JeffDL

nope not a lease.

edit: and you guys should read the documentaion they have you sign when you drop the car off. It says they can take the car for a test drive if deemed necessary.

ZephyrAMG

My bad. I thought you mentioned you had leased. My bad.

GHAZAN

They phocked your girl...what you gonna do about it

IAA-C63

Just got my C63 back from the shop and it was really low on gas, so they must have put significant miles on it, but unfortunately I didn't check. Will do so in the future.

7 mpg is really low. My lowest is 9 mpg (driving like a maniac), but I've never let the car idle for a long time.

These techs aren't really paid all that well (about $30k to $60k/yr), and these cars are really complicated, so I guess it wouldn't be surprising if some techs lack competence or are irresponsible. But this sort of thing is still unacceptable and disappointing.

Also, on the leasing point, mine is leased, but I still care about taking care of it since I'll have it for 4 years, I might buy it after the lease, and I wouldn't want the next owner to get an abused car if I don't buy it.

ZephyrAMG

^^^^ that's the bottom line bushburnin....what are you gonna do about it?

IAA-C63

A painfully accurate metaphor ...

JeffDL

this isn't a first all dealers do this stuff. I've owned ford SVT's, dodge SRT's, bmw M's. Most of the time you get the tech that is into cars which is a GOOD thing and does service correctly because he likes cars and spots you are an enthusiast. I really have no problem if my car goes for a test drive after all it's just a car and that's what it's designed for.

I'm probably older than most on here (35) and maybe that's why I'm so lax about this topic.

But really this was 7 miles, not 50. as for the mpg most of that was probably from the car just sitting idle. So to the OP all is good don't go and destroy your relationship with this dealer you may need them in the future.

JeffDL

boot her skank *** out and be much happier. win - win.

GHAZAN

you just have to state...no one drives my car without my permission or with me in it. If they can't comply, go to another dealer that can or find an indy.

JeffDL

not if you signed the authorization. signature holds more weight than verbal agreement.

GHAZAN

If you want to be technical about it. Im assuming your saying signing the estimate is more weight. So have him write in the estimate what the customer wants....easy as that. Communicate it out

JeffDL

that would be perfect. but the normal paperwork mb has you sign has the "test drive bs" built into it.

coladin

Man, I have had this happen a few times in my life and I have lost it on a few managers about their joyride in my car. Did you speak to the manager? I once had 20 miles put on my car and negotiated a little settlement out of it. Complete car detailing!

bushburninc63

Spoke to the manager, he said he'll look into it. He also detailed the route they normally take to test out the brakes and what not. It's all good, next time they'll take note and not go joy riding in my car.

and I guess my girl has been raped and I can't do anything about it. :sad: :o

ZephyrAMG

Very interesting choice of words....kinda makes me feel uneasy...

SonnyakaPig

No offense, but how have you not got your oil temp up to 225? That's. Not even hot.

James@ACG

I might be in the minority of this, but here's my view for the "other side". If testing your brakes and TPMS 7 miles isn't unheard of, as the resetting of the TPMS could take up to 15 minutes... Also please consider that they had to test the brakes as well which would mean making a few hard stops... NOW let me make this CLEAR....JOY RIDING a customers vehicle is not acceptable... however putting miles on a vehicle to diagnose is understandable.

James@ACG

GermanCars

Another view from the other side. Twice with the same S class, after working with the TPMS system, we drove the car several miles without the TPMS system recognizing the sensors. The customer drove the car another half day before they would reset. Even a tire rotation can result in this kind of struggle.
Keep in mind that when the tech is driving your car, he is not making money. Which is why so many customer complaints are not addressed. Often it takes much more time identify a complaint and correct it than the tech will get paid for.
I do expect every car to be test driven before an annual service. A test drive by a competent tech can often determine issues well before the customer is aware of a problem developing.

No doubt techs sometimes are temped to "check out" the AMG. Of course there is no excuse. Everyone at my shop know the rules....RESPECT THE CUSTOMERS PROPERTY!

MW_ATL

I by no means have the great cars you guys do, however, I know mine has come back with similar numbers. I do believe there is a fair bit of idling, and I know my dealership usually give the car a short road test (unless the are told not to). I also would assume, at least at my preferred dealer, which is a fairly high volume dealer, that the techs have accesss to SL63/65s and such, that they probably are much easier on the car than one would expect...after all, if you see them every day, where is the fun.

That being said, I did own a Mustang that came back with over a hundred miles on it and damage, so I am aware it does happen at some dealers.

--- The whole thread makes me think of a magazine article years ago where the writer had toured a Chrysler plant and seen SuperBee's coming off the line. The cars would get cranked, rev'd up, clutch dumped for a burn out and a quick run from the line back to where they parked, then back for the next car.

IAA-C63

But you do have an SLK320. We had an '01 SLK320 and loved it. Loads of fun, nice retractable hardtop, and some cool retro styling in the interior. I still remember how divine the wood gearshift knob was.

shchow

IMHO, if it was just for an oil change, it would have been unacceptable.
But you also requested that they check your brakes and TPMS. This makes it more palatable/reasonable.
On a personal note, I just had my oil changed at the dealership. Found 4 miles put on the car. Mental note not to have dealer change oil next time.

Quadcammer

full to 1/4 tank in 13 miles.

not buying it.

CELLryuu

ROTFLMFAO

This was the first thing that came to my mind.

now you just need the star wars theme in the back ground

drawde

Not for nothing but I get about ~8-9mpg if it's ALL city and that's just "normal" driving. I'm sure it would have to do with long idling as stated above, but you would definitely NOT be in the wrong just to ask for some peice of mind that it wasn't driven hard. But 7 miles regardless, not sure where that came from.

MNL ICE

there's a member here but I forgot his username, we were chating outside MB Penske in west covina, CA coz our cars are being service. WE saw his car going out from the dealership but ones this guy is in the public road he gunned it down. Then owner complained right away and couple of Penske guys saw it too so the said driver came back after 5 minutes and was fired on the spot...The driver was the dealership's car wash guy.