Actually had two dealers that bettered that a little. The dealers were a fixed percent off US list. Additionally there is no destination on the European delivery (destination is the factory!).

It is a little strange on the paperwork. The dealer is an agent not the seller (they never really own the car, MB titles it in your name in Germany) and is giving you the additional discount out of their commission.

When you factor in no $780 destination charge, the total savings off US sticker was about 10.5%. That's about true dealer cost (after holdback, etc.)for the dealer-ordered, US delivered vehicle.

FYI, you can order an ED car from ANY dealer in the US and have the vehicle delivered to any other dealer you choose at no additional cost. For example, a Louisianna dealer offered to knock off $1200 from the discounted ED price, FedEx me the paperwork, and have the car delivered from the port of entry to me in Florida. There's a check-mark on the order form to designate whatever MB dealer you want the car sent to.

Great Ceasar's Ghost, have they no shame?

Has any actually tried that alternate delivery thing?

In NJ, the dealers are very parochial. They will only offer loaners and pickup/drop off service to people who by the cars there. I imagine they also may be less helpful with some problems.

How would they respond to servicing a car that was purchased by a local buyer elsewhere for price and was delivered by them without compensation? (Or does ED provide some limited compensation for the delivery?)

[QUOTE=DavidNJ]Has any actually tried that alternate delivery thing?

QUOTE]

Yes. My father bought a car ED a few years ago. He got a great deal from a CA dealer, and had the car delivered to a local dealer..... but not the closest, biggest one. Here's the catch. The destination dealer needs to agree to receive the car. In this case, the main dealer in the area would not accept the car. Another dealer in a nearby city agreed, but charged a "prep" fee.

I opted to just use the local dealer, and not hasle with the alternative delivery. That way if there is a problem, They may be more apt to help out.

I don't think that they care. I called the closest MB dealer's service department. They told me that loaner/valet service was available for in-warranty/out-of-warranty service wherever the car was purchased.

They're paid the same for warranty work whether whether or not the car was purchased from them. The service department cares greatly about the service comments/report card sent to Montvale. Anything other than providing good service isn't in their best interest. If problems arise, the zone rep can step in.

And as was astutely noted above, the car is actually purchased from Daimler-Chrysler (purchaser actually receives the MSO at the factory), not the dealer.

The NJ dealers (and I believe NY dealers) only provide loaners to customers who purchase there.

The Latest?
 

:)

Viesel,

Kindly fill us in on the latest?

Any "discoveries" to report?

Good luck! :zoom:

:)

Sorry guys I have been kind of busy to update the post.
I have the car now and driving it, but it still has the small power loss or surge when excellerating. I have plans on leaving it with them when I leave on vacation for a week over the holiday. Maybe that will give them some more time to figure it out.

Viesel, you have me worried that your car is not functioning the way it should. If my 58K car did not function as engineered I would have had been absolutley livid. You obviously are patient and are ok with how things are being handled. Fill us in on the latest technical explanations for power loss.
Best Regards,
Jay

Isn't that a typical foible of the CDI?

Update?

Eric

I really dont have an update because I havent had the chance to take it back to the shop.
It sill has the power loss under exceleration
I will definatley update you guys when I get it to the shop and get some answers.
Bill

Bill,
Your patience is admirable but I beleieve if the problems are this severe and they can not fix it, your car should be replaced immediately. I know personally I would not tolerate this one second more. Are there other issues that are preventing you from receiving a full replacement/buy back? Surely MBUSA has launched a formal investigation into the mechanical issues your car is experiencing. They are touting the success of their CDI for the US market for future diesel growth If they were properly aware of this issue, I believe this would be resolved in days. At 55K+ for a car, regardless of income or wealth, you should be incensed!
Best of Luck. Let us know when you get your new CDI.
Jay

Common Problems?
 

:)

I'm wondering why the are an even dozen CDIs listed as being available on the MBZ Starmark Certified Pre-owned Website.

Seems like there are many individuals that were, for whatever reason, not to happy with their CDIs!

Remember, they've only been available here beginning in April.

:)

I haven't seen any cdi's listed in the NY area, maybe because guys are trying to profit in those states where neew cdi's cannot be sold.

Why do you keep this car?
 

OK. I'm game. Why, on earth, do you keep this vehicle? And keep posting about it.

Available in N Y
 

:)

Searching http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container...mark/index.jsp

of the dozen CDIs listed, there is one listed in N Y :

Helms Brothers, Inc. 208-24 Northern Blvd.
Bayside, NY 11361
(877) 923-9233

The car is listed on the MBZ Starmark Certified site, with only 1100 miles, priced at $56,900.

I'm not at all knowledgeable about New York DMV rules, but I'm sure there must be some way of them dealing with registration of CDIs, else how could this dealer be trying to sell one?

:)

that's only a few grand more than a new one should cost