NAV compensation options
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 308
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From: Houston, TX
2003 E500
NAV compensation options
Guys, by now I think everyone has gotten the "letter." I was wondering for those of you who have spoken with the dealer/ordered the new car.... if you were able to get any "compensation" beyond getting the new NAV equipped '03.
I see it like this. MBUSA is FULFILLING it's committment to us by SWAPPING the cars since the NAV was PREPAID (get what we paid for), .. but for our patience, inconvenience, etc.. .what are we getting? A model year end close out? What perks did you get?
I haven't ordered my car yet... probably tomorrow or tues.
Thanks in advance
Peter
I see it like this. MBUSA is FULFILLING it's committment to us by SWAPPING the cars since the NAV was PREPAID (get what we paid for), .. but for our patience, inconvenience, etc.. .what are we getting? A model year end close out? What perks did you get?
I haven't ordered my car yet... probably tomorrow or tues.
Thanks in advance
Peter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 3
From: Ocean Isle Beach, NC
2017 Mercedes S550 4Matic, 2020 Mercedes GLE 450 4Matic
I haven't received a letter yet.
I prepaid $1625 for nav. I have been in frequent contact with my salesman regarding Nav. I was better informed than he was since I view this website. I faxed him a copy of the Nav letter from MBUSA. He knew nothing about it at the time but has since confirmed its validity. I have heard nothing else and still do not have a letter.
I am letting things drag on in hopes of getting a 2004 E 500 since production should begin in June or July for these. What do you experts think about this strategy?
I am letting things drag on in hopes of getting a 2004 E 500 since production should begin in June or July for these. What do you experts think about this strategy?
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Southern CA
2003 E320
I'm a prepaid NAV person as well and have yet to hear from my dealer with the "letter". I've called them twice asking about it, as recently as last week. They claim not to have them yet. However they have confirmed with me that I'm on the list to receive a replacement vehicle.
I haven't been pressing them in the hopes that I'd be able to wrangle a 2004 if enough time went by. Plus I figure I'm in a better position to ask for concessions the longer I go without the NAV.
The dealer is in no hurry. There's either a strategy for this, or they're too bogged down with other paperwork to care. This doesn't rank high in the world of customer service either way.
MBinSCA
I haven't been pressing them in the hopes that I'd be able to wrangle a 2004 if enough time went by. Plus I figure I'm in a better position to ask for concessions the longer I go without the NAV.
The dealer is in no hurry. There's either a strategy for this, or they're too bogged down with other paperwork to care. This doesn't rank high in the world of customer service either way.
MBinSCA
Last edited by MBinSCA; May 12, 2003 at 02:25 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I'm in the same boat, My dealer called me on April 26 (I saved the voice mail) to inform me that they were going to replace my car with a new '03, same color and options except for Nav. I called him a week later to tell him that I heard that I could make color and option changes and he confirmed it and said that my car would be built in the 2nd - 3rd week of June and that he would contact me with plenty of time to make changes. I have not received a call back or the letter. He did tell me that since my phone was installed at the dealer they were trying to work out with MBUSA if the new phone would be factory or if the dealership would be compensated for pulling and reinstalling my phone. I wonder if this is the hold-up?
BTW, I don't think '04 prodcution will start until July or August.
If you bought/leased your car early and paid full list, then a buy back maybe your best option.
BTW, I don't think '04 prodcution will start until July or August.
If you bought/leased your car early and paid full list, then a buy back maybe your best option.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
2003 MB E500
Re: NAV compensation options
Originally posted by NitroShredder
Guys, by now I think everyone has gotten the "letter." I was wondering for those of you who have spoken with the dealer/ordered the new car.... if you were able to get any "compensation" beyond getting the new NAV equipped '03.
I see it like this. MBUSA is FULFILLING it's committment to us by SWAPPING the cars since the NAV was PREPAID (get what we paid for), .. but for our patience, inconvenience, etc.. .what are we getting? A model year end close out? What perks did you get?
I haven't ordered my car yet... probably tomorrow or tues.
Thanks in advance
Peter
Guys, by now I think everyone has gotten the "letter." I was wondering for those of you who have spoken with the dealer/ordered the new car.... if you were able to get any "compensation" beyond getting the new NAV equipped '03.
I see it like this. MBUSA is FULFILLING it's committment to us by SWAPPING the cars since the NAV was PREPAID (get what we paid for), .. but for our patience, inconvenience, etc.. .what are we getting? A model year end close out? What perks did you get?
I haven't ordered my car yet... probably tomorrow or tues.
Thanks in advance
Peter
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
I initially was told by my dealer that no compensation was available in addition to the swapped car. My dealer had told me that if I was not satisfied with the replacement option, MBUSA would buy me out of the lease. But when I spoke directly with my regional MBUSA rep he gave me the tire pressure system. Although I know I could negitiate a better deal now, I also know that I drive a lot of miles, so the replacement car means essentially $2000 in waived mielage fees on my lease.
I agree with the previous comments, however, giving us the same model at the end of the year seems empty compensation.
I agree with the previous comments, however, giving us the same model at the end of the year seems empty compensation.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2003 E500
I went today and spoke with the Sales Manager who is handling the NAV replacement. He wouldn't budge on any compensation. Actually he said "We" can't do anything.. but perhaps Mercedes USA will.
His line was "you're getting a NEW car." So how do I get a hold of the "regional rep."???
His line was "you're getting a NEW car." So how do I get a hold of the "regional rep."???
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Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 113
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From: Milwaukee, WI
1992 Ford Taurus with 13" rims
Originally posted by NitroShredder
So how do I get a hold of the "regional rep."???
So how do I get a hold of the "regional rep."???
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 468
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From: Houston. TX
2013 S550
NitroShredder -- Don't hold your breath. I completed my order today. There is a tentative July build with an expected August 2003 delivery. Funny, my current E500 was built in August 2002...
For the wood steering wheel, the decision was to wait for the new vehicle to arrive and swap with the wood wheel in my current vehicle. There has been no word as yet from MBUSA regarding my extended warranty or my LoJack. The Inventory Manager said -- and noted that it was strictly his opinion at this point -- the warranty and the LoJack would be added to the appraised value of my current E500, and "MB will owe that to us." Sounds like MBUSA is attempting to keep the purchaser whole and the dealership as well. Given that, I would not expect any special compensation except in a few unique individual cases.
I didn't change a thing about my current car. It will be an exact replacement.
For the wood steering wheel, the decision was to wait for the new vehicle to arrive and swap with the wood wheel in my current vehicle. There has been no word as yet from MBUSA regarding my extended warranty or my LoJack. The Inventory Manager said -- and noted that it was strictly his opinion at this point -- the warranty and the LoJack would be added to the appraised value of my current E500, and "MB will owe that to us." Sounds like MBUSA is attempting to keep the purchaser whole and the dealership as well. Given that, I would not expect any special compensation except in a few unique individual cases.
I didn't change a thing about my current car. It will be an exact replacement.
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 128
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From: FL & MA
'14 SL550
Chris
I need to order my replacement car by Friday. I'm thinking of switching my color to Pewter/Charcoal like yours. I assume that you like it since you are keeping that combo but do you have any comments. Is it hard to keep clean?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 468
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From: Houston. TX
2013 S550
Re: Chris
Originally posted by clembo
I need to order my replacement car by Friday. I'm thinking of switching my color to Pewter/Charcoal like yours. I assume that you like it since you are keeping that combo but do you have any comments. Is it hard to keep clean?
I need to order my replacement car by Friday. I'm thinking of switching my color to Pewter/Charcoal like yours. I assume that you like it since you are keeping that combo but do you have any comments. Is it hard to keep clean?
Pewter is very easy to keep clean and hides dirt easily. I once went three weeks without washing it, and the car really didn't look bad except for the brake dust on the wheels and the lower parts of the quarter-panels and doors. I use the Zaino system to maintain it. When it is perfectly clean, the car glows. That said there are times when the light (or lack thereof) can seem to bring out some of the brown metallic flakes, and I like that look the least. The vast majority of the time, the lighting - whether direct or indirect - seems to bring out the other metallic flakes and results in what I consider a very pleasing color. It will vary according to light temperature and surroundings, though.
The charcoal interior is flawless. I've never had any problem. I vacuum every time I detail the car. I use a detail brush to clean the vents and console switches as well as brush down the burl walnut. I'll use a microfiber towel if there are any hand oils present.
So, yes, I like it a lot. I couldn't think of another color combination I would prefer. Even close friends, knowing I was getting a new car and evaluating options, volunteered that they really like the color combination. I had a loaner for a month with stone interior, and in my experience it got pretty dirty in that month. For me, living in a humid, somewhat dirty environment, charcoal is really the only choice.
Good luck with your final decision.
