gapriderz

I just purchased my C230k from Beshoff Motors in San Jose. They had friendly and low pressure sales people. The service they provided was top notch. Besides the great warranty, 4 years 50k maintenance free, they also offered me a lifetime of free car wash. I can get my car washed anytime anyday of the week for free. That pretty much sealed the deal for me. Beshoffs car selection is pretty awesome too. They have a bunch of C-Class and ML's. I also checked out Smythe Mercedes at Stevens Creek. They seemed pretty busy and a few customers were wandering off headlessly around their lot. They had the C230k that I was looking for too. Smythe is the biggest dealership in this area, but its new-vehicle sales and total revenue slipped from 2001. Smythe's sales might slowly go down with the presence of Beshoff Motors.

Alex C

Sorry to say my friend....We sometimes get so busy that we are just unable to help everyone.

As for revenue slipping, car sales accross the board slipped...not just us. We got hit a lot less than most other makes and models. If you read further in the article, we were rated the 19th top dealer in the country of any make or model. Next closest bay area dealer was Fremont BMW/porche at 47.

And mark my words....The free car wash will go away. We had it here for a while, but the wait was over 2 hours and the police asked us to stop because it was backing up traffic on Stevens Creek.

They only have 5 months worth of clients and it is easy to support that program... We have 40 years worth of clients. Besides that, we reccommend hand washing your Mercedes to prevent scratches. Car wash soap is also more potent and will eat through your wax faster. This will cost you more money in the long run....$4 wash vs. $40 wax.

Also, it is not a full detail...just a car wash. Why waste gas on something you can do in your driveway? Up to you?

Far be it from me to tell people what to do, but I just wanted to show you the bigger picture.

Congrats on your new car! Remember our #1 rated service department when it comes to your first service at 10k miles.

Alex C

spankdoggie

Hey Alex. You do not need to defend yourself on this forum. You speak truth with an honest heart, and everybody loves you; well at least I do, and Wheens.

Alex, what I think the guys here would also appreciate is updates and inside information and recommendations and stuff. You have racing experience, and you are just a cool guy. Post a picture of you winning first place out of three hundred.

Stay cool.

We love you Alex!!!

4wxp336

Hi Alex C,

Nice to know that we can ask dealer questions *in public*.

I bought my 2002 C230K coupe from the #47 dealer in Fremont.
I also shopped at Smythe, but the trade-in price for my old car is
way too low.

Well, that's not the point. My current question is how come the
dealers in the Bay Area still try to charge me ~$1100 for the CD
changer, while it comes with the 2003 model for $400 MSRP? I will
pull the trigger immediately if the premium is only $1~200 bucks,
but having to pay $700 more definitely cools down my mind.

Cheers.

gapriderz

A friendly hello/hi would be nice when I go visit a dealership. I totally understand when everyone is busy, but that doesn't mean you have to ignore some of the customers. For some reason, when a young guy like me, dressed up with cargo shorts and flip flops doesn't get taken seriously. Trust me it happens all the time and I never forget.

Hmmm...let see I just carwashed my Jeep and cost me $15 for a regular car wash. I don't have time to wash my own car. I'd rather be driving and enjoying the car. I think the fact that they at least offered the free car wash was sincere. As far as I know, they're suppose to be building a car wash place just for that reason. I'm sure Smythe is a good dealership. I'm not knocking them at all. After all they are the biggest dealership in the nation. I'm just speaking from my experience with them.

Alex C

This is a question that boggles my mind as well...

1st---Blame the Mercedes engineers. We screamed at them for years to put drink holders in the cars. Now, we are working on the CD Players.

2nd---The CD Changers now available for $400 are factory installed. This means that they can buy enormous amounts of these things (Thousands of them) and have them installed on an assembly line. This is obviously much cheaper.

Having it installed at the dealer is more expensive for the following reasons:
--The part now costs more and it also cost money to ship it to us.
--We now have to pay a Factory trained technician to install it. (labor rate is around $100 an hour)
--The CD is Fiber optially connectted to the head unit which provides much better sound, but the cableing and wiring harnesses are much more expensive

Keep in mind, our price is very competitive. IF you go to any stereo store that installs these things, you end up paying about the same price.

They may be cheaper instially, but they dont offer the same warranty. They will try and upsell you on that. Plus, you take your chance on the skills of teeanger installing your beautiful brand new CD Changer that you "saved" $50 on.

Until, he puts a 2 cent screw through your wiring harness causing your entire electrical system to short out....Cost about 10-15 Thousand dollars to repair. Oh, did I mention that since you did not go to the dealer, you also just voided the warranty on your electrical system. That $50 you were hoping to save ----> Gone.

This seems extreme, but it did happen to a client of ours who purchased and S430.

Yes, the installation is more expensive after the fact. So is buying buying clothes at a retail store as opposed to a factory outlet. People often forget that car dealers are a business just like any other.

One comment also, The markup on vehicles is about 5-7% over cost. Compare this to our retail store mentioned above...the markup is well over 150%.

One last note...If you are in the bay area and paying $1200 for a CD changer plus tax, that dealer is being ridiculous. Our price is $932 plus tax. This works out to 1008.89 including tax.

Please dont pay the $1200. That is

Alex C

Alex Casadonte
Fleet and Internet Manager
Smythe European Mercedes
San Jose, CA
408-551-4334
casadontea@autonation.com

Alex C

Again, I apoligize. Sometimes, when people come to a car dealer they feel pressured. We dont want to make our clients feel that way.

I assure you that if I had walked by I would have said hello. I do that all the time. Believe me, I am a pretty young guy and get treated the same way and am sensitive to that as you are.

A little story... It was late at night and I got a call that someone was looking for some assistance. The client had picked up a phone, called the dealer number and tried to get a hold of a salesperson to help her.

I located her in another part of the dealer and helped her out. She was somewhat sweaty since she rode her bike over and was dressed in biker shorts and a ratty T-shirt. I helped her out like I would any other person.

We sat down to finalize her new car. It turned out that she was the CFO for Amazon.com. And she bought the car from me because I helped her. She had been next store and nobody helped her because of the way she was dressed. She bought the car and was very happy.

A month later, she was profiled in Forbes as the 4th most powerful woman in the Computer industry.

I take the philosophy that you cant judge a book by its cover. You never know who you will meet.

So, I definitely hear where you are coming from. Again, I apoligize.

Enjoy your new car!

Alex C

Alex C

Thanks Spankdoggie....

I'm glad there is some love for us lowly sales guys. I just try to educate people.

I am not a racer, I only play one on TV. LOL.



My Brother did race the Milwaukke Mile in Wisconsin last weekend.
He is the true racer in our family. I am a wannabe until I can afford the C32 AMG.

ALEX C32 AMG

spankdoggie

I do not want to be like... but your story about that CFO is a lesson for many of us in our respective businesses as well. I tend to judge my clients, sometimes, and I am often surprised who they turn out to be. I can't afford a C32 either, yet.

20FHK02

I think this is a pretty typical scenario in the silicon valley as the dot comers, esp. the Asian and Middle Easterner males I met, normally dress like losers: many of them don't even comb their hair! But when you follow them to the parking lot you'll see their Lexuses, BMWs, and MBs

People should learn that although tidy dressing generally mean wealthy, casual dressing doesn't mean poor!

gapriderz

It's funny you told that story because it happened to me. My wife and I went to Capitol Honda on hot weather weekend last week. I wanted to check out the new Honda Accords. Once again no sales people that I can ask questions on the vehicle. It wasn't like they were busy doing anything. Some of them were just sitting down on the shade. Finally, a sales person approached us. I told him to tell me more about the Accords. First thing that comes out of his mouth is "How soon are you planning on buying a car?" I told the guy within 6 months. After that he totally lost interest about selling us the vehicle. I kept on asking him questions anyway about the vehicle and his final reply was if you have a computer at home you can check out the specs of the car. My wife and I were so pissed after that incident. I was thinking of writing the manager at Capitol Honda about the incident.

Once again, most people that goes out and look at cars are not really ready to buy, but a little bit of courtesy can sometimes change their plans. It was nice hearing that story Alex. It's refreshing to know that you're not just a normal sales person. Sure thing I will try to enjoy the car.

BTW, is there a break-in period on the car? I know the manual says that there is, but I just wanted to get your opinion on it.

Alex C

You know what, My fiance' got the same runaround at Capitol.

I hear storeis like your all the time. Here is another quick one. One client was looking for a car for his parents...He wasnt ready right away, but we kept in touch from time-to-time via email. He brought his parents in almost a year later and got a car from me. THANKS RICKY.

As for the break-in period, for the first 1000 miles it is good to vary the speed you drive. The engines are pre-broken in at the factory. They are filled with oil, run for a while, and then drained. They are then placed in the vehicles.

The seals and gaskets in the car do need time to heat up and seat themselves properly. Varying the speed will help ensure this.

You may also notice that your first tank of gas will not be very efficient. Future, tanks of gas will be more effective and efficient as the engine "learns" your driving style.

I hope that helps.

Alex C

Alex C

Happy 4th of July Everyone

Please take a moment to remember the Veterans who fought and died so that we can continue to celebrate this day.


Alex C

Elendil

Since starting this thread, I had decided to desert to the Acura TSX simply due to the big price and reliability gap with the 230 sedan.

Do you see MB running incentives on remaining 03 230ss (many left at this point?)? As it is the 4th, how about verteran's discounts?

Smythe is right down the road and I'm having second thoughts...

my email: dropngvme20@hotmail.com

Alex C

I have both Coupes and Sedansof the 230 persuassion.

Mercedes is doing special financing right now, if you qualify. Also, You get my low fleet No-hassle pricing.

Simply pick the one you want. No pressure from me.

Give me a call at 408-551-4334 and I can hook a fellow veteran up.

Alex C

sbgov

I hate to be the voice of doubt, but I have had nothing but bad experiences at Smythe. Despite sending letters to the Service Manager Sandee Jacobs, talking to Marc Frescet, and pleading with my SA Jay Falkner--they can't seem to do anything right.

So far, my car has been delivered to me FOUR times without the problem actually being fixed. Some of the more memorable ones were: trunk was disassembled and not put back together, air vents in dash were pushed in so far as to be inoperable, and my personal favorite--check engine light still on.

When it was under warranty, it was just irritating, now that I'm paying for it, I've got to go elsewhere. Another little anecdote, one headlight went out the day before a B service appointment. I told them not to change it, as it's trivial to do. When I picked up the car, I had a $65 charge for one headlight! (a 2-minute job and $10 part!) They took it off the bill, but it's very telling about the labor rates.

If anyone can recommend a good INDEPENDENT shop in the area I would be eternally grateful. Thanks.

djantlive

I bought an E from Smother's in Santa Rosa. Ask for Rich Heller there. He's an old time sales guy there that knows how to treat you right. If it's too far to visit, call him and negotiate on phone (when you know what options you want). He'll find one and you go pick it up.

$3k below MSRP seems incredibly low. I was able to get $1700 off during boom-times in 98 but $3k is hard to top in SF bay area. I've heard you can get around $3-4k off in LA.

I am not sure if you have to buy from the same dealer in order to get loaners. I think if you make appt ahead of time and ask for a loaner, you should get it. For servicing, Autobahn is pretty good but I've heard good feedback for Smyth and Beshoff. Always compare service prices since on 05 no more free maintenance.

For sales, don't bother going to Autobahn. They offer little or no discount and poor sales support.

Look into Hammer Auto and other car broker for deep discount. Dec/Jan is the best time to buy. Have fun shopping!

SpicyC320

I would recommend Beshoff.

Purchased a 2004 C320 Coupe in April with a bunch of goodies (Premium package, CD changer, auto, metallic paint) for about 31000 out-the-door; pretty good deal for a fairly loaded Benz with V6. Wish I had gotten one with a few more options though (auto seats, bi-xenons, and maybe COMAND) but couldn't stand the wait.

Service dept has been great. I'm young and look even younger but nothing but excellent service from them so far. They always give me one of those nice 05 loaners (though I always end up with the C240 instead of C230 or C320) - I thought my interior was pretty nice compared to the 3-series, but now that I've seen/used it, LOVE the new interior even more!

Autobahn should be pretty good also. A friend of mine recently purchased an 05 C230K sedan; he said it took him about 10 mins to close the deal - no hassles.

C230 Sport Coup

IMHO Autobahn's service is better than
Smyth's, but I still had
issues that weren't fixed right the 1st time.

I finally have a car where everything works!
Overall though, both dealers left screws out when reassembling, which I discovered later.
I haven't tried Beschoff yet, would like to.
Maybe next time.
Many times at Smyth, after being told told come pick up my car,
I've found obvious blunders that prevented me from taking it.
I cring everytime I come in, 'cause after I get the car back, other stuff is broken. Example. Had it in for some issues with the climate control, so they took the dash apart. ON return had other issues, a
and Autobanh found parts broken inside the dash and replaced.
Just one example and their's been a few.

So, now I go over my list before leaving, verify
everything works.

After having to leave a couple times without my car , I've had the SA verify everything is fixed before I'm forced to drive over.
From the positive side, he saved me some uneccesary trips. But from the other side, it was because he found the repairs to be incomplete.

You may the largest. MAybe thats part of the problem.
I'm really not impressed with either dealership so far.
Autobahn thru a fit over minor issues I asked fixed, then
left screws out. In the end, they did get everything.
And Smyth after that, everything went smoothly, except for it taking foever. Autobahn works faster. They use Enterprise for loaners, and seem more motivated to get the job done quicker.
Of course I've always had a car to drive. And after dumping my first SA at Smyth, I've had good luck with the 2nd one.
Funny thing...you may wonder who the hell I am...(don't ask)
how can I say these things...well,
in less than 3 years, my car has spent more than 3 months inside the gates of your dealership, so I know a thing or 2. A little experience in these matters.
Things seem to be going OK now.
Crossing my fingers. Thank god I bought the Xtended warranty.
Still hoping to find someone better.

Owning this car makes me understand why people buy Honda's.
Likely be my next car. I bought Benz for having the best engineered cars etc. Which SHOULD mean, almost never having to be inconvienanced to go to the shop. Unfortunately it's been the opposite. If the interior wasn't so ugly, I'd consider a Scion TC.