I know in the past their has been a discussion about San Diego Mercedes and the quality of workmanship pros and cons. What was the census about them? I am moving back to San Diego ASAP and I need to get some info on them, who would be the best service rep? or is Hoehn Mercedes a better dealership?

 

Of course it always comes down to personal preference - but in my experience Hoehn has been significantly better than MB San Diego - on all counts. Attitude (both in sales and service departments), quality of service, responsiveness to inquiries, willingness to make things right, etc, etc.

 

How long have you been with Hoehn and who do you use for a service rep?

 

Hoehn is where I bought my first (modern era) Mercedes (MY00 CLK430 in June 2000). Also purchased my wife's (MY01 E320S) there in June 2001. Used Hoehn for all of our services (whatever rep met me in line is who I used) until 1) I bought my MY01 CLK55 (April '01) and 2) I starting working in Santa Ana (October '01).

Since then, I've been using MB Laguna Niguel for my CLK55 (that's where I bought it, and their service department is EXCELLENT). My wife's wagon typically goes to MB Escondido (it's convenient for her, service has been OK).

 

Out of the dealers in the San Diego area, I was most impressed by Hoehn, but MB of Escondido has been good to me thus far. Further away, Laguna Niguel and Fletcher Jones are excellent.

 

I had one of the worst experiences at Mercedes Benz of Escondido. I have a 02 C230 (non C7) so I called the dealership to get my black door handles replaced w/ white ones. So I called the parts department and they ordered white door handles (driver & passenger side), no problem. The guy told me that they would have them in about a week, so I was fine with that. A week roles by, I get a phone call from the MB of Escondido letting me know that the parts have come in so I set up an appointment. My service advisor told me that it would cost about $140 (for parts and labor). I was pretty hyped about that, $140 was a real bargain!!

Well, I drop my car off (Tuesday morning) and wait a while for my loaner. A guy at the loaner desk tells me that they ran out of loaner vehicles and they have to rent from Hertz. So guess what vehicle they give me, a FORD TAURUS!! I was like “wtf”!! So I thought you know, I should have my car back by the end of the day, so I was fine with the Taurus. I get a call from my service advisor in the afternoon saying that the factory shipped the wrong parts (one white handle & one white handle w/ a chrome strip). Then he says that he’ll have the correct part the next day (Wednesday). So the next day comes along and I get another phone call, it was my service advisor saying AGAIN that the factory shipped the wrong item (this time a black door handle). Then I was promised that they would have it straightened out the next day (Thursday). Next day comes along and they finally get the correct part (white handle), but now he says that the small IR piece came in black only and that it can only be painted to color match my car, and that I would have to pay an additional $140 to get it painted. I was like “BULL****”. First they stick me with a FORD TAURUS, waste my time, and then tell me that I have to pay extra for something they messed up on!!

I told them to forget it and to leave my car alone. Then my service advisor told me that they had already put one of the handles on and if I wanted my blacks ones back, I would have to pay for them to take it off. So he basically said that I was going to be charged for the install ($40) and to take them off ($40), which came out to $80. I argued with the guy telling him that he shouldn’t have put them on in the first place (because they were the wrong parts) and that I shouldn’t have been charged anything. My service advisor insisted that I pay for the labor. He said, “Most people would dish out the $140 and not think anything of it”. I felt that that comment was rude and uncalled for. First off, I’m not any other person and second, I know when I’m getting jacked. So I asked for his manager. So I gave my story to the manager and his manager sided with me and took all charges off of my bill. I was really pissed that he said that but didn’t bring it up w/ his boss because I just wanted to get the hell out of there (that’s how frustrated I was).

I’m gonna contact Steve to see if he can get me the door handles.