Amazing to see what happened to Volkswagen... and their vehicles didn't even 'threaten' their drivers with Limp Modes, or or 'demand instant attention'...or will outright QUIT on the spot! All because of a unknown breakdown somewhere in their emissions compliance system. Hmmm
Whereas Mercedes has been able to successfully maintain their Prestige and Sprinter Diesel Sales...while at the same time avoiding addressing the faulty technical compliance issues that are continually facing their MB Sprinter owners, Dealers and Shops. in this case, dealing with faulty Compliance Issues that could all result in the driver 'BEING STRANDED' on the road or in a Shop. I wonder if any aircraft have 'Limp Modes' ? Hmmm
Well from my perspective the whole affair has been skillfully handled by MB to keep its warranty work to a minimum.
Of course the V6 engine series is old technology and subsequently hashed (if you want to to use that word) to acceptance Adblue applications.
The new 4 cylinder is nothing like as troublesome for operators , in fact its a sweety of a power pack!
I can cite numerous cases of grey cloud support for troublesome systems.
Take one the other day came in for a routine service and the light on for a NOx issue
A 2010 model 906 with 36,000 om the clock--customer tired of the light on! But had learned to live with it for two years.
MB records showed that it had new Nox sensors fitted at 18,000 miles but no update re-flash nor any updates by the last dealer it had been to in Colorado.
The remedy wasn't cheap.
He needed a new DEF dosing valve --plugged up!
Two new latest and greatest NOx sensors and a "bazooka tube" to get the NOx reduction down to at least 75% across the bazooka, @ and out the ail pipe!
For good measure i sent it down to the dealer for a latest re-flash and SCN coding to cover my tail!
Owner is now happy but $3500 of happiness I think should have been mitigated in some way by our dear MB friends.
Now i have another which is grey again.
Owner buys it used with 165.000 on it.
The unit has never been touched by a dealer for any updates & re-flashes are greeted with a firm NIET !
I can see this going the same way with $3500 bill to get the CEL off and an E test compliance.
I as a past employee of manufacturers can help drawing conclusions of what would they have done!
Campaign changes would have been one remedy instead of the Sprinter public at large doing the testing for them!
Like I stated skillfully handled.
Dennis