of this update.
I've now had this letter come through to me from MB for my GL, there's no way on earth I'm letting them touch it car and ruin it and from experience, I would advise all others to do the same.
Literally a few weeks after it had been done the engine management light came up - I took it back to VW and they plain refused to admit that it was the update that had caused it. Ironically they agreed to fix it without charging me though?
When I went to pick it up, I spoke to the mechanic - he told me that at least 1/3 of the cars that they had updated had come back. Apparently the car is set up to work in a specific way and has been built for that. When you change something, the engine can't keep up with it.
That wasn't the end of it, it went back to VW 3 times and they reset it 3 times without charging me. It happened again at which point I'd had enough and ended up selling the car the way it was with the engine light on.
I was later told that the law applies to VW and not to me as the car's owner - so I could lawfully opt out of this update.
I've now had this letter come through to me from MB for my GL, there's no way on earth I'm letting them touch it car and ruin it and from experience, I would advise all others to do the same.
My sentiments exactly.
People need to check the small print on any dealer service paperwork they sign before the service as I've seen one that states words to the effect that 'you agree to ALL (my upper case) updates being carried out'. Once it's done, you can't go back. Of course, normally, it's simply a case of 'just require a signature Mr (or Mrs, Ms or whatever else we have these days) X and we'll get straight on with it.
People need to check the small print on any dealer service paperwork they sign before the service as I've seen one that states words to the effect that 'you agree to ALL (my upper case) updates being carried out'. Once it's done, you can't go back. Of course, normally, it's simply a case of 'just require a signature Mr (or Mrs, Ms or whatever else we have these days) X and we'll get straight on with it.
Personally if I owned a diesel in this category - from any manufacturer - I would immediately look for an independent garage to do my servicing from now on, and not run the risk of taking it back to a franchised dealership. It's just simpler that way, then you don't have to worry about it.
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