Mechanical problem with rental, but don't want to give up car
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 340
Mechanical problem with rental, but don't want to give up car
Hi all,
So, was lucky enough to score an E350 for my Luxury (I), two-week, one-way rental from Los Angeles to Seattle. It's a beautiful car -- only a few months old according to the registration, and a little over 5,000 on the odo.
However, I am experiencing a significant vibration at higher speeds (above 40 MPH or so) that I can feel in the steering wheel as well as through the floor. It is also quite noisy.
I'd hate to give up this car, as it's unlikely I'd receive a similar upgrade on my replacement vehicle. However, the vibration is a bit bothersome and I'd also not like to be blamed for it after I return the car.
Any suggestions on what I should do? Any chance I can swing it by a Mercedes dealership and have them take a quick look at it for free?
So, was lucky enough to score an E350 for my Luxury (I), two-week, one-way rental from Los Angeles to Seattle. It's a beautiful car -- only a few months old according to the registration, and a little over 5,000 on the odo.
However, I am experiencing a significant vibration at higher speeds (above 40 MPH or so) that I can feel in the steering wheel as well as through the floor. It is also quite noisy.
I'd hate to give up this car, as it's unlikely I'd receive a similar upgrade on my replacement vehicle. However, the vibration is a bit bothersome and I'd also not like to be blamed for it after I return the car.
Any suggestions on what I should do? Any chance I can swing it by a Mercedes dealership and have them take a quick look at it for free?
#2
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 46
No harm in running it past an MB dealership and giving it a try. They can only say no, and may well say yes.
It is probably wheel related - check all nuts are tight. Even MB can miss this on a PDI. Feeling the vibration through the steering wheel narrows it down to the front. Maybe a badly out of balance wheel.
Let's face it, any significant vibration through the wheel needs the cause to be identified before you know that the car is safe to drive.
So - you either check it yourself, and if nothing obvious, go to an MB dealer or back to a Hertz location
It is probably wheel related - check all nuts are tight. Even MB can miss this on a PDI. Feeling the vibration through the steering wheel narrows it down to the front. Maybe a badly out of balance wheel.
Let's face it, any significant vibration through the wheel needs the cause to be identified before you know that the car is safe to drive.
So - you either check it yourself, and if nothing obvious, go to an MB dealer or back to a Hertz location
#3
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It's probably a wheel out of balance, or some other front end issue. I would guess that a previous renter hit a pot hole or a curb and threw something out or put a bubble in the tire, etc.
I would also guess (and it's just a guess without knowing the cause) that it's probably not covered under the car warranty if they consider it to be abuse, and because it's a Mercedes, repairing it probably won't be cheap.
You probably can't just show up, you would probably have to make an appointment for service, and you could ask if they would deal with you or only Hertz.
I would not consider the car safe to drive unless the cause is identified and they tell you not to worry about it, you could have something ready to pop or break off at any time.
I would also guess (and it's just a guess without knowing the cause) that it's probably not covered under the car warranty if they consider it to be abuse, and because it's a Mercedes, repairing it probably won't be cheap.
You probably can't just show up, you would probably have to make an appointment for service, and you could ask if they would deal with you or only Hertz.
I would not consider the car safe to drive unless the cause is identified and they tell you not to worry about it, you could have something ready to pop or break off at any time.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Hertz PC
Posts: 657
Sounds like this is not a warranty issue but if you do have a problem with something that normally would be covered have dealer check first because Hertz buys/leases some cars at a deeply discounted rate and they do not come with a warranty like a normal retail vehicle.
Couple years ago I picked a brand new Chevy Cruze 3 miles on it on a mutlimonth contract. After couple a days relized the AC didn't work took it to a Chevy dealership, it had cracked A/C Condenser that they said would be under warranty. They had it fixed a couple hours later then realized the car did not have warranty coverage on it. Had to fight tooth and nail with Hertz who finally reimbersed me a month later. They said I should of returned it to them because they buy the cars alot cheaper without warranties because they can fix it themselves cheaper.
Couple years ago I picked a brand new Chevy Cruze 3 miles on it on a mutlimonth contract. After couple a days relized the AC didn't work took it to a Chevy dealership, it had cracked A/C Condenser that they said would be under warranty. They had it fixed a couple hours later then realized the car did not have warranty coverage on it. Had to fight tooth and nail with Hertz who finally reimbersed me a month later. They said I should of returned it to them because they buy the cars alot cheaper without warranties because they can fix it themselves cheaper.
#5
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Join Date: Mar 2009
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Hi all,
So, was lucky enough to score an E350 for my Luxury (I), two-week, one-way rental from Los Angeles to Seattle. It's a beautiful car -- only a few months old according to the registration, and a little over 5,000 on the odo.
However, I am experiencing a significant vibration at higher speeds (above 40 MPH or so) that I can feel in the steering wheel as well as through the floor. It is also quite noisy.
I'd hate to give up this car, as it's unlikely I'd receive a similar upgrade on my replacement vehicle. However, the vibration is a bit bothersome and I'd also not like to be blamed for it after I return the car.
Any suggestions on what I should do? Any chance I can swing it by a Mercedes dealership and have them take a quick look at it for free?
So, was lucky enough to score an E350 for my Luxury (I), two-week, one-way rental from Los Angeles to Seattle. It's a beautiful car -- only a few months old according to the registration, and a little over 5,000 on the odo.
However, I am experiencing a significant vibration at higher speeds (above 40 MPH or so) that I can feel in the steering wheel as well as through the floor. It is also quite noisy.
I'd hate to give up this car, as it's unlikely I'd receive a similar upgrade on my replacement vehicle. However, the vibration is a bit bothersome and I'd also not like to be blamed for it after I return the car.
Any suggestions on what I should do? Any chance I can swing it by a Mercedes dealership and have them take a quick look at it for free?
-J
#7
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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Posts: 100,417
Once my car had these symptoms and it turned out that when AAA had changed a flat tire, they had forgotten to tighten the lug nuts property. The symptoms got worse and worse until I felt I had to stop and call for a tow truck. The shocked mechanic told me that I had been veery close to losing the wheel while driving on the interstate. Take this seriously.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 340
I still had to fill out an Incident Report Form when I returned the vehicle for a swap. Has this happened to anyone else who has had to swap a vehicle due to a pre-exisiting mechanical issue? I'm annoyed that they have the power to decide rather arbitrarily on whether or not I caused the problem (which I absolutely did not).
#9
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: HHonors Gold since '02, Hertz President's Circle since '07
Posts: 3,226
But good for you for taking it to the dealer. I've done this before -- had a VW with faulty hydraulic lifter on the trunk door. Stopped at a dealership and 30 minutes later was on my way. No hassle, no charge (of course) and showed receipt to manager, got $40 credit for my trouble.
Finally, non-warranty issues -- tire balancing, windshield wipers, fluids, oil changes -- can be easily handled at any Firestone Mastercare.
#10
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: Hertz Gold
Posts: 108
Sounds like this is not a warranty issue but if you do have a problem with something that normally would be covered have dealer check first because Hertz buys/leases some cars at a deeply discounted rate and they do not come with a warranty like a normal retail vehicle.
Couple years ago I picked a brand new Chevy Cruze 3 miles on it on a mutlimonth contract. After couple a days relized the AC didn't work took it to a Chevy dealership, it had cracked A/C Condenser that they said would be under warranty. They had it fixed a couple hours later then realized the car did not have warranty coverage on it. Had to fight tooth and nail with Hertz who finally reimbersed me a month later. They said I should of returned it to them because they buy the cars alot cheaper without warranties because they can fix it themselves cheaper.
Couple years ago I picked a brand new Chevy Cruze 3 miles on it on a mutlimonth contract. After couple a days relized the AC didn't work took it to a Chevy dealership, it had cracked A/C Condenser that they said would be under warranty. They had it fixed a couple hours later then realized the car did not have warranty coverage on it. Had to fight tooth and nail with Hertz who finally reimbersed me a month later. They said I should of returned it to them because they buy the cars alot cheaper without warranties because they can fix it themselves cheaper.
Anyway, yeah, definitely have to return the car to Hertz and let them deal with it. I've only had one car with a mechanical problem and the counter rep was very apologetic and upgraded me to a van which is what I wanted anyway.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: UA 1K, DL Med, Marriott Plat
Posts: 54
To me, having Hz change the tire shouldn't be too much of a problem. But I can see how this doesn't fit into the branch's Operations Binder. Easier to swap the car out on your contract and send you on your way, unfortunately