Mechanic problems

Lays

Registered User
Jan 22, 2017
13,559
12,630
Let me start off by saying I don't know jack shit about cars
about a month and a half ago my car wouldn't start and the keys wouldn't turn in the ignition, they worked fine with locking/unlocking the car but they would not turn at all (these are not the blade keys they're 2006 Mercedes e320 keys idk how to describe them but it has like a sensor) I'm only 17 and me and my friend didn't know what to do so we called my mom and she came and checked it out, couldn't fix it. I got it towed to the mechanic the same day (about a month and a half ago) and I've been checking up daily on the car, the mechanic has not done anything yet (at least I'm pretty sure) he told me it'd take a week, he had to fix something with the ignition and order new keys. I waited a week and I called and he said he got the wrong pieces. He made some other excuses since then and I called him yesterday and he told me there's being problems with the parts, I don't even think he's actually done anything yet. Should I get my car towed to another mechanic or should I wait it out? I need my car to get to school and work and my parents can't always drive me because they work a lot. My friends give me rides but I still need my car back because I feel like I'm bothering them. I get the mechanic has other cars to work on and stuff but it's still a bit annoying. How long should the ignition repair+getting new keys take?
 

HansonBro

Registered User
May 3, 2006
4,906
3,468
This is a good example of where the internet is your friend. A simple search can lead you to valuable information before just dropping your car off somewhere. Pretty much any vehicle has it's own dedicated forum with people who have already dealt with your exact issue.
 

Bjorn Le

Hobocop
May 17, 2010
19,592
609
Martinaise, Revachol
"The" mechanic isn't very specific. If you took it to one of those random, mom-and-pop "we offer genuine repairs to all makes and models" mechanics, you probably took it to someone who doesn't have a clue how to work on a Mercedes and isn't going to look at it until he has nothing else to do.

And yes, I'll echo that you should have researched the problem before you spent a couple hundred dollars to get it towed. It could have been a very simple fix that you could have done yourself.
 

rynryn

Reluctant Optimist. Permanently Déclassé.
May 29, 2008
33,295
3,338
Minny
you need new keys? They should be able to just re-code the old set. Not that that will be cheap but should save you some money, anyway.
I learned that it's best to take a german car to either a dealer or a german car specialist. If you don't have that kind of scratch then (depending on where you are, i suppose) you may be able to find a brand enthusiast in your area with a good deal of know-how, the scanning tools, and the resources to help you fix it. I've found beer is always a good "payment".

edit: ah i see you're 17 so probably not beer.

edit: look at brand-specific forums and you'll often find people in your area. There are usually always subforums for your specific car, and the larger forums have how-too sections on how to fix common problems.
 

Lays

Registered User
Jan 22, 2017
13,559
12,630
"The" mechanic isn't very specific. If you took it to one of those random, mom-and-pop "we offer genuine repairs to all makes and models" mechanics, you probably took it to someone who doesn't have a clue how to work on a Mercedes and isn't going to look at it until he has nothing else to do.

And yes, I'll echo that you should have researched the problem before you spent a couple hundred dollars to get it towed. It could have been a very simple fix that you could have done yourself.
my phone was dead and my friends phone is weird with battery so i decided to call my parents instead of searching it up because i didn’t want the phone to die. my moms bf is pretty good with cars so i expected him to know what to do, he decided to get it towed, i didn’t choose what to do with the car
 

Bjorn Le

Hobocop
May 17, 2010
19,592
609
Martinaise, Revachol
my phone was dead and my friends phone is weird with battery so i decided to call my parents instead of searching it up because i didn’t want the phone to die. my moms bf is pretty good with cars so i expected him to know what to do, he decided to get it towed, i didn’t choose what to do with the car

Regardless, this isn't a decision you make lightly. Especially if the car is already in a safe place.

Echoing what rynryn said, you should make an ultimatum to the mechanic and say if it's not fixed by the end of next week, you will not be getting it fixed there anymore. A month and a half is unacceptable in almost every conceivable situation. Google for a Mercedes specialist in your area, and if you can't find a dedicated Mercedes specialist, find a German specialist. If you can't find one of them/can't get one to take your car, suck it up and take it to the dealer. It might be more expensive, but you'll actually have your car fixed.
 

Lays

Registered User
Jan 22, 2017
13,559
12,630
a little update- the mechanic says it’ll be done by tuesday although i’m skeptical because he keeps saying it’ll be done soon (as in a couple days) we’ll have to wait and see though
 

Winger98

Moderator
Feb 27, 2002
22,756
4,569
Cleveland
I had a couple of similar problems with an '87 300Z I used to own, though nothing that dragged out for as long as yours. Like others, I agree with setting a hard date for getting the car back. Personally, if he's saying Tuesday, that would be the hard date at this point. In the meantime, be looking for a place to have it towed to if this mechanic doesn't come through. And even if he does come through, I'd be looking for a different place to take it when/if something else goes wrong in the future.

Don't take any of this too hard, either. It'll probably hit your wallet hard enough.
 

GarbageGoal

Courage
Dec 1, 2005
22,353
2,377
RI
A month and a half is insane. There are no other shops where you live? I'd also get a quote on what he's going to charge you before he does a thing or you're going to get screwed.
 

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