thefisch

So I dropped my 2011 E550 off for it's first service (since I bought it used 9 months ago) early Saturday thinking they'd only need it 2-3 hours based on what they told me while making the appointment. Well they must have been busy since the first thing they brought up was getting me in a loaner in case it takes until Monday (which it will as I write this on Sunday). Thought that was nice of them and I was looking forward to driving a newer model E class or something interesting. They sent me to the beverage bar while they got everything arranged. I took a few extra minutes to check out the showroom floor and sit in a GL63 and S63 (from another world) before going back to check out their progress.

Upon my return, they had a 2014 C250 waiting for me - wasn't that impressed. I asked if they only had C classes as loaners and they offered me a GLK if I preferred an SUV. Not wanting the hassle or an SUV, I left with the C250 which has been underwhelming coming off the E550. I realize they are completely different cars/engines, but this thing doesn't even have a rear backup camera or navigation.

Maybe I drew the short straw that day. I realize this probably varies from dealer to dealer, but I am curious to hear other experiences with loaner car and what their dealer offered them.

Arrie

Your dealer seems to have the same loaner selection as mine. They usually give me a C, which is a joke for a car after E 550.

I have had a GLK twice and the new 2014 that I had last tine is surprisingly good to drive. Beats the C with flying colors. Next time ask for the GLK unless they have something bigger...

thefisch

guess I should have opted for the GLK. A 2015 C class would at least have been interesting. I suppose those newer models will work into the rotation soon.

Mud

I'm in a white 2015 C-300 4Matic loaner with interior AMG looks package. Looks nice from the outside, has some black alloy MB rims as well. Had 637 miles on it when I got it.
Underwhelmed - I greatly prefer my 2011.
Previous loaner was a 2014 C-250 that I thought was quite bad overall. My past 2008 Accord V6 IMO was a much better car/value.
This C-300 handles nice and is comfortable. Hated the stop/start feature so I turned it off. Don't like the flat screen display that looks like an add-on, plus it seems quite busy when in use. Engine was noisy enough that I checked the oil level lol. Average mileage worse than my car and I drive it easy. I would have been disappointed buying this car.
In general, when I get back in the E350 it feels like a true MB, really a big difference to me, entirely subjective of course
Yet my bottom line is that I say thanks for the loaner and get on down the road, it's just temporary, no big deal. At least it gives me the chance to see what I don't like lol.

diesel_power

Over here we don't get loaners..

Well that's not completely true. I got a loaner car one time from my dealership. But that was just because they didn't finish the work on my car on a friday (it had to stay there the whole weekend + monday). But thats the only time I've had one.. and it was not even an MB.
So I would have loved to get like a C250 or similar..

I think it's possible to arrange for a loaner. But then I would have to pay an extra fee, which makes no sense to me.. so I usually don't consider it.

reckrab

I've gotten loaners twice from my dealer, neither was a Mercedes. Last time (and it may be the last time I ever get service there) it was a Volkswagon Golf or Jetta (can't remember). Talk about being unimpressed! They made me make an appointment a week in advance so they could schedule a loaner car for me. I was not very happy and for some reason they never sent me a survey....

thefisch

Agree with the Honda Accord comment - I don't see the value proposition between this C250 I'm driving and a Honda V6 or even a 4 cylinder EXL. At least the C300 you have let's you try out some newer features to decide if you like them or not.

My paperwork for the loaner shows a fee of $45 a day, but they marked through it saying they would waive it. I suppose that is common for most dealers here when they need the car longer than an hour or two. The local dealer also offers a valet service. My neighbor has used it - they drive a loaner to your house and take your car back. Not sure what the charge is, but I kind of enjoy going to the dealer and looking at what's new.

According to the paperwork, I could end up being charged if my car is done and I can't return the car right away. However, that won't be a problem. I am looking forward to getting back into my own.

kash2014

only C-class and GLK offered at my dealer, even to the S-class owners

fintail

Last time I had a loaner, before W205 was on the road, my dealer had a fleet of mostly modest spec C and GLK, with some Es mixed in - even a hybrid, likely because it wasn't finding any takers on the lot.

Munich77

Our dealer usually has a large selection of C-class or GLKs as loaners. They are quite nice compared to what I got when I had a BMW. If I had to bring in the car on something urgent, I might end up with a Hyundai!

noka

Got a '14 C300 and '14 ML350. I have seen a GLK loaner. I don't really care as it's no charge, only temporary and it's nice to have when I need it.

dbldpr

I have only gotten a loaner exactly like my car E350. I just had a oil change and I waited 2 hours for it instead of taking the loaner and then returning. I would have gotten a e350 for the loaner. Oh well each dealer is different

Mbracer26

Got a 15 c300 the other day, without the AC working. call for a replacement, tell me to come back the next day, call next day "we are out of loaners" The car only had 600 miles on it. -__-

Mrkoopz

The dealer i go to had a lot of option, I got a C-Class once, a GLK a few times and also the new Es. I guess, everybody is right that this depends on the dealerships and the inventory they have. Im lucky that mine have a lot of selections....

Johnny Rad

There's a new S550 down the road from my work ... always parked in the same parking spot. Recently saw a C300 loaner in that parking spot. Really? The owner drops >$100K and gets a 4-banger loaner?! Rotten.

Live Oak

I don't understand the complaints --- spending a day, or a weekend, with a C Class makes you appreciate your E Class all the more.

z06michael

At our dealership our loaners are ES and RX,we order cars as loaners that have good options so we can sell them after loaner service,we never have the very high end cars as loaners,as each dealership has to pay for that car,of course I work for Lexus not Mercedes.

HAILERS2

The first loaner I got was a C250. The next was a E350 Coupe which I liked and enjoyed the different driving experience. The last time, this last week, I teased 'em a bit and asked for a SLS and although I didn't get a SLS, I got a CLS550.

Next time I'll ask for a 2015 S550 Coupe. Never hurt to ask. Normally I drive a CL550. Don't own a E Class at all right now.

Johnny Rad

What's the primary purpose of a loaner? Build customer loyalty.
* Loyal customers will continue to bring their cars to the stealer for service.
* Loyal customers will buy new / used / replacement cars from the stealer.

It's a cycle. We buy a car from them and service it there. Then we trade the old car, buy a new one and keep bringing it to them for service. Ain't half bad for them! I happily pay a bit more for service at the stealer because I get to drive a new car and see what it's all about. If I'm not getting that perk, then why pay more than an indy shop? When the stealer cheaps out on loaners in particular, they're only hurting themselves by jeopardizing the cycle.

For what it's worth, the Lexus stealer in my area relies on a fair size fleet of ES and RX loaners plus two LXs. I've never rated the LX, but they've got to be a perk for the bigger spenders. If I were the S550 owner in my earlier post, I'd be totally disappointed getting a C300 loaner. I believe this is a hang-up with Hyundai Genesis and Equus owners who don't want a base Accent hatchback as a loaner.

OT: Awhile back, the local Lexus stealer was having serious trouble selling the goofy HS so they rolled the new, unsold units into the service fleet. Same outcome: nobody wanted to drive the HS, especially technically-challenged folks.

instantfob

At Keyes European, they usually assign loaners cars based on size of the customers' car.

E / CLS / ML are usually reserved for big cars customers.
C / GLK for small cars customers.

Unfortunately my 2014 had to visit the dealer too many times so I have driven the following loaners

C250 sedan / C350 coupe / 2015 C300 4matic
GLK350
ML350
E350 sedan / E350 4matic wagon

diesel_power

Yes - the amount / fee they're operating with seems to be almost exactly the same as here.. but in my case I would have to pay for it regardless.
As for the valet service; I've never heard of something like that beeing offered here. Anyways - I always try to minimize the time my dealership has to actually drive my car. I don't really care for anyone else to drive it but me.. I also enjoy checking out new stuff / showroom cars - when I'm at the dealership..

thenew3

My local dealer has a sizable fleet of loaners consisting of C250, C300, GLK350, ML350, E350. There was one R350 that used to be a loaner but was recently sold as CPO, and one GL350 that was sold as well.

My service adviser will usually let me request the type of loaner I would like and he so far has gotten me what I wanted 100% of the time.

They don't charge for loaners if you are in for warranty work or maintenance while under warranty. After your warranty expires they charge $39.95 per day. (My service adviser has said they often waive that fee if you are in for a large repair/service after warranty).

Other MB dealer's I've visited in the past have also had C and GLK loaners for warranty work.

schorert1

My dealer offers valet service, They have somewhere on the order of 125 loaners, mostly C class...and as I recall 40 something drivers. They all wear black pants and blue shirts, non smokers
when my wife needs any service on her E they will drive a loaner 75mi each way to pick it up at her office. The car is, obviously, washed and detailed before they return it.

On a saturday afternoon I called hoping to get on their schedule for Monday morning...then sent a flatbed with a loaner and were there within an hour and a half.

Before ordering my ML from another dealer I was sure to confirm that I could still get that level of service from our local dealer.

CafeRacer87

The dealership I worked at (years ago) had an Enterprise office inside to handle loaner and rental vehicles. It is exactly as stupid as it sounds: You could drop off your brand new S-Class and drive off in a Kia loaner

schorert1

or call you a cab.