Just need to vent about my dealer...
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 106
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From: SF Bay Area
Flint Gray E63
Just need to vent about my dealer...
Took my 2003 C32 to the dealer to have a broken side mirror replaced and replace the Valeo radiator with a Behr radiator. I pick up my car and on the passenger door where the side mirror was replaced, there was at least a dozen scratches that were apparently created by tools used to attach the mirror.
The old Valeo radiator was put in the trunk and it leaked coolant on the carpet and into the spare tire area.
There were pools of ATF fluid in the engine area and fluid was dripping from the bottom of the car.
One of the ATF hoses was installed wrong and it was rubbing against the cooling fan. The fan cut into the hose almost causing an ATF fluid leak. The dealer has to order the hose and now I cannot drive my car until next week because the hose could blow anytime if I drive it.
I spent two hours cleaning up the ATF fluid on the engine and cleaning the coolant in the trunk. Then I had to get an abrasive polish and a machine polisher to remove most of the scratches on the passenger door.
I cleaned up everything myself because I don't trust anyone at the dealership to do a better job than I would.
The tech who worked on my car and was so damn careless should be slapped!
The old Valeo radiator was put in the trunk and it leaked coolant on the carpet and into the spare tire area.
There were pools of ATF fluid in the engine area and fluid was dripping from the bottom of the car.
One of the ATF hoses was installed wrong and it was rubbing against the cooling fan. The fan cut into the hose almost causing an ATF fluid leak. The dealer has to order the hose and now I cannot drive my car until next week because the hose could blow anytime if I drive it.
I spent two hours cleaning up the ATF fluid on the engine and cleaning the coolant in the trunk. Then I had to get an abrasive polish and a machine polisher to remove most of the scratches on the passenger door.
I cleaned up everything myself because I don't trust anyone at the dealership to do a better job than I would.
The tech who worked on my car and was so damn careless should be slapped!
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From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
W203, W211, W219, W212
Don't be afraid to call them out, what's the name of the dealer ? Let's hear it. Maybe it's a good idea to report them to MBUSA, not that they would do anything about it probably, but at least we spread the word.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: SF Bay Area
Flint Gray E63
Apparently the tech thought I may want the old radiator, even though I told my service advisor I did not want it back. The tech should have at least wrapped the old radiator in plastic or stuffed the holes with rags before he put it in my trunk. Stupid!
This happened at Walnut Creek MB. I usually get good service there...I think I just got a technician who does not make doing quality work a priority. I had some warranty work done at WCMB about a month ago (fixed speaker rattle, replaced broken muffler, replaced noisy sway bar bushings, replaced transmission EGS) and I had no complaints about the work. I just hate playing the technician lottery and wondering who I will get every time my C32 goes in for service. Maybe I should find out who the best tech is and request him every time I go there.
This happened at Walnut Creek MB. I usually get good service there...I think I just got a technician who does not make doing quality work a priority. I had some warranty work done at WCMB about a month ago (fixed speaker rattle, replaced broken muffler, replaced noisy sway bar bushings, replaced transmission EGS) and I had no complaints about the work. I just hate playing the technician lottery and wondering who I will get every time my C32 goes in for service. Maybe I should find out who the best tech is and request him every time I go there.
Last edited by Moxxon; Aug 3, 2006 at 11:49 PM.
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From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
W203, W211, W219, W212
If I was a mod I would create a sticky thread for this kind of issue. Then the complainers would have to state the name of the dealer, date of service, invoice number to prove validity, and then explain the problems. Any post without those info would have to be deleted. And then I would make sure that MBUSA or the dealer be aware about this. Hey Ricky, does it sound like a good idea ?
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From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
W203, W211, W219, W212
Originally Posted by Moxxon
..I just hate playing the technician lottery and wondering who I will get every time my C32 goes in for service. Maybe I should find out who the best tech is and request him every time I go there.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
That's just a *** shame.I would have left my vehicle there and got either the GM or the owner of the $tealership to look at the car and then went from there.You spend you hard earned cash on your car and this BS happens.Man,I feel for you.
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Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 215
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From: Kansas City
'07 E63; 05 C55 gone; '02 C32 gone;1996 SL320;1978 280CE Gone
I try to get to know the service advisors, and to talk to the same one if possible every time I take a car in. For starters, if I had the problem you describe, I would give him a letter stating exactly what you have said, and ask that the service manager be provided a copy. Probably should go to the manager of the dealership also. Who knows, it might do some good.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: San Jose, CA
ML63
Originally Posted by 360_iti
If I was a mod I would create a sticky thread for this kind of issue. Then the complainers would have to state the name of the dealer, date of service, invoice number to prove validity, and then explain the problems. Any post without those info would have to be deleted. And then I would make sure that MBUSA or the dealer be aware about this. Hey Ricky, does it sound like a good idea ?
1. I had the front suspension squeek problem. I took my car to MB of San Diego and they said they wouldn't cover the repairs because of my Brabus suspension. I would have to pay to have the work done.
I took my car to MB of Escondido and they said it was covered under the warranty and there was a TSB regaring the known problem. (Which I told the Service Manager at MB SD and got no where) They replaced everything.. covered..
2. My drivers seat control kept going out. MB of San Diego claimed that the seat rails were worn and was causing a short. They claimed that the seat rails weren't covered under the warranty so they wanted me to pay $1200 to fix it. I told them no way.. Fix the blow module that is covered and I'll be on my way. It blew out 2 more times and I made them fix it each time without fixing the rails.
I took my car to MB of Escondido and they said it was a stripped wire under my seat that was shorting out on the rail. They replaced the wiring harness under the seat and I haven't had a problem since.
So MB of SD was trying to rip me off for work that wasn't required.. as I suspected.. I could go on.. there are a few more things they have done but I am done ranting for now.. lol
Now should we create a sticky for dealers we like?
MB of Escondido has excellent service and I recommend them to anyone in the San Diego area..
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 350
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From: CA
Originally Posted by amgmark
Since the thread is "vent about my dealer".. I figured I would post a couple of stories about my bad experiences with MB of San Diego.. they don't seem to know the meaning of service..
well, pls let me know who is the SA, you can PM me if u like
For Moxxon: try your best and talk with service Manager and see what he can do for you
Thanks in advance
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: SF Bay Area
Flint Gray E63
The more I think about this the more upset I get. I have been borrowing my girlfriend's car to go places. It is an inconvenience to me to have to borrow other people's cars for five days because the technician did not know how to install a transmission line correctly.
My service advisor did not even offer a loaner after he saw how my transmission line was cut by the cooling fan. When I said I wanted a loaner next week when the car comes in to get fixed, he started giving me excuses about how management was getting upset about how many loaner cars were being given out. What lousy customer service. After I explained how I spent $1,000 at the dealership in the last 30 days and was now having to deal with not having a car because of their mistake, he finally gave in and said he would get me a loaner next week when I bring it in.
The service manager definitely needs to know about this. Even after they fix the car I will still be upset because I feel like I got a lousy deal. Anybody have an idea of what would be proper compensation for my troubles? I could use some wheel locks and new AMG floor mats I suppose. At this point, I don't even know what it would take to make the situation feel right.
My service advisor did not even offer a loaner after he saw how my transmission line was cut by the cooling fan. When I said I wanted a loaner next week when the car comes in to get fixed, he started giving me excuses about how management was getting upset about how many loaner cars were being given out. What lousy customer service. After I explained how I spent $1,000 at the dealership in the last 30 days and was now having to deal with not having a car because of their mistake, he finally gave in and said he would get me a loaner next week when I bring it in.
The service manager definitely needs to know about this. Even after they fix the car I will still be upset because I feel like I got a lousy deal. Anybody have an idea of what would be proper compensation for my troubles? I could use some wheel locks and new AMG floor mats I suppose. At this point, I don't even know what it would take to make the situation feel right.
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 123
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From: Midlands, UK
2003 C32 AMG, 2003 ML270 CDi
Originally Posted by amgmark
1. I had the front suspension squeek problem. I took my car to MB of San Diego and they said they wouldn't cover the repairs because of my Brabus suspension. I would have to pay to have the work done.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Seattle
w203 m112
ugh, this sounds terrible.... All this could have been avoided if the techs were just a little less careless. :\ Id complain to the SA also.....
there should be a big long list of all the bad mb service places and a list of all the good ones
or a review of each service place + people's experiences w/ them so we can know to avoid bad ones and go to the good ones 
-j0hn
there should be a big long list of all the bad mb service places and a list of all the good ones
or a review of each service place + people's experiences w/ them so we can know to avoid bad ones and go to the good ones -j0hn
Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 182
Likes: 2
From: Buford, GA
2016 C63S,2013 C63 AMG Coupe, 2002 C32 AMG (gone but not forgotten)
Your squeak problem could be a leaking bushing in one of the torque struts. Cheap part, but expensive to repair due to labor costs. Your dealership will have lots of these in stock, because they go bad often. Look at your underbody and you'll see lots of little dried-up oil stains on the back of your brake caliper and suspension components. (especially on the steering-arm boot)
As far as inept mechanics, RBM of Atlanta replaced the wrong seat heater on my car after I specifically pointed out the in-op heater. Not to mention they scratched the hell out of my interior and door jambs while doing the work. And then put a card in my dashboard that said, "this car proudly washed and vacuumed by xxx". Neither had been done. So sad.
At least at Audi, they had a mechanic who ONLY worked on the S-line cars and nothing else. There's something to be said about specialization.
I wish MB would do the same with the AMG line.
As far as inept mechanics, RBM of Atlanta replaced the wrong seat heater on my car after I specifically pointed out the in-op heater. Not to mention they scratched the hell out of my interior and door jambs while doing the work. And then put a card in my dashboard that said, "this car proudly washed and vacuumed by xxx". Neither had been done. So sad.
At least at Audi, they had a mechanic who ONLY worked on the S-line cars and nothing else. There's something to be said about specialization.
I wish MB would do the same with the AMG line.
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 123
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From: Midlands, UK
2003 C32 AMG, 2003 ML270 CDi
Originally Posted by silver_metallic
Your squeak problem could be a leaking bushing in one of the torque struts. Cheap part, but expensive to repair due to labor costs. Your dealership will have lots of these in stock, because they go bad often. Look at your underbody and you'll see lots of little dried-up oil stains on the back of your brake caliper and suspension components. (especially on the steering-arm boot)
At least at Audi, they had a mechanic who ONLY worked on the S-line cars and nothing else. There's something to be said about specialization.
I wish MB would do the same with the AMG line.
At least at Audi, they had a mechanic who ONLY worked on the S-line cars and nothing else. There's something to be said about specialization.
I wish MB would do the same with the AMG line.
I'm biting my tongue regarding dealers damaging my cars. Latest episode having taken the wifes ML in yesterday - when I got it back the headlamps misted up on the inside (about 70%) and outside was cloudy - seems that someone was over enthusiastic with jet wash. Called the dealer but they seem dismissive. I'll see what happens when I take it back Tuesday.
Finally, I wish I could find an AMG specialist!!
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: San Jose, CA
ML63
Originally Posted by Bobby Dazzler
Tell me more!! I get a sqeek/groan that appears to be coming from behind the dashboard when the suspension compresses like cossing the pavement on to my driveway. Does this sound like the squeek problem you experienced? What was it in the end?
Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 182
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From: Buford, GA
2016 C63S,2013 C63 AMG Coupe, 2002 C32 AMG (gone but not forgotten)
Originally Posted by amgmark
I had the thrust? arms and the sway bar bushings replaced.. It was a horribly loud squeeking sound when going over speed bumps.. etc..
I believe what we would refer to as the thrust arm, MB calls the torque strut in the Technical Service Bulletin... and yes, that's the one that leaks
the sway bar bushings just get dirt in them and start to wear prematurely, but there's nothing to leak out of them. I think the new version of the bushings are better protected from the elements
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 123
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From: Midlands, UK
2003 C32 AMG, 2003 ML270 CDi
Originally Posted by amgmark
I had the thrust? arms and the sway bar bushings replaced.. It was a horribly loud squeeking sound when going over speed bumps.. etc..
Sounds like the problem I have. Will try to book it in to the dealers - let you know the outcome.
