Loaner info
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: NJ
2007 E350 Sport
Loaner info
Has anyone been able to get a loaner from a dealership other then where the car was originally purchased (I'm in NJ)? I called a couple of stores near me, and they said they would not give me a loaner if I didn't buy there. It doesn't make too much sense, since they are making the same money servicing my car as one that was purchased there. Any advice will be appreciated.
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Call the service dept and talk to the service mgr about the policy of the dealership, don't rely on the salesguy, they flat out lie about this.
When I told the local dealer salesperson that I was going to buy from someone else, he gave me the whole bit about they only give loaners to people who buy from them, etc. My wife called the service dept to confirm their policy and they said it was not true.
I bought my car from a CA dealer, and as we speak it is still in service
, but I am driving a C230 Wagon loaner ('03 w/5K miles, just like new). I can't believe it has taken them 6 days to align the car, fix the glovebox and passenger seat storage compartment and parktronic leds. In their defense, at least they are nice about it and call me with updates...I've only driven my car for 2 days, and still have not posted pics since I have not had it...
When I told the local dealer salesperson that I was going to buy from someone else, he gave me the whole bit about they only give loaners to people who buy from them, etc. My wife called the service dept to confirm their policy and they said it was not true.
I bought my car from a CA dealer, and as we speak it is still in service
, but I am driving a C230 Wagon loaner ('03 w/5K miles, just like new). I can't believe it has taken them 6 days to align the car, fix the glovebox and passenger seat storage compartment and parktronic leds. In their defense, at least they are nice about it and call me with updates...I've only driven my car for 2 days, and still have not posted pics since I have not had it...
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From: Washington State
E-500
I always get loaners during service. I did not buy the car from the dealer I use for service.
I once asked them about this and they told me that getting the service business was what the service department was interested in. They said it would not make any sense not to supply loaners because MB paid for it under warranty.
They did use Enterprise rentals
, but now use Hertz. Sometimes I got MB's from Enterprise. So far, current year model cars, but no MB's from Hertz.
I once asked them about this and they told me that getting the service business was what the service department was interested in. They said it would not make any sense not to supply loaners because MB paid for it under warranty.
They did use Enterprise rentals
, but now use Hertz. Sometimes I got MB's from Enterprise. So far, current year model cars, but no MB's from Hertz.
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From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
Smythe in San Jose reserves loaners for people who buy their cars from them. However they are completely arbitrary about giving loaners to others who didn't buy there. It is up to the service writer/manager to pull strings for you. I always get a very low mileage C320 or if I arrange it in advance, I can usually swing an E, SL, CL, ML or S demo. The last car I received had 11 miles on the odometer!
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From: Orlando, Florida
**SOLD***2003 E500
In Orlando, as long as you make an appointemnt for service and request a loaner at least three days in advance you will likely get a MB Loaner and not a Hertz rental. Each Service writer has a certain amount of c230's or c240's available to them, and the service Manager has a small amount of ML 350's available. I have had a ML twice now, and am currently in one for two days and probably two more. I did not buy the car from the Dealer either. Service writer definetly makes the difference.
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From: chicago
2003 E500
MB of Hoffman Estates Illinois gave me a brand new C240 loaner on short notice and is giving me another loaner tomorrow (assume same). Maybe because they are a brand new dealership and/or I expressed a desire to find a service department other than my original dealer's.
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Re: @abhansali
Originally posted by Frank Wiesmann
What was wrong with the glovebox?
What was wrong with the glovebox?
The other things is that the compartment under the passenger seat just won't open. Seems like there is something inside it (a black bag or something) which maybe jamming it shut. Anyone know what that is?
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Joined: Sep 2002
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Originally posted by Randy B
In Orlando, as long as you make an appointemnt for service and request a loaner at least three days in advance you will likely get a MB Loaner and not a Hertz rental. Each Service writer has a certain amount of c230's or c240's available to them, and the service Manager has a small amount of ML 350's available. I have had a ML twice now, and am currently in one for two days and probably two more. I did not buy the car from the Dealer either. Service writer definetly makes the difference.
In Orlando, as long as you make an appointemnt for service and request a loaner at least three days in advance you will likely get a MB Loaner and not a Hertz rental. Each Service writer has a certain amount of c230's or c240's available to them, and the service Manager has a small amount of ML 350's available. I have had a ML twice now, and am currently in one for two days and probably two more. I did not buy the car from the Dealer either. Service writer definetly makes the difference.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Washington State
E-500
Re: Re: @abhansali
Originally posted by abhansali
I did not take pic, but basically it was cosmetic. It was not closing evenly, in other words, the gap between the glovebox and the dash (when closed) was correct on the left side, but on the right side it was larger, making it look like the glovebox did not close properly from the right side. Not acceptable for a $70K car so I had them fix it.
The other things is that the compartment under the passenger seat just won't open. Seems like there is something inside it (a black bag or something) which maybe jamming it shut. Anyone know what that is?
I did not take pic, but basically it was cosmetic. It was not closing evenly, in other words, the gap between the glovebox and the dash (when closed) was correct on the left side, but on the right side it was larger, making it look like the glovebox did not close properly from the right side. Not acceptable for a $70K car so I had them fix it.
The other things is that the compartment under the passenger seat just won't open. Seems like there is something inside it (a black bag or something) which maybe jamming it shut. Anyone know what that is?
....The black bag is a First Aid Kit.
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2016 E400 4-Matic Coupe, 2002 Chev 2500 HD Crew, 1983 Porsche 911SC,
abhansali
abhansali,
Black bag should be the MB first-aid kit. Sorry to hear about your car. I have been going through similar (but different) initial frustrations. My dealer had my car in the shop so long, they paid my first month's payment for me!
I just got the car back (again) from having a rear wheel replaced due to their negligence - they dropped it on a tool and glitched it - and I swear the new one is in worse shape than the old one.
My car has 665 miles on it now, and I must say, and they have been the most pleasurable miles I have ever driven in a car.
Black bag should be the MB first-aid kit. Sorry to hear about your car. I have been going through similar (but different) initial frustrations. My dealer had my car in the shop so long, they paid my first month's payment for me!
I just got the car back (again) from having a rear wheel replaced due to their negligence - they dropped it on a tool and glitched it - and I swear the new one is in worse shape than the old one.
My car has 665 miles on it now, and I must say, and they have been the most pleasurable miles I have ever driven in a car.
Last edited by 10000_lakes; Dec 10, 2003 at 11:33 AM.
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From: New Jersey USA
2014 E350 4Matic/2011 E350 4matic / 2003 E500 /2000 CLK 430
I live in Manhattan, bought my CLK in Southampton...Serviced it in Manhattan, although MB Manhattan is a company owned service center.
i always get a loaner, if you call the service appointment desk, they will give you one..as a matter of fact, after my bad experience with my dealer, i never went back..always got my car serviced at MB manhattan.. I bought my E500 in Greenwich CT and i will still get it serviced in manhattan out of pure convenience
I find if you are very polite and nice and tell them that you prefer the dealer you bought it from not to service it, they will happy to give you a loaner - I have received E 320's C240 4matics, ML350's and some rental cars...Its fine.
i always get a loaner, if you call the service appointment desk, they will give you one..as a matter of fact, after my bad experience with my dealer, i never went back..always got my car serviced at MB manhattan.. I bought my E500 in Greenwich CT and i will still get it serviced in manhattan out of pure convenience
I find if you are very polite and nice and tell them that you prefer the dealer you bought it from not to service it, they will happy to give you a loaner - I have received E 320's C240 4matics, ML350's and some rental cars...Its fine.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: San Clemente, CA
2003 E-500
My pre Nav E-500 delivered in Nov 2002 had a passenger seat storage box problem in that it wouldn't stay closed with the first aid kit installed. It also had a misaligned glove box which sounds identical to your problem. They installed a new glove box to fix the problem and adjusted the latch on the passenger seat storage area. Both of my rear fold down seats on this inital car needed adjustment to enable the seat cushions to more easlily be locked into place.
On my replacement vehicle delivered in August of this year, the first aid kit was not installed at delivery in the passenger seat storage box but was in the trunk with the spare. I put it in the storage box and it stays closed and is easy to open. The glove box was fine and my rear fold down seats also operate properly. It seems like they fixed some of the initial poor fit problems as the model year progressed.
I use the storage comopartment in the drivers seat for sun glasses. In Europe, this compartment is used for a small fire extinquisher in most countries.
On my replacement vehicle delivered in August of this year, the first aid kit was not installed at delivery in the passenger seat storage box but was in the trunk with the spare. I put it in the storage box and it stays closed and is easy to open. The glove box was fine and my rear fold down seats also operate properly. It seems like they fixed some of the initial poor fit problems as the model year progressed.
I use the storage comopartment in the drivers seat for sun glasses. In Europe, this compartment is used for a small fire extinquisher in most countries.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 264
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From: Northern VA
2021 GLE 450
I've been putting my car at another dealer closer to me. My original dealer is a little far away, and it usually takes two weeks to get an appointment.
Anyway, this other dealer gives me a loaner car. Unfortunately, the loaners haven't been Mercedes. The dealer has an Enterprise rental desk at the service department. The last loaner was a Mitsubishi Lancer POS. The rental guy was telling me excitedly "You can have the Mitsu Lancer loaner." I wanted to tell him that it's hard for me to be excited going from an E class to the Lancer. Oh well, getting a loaner saves me the inconvenience of finding a ride. However, it does irk me to hear my friend (who has a Lexus IS300) that he always gets a Lexus loaner.
Anyway, this other dealer gives me a loaner car. Unfortunately, the loaners haven't been Mercedes. The dealer has an Enterprise rental desk at the service department. The last loaner was a Mitsubishi Lancer POS. The rental guy was telling me excitedly "You can have the Mitsu Lancer loaner." I wanted to tell him that it's hard for me to be excited going from an E class to the Lancer. Oh well, getting a loaner saves me the inconvenience of finding a ride. However, it does irk me to hear my friend (who has a Lexus IS300) that he always gets a Lexus loaner.
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Re: Re: @abhansali
Originally posted by abhansali
The other things is that the compartment under the passenger seat just won't open. Seems like there is something inside it (a black bag or something) which maybe jamming it shut. Anyone know what that is?
The other things is that the compartment under the passenger seat just won't open. Seems like there is something inside it (a black bag or something) which maybe jamming it shut. Anyone know what that is?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Minor problem. Tried another local dealer for service just for the hell of it and got a MB loaner, no questions asked - even though my plate frame had the other dealers name.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
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Originally posted by lig
My dealer paid for an Enterprise rental. It was a C240.
I hate to admit this... but the steering feel and brake feel in the C240 IMO were better than my E!
My dealer paid for an Enterprise rental. It was a C240.
I hate to admit this... but the steering feel and brake feel in the C240 IMO were better than my E!
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: san francisco
C32
Bay Area...
Sounds like a member on this board said Smythe would reserve loaners for people who bought cars from them...
That wouldn't be me, as I bought mine from San Francisco. Does anyone know which dealers in the San Francisco Bay Area offer loaners and are more amicable?
Thanks
That wouldn't be me, as I bought mine from San Francisco. Does anyone know which dealers in the San Francisco Bay Area offer loaners and are more amicable?
Thanks
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From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
Re: Bay Area...
Originally posted by ultraseven
Sounds like a member on this board said Smythe would reserve loaners for people who bought cars from them...
That wouldn't be me, as I bought mine from San Francisco. Does anyone know which dealers in the San Francisco Bay Area offer loaners and are more amicable?
Thanks
Sounds like a member on this board said Smythe would reserve loaners for people who bought cars from them...
That wouldn't be me, as I bought mine from San Francisco. Does anyone know which dealers in the San Francisco Bay Area offer loaners and are more amicable?
Thanks
