stephensong

Anybody join the MBCA? I have been a member for several years. The local chapters have monthly news letters with info concerning events which most of us would find of interest, especially the diy people.

Why not check it the MBCA website and then checkout your local club.

W204

Thanks for the info, here is the link http://www.mbca.org

RLE

[<<Anybody join the MBCA? I have been a member for several years. The local chapters have monthly news letters with info concerning events which most of us would find of interest, especially the diy people.>>

I've been a member for a looong time. My dealer (and many others) gives a 10% parts discount to MBCA members.

stephensong

Thanks for reminding me, I forgot about that. Plus the savings on the purchase of an '07 model.

RLE

<<Thanks for reminding me, I forgot about that. Plus the savings on the purchase of an '07 model.>>

The 2008 C-Class was excluded from the rebate (would have been $1500) even when sold in 2007.

Owner loyalty plan, my A**!

MB-JIM

This is the essence of the new loyalty program. This time, it is a credit for everything other than a car. Go to the MBCA site for all the details. It amounts to $1,500 credit for a purchase from your MB dealer or $500 for purchase from a licensed independent dealer. It's still a good deal but remember your membership must be continuous for the 12 months preceeding your purchse to be elgible for the credit.

Excerpt from the MB Loyalty Program:
"You may be eligible to receive the following gift card allowance towards parts, service and accessories at a Mercedes-Benz dealer. This offer is based on the purchase or lease of a new or pre-owned Mercedes-Benz vehicle through an authorized U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealer or on the purchase of a pre-owned Mercedes-Benz at a licensed independent U.S. dealership. An MBCA membership of one year or more immediately preceding the purchase date of the vehicle is required to participate in this program. An MBCA member in good standing can not have had any lapse in membership during that 12-month period. Mercedes-Benz vehicles delivered through December 31, 2008 are eligible for the following gift card allowances: From an authorized U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealer From a licensed independent U.S. dealership New MY ’07 & ’08 $1,500 all non-AMG models Pre-owned $250 all models Pre-owned $750 all models 2008 MBCA Loyalty Reward gift cards are redeemable towards parts, service, personal accessories and vehicle accessories at any authorized U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealership. This allowance may not be redeemed online or via phone or catalog. Terms and Conditions: Only those vehicles purchased from authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships or licensed independent dealerships in the U.S. qualify for this gift card offer. This MBCA allowance is non-transferable and can only be redeemed by an MBCA member. Sales documents and vehicle title must be in the MBCA member’s name or the name of his/her business. If an MBCA member co-signs for a vehicle with a non-MBCA member or with another MBCA member, both must reside in thesame household. There can be only one gift card submission per member per year. This program is available in conjunction with other special purchase programs offered by MBUSA, including Mercedes-Benz Financial special finance/lease programs, unless otherwise restricted by the terms of those programs. MBUSA allows one gift card per calendar year (through 12/31, 2008) per member and only one member may apply for a gift card if there isjoint or multiple ownership of the vehicle. MBUSA is not responsible for late, lost or misdirected applications. In order for the loyalty reward gift card requests to be processed, fully completed gift card request forms must be received by MBUSA within 60 days of date of purchase/lease. Eligible Vehicles: Vehicles qualifying as ‘new’: MY 2007 and 2008 passenger vehicles (including European Deliveryand Diplomat Program Sales), new SUVs and retail demos with fewer than 1,000 miles purchased at an authorized U.S. Mercedes-Benz Dealer Vehicles qualifying as ‘pre-owned’: Any Mercedes-Benz in excess of 1,000 miles being sold at an authorized U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealer or at any licensed independent dealership in the U.S. Pre-owned AMGsareeligible for this program. Ineligible Vehicles: New AMG vehicles and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Procedures: Visit an authorized U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealership or a licensed independent U.S. dealership of your choice and negotiate your best deal. Then submit the completed gift card request form within 60 days of the date of delivery. Mercedes-Benz Club of America Membership Loyalty Reward Program"

jrct9454

I've been a member, with occasional interruptions when we were without an MB, since 1973. If you are a serious MB person, you really need to be part of MBCA.

RLE

<<This is the essence of the new loyalty program. This time, it is a credit for everything other than a car.........>>

Many thanks for this heads-up. I owe you one.

When I looked at the previous program not too long ago, the previous program excluded the W204 and a call to MB Club headquarters was unproductive.

And just this morning I ordered a wood-rim steering wheel and four tire pressure sensors from Caliber Motors in Anaheim (far cheaper than locally) which would have free with the gift card, but I don't want to wait two months for the sensors (for my Blizzaks on my OE wheels) because we may have snow before then. I'll spend it somehow, later.

Again, thanks for publicizing this offer.

sou98

YEAP !!! my is the Toronto Section (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Just renewed my 3 yrs membership

tanktube67

thanks

RLE

<<Thanks for reminding me, I forgot about that. Plus the savings on the purchase of an '07 model.>>

The 2008 C-Class was excluded from the rebate (would have been $1500) even when sold in 2007. Owner loyalty plan, my A**!>>

Just yesterday I was told by MBUSA that my submission of the 2008 Gift card request will be rejected because my C300 was delivered in October 2007 when it was excluded from the 2007 program. Only cars delivered after 1/2/08 and before 12/31/08 will get the cards, provided the application is sent within the 60 day window.

So, all the W204s delivered last year (August to December) to MBCA members can forget it. So I repeat, owner loyalty program, my ***.

And besides that...........

MBUSA has still failed to refund to me the 18 unused months of extended factory warranty on my trade-in 2001 C320 after 3 1/2 months. We are talking in excess of $900 here. Multiple telephone calls by me to them plus the dealer's efforts have produced nothing.

I just hope that I get a survey asking how my contact with them went because they have failed completely. Customer no-service is what they should be renamed.

BTW, I have been an MBCA member since 1978 with my C300 being the sixth new car from the same dealer. If that isn't loyalty, I don't know what in hell is.

MTI

Is the MBCA relevant to a Mercedes owner at this point in time?

mbny

hmm, I'm curious in finding out more. I've had my C230 SS for 35 months now on my 39 month lease and will soon be going with the C300 sport. Would being a member be beneficial to me at this time?

Steve321

I'm in the club. Cannot wait to do ED in spring of '09. I know it is far away

JohnH4260

Yes, joined MBCA in November 2007. Its a good club, but MBCA needs to work on their magazine (The Star) if they want to bring it up to the standard of the BMWCCA magazine, The Roundel.

RLE

<<Would being a member be beneficial to me at this time?>>

Some dealers give parts & accessory discounts to MBCA members. Here in Seattle Phil Smart offers 10% off while Barrier Motors in Bellevue cancelled their club discounts last year.

This can add up to a fair amount off given MB parts prices. It's already too late to get the $1500 gift card for purchasing a car since one year membership is required and this years program ends 12/31.

RLE

<<MBCA needs to work on their magazine (The Star) if they want to bring it up to the standard of the BMWCCA magazine, The Roundel>>

MBCA went through a not-so-civil war recently and the victors decided to can the long time publisher of the old Star, deciding to take it in-house to "save money."

It MAY be cheaper but has suffered mightily, quality and content-wise. One or two of the regular columnists are rather amateurish. And the photo content and artwork are below par in comparison.

uhear

If someone is a 1st time MB owner why would the have a prior 1 yr membership? I know it is a loyalty program but why not include a reward program too. Give someone an incentive/benefit other than a 10% discount off parts for a NEW car they just pruchased. Ehhh I just dont know if a star magazine is worth it. Please convince me otherwise and I will buy in.

RLE

<<Is the MBCA relevant to a Mercedes owner at this point in time?>>

I'm not sure what you mean by relevant. For the membership cost you get a decent monthly magazine and possibly dealer parts discounts. And there is a Honolulu MB Club Section that very likely puts on monthly events of some sort and probably has a monthly newsletter of their own.

The MBCA.org website lists a telephone number for the Honolulu Section.

MTI

Yes, there is Honolulu section. I used to be a member. The events centered mostly around brunches at the local Neiman-Marcus restaurant. The local dealership, owned by Fletcher-Jones, offered a 10% discount on parts.

Before joining, I would suggest that you investigate whether your particular section is what you think it will be.

syrAMG

I joined as soon as I got my Merc.

jrct9454

I've been a member for most of the past 35 years, with occasional lapses when there wasn't an MB in the garage [not often, and not for long].

Besides the magazine and the discounts [and now, the "loyalty program"], there are local, regional, and national driving events and conventions. The next national event is coming up at the end of September, centered around the San Francisco Bay Area, and includes the usual concours and competition driving opportunities.

Depending on your local section, typical events during the year involve rallies, museum visits, technical meets with the local dealership techs, and purely social stuff [dinners, etc].

The problem in Hawaii is the limited opportunity for real driving events - even as a visitor, I bet I've covered nearly every mile of paved asphalt on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui....the Big Island is more interesting, and now that the ferry service is at least a possibility [if they ever stop wrangling about it in court], real driving events might be something to do besides meet at a restaurant.

Anyway, it's true your enjoyment of the Club [and that includes any club - I also belong to BMWCCA] is heavily dependent on how your interests align with the local chapter. The SF Bay Area MBCA group, for example, had many more interesting events than the Portland OR section does, though things are getting better here with a change in section leadership.

It's still my belief that if you are a serious fan of Mercedes, you should join MBCA.

MTI

I don't disagree about the demographics and geography of my section.

E2233

MBCA is a private club chartered by it members. The members elect the officers. MBCA requires a one year membership to apply for the award. MBUSA verifies your membership with MBCA for one year to process your application for the reward. You need the VIN, the membership for one year and the bill of sales. The reward card comes from MBUSA. It takes about a month after all the documentation has been submitted by mail or fax.

RLE

You responded to an eight month old post so the subject may be dead but the program is still alive.

After mass confusion at MBCA & MBUSA over the program in 2007, I sent in the application form and after three months waiting, American Express sent me a $1500 dealer gift card with an expiration date 12 months after it was issued.

The form is downloaded from www.mbca.org and mailed. You do not need your bill of sale. With your name, your dealer's name and the VIN, MBUSA has what it needs since they already have all your data.

BTW, the program exists solely at the discretion of MBUSA and could disappear any time.