2001 Mercedes Benz 320

WHEN I WENT TO PICK MY BABY SITTER LAST NIGHT AROUND 8.30 PM, I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE REAR WHEEL OF MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. I REPLACED THE FLAT TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE. AFTER I REPLACED SPARE TIRE, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE.*AK I CALLED MERCEDES ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WHERE I LEARNED, FOR THE FIRST TIME, ABOUT THE "SPECIAL" NUTS. LET ME EMPHASIZE THAT THE NUTS WERE NOT WITH THE REST OF THE SPARE TIRE REPAIR KIT. NO WARNING OR ANY OTHER PRECAUTION (I.E., MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE ORIGINAL NUTS ON THE SPARE TIRE) TAKEN TO INSURE THAT SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC COULD PERFORM THE SIMPLE TASK OF CHANGING A FLAT TIRE WITHOUT CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TO VERY EXPENSIVE CAR PARTS. I AM NOW TOLD IT WILL COST $1300 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE SIMPLE INSTALLATION OF A SPARE TIRE. THAT'S ON TOP OF THE $100 THEY ARE CHARGING ME TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. RIDICULOUS!!!! WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ABSURD CONCEPT APPARENTLY CREATED FOR THE C320, I WAS TOLD I WAS NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO MAKE THIS MISTAKE. THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES IS WELL AWARE OF THIS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL THEIR MODELS WHICH HAVE THE SPECIAL NUTS AND ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO HE SPARE TIRE COVER. I SPOKE WITH A MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WHO WAS REAL NASTY AND TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE READ THE MANUAL BEFORE CHANGING THE TIRE. WHO WOULD READ A MANUAL TO CHANGE A TIRE AT 8.30 PM? THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY TO INFORM THEIR CUSTOMERS. HOW CAN YOU READ THE MANUAL WHEN YOU ARE STRUCK IN THE DARK WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS? I HOPE THIS WILL BE CORRECTED SO THAT INNOCENT VICTIMS LIKE ME WILL NOT BE PUNISHED FOR A POOR MERCEDES BENZ DESIGN. PLEASE TAKE NECESSARY ACTION TO PROTECT CONSUMERS. THIS IS A SIMILAR COMPLAIN POSTED BY A USER. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/MERCEDES_C240.HTML