LOANER CAR POLICY
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 477
Likes: 30
From: Maricopa, AZ
2012 S63, 2013 E350 Bluetec
LOANER CAR POLICY
Is there an official Mercedes Benz policy as to when they provide a loaner car when you're having warranty work done? I would imagine that it would be something like if the repair(s) are going to take longer than X amount of time, a car would be provided.
Can anyone clarify this for me?
Thanks!
Can anyone clarify this for me?
Thanks!
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 828
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From: Northern VA
SL 500
Is there an official Mercedes Benz policy as to when they provide a loaner car when you're having warranty work done? I would imagine that it would be something like if the repair(s) are going to take longer than X amount of time, a car would be provided.
Can anyone clarify this for me?
Thanks!
Can anyone clarify this for me?
Thanks!
Interesting question. I have experienced couple of different scenarios. Two years ago, i bought my CL at a MB dealer, and the car was being serviced under warranty, there was no charge for the loaner.
When I bought my SL from an independant dealer, and took it for warranty work to a MB dealer, they provided one free day for the rental. Reminder I was responsible for. But fortunately my extended warranty covered the reminder days. So i lucked out.
I have heard from others here in the DC area, that most dealers are now being very cheap and providing a rental for one day for warranty repairs. If the work exceeds one day, customer is responsible for rental costs.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
Even if they are going to keep it overnight they will give you a loaner.
I got a loaner for 2 days.
Also it doesn't matter if you buy your car private or dealer they still give you the loaner. As long as it's MB warranty. Some people get an extended warranty through another company and their loaner policy is different. But if you have FULL Bumper to Bumper through MB they will give you a loaner even if it's for 1 day FOR FREE.
I got a loaner for 2 days.
Also it doesn't matter if you buy your car private or dealer they still give you the loaner. As long as it's MB warranty. Some people get an extended warranty through another company and their loaner policy is different. But if you have FULL Bumper to Bumper through MB they will give you a loaner even if it's for 1 day FOR FREE.
Last edited by W203E35; May 15, 2009 at 08:58 PM.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 910
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From: In Kush Land So cal
02 C320 Sedan
make sure you drive the **** out of the loaner as in SHREDDING TIRES !
But not all dealerships give loaners... I know for a fact that the Carlsbad dealership will only give you a FREE loaner if you bought your BENZ from them!
Now Escondido Dealership i hear gives them out for any service! I haven't been there to buy anything or get any service done so i dunno.
But not all dealerships give loaners... I know for a fact that the Carlsbad dealership will only give you a FREE loaner if you bought your BENZ from them!
Now Escondido Dealership i hear gives them out for any service! I haven't been there to buy anything or get any service done so i dunno.
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
There's been a couple of threads about loaners over the years and if I remember correctly it's up to the individual dealers whether they want to provide loaners or not. It's not a Mercedes Benz policy though.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 316
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
'05 C230
Dealerships here in AZ charge $12/day for the loaners even if you are under warranty or bringing in your car for an extended warranty work. I think the $12 is for the gas so you wont have to fill it up when you return it.
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
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From: Vancouver
2009 C300, 2009 B200
I get a loaner every time when I take my car to service. My uncle works there. 
Even if there's no cars available, they would rent us a car.
My friends and me used to take loaners to go off road and it was hella fun. Even C240 can go off road!!!
Even if there's no cars available, they would rent us a car.
My friends and me used to take loaners to go off road and it was hella fun. Even C240 can go off road!!!
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: In Kush Land So cal
02 C320 Sedan
AHAHAHA that sounds like the jeep i took off roading from enterprise LOL.. The car was spot less on the outside but inside the motor was a different story
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From: San Diego, CA
'14 A6 3.0 TFSI
The policy varies by dealerships. MB Escondido provides MB loaners for any service. You pay a $15 fee and receive the car with about 3/4 tank of gas that you don't have to refill before returning. MB Wilsonville provides non-MB loaners based on multiple criteria (purchase from them/not, in warranty period/not).
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
'05 C230
Im not bashing anyone here but sometimes it just shows you what kind of character you have with how you take care of your and other people's property.
Why trash something that other people will buy in the future, will cost the dealership money for repairs or simply will just make it harder for everyone. It's probably the destructive nature of human beings.
Why trash something that other people will buy in the future, will cost the dealership money for repairs or simply will just make it harder for everyone. It's probably the destructive nature of human beings.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 477
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From: Maricopa, AZ
2012 S63, 2013 E350 Bluetec
Thanks for all your feedback. I'm in Tucson so have to deal with the only dealership in town. I think Phoenix has 3-4 MB dealerships if I remember correctly so maybe there's a little more competition among them for service work.
The boyfriend took the car in this morning (I'm out of town) to have the front brakes replaced. It was listed on an email of things needing done the last time I took it in. They also recommended changing the transmission fluid and changing the brake fluid, which I'll get done next visit. They are not providing a loaner, but they said they'll get it done in about an hour and a half, which is no big deal.
I got the email from them, they estimated the price of changing the front pads and rotors are around $500, which seems like a fair price; however, my regular service advisor wasn't there today (they rotate Saturday duty), and the advisor that was there gave an estimate of $675. I was on the phone with the boyfriend when I heard this, and said, "No, they said $500 in their email." He relayed this to the advisor which put that figure down on the written estimate which bf signed.
If I'm not mistaken, don't they have to be within 10% of this estimate without calling you, i.e., in this instance, the total can't be more than $550 with maybe some miscellaneous stuff like taxes, environmental fee, etc.?
The boyfriend took the car in this morning (I'm out of town) to have the front brakes replaced. It was listed on an email of things needing done the last time I took it in. They also recommended changing the transmission fluid and changing the brake fluid, which I'll get done next visit. They are not providing a loaner, but they said they'll get it done in about an hour and a half, which is no big deal.
I got the email from them, they estimated the price of changing the front pads and rotors are around $500, which seems like a fair price; however, my regular service advisor wasn't there today (they rotate Saturday duty), and the advisor that was there gave an estimate of $675. I was on the phone with the boyfriend when I heard this, and said, "No, they said $500 in their email." He relayed this to the advisor which put that figure down on the written estimate which bf signed.
If I'm not mistaken, don't they have to be within 10% of this estimate without calling you, i.e., in this instance, the total can't be more than $550 with maybe some miscellaneous stuff like taxes, environmental fee, etc.?
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: In Kush Land So cal
02 C320 Sedan
Everyone knows NOT to buy a rental car no matter what!!! Its a known fact that everyone beats rentals! Why because its not your car to worry about. So have a little fun you know.. My car gets treated better then my gf (sometimes) =D i baby my car
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 477
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From: Maricopa, AZ
2012 S63, 2013 E350 Bluetec
Got the car back with the new brakes. They noticed that the battery wasn't charging correctly (it's been sitting in the garage for the last month while I've been gone) and put a new one in under the warranty. The new front brake pads and rotors came to $531.
However, when coming to a stop, when you get to the last 5 or so mph, there seems to be a bit of a griding feel/sound. I'm assuming this shouldn't be the case and will have to car taken back in on Monday. There isn't a such thing as the pads needing some kind of "break-in" period is there?
However, when coming to a stop, when you get to the last 5 or so mph, there seems to be a bit of a griding feel/sound. I'm assuming this shouldn't be the case and will have to car taken back in on Monday. There isn't a such thing as the pads needing some kind of "break-in" period is there?
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 910
Likes: 2
From: In Kush Land So cal
02 C320 Sedan
Got the car back with the new brakes. They noticed that the battery wasn't charging correctly (it's been sitting in the garage for the last month while I've been gone) and put a new one in under the warranty. The new front brake pads and rotors came to $531.
However, when coming to a stop, when you get to the last 5 or so mph, there seems to be a bit of a griding feel/sound. I'm assuming this shouldn't be the case and will have to car taken back in on Monday. There isn't a such thing as the pads needing some kind of "break-in" period is there?
However, when coming to a stop, when you get to the last 5 or so mph, there seems to be a bit of a griding feel/sound. I'm assuming this shouldn't be the case and will have to car taken back in on Monday. There isn't a such thing as the pads needing some kind of "break-in" period is there?
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...contents.shtml
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From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
Schumacher in Scottsdale (Phoenix area) gives you a loaner for any service, if they are available, which they usually are. There's just a gas fee, which is pretty typical. It also helps to have a good relationship with your service advisor. If you just walk in demanding things, well you aren't going to get treated very well. Get to know your rep: who they are, if they have a family, what they like to do, etc. Care about them, be reasonable with them, and they will treat you well. I can call my rep now if I have an issue, or just need an oil change, and he will usually just say "bring it in when you can and I'll get you in a car."
If the dealership in Tucson isn't treating you well: 1)Become friends with your rep. 2)If you still get crappy service, I would consider making a day trip up to Phoenix for service. We have wonderful dealers up here. They also tend to all have service deals every month, including service coupons. I've taken advantage of a couple of 15% off deals at Schumacher a couple of times.
If the dealership in Tucson isn't treating you well: 1)Become friends with your rep. 2)If you still get crappy service, I would consider making a day trip up to Phoenix for service. We have wonderful dealers up here. They also tend to all have service deals every month, including service coupons. I've taken advantage of a couple of 15% off deals at Schumacher a couple of times.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 477
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From: Maricopa, AZ
2012 S63, 2013 E350 Bluetec
mleskovar, thank you very much for the link. It's got some great information in it that I didn't know before.
I just want to say that no matter what problem or perceived problem I've asked about on this board, somebody has come up with an answer. It is very much appreciated to everyone who has responded over the year or so I've owned this car.
Thank you.
Note to Chris: I understand what you're saying about the dealer service reps. I do know mine pretty well, but in this particular instance, he wasn't on duty on the day the car was brought in (they rotate Saturday's), and I wasn't the one bringing in the car. However, in general I get along very well with the rep and have no complaints. Regarding the service coupons, I need to get on Schumacher's mailing list, as I'm about due for a B service, plus changing the brake fluid and transmission fluid/filter. Thanks for the suggestions.
I just want to say that no matter what problem or perceived problem I've asked about on this board, somebody has come up with an answer. It is very much appreciated to everyone who has responded over the year or so I've owned this car.
Thank you.
Note to Chris: I understand what you're saying about the dealer service reps. I do know mine pretty well, but in this particular instance, he wasn't on duty on the day the car was brought in (they rotate Saturday's), and I wasn't the one bringing in the car. However, in general I get along very well with the rep and have no complaints. Regarding the service coupons, I need to get on Schumacher's mailing list, as I'm about due for a B service, plus changing the brake fluid and transmission fluid/filter. Thanks for the suggestions.
Last edited by ChuckinTucson; May 17, 2009 at 02:43 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 640
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From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
My sister is in Tucson, and sometimes she doesn't really get great service. Sometimes she will drive up to Schumacher in Scottsdale for service.
Make sure your regular service rep makes a good handoff to a fill in when it happens to you. Get to know the fill in and start a secondary relationship if you have to. That way you can request them to help you if you know that regular guy isn't in that day.
It's all about the relationship.
Make sure your regular service rep makes a good handoff to a fill in when it happens to you. Get to know the fill in and start a secondary relationship if you have to. That way you can request them to help you if you know that regular guy isn't in that day.
It's all about the relationship.
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Atlanta, GA
'02 C230 Coupe (Me) '03 SLK320 6MT (Wife)
The dealer I use in Atlanta has free loaners, of course they expect it to come back full. If you purchased your car from them, you get a MB, usually a C class sport package; if you did not purchase from them you get another brand, they used to be a Taurus. I know the others local have loaners, but not sure the criteria.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
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From: Vancouver Washington
CLK55 Cabriolet
Loaner Program
Mercedes Benz of Portland always provides a loaner free of charge. My car is a 2005 and out of warranty. I did not even purchase the car from them and they still give me a brand new Merc to drive while the CLK is in the shop.
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From: Las Vegas, NV
I drive a Toyota Hybrid...
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From: Austin, TX
07 C230 (sold) 2009 E63 AMG (SOLD), 2015 E 63 AMG S
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
That's not true of my dealership. You have to be the original owner to receive a loaner. Otherwise, Enterprise is your option. No exceptions, at least as far as I know. Bring in an SLS, and I'm sure they'd make an exception.
