Emil R.

ATTENTION! DO NOT DEAL WITH THIS COMPANY! SCAM! SCAM! SCAM! PLEASE READ BELLOW.
Around May 15,2017 the "Check Engine" light of my 1999 Mercedes E320 turned ON. I ran diagnostics and it showed P0135, P0155, P0141 and P0161 codes - each one for the 4 Oxygen sensors of the car - O2 sensor heater circuit error. The car was starting and running fine, just like before, but obviously needed to have the problem corrected. I replaced all 4 O2 sensors with new ones, but the "Check Engine" lights was still on and the same error codes appeared upon diagnostics. At this point I checked the signals from the Engine Control Unit (the computer) to the Oxygen sensors. While the +12V signal to the Heater circuits of the sensors was present, the "ground" signals from the computer were missing and that indicated possible problem with the ECU. I looked up the internet for ECU related repair services and Car Computer Exchange was one of the first on the list. They advertise ECU repairs for the price of #299.00. The following is a cut and paste fragment from their web page:
All Car Computer Exchange Modules are Plug-and-Play. Each module is pre-programmed to your cars VIN and compatible with all motor sizes, transmissions, and emission types.
Around June 01,2017, I called the provided phone number and explained my problem and what have I done. I was assured that they can repair my ECU and was instructed to pay the $299.00 + shipping and send the ECU to them. On June 05,2017 I paid the amount asked through their web site and then sent the ECU to their address - 481 James Jackson Ave. Cary, NC *******. Couple of weeks passed and since I didn't hear anything from Car Computer Exchange, around June 20-th, I called to get status update of the order. The Order ID is: **************-9838. I was told that they attempted to repair/reprogram the ECU, but it was still bad and that they will try once again. I called again in a week and was told that the unit can not be repaired. I asked them to send it back since my car was running just fine with it. The employee told me that I will be charger $150.00 service fee for the work that they have done. I objected, because they didn't do what they promised, but had no choice - my account was already charged $318.95. In few days, when the unit arrived, I installed it back in the car and to my greatest surprise the engine would not crank or start. I called CCE again around July 05-th and complained that my engine will not start at all and that they have damaged the ECU. The answer was that I will get a partial refund. So I did get a refund of about $160.00 and the bottom line was - 1. I paid $150.00 to CCE and 2. I have no longer running car and can't even drive it to repair facility. I called CCE again around July 27-th, 2017 and asked to speak to a manager. A technician called me back and told me that the engine will not start because the ECU needs to be programed and only a Mercedes dealer or qualified locksmith can do that. He also told me that any time the ECU is disconnected from the car, it needs to be programmed and that they haven't done anything bad to the ECU. Here I will cite again their web page advertisement - All Car Computer Exchange Modules are Plug-and-Play! So thanks to CCE I have no longer working car, it is just sitting on my driveway for 2 months now. On top of that I paid $150.00 My only option now is to have the car towed to Mercedes dealer and fixed there for the price of about $4,000.00 which is more than the car is worth.
Dealing with Car Computer Exchange is nightmare. Please consider again before you get involved. You will regret it.