Update: Dealership curbed rims
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 5
From: Fort Washington, MD
2008 C300
Update: Dealership curbed rims
Long story short.
Dealership curbed my 2 left side rims (20" wheels) in September. I notified my service advisor. He told me to bring it in and he would fix them. Left the car for a few days and nothing was done. I told him don't pay the wheels repair place because they didn't do anything. A few weeks past and never heard anything bacl from him so I wrote the service advisor. This is what his response was:
I spoke to xxxxxx regarding your wheels. The opinion of those who reviewed the damage believes that it did not occur at our facility. The reason for the opinion is that both wheels on the left side of the vehicle were scratched. While damage can occur in our shop it would be extremely unusual for both wheels to get damaged due to the shop, equipment and parking lot configuration. We do not have any curbs that we park against that could damage wheels in the fashion that they are damaged.
Further, it was noted during the visit in question that the right front wheel is bent, which supports nature of the 20 inch low profile wheel is susceptible to damage for a variety of reasons. Although xxxxxx offered to repair out of sense of customer satisfaction, he also made it clear that the dealership would not replace the wheels. At this time I am unwilling to comply with your request.
Should you like to have further discussion regarding this matter, I would be happy to meet with you and look at the wheels myself.
What should I do? I am very meticulous about my car. I have been buying custom wheels for over 20 years. I have never curbed a wheel.
Dealership curbed my 2 left side rims (20" wheels) in September. I notified my service advisor. He told me to bring it in and he would fix them. Left the car for a few days and nothing was done. I told him don't pay the wheels repair place because they didn't do anything. A few weeks past and never heard anything bacl from him so I wrote the service advisor. This is what his response was:
I spoke to xxxxxx regarding your wheels. The opinion of those who reviewed the damage believes that it did not occur at our facility. The reason for the opinion is that both wheels on the left side of the vehicle were scratched. While damage can occur in our shop it would be extremely unusual for both wheels to get damaged due to the shop, equipment and parking lot configuration. We do not have any curbs that we park against that could damage wheels in the fashion that they are damaged.
Further, it was noted during the visit in question that the right front wheel is bent, which supports nature of the 20 inch low profile wheel is susceptible to damage for a variety of reasons. Although xxxxxx offered to repair out of sense of customer satisfaction, he also made it clear that the dealership would not replace the wheels. At this time I am unwilling to comply with your request.
Should you like to have further discussion regarding this matter, I would be happy to meet with you and look at the wheels myself.
What should I do? I am very meticulous about my car. I have been buying custom wheels for over 20 years. I have never curbed a wheel.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
Chalk it up to experience and move on...their response is at least as credible as your assertion of blame. Take individual responsibility for having no evidence and offer up your personal contribution to tort reform. Next time, have them note the RO with the condition of the car/wheels, and then do a walkaround when you return before leaving the lot. Don't try to pass your costs along to others like some extreme socialist!
And....yes, I am still "drinking the Kool-Aid."
And....yes, I am still "drinking the Kool-Aid."
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,809
Likes: 4
From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
I take pics around my car and closeups of the wheels and lip whenever I take my car for any service. Live and learn. You can always try escalating it up to MB Corporate and see if anything can be done.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 872
Likes: 105
From: Pacific Northwest
2022 GLE450
Go in for a calm face to face and say you want it fixed. As much as he likes to say it wasn't them, dealers are not know for their honesty. So I would press the issue, even if they don't want to they will pay for it, or at least thats what my dealer does.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 872
Likes: 105
From: Pacific Northwest
2022 GLE450
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/v...ough-customer/
Toyota but it gives the impression...being a dealer doesn't automatically make them honest. Then again customers are not always either.
Toyota but it gives the impression...being a dealer doesn't automatically make them honest. Then again customers are not always either.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
I had one of my rear wheels refinished and it looks exaclty like OE. The machining and paint are perfect. The idiots did leave a little blem on the inner barrel though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 3
From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
Have you considered whether your case (evidence that the dealer damaged the wheels) is as good as or better than their case that they were not responsible? Are you 100% certain you didn't accidentally scrape them? Anyway, good luck if you decide to persue it.
(I edited my original post to be more in line with what I intended to say.)
(I edited my original post to be more in line with what I intended to say.)
Last edited by noka; Dec 29, 2010 at 02:32 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
The downsides are minimal, other than the complete loss of the relationship with that service department, which may or may not matter any longer. However, Small Claims Court is for plaintiffs who can demonstrate even a reasonable chance of providing a preponderance of evidence (>50%) to support their claim. Nothing we've read above comes close to that. No written notes of vehicle condition at service arrival, no record of damage identification on-site at service pick-up, and the dealer letter is actually more persuasive about parking along a curb, as both wheels on the same side are damaged. But, one can always try.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 3
From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
I was only suggesting that you should be as certain as possible that you are a) right and b) have a good case.
Last edited by noka; Dec 29, 2010 at 02:33 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 3
From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
The downsides are minimal, other than the complete loss of the relationship with that service department, which may or may not matter any longer. However, Small Claims Court is for plaintiffs who can demonstrate even a reasonable chance of providing a preponderance of evidence (>50%) to support their claim. Nothing we've read above comes close to that. No written notes of vehicle condition at service arrival, no record of damage identification on-site at service pick-up, and the dealer letter is actually more persuasive about parking along a curb, as both wheels on the same side are damaged. But, one can always try.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 2
From: Norte America
MBUSA
no expert, just come up with better comments then...."have you considered the costs of losing" and whatever else you edited. BTW I don't think anyone would want a relationship with that dealership for the parties involved or those that weren't and now know what may happen.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 3
From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
no expert, just come up with better comments then...."have you considered the costs of losing" and whatever else you edited. BTW I don't think anyone would want a relationship with that dealership for the parties involved or those that weren't and now know what may happen.
