Best SF Peninsula Dealer
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Newbie
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Best SF Peninsula Dealer
I'm relatively new to the SF-area and was hoping for some input.
I live near Los Altos and am trying to find the best area dealer to both purchase my 230K Sedan from and receive servicing at. To this point, I've only spent time at Smothers in Santa Rosa - great people and good pricing, but too far for service.
Under consideration:
Smythe
Autobahn
Boshoff
Claridge's
Any I'm missing? Will I be screwed by buying from one and getting service at another? Loaner policies for each of these known?
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I live near Los Altos and am trying to find the best area dealer to both purchase my 230K Sedan from and receive servicing at. To this point, I've only spent time at Smothers in Santa Rosa - great people and good pricing, but too far for service.
Under consideration:
Smythe
Autobahn
Boshoff
Claridge's
Any I'm missing? Will I be screwed by buying from one and getting service at another? Loaner policies for each of these known?
Thank you for sharing your experience.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,597
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From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
i don't go elsewhere for service outside sf...and it's european motors...quite pricey. but i know the service guy when he was a volvo service manager. so...
smythe is in walnut creek right? went there, no one paid any attention to me
..oh well, wasn't really gonna buy a car anyway...but wc is kinda yuppy town
i heard autobahn was pretty nice... isn't that closer to los altos
smythe is in walnut creek right? went there, no one paid any attention to me
..oh well, wasn't really gonna buy a car anyway...but wc is kinda yuppy towni heard autobahn was pretty nice... isn't that closer to los altos
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: San Francisco, CA
I bought my C230 coupe from Alex C. at Smythe in San Jose, as well. Honest and cool dude.
Totally legit... Alex Casadonte... Direct line is 408-551-4334... Go through Alex, and you will do very well...
He is just a regular guy, not the quintessential "car salesman."
I went to Mercedes in San Francisco on Vanness and nobody wanted to sell to me... I am very happy with Alex, and Smythe European.
spankdoggie
Totally legit... Alex Casadonte... Direct line is 408-551-4334... Go through Alex, and you will do very well...
He is just a regular guy, not the quintessential "car salesman."
I went to Mercedes in San Francisco on Vanness and nobody wanted to sell to me... I am very happy with Alex, and Smythe European.
spankdoggie
Last edited by spankdoggie; May 26, 2003 at 09:44 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 177
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From: S.F.
a Merc
I bought my C320 last year from Smythe Stevens Creek, very good deal, about $3000 below MSRP, I tried to shop around to the other dealers in the bay area, no one can compare the price... however, the seller, I forgot what his name was (not Alex though) was such a jerk, he didn't really pay a full attention to me coz he was also handling another man who's gonna test drive a CL or something... I had to wait almost for 2 hours just to pay the car !!! And after that, no follow up whatsoever from the Smythe...
but, oh well, I got a good deal anyway, can't complain much...
but, oh well, I got a good deal anyway, can't complain much...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Hollister, CA
03 C320 (For Sale), 08 Audi TT
I bought mine at Smythe on Stevens Creek and my salesman was Sebastian Jaczwezski. Really cool guy as he let me test a ton of cars and great to deal with.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 254
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From: SF Bay Area
I bought from Autobahn and have my car serviced there. I always get a loaner from them, and it's typically a mercedes. Aside from getting the runaround when I tried to get my COMAND activated, service has been fine there.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
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Yes, the Walnut Creek dealer is Stead. I stopped-by there once, beautiful showroom. But everyone, including an unsolicited comment from a guy at one of the Costco tire shops, told me to avoid their service dep't...
Either Smythe or Autobahn sound cool, I see lots of Smythe plates on MBs around here...
Either Smythe or Autobahn sound cool, I see lots of Smythe plates on MBs around here...
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13
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From: Smythe European, San Jose, CA
Hi Guys,
I am the Alex C who was mentioned above. I am the Internet/Fleet manager over at Smythe European in San Jose.
We are the largest Mercedes Dealer in Northern California.
Also,
-Largest Service department in the nation for Mercedes
-#1 Service Department for Customer Satisfaction for Mercedes Benz for the last 2 years
-#7 in the nation in regards to above
-Voted #1 Car dealership in the Bay Area by the readers of the San Jose Mercury News for the last 2 years
Cars are Cars, but a Mercedes is more than that. Consider the above when you get your next Benz. I know this sounds like a sales pitch, and it is, but it is also the plain old truth.
I want to take a moment to thank my clients who issued the praise. Thank you! They are the proof as to the above. I am right around the corner from our rental car dept., feel free to stop in and read my board with notes and messages from my many happy clients.
If I can be of any help, feel free to give me a call or email me. You will be surprised how easy buying a new car can and should be.
Have a great day everyone!
Alex Casadonte
Smythe European Mercedes
Fleet and Internet Manager
408-551-4334
casadontea@autonation.com
I am the Alex C who was mentioned above. I am the Internet/Fleet manager over at Smythe European in San Jose.
We are the largest Mercedes Dealer in Northern California.
Also,
-Largest Service department in the nation for Mercedes
-#1 Service Department for Customer Satisfaction for Mercedes Benz for the last 2 years
-#7 in the nation in regards to above
-Voted #1 Car dealership in the Bay Area by the readers of the San Jose Mercury News for the last 2 years
Cars are Cars, but a Mercedes is more than that. Consider the above when you get your next Benz. I know this sounds like a sales pitch, and it is, but it is also the plain old truth.
I want to take a moment to thank my clients who issued the praise. Thank you! They are the proof as to the above. I am right around the corner from our rental car dept., feel free to stop in and read my board with notes and messages from my many happy clients.
If I can be of any help, feel free to give me a call or email me. You will be surprised how easy buying a new car can and should be.
Have a great day everyone!
Alex Casadonte
Smythe European Mercedes
Fleet and Internet Manager
408-551-4334
casadontea@autonation.com
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 78
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From: Bay Area, California
98 E430 & 06 C230
I bought my C230K sedan from Smythe European in San Jose. The service is great and they gave you the best deal in the entire bay area. My salesperson is Sam Chao. He's very approachable and he will let you to test any vehicle, but he will never push you to buy it. He lets you make your decision. So, I would recommand Smythe in San Jose. 
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13
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From: Smythe European, San Jose, CA
Opps, I forgot to mention...
-The Free Mercedes Benz loaner cars we provide to our service clients at no charge (excpet gas)
-Personally assigned Service adivsor (so you dont have to re-explain your concerns)
And, Sam is a great guy.
Alex C
Alex Casadonte
Smythe European Mercedes
Fleet and Internet Manager
408-551-4334
casadontea@autonation.com
-The Free Mercedes Benz loaner cars we provide to our service clients at no charge (excpet gas)
-Personally assigned Service adivsor (so you dont have to re-explain your concerns)
And, Sam is a great guy.
Alex C
Alex Casadonte
Smythe European Mercedes
Fleet and Internet Manager
408-551-4334
casadontea@autonation.com
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: sf bay area
'03 C320 coupe-manual, '07 530i
Originally posted by 20FHK02
Opps... Now there is a Smythe officer onboard.
Opps... Now there is a Smythe officer onboard.
Last week when I finally picked up my C320 Coupe w/6 speed from Alex, I mentioned all his good press on MBWorld. I'd like to echo the sentiments of others who have posted that Alex is a great guy and a straight shooter.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13
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From: Smythe European, San Jose, CA
Wheens,
Thanks for the kind words. I have to thank you for the patience you showed in getting your car. Took a lot longer than expected.
Guys, he has one awesome car.
BTW, not a Smythe Officer... I just work here. I actually had a guy buy an Orion Blue C230KMT from me last year who gave his car to a company out of LA (Rentech, I think???).
HE gives them the car for a year... They put about $10K worth of mods on the car... show the car for that year. After the year is up, he gets to keep the car, mods and all. I am waiting for a picture of the finished project.
I also wanted to add that I won the fastest driver award at last year's Ride-andDrive event. Beat over 300 other people's times in a course driving the C230. I love the C-Coupe. Awesome little car.
You guys already know all this, I'm sure
ALEXC
Thanks for the kind words. I have to thank you for the patience you showed in getting your car. Took a lot longer than expected.
Guys, he has one awesome car.
BTW, not a Smythe Officer... I just work here. I actually had a guy buy an Orion Blue C230KMT from me last year who gave his car to a company out of LA (Rentech, I think???).
HE gives them the car for a year... They put about $10K worth of mods on the car... show the car for that year. After the year is up, he gets to keep the car, mods and all. I am waiting for a picture of the finished project.
I also wanted to add that I won the fastest driver award at last year's Ride-andDrive event. Beat over 300 other people's times in a course driving the C230. I love the C-Coupe. Awesome little car.
You guys already know all this, I'm sure
ALEXC
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
From: SF South Bay
2002 C230 Coupe
BTW, I also bought my car at Smythe, but I don't like my salesman though. When I went in for delivery and to close the deal (I actually called in advance and he told me to come at the specified time) but when I got there he pointed me to another guy while he rather spent his time on a walked-in guest but a potential S-class buyer!
Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Bay Area
MB C230K
I had the same thing happen (different Bay Area dealer) but I was understanding. I was after all buying the cheapest car they had for sale. If a better prospect walked in, might as well have the rep go for the bigger commission check.
My sales guy was cool overall though, and we still keep in touch now - he even helped me navigate a problem with the Service dept.
So the downside of owning a C Sportscoupe is that you don't necessarily get top-notch Sales attention, but on the upside, the Service department treats you like any other MB customer, I have found.
--Steffen
My sales guy was cool overall though, and we still keep in touch now - he even helped me navigate a problem with the Service dept.
So the downside of owning a C Sportscoupe is that you don't necessarily get top-notch Sales attention, but on the upside, the Service department treats you like any other MB customer, I have found.
--Steffen
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 23
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From: San Francisco, CA
2015 C300 Sport, 2003 C32 AMG, 65 FFR Cobra, 2006 Cooper S
I recently took delivery of a 03 Coupe from Autobahn Motors in Belmont. They were very helpful in the purchase and delivered as promised. I would recommend them for any potential buyers.
Best of Luck.
Best of Luck.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13
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From: Smythe European, San Jose, CA
Guys, I apoligize. Sometimes our schedules are not our own. We try to set appointments like a doctor's office does, but sometimes people just pop in and we can't not help them.
Rather than have you wait and waste your time, we would rather have you be helped by another salesperson. Nobody wants to spend any more time than they have to at a dealer and we try to be as sensitive to that as we can.
It also isn't fair to you to have us try and juggle two clients. I know salespeople at other dealers that do that, and I think that is a horrible way to treat clients.
And believe me, we do not treat person buying an S-class any different than someone buying a c-class. It would be stupid to do so. The C-class client will probably be back to see you more than the S-class client.
Anyway, I digress... Hopefully, in the end you were treated fairly and professionally like you deserve.
Have a great day guys!
Alex C
Rather than have you wait and waste your time, we would rather have you be helped by another salesperson. Nobody wants to spend any more time than they have to at a dealer and we try to be as sensitive to that as we can.
It also isn't fair to you to have us try and juggle two clients. I know salespeople at other dealers that do that, and I think that is a horrible way to treat clients.
And believe me, we do not treat person buying an S-class any different than someone buying a c-class. It would be stupid to do so. The C-class client will probably be back to see you more than the S-class client.
Anyway, I digress... Hopefully, in the end you were treated fairly and professionally like you deserve.
Have a great day guys!
Alex C
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13
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From: Smythe European, San Jose, CA
Also, I would like to note the Article in Today's San Jose Mercury News Business section showing Smythe as the top Dealer in the Bay Area.
There must be a reason people keep coming back and choosing us. Not to toot my own horn, or anything.
Have a great day everyone!
Alex C
There must be a reason people keep coming back and choosing us. Not to toot my own horn, or anything.
Have a great day everyone!
Alex C
