I can't wait for my next scheduled service - Benzworld.org

mob7988 · 03-14-2008, 04:40 PM

Have you ever wished you would’ve been warned before being punched in the face, kicked in the knees and then spit on? That’s how I felt after taking in my car for service. Truly insulted!! Please, let this be my warning to you…..

So I took my ride in the other day for service for an “ESP Inoperative” warning light that kept coming on. It ends up Mercedes already knows about this problem and there is an “Open Campaign” out on it (# C1A 071101 Steering Sensor). They told me they will need to replace the steering angle sensor, all under warranty…. this will take all day and they’ll need to provide me with a courtesy loaner car.

My first reaction was that I didn’t want to leave my baby in the shop

….but after walking the showroom prior to my service appointment, I figured a loaner C class, ML or even an E wagon might be fun to abuse for one day. So I agreed to the loaner….

The service department directed me over to their loaner department…In house Enterprise rent-a-car?!?!?! I thought OH NO!!! what did I get myself into???

The young girl behind the desk proceeded to fill out my paper work and assured me that the dealership was going to be SOOOOO generous and comp my rental…..I thought to myself, they better comp my rental…this is a known issue with the car and on top of that, it’s still under warranty !!!

**note: odo 2,000mi **

“Okay sir, all done…follow me and we’ll get you your car.” I followed her outside and to my surprise, she was so kind to give me the choice of 3 cars to choose from: a Dodge minivan, a PT Cruiser, and a Nissan Sentra!!!

My heart just sank… I was at a loss for words. I pulled together all of my strength and took the sentra keys from her.

Before getting in the car, she had me sign the paperwork. This was another one of their attempts to kick you when you are still down. She tried to push me to purchase full insurance for the rental… which was NOT covered by the dealership. WTF!!!!! Of course I refused. On top of that, I was told I’m required to return the car with a full tank of gas. That was a first…..

So after writing this long post, I do feel a little better. I can only look back, laugh and imagine what must be going through the mind of an $80K+ AMG owner when they find out their loaner car is a minivan!!! LOL…

mbenz1 · 03-14-2008, 06:40 PM

Which dealer? Rusnak?

mob7988 · 03-15-2008, 12:32 PM

ha ha...so you must have had the same experience??
you knew the exact dealer! It's Rusnak Arcadia to be exact.

stay as far away from them as possible...here in so. cal its worth it to drive the extra 15-20 miles to another dealership...

jack stefano · 03-15-2008, 07:22 PM

ask for a loaner when you make your appointment and you'll get a MB. when they run out, they give you to enterprise. same all over the country, including the comp'd rental. honestly, you sound like a girl with a skinned knee, but i guess i can see where you're coming from. we're driving glorified e classes, not bentleys.

yahya · 03-15-2008, 08:54 PM

I agree with the above comment, this is standard OP at all dealers. Unless you bought the car from them, they won't give you an MB as a loaner. I take my car to Newport Beach...one of the finest dealers in SoCal and they did the same to me.

nosferatu · 03-16-2008, 07:22 PM

My buddy who runs the used car lot at the Mercedes dealership always fixes me up with something from his lot when my car is in for service, last time I got a nice 97 S-500. It pays to be nice to the people at the dealership.

mob7988 · 03-17-2008, 12:43 PM

In my defense, I was never rude to the staff at the dealership (all venting was done online in forum). In addition, I did call in advance to make an appointment and requested a loaner car. I was told to come in first…one will be provided on “if needed” basis.

My previous car was an Infiniti FX…took it in for service for blown out speaker (under warranty)…received a new G35 loaner. No questions asked…not even for refueling. A long time ago, I purchased a used Toyota off of a Lexus lot and opted for the extended warranty… I had a problem with noise in front suspension. Took it back for service and received an RX loaner…again, no questions asked. Now you can understand why I was surprised with Mercedes standard OP.

Yes, I do understand that we are driving a glorified E Class. And maybe I did over react like a little girl with a skinned knee…but I just expected more from Mercedes. Where’s the renowned Mercedes Benz luxury and prestige when they put their owners in a Nissan Sentra as a loaner replacement for their $70k+ car?

Leejack · 03-18-2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mob7988

ha ha...so you must have had the same experience??
you knew the exact dealer! It's Rusnak Arcadia to be exact.

stay as far away from them as possible...here in so. cal its worth it to drive the extra 15-20 miles to another dealership...

I visited Rusnak when I was looking but decided to purchased my car at Penske in West Covina and they have been wonderful to deal with. I've only had to get a loaner twice but they have put me in a C class each time. They seem to go out of their way to make sure I'm happy. I like that!