MB Dealer - First Impressions - My first post. 2005 320 CDI
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: US
e320
MB Dealer - First Impressions - My first post. 2005 320 CDI
My company car is being taken away because I don't drive it enough. I went to the local dealer to purchase a used Diesel. They had a clean looking 2005 CDI on the lot. Certified etc. Purchased made. Including extended warranty.
First Issue: After taking delivery of the car, it becomes apparent that the inside was not really detailed well. Stains on the floor mats, what appeared to be yogurt on the headliner in the rear and lots of other marks that look like a normal dealer would address before putting the car on the lot.
2nd Issue: This certified pre-owned car had a passenger side seat belt that was almost ripped in half. I called the dealer service center and asked for an appointment to get this fixed. Makes me wonder what other certified points they missed.
Service Day: Friday, I told service manager about my concern with the seat belt and also informed her that the car I pick up the day before was dirty. While I was there I let my sales guy know it was dirty. They keep it over the weekend waiting for the parts to come in, and I get my car back the following Monday.
Seat belts replaced, headliner is cleaner, mats appear to have been cleaned. $0
Later that week, I'm exploring the car, checking out the things you don't noticed, like where the aux port is located, compartments under the front of the seats. I ran my hand under the passenger seat and find...
-Dog bone: Full size
-Several kernels of popcorn.
Come on, I'm better at detailing then this, missing a dog bone! I paid my daughter $5 to "detail" the company car, she wouldn't miss something like this.
Today my phone kit arrives. I pull into my garage to start taking apart the trunk. To make things easier, I lay down the passenger seats. Here is what I found tonight.
- Candy Bar Wrappers
- Legos
- Game boy Cartridge
- "First Bank" employee ID badge.
- And about a 1/2 cup other things that should have been vacuumed.
- The entire bottom half of passenger seat stained by some dark liquid.
I'm not so impressed by this dealer; I had higher expectations than this.
I'm just looking for an opinion, would you find this acceptable? I'll need to setup another service to get the phone coded. I'm thinking of just leaving the mess and trying a 2nd time to get a properly detailed car.
First Issue: After taking delivery of the car, it becomes apparent that the inside was not really detailed well. Stains on the floor mats, what appeared to be yogurt on the headliner in the rear and lots of other marks that look like a normal dealer would address before putting the car on the lot.
2nd Issue: This certified pre-owned car had a passenger side seat belt that was almost ripped in half. I called the dealer service center and asked for an appointment to get this fixed. Makes me wonder what other certified points they missed.
Service Day: Friday, I told service manager about my concern with the seat belt and also informed her that the car I pick up the day before was dirty. While I was there I let my sales guy know it was dirty. They keep it over the weekend waiting for the parts to come in, and I get my car back the following Monday.
Seat belts replaced, headliner is cleaner, mats appear to have been cleaned. $0
Later that week, I'm exploring the car, checking out the things you don't noticed, like where the aux port is located, compartments under the front of the seats. I ran my hand under the passenger seat and find...
-Dog bone: Full size
-Several kernels of popcorn.
Come on, I'm better at detailing then this, missing a dog bone! I paid my daughter $5 to "detail" the company car, she wouldn't miss something like this.
Today my phone kit arrives. I pull into my garage to start taking apart the trunk. To make things easier, I lay down the passenger seats. Here is what I found tonight.
- Candy Bar Wrappers
- Legos
- Game boy Cartridge
- "First Bank" employee ID badge.
- And about a 1/2 cup other things that should have been vacuumed.
- The entire bottom half of passenger seat stained by some dark liquid.
I'm not so impressed by this dealer; I had higher expectations than this.
I'm just looking for an opinion, would you find this acceptable? I'll need to setup another service to get the phone coded. I'm thinking of just leaving the mess and trying a 2nd time to get a properly detailed car.
Last edited by rockett0; Oct 19, 2009 at 11:55 PM. Reason: spelling
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
The stuff is pretty inexcusable, no argument, but here's a "partly sunny" viewpoint:
You really want a service facility that is skilled and fair and just plain competent a lot more than you want the dealer's car washers to be top notch.
The "techs" that work on these cars are highly trained and should be pretty highly paid, too, and it just isn't going to be that these are the same guys that clean up used cars.
You really want a service facility that is skilled and fair and just plain competent a lot more than you want the dealer's car washers to be top notch.
The "techs" that work on these cars are highly trained and should be pretty highly paid, too, and it just isn't going to be that these are the same guys that clean up used cars.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: US
e320
I agree:
MB Service is one area and should be responsible for the "Certified" issue. They did take care of that after I brought it to their attention.
Detailing is another "department" at this mega dealer. I'm sure they detail all the cars for the combined MB, Lexus, BMW, etc dealerships.
I googled that name of the person from Frist Bank. Found her linked in profile, complete with local phone number. Perhaps I should call and ask if her son would like his "Spiderman" Gameboy game back.
MB Service is one area and should be responsible for the "Certified" issue. They did take care of that after I brought it to their attention.
Detailing is another "department" at this mega dealer. I'm sure they detail all the cars for the combined MB, Lexus, BMW, etc dealerships.
I googled that name of the person from Frist Bank. Found her linked in profile, complete with local phone number. Perhaps I should call and ask if her son would like his "Spiderman" Gameboy game back.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 522
Likes: 2
From: ct
All Diesel Fleet !1983 240d stick,2005 E320 CDI Midnight blue, 2005 E320 CDI, Desert Silver, Kubota
Find the owner
Find the owner of the MB dealership and let him know what is happening. If he is responsible, he will make changes. I am sure he wasn't aware of the lack of quality control. He will be interested.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
2005 E500 4matic, 99 ML 430, 90 E300
I agree with Jimbo, these issues should go right to the top. Nobody in middle management
or a salesman is going to make this right.
I would at the very least ask to have the car properly detailed even if they have call in a
professional outside service.
or a salesman is going to make this right.
I would at the very least ask to have the car properly detailed even if they have call in a
professional outside service.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 56
From: New York
2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
I would take this letter and e-mail it straight to MBUSA customer service department with complain to that dealer, that sells MB CPO car in that condition. They must be punished and customer should get some money back. It's not a KIA ..or freaking mexican car .....they charge lots of money for the name only ......
Who is that dealer...what state is that ??
Who is that dealer...what state is that ??
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
You (the OP) have to assume some responsibility in accepting the car in this condition.After discovering that "the inside was not really detailed well",you should have went over the entire car.The fact that it took you almost a week to discover the rest of the mess in the car is laughable.I agree that the car should have never been sold/placed on the lot in that condition.Shame on you for not taking your time to inspect your own purchase prior to taking delivery.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: US
e320
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
That sucks. I'd raise a huuge stink about it, as to me it would be unacceptable.
Interesting thing about my car is, months after I bought it, I realized that tray in the center console can be pulled out, giving you a much deeper compartment to store things.... Well mine has TONS of un-opened junk-food candy in there, TONS.
Other than that the car is about flawless, so I didn't complain.
Interesting thing about my car is, months after I bought it, I realized that tray in the center console can be pulled out, giving you a much deeper compartment to store things.... Well mine has TONS of un-opened junk-food candy in there, TONS.
Other than that the car is about flawless, so I didn't complain.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Florida
2006 e350
I agree:
MB Service is one area and should be responsible for the "Certified" issue. They did take care of that after I brought it to their attention.
Detailing is another "department" at this mega dealer. I'm sure they detail all the cars for the combined MB, Lexus, BMW, etc dealerships.
I googled that name of the person from Frist Bank. Found her linked in profile, complete with local phone number. Perhaps I should call and ask if her son would like his "Spiderman" Gameboy game back.
MB Service is one area and should be responsible for the "Certified" issue. They did take care of that after I brought it to their attention.
Detailing is another "department" at this mega dealer. I'm sure they detail all the cars for the combined MB, Lexus, BMW, etc dealerships.
I googled that name of the person from Frist Bank. Found her linked in profile, complete with local phone number. Perhaps I should call and ask if her son would like his "Spiderman" Gameboy game back.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,850
Likes: 56
From: New York
2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
)))))
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
2005 E500 4matic, 99 ML 430, 90 E300
Mine came with a Gameboy cartridge under the spare tire.
Yesterday I finally did the 16 spark plugs. I dropped the 4" ratchet extension. It stopped
on the undertray so I had to raise the car and drop the tray to retrieve the tool.
There was a sealed(albeit) melted package of package of Skittles stuck to the tray. Not the
small single pack. A one pound package. What a mess. Nobody eats Skittles in my family.
I had to call the SC dealer on a few items that I feel were overlooked. So I was given
a credit.
They were very good about it, but they also know there are 9 Benz products in my family
that go there for sales and service. This is a large dealer.
So now I am thinking obviously they never dropped the underside panels when the inspection
was done. Who does these inspections? I know lot attendants with better attention to detail.
Yesterday I finally did the 16 spark plugs. I dropped the 4" ratchet extension. It stopped
on the undertray so I had to raise the car and drop the tray to retrieve the tool.
There was a sealed(albeit) melted package of package of Skittles stuck to the tray. Not the
small single pack. A one pound package. What a mess. Nobody eats Skittles in my family.
I had to call the SC dealer on a few items that I feel were overlooked. So I was given
a credit.
They were very good about it, but they also know there are 9 Benz products in my family
that go there for sales and service. This is a large dealer.
So now I am thinking obviously they never dropped the underside panels when the inspection
was done. Who does these inspections? I know lot attendants with better attention to detail.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
Likes: 32
From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
Quality of service has nothing to do whether a product is expensive or not. It has to do with the attitude of management, especially in large dealerships. MB and its dealers charge premium prices for the products and the service because they know that the perceived quality of MB is much higher than they actually are.
The condition of your car is ridicules but that is only the surface. It makes one wonder what's beneath the surface, which is much more important than a dirty car. Check air filters to see they are new and check cabin filter as well. If these things were not replaced by the dealer BEFORE they gave you the key, I would return the car, I repeat, return the car to the dealer and get a refund because they have not done anything to the car. I would not accept any more excuses from the dealer. You have to be adamant about these things in life. By the way, the previous owner is a slob!
The condition of your car is ridicules but that is only the surface. It makes one wonder what's beneath the surface, which is much more important than a dirty car. Check air filters to see they are new and check cabin filter as well. If these things were not replaced by the dealer BEFORE they gave you the key, I would return the car, I repeat, return the car to the dealer and get a refund because they have not done anything to the car. I would not accept any more excuses from the dealer. You have to be adamant about these things in life. By the way, the previous owner is a slob!
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
2009 E350
This is disconcerting. If I was to buy a CPO, I'd expect the dealer to have gone over the car with a fine toothed comb. Why pay the premium for a CPO if it's just the same as buying from the used car lot on a busy street corner?
I personally like smaller dealers because they seem to care about customers more. The large dealers feel they're better just because they're bigger.
I personally like smaller dealers because they seem to care about customers more. The large dealers feel they're better just because they're bigger.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
This is disconcerting. If I was to buy a CPO, I'd expect the dealer to have gone over the car with a fine toothed comb. Why pay the premium for a CPO if it's just the same as buying from the used car lot on a busy street corner?
I personally like smaller dealers because they seem to care about customers more. The large dealers feel they're better just because they're bigger.
I personally like smaller dealers because they seem to care about customers more. The large dealers feel they're better just because they're bigger.
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
