i bought a new slk 230 in december. (a 2003)... it's been in the shop almost more than i've driven it...

and the mb folks think i'm nuts-- i (and my fiancee and my friends and strangers) hear noises that the mb folks apparently do not... has anyone else had problems such as mine?

1. when i start the car first-thing in the morning, first it purrs, then makes a gear-grinding noise. a loud one. it didn't do so until mid-may, now does it all the time. the last time i brought it into the shop, i was told this is "normal," but when i stood my ground, my car stayed in the shop for five weeks waiting for a spring from germany...

2. after i drive the car for a bit, it starts making a clicking noise -- front passenger side

3. and in late afternoon, it starts sounding like a souped-up mustang. when i gas it, it sounds like loose bicycle gears

I am posting for my mother who is 70 yrs old and bought her 03 slk 230 in March.

Since then, it has been in the shop for

1)  Rattling noises behind the dash, drivers side.  Rather annoying.

2)  Starting problems.  The car would have a hard time starting, like the battery was dying or something.  When the car finally starts, it would run rough and finally smooth out only to start running rough again.  This has been an ongoing problem for over 2 month with the car in the shop for up to 30 days. 

Prior to the last visit to the shop, the car was running fine when the thing started mis-firing on the Interstate of all places.  The techs at the dealer have no idea and they can't replicate the problem.  Now, we are talking about a 70 year old woman who decided to buy a new Mercedes for the relability.....

Here is some of the runaround she has been getting. 

Salesman:  "The car should last a lifetime if you only drive 200 miles a month"

Tech: "You don't drive the car enought, you have to drive at least 100 miles per day".  Excuse me,  my wife and I combined don't drive 100 miles per day.

Salesman:  "Only use 92 octane gas"

Tech:  "NO, use 86 octane gas,  we dumped the tank and filled it with mid-grade"

Tech:  "We replaces (you put a part for the engine here) and it is running fine".  For the next 4 visits, put in a different part.

Dealer Rep:  "You should get your money back"

Dealer Rep 2:  " You shoud get your money back"

Wrote a letter to MB headquarters outlining the problems,  the reply was that the best people to deal with the problem was the Dealer. 

None from the dealer has contacted her as of this post.

BTW the dealer in question is Barrier Motors in Bellevue, Washington.

Will keep informed if anything changes.  If anyone else has any horror stories regarding the 2003 slk,  I sure would like to here it.  They would come in handy if I have to meet with the Attorney General.

Thanks.