jerseyMLdriver

I had a similar situation happen to me. In a brand new (at the time) 2011 S550 with 400 miles on it. Took it up to Boston and hit a crater sized pot hole off the GW Bridge. Didn't notice I was losing air until about 80 miles before the city. By the time I got up there all I can do is add air to it and contact an MB dealership the next morning.

The next morning (Saturday), I called them up and explained the situation. Told them I was in desperate need of a loaner because I had to be somewhere and they were happy to help.

Two things I would say in this situation..

Its Atlantic City, are you surprised?

Unless you mentioned it and I missed it, did you call up ahead of time letting them know your situation? Giving them a heads up might have helped. If it wouldn't have, you could have tried to find another dealership near by who could have given you a loaner.

sosh

Atlantic City MB does not have a good reputation. Its a small dealership and the place is sloppy. This is why many Atlantic City owners have their cars serviced in the Philadelphia area. However this OP is out of line. He is a used buyer having damage repaired, not mechanical or warranty and he expects a dealer he has never seen before to drop everything and loan him a vehicle at no charge. In my estimation they did a pretty good job for him and got the car back on the road in 3 hours. I am certain they would have provided some transportation for his wife back to where ever she wished to go in the area. And I am almost certain the reason his wife was at the dealership was that he was too busy at a Casino. No sympathy for this guy from me!!

Tjdehya

I am not saying that you are spoiled but it sounds like Lexus Dealerships are much better than MB's. You pay a premium price for a Lexus and you pay a premium for you Mercedes. So to be treated 10x worse at a Mercedes dealership is unacceptable. So in that regard you have been spoiled by the much better service that Lexus provides and that is not a ding on you, that’s a ding on MB for not providing equal or better service. I think you have learned your Mercedes Lesson though, maybe next time call around and find a dealer that will have a loaner waiting for you upon your arrival. I think that Atlantic City Dealership is exception from the norm and like you said MBUSA doesn’t obligate them to provide a loaner.

Yes and post those sexy pics of your car soon...
Sexy E's are like **** to me

Johnny Mo

Not even a valid comparison...many dealerships in the tri state (NY metro) area have just as many if not more loaner cars...pick up service is prohibited by some insurance providers. Additionally, with 35 pick up drivers I'm sure the insurance premiums in Rhode Island are a pittance compared to what an equivalent policy in NY would cost to have that many drivers...and let's face it it could take longer to travel out to the tip of Long Island and back with the traffic then it would to cross the entire state of Rhode Island so having employees "on the clock" for that long on a single customer pick-up/drop off...not exactly good business sense when the land/building costs for the dealership are probably triple for 1/3 of the space in NY vs Rhode Island.

If you are gonna throw a comparison out there at least try and make it apples and oranges...you weren't even in the same food group.

But as far as the OP goes - giving a loaner car out to a walk in doesn't usually happen, buying from another dealership on top of it...you should be happy they got your car fixed in the time they did. It's not exactly like they were going to be gaining a loyal customer out of the deal anyway.

YYZ-E55

FWIW, service departments maintain two schedules that are relevant in this example - one for service appointments and one for loaner cars. Just because you got "fit in" with a last-minute service appointment does not mean there is corresponding availability in the loaner car schedule.

sosh

Lexus dealerships around here do not pick up and deliver and to get a loaner you must wait 3 to 4 weeks. Same deal as Toyota which in fact the Lexus is. Bet that the Atlantic City Lexus dealer is worse than the MB dealer! Why anyone would buy a plushed up Toyota for the same price as an MB is beyond me.

clkwork

Don't feel bad, I have a lifetime loaner agreement with my dealership and half the time my black series goes in for service I end up with a 5 year old Hyundai sedan. It's not great but trust me, it beats walking

Most dealerships have an option where you can pay for a loaner... it usually isn't much, around 50-60 bucks or so for the day. It would be nice if MB had a loaner program but they don't. C'est la vie

park423

Does it matter what kind of loaner you get? As stated above, beats walking. At my dealership, when I had my C300, another guy also brought in his SLR Maclaren and we both got the same C300 loaner, although I did expect to see him to get a better loaner car.

kindafast

Nice sig! What movie is it from?

threeMBs

Now, that IS rediculus. I do not expect them to give out Maclaren loaners, but C300 for a $450K+ car? During a warranty period, I was getting an A8 loner for an A8 service (A4 after warranty expired) on several occassions. I think it was more dealer specific than a general rule (if I remember correctly, Audi does mandate high(er) end loaners, like A8 or A6, for RS6 and R8 only).

220S

My snide remark in my earlier post was a response to K-A's implication that a lot of MB buyers/owners do sound like spoiled brats who expect some sort of royal treatment.

And in the end, this "expensive car rationale" means little. I make $378k a year and buy a $98k MSRP car, so what does that mean? That the guy on the other side of town who makes $50k a year and buys a "lowly" $25k MSRP car is a chump and doesn't deserve the same service? Hell, his car cost more to him than mine did. (And I like my work and often feel my income is just a perk for doing something I truly enjoy. The other guy might hate his job and struggling to make that $50k, which means his "lowly non-Mercedes" probably even has more value to him.)

Of course you buy something and you expect it to work, and you want the experience to be pleasant. That's understandable. But hey, there are various levels of competency in everything. There are bad doctors and good doctors. Bad car dealers and good car dealers. If the dealer sucks, then don't go there again. Find a better one. It's not about entitlement or how much you've spent. It's just about a dealer with lesser customer service then the other one down the road.

This side of Mercedes (and certain other brands, too) is what really irks me. I just don't get this attitude of "I'm so special because of the material goods I own." It's a bizarre cultural phenomenon. Why people need to think their value in a community of human beings should be based on what they own is beyond me.

I don't expect (nor do I want) the valet to hop to his feet because I drive up in a Mercedes, or get better service at the restaurant. The guy next to me driving a Honda might be spending money he saved up for months just to get a nice dinner at a nice place. His money is just as good as mine. Because I make more doesn't make me any more privileged.

End of rant. But this stuff about entitlement rubs me the wrong way. And I hear it often on these forums. Some people actually buy these cars for the status only. Screw that. Material goods mean nothing in the end. Put an expensive Rolex on a stupid mule and it's still just a mule.

fwiw, think of the other side of the coin: do you really want part of the MSRP and repair/service costs to go to expensive customer courtesy where you're pampered to feel good? You know, like the price BMW adds to all their cars for that "free maintenance" they advertise.

(btw, MBUSA may act like they aren't listening when you complain about a dealer, but they definitely are paying attention.)

golfster

^ Truly stated. Judgment based on material assets or brands is naive as it is to make assumptions on one's ability to buy based upon what they choose to buy. Not all people spend their money on buying the best car they can afford. The guy with the Honda may make $379K per year, doesn't place a priority emphasis on cars, sees them as a utility and is quite satisfied with the Honda. The guy buying or leasing the Benz may make far less but places a higher priority on material goods and feels the car is a statement of their position or status in life. These are personal choices people make.

It is the "I have a Benz parked outside so you better understand I deserve more" attitude I find comical.

clkwork

^ The only truth common to all Mercedes-Benz owners is a refined taste in automobiles.

golfster

Attachment 203219

Except this guy...

asm777

Refined taste... yes... (Saw this in another forum somewhere but can't seem to find the thread anymore with the better photo) =)

ngerstman

Philosophical stuff indeed. But there is some truth to the fact that when you reach the point in the world where you have achieved enough to be able to afford a Mercedes, that part of the premium price that you pay goes toward better service. The high cost in the service department that we in the Mercedes community pay, totally fund the loner cars that we receive. If you buy a $25,000 car, it is sold at that price point knowing that the level of service will be minimal compared to a premium brand. So don't beat on the forum members because they expect state of the art service. They have paid for it. Don't think otherwise. I expect to get better service eating at Jean George than I do at the local diner and I do. It is part of the price. And FYI, I make $379k a year, so I obviously know better!! Regards. Ned.

vinrun

I did not compare anyone or anything. I just stated a fact about Viti Mercedes.

220S

Of course, and that's why I stated it's understandable. And of course we all know that there are levels of competency; go somewhere else when the food and service at Jean George loses its lustre.

As I tried to emphasize, this sense of entitlement is simply a pet peeve of mine. And it no doubt stems from my work in a very specific industry. Facade is all so important and the bling and the name dropping just gets tired quickly. And I despise the attitude that some people take once they purchase (or more often, rent) a high end car (and hey, our cars are pretty low end anyway.) I see it so often in people who have finally made their 15 minutes and immediately go out and buy a 'Merc' or Bentley as clothing. And they go to a place like Per Se primarily to be seen, and not necessarily to eat high quality food. And crave the attention. It's like they're taking out some sort of vengeance or something.

Anyway, I completely understand about paying for service and expecting as much. And I'm not berating anyone on this thread specifically. But this car status stuff is total crap. I drive a Benz and that means I've made it in life, so now lick my shoes. That's the part of Mercedes that kind of gives me the creeps.

But yeah, there are many owners who buy purely for the enjoyment of the product alone. And that's all good.

K-A

Agreed. I know multi millionares who drive Accords.

So I am superior to them!!!!

Exactly.... Or at least, we who appreciate the cars for their refinements build up such a strong cache for them, the posers who want to look cool jump right in, for all their "chip on shoulder", braggart and classless reasons (mentioned here).

Also agreed.

Of course, the classless attitudes by those who "MaDe iT iN LyFe CuzZ I BaWT A BeNZZZZZ" almost can ruin it for everyone. But fact is, these are luxury cars. They cost more than other cars that do the same things. They cost more to service, etc. We're not getting gold bars in the trunk when we buy them either.

Just like paying more for a Burger at a fancy Restaurant that may or may not taste better than one from In N Out, you pay more for the "luxury". You're in a cleaner Restaurant, the bathrooms are maintained, the service is friendly, the environment is lovely, etc. etc.

For me, it's as simple as that. I expect more from MERCEDES (not from other members of society that have nothing to do with Mercedes), when I fork over the extra money to buy their Luxury Product. I don't expect the same from GM. And I don't like to fit the cliche either, as I don't eat at expensive Restaurants much (when it's on my dime, lol), I don't wear stupidly expensive fashionable clothes, etc. But I spend a lot of money (to me) on my nice cars (lately). At the same time, I think nothing is more pleasant or impressive than having money in the bank (or easily able to be liquidated), as NOTHING is more luxurious than that, with a low and/or affordable overhead.

park423

are we still talking about loaner cars?

hyperion667

lol, no kidding......

clkwork

holy ish I stand corrected

ngerstman

Beware of keeping money in the bank. The Great Satan Ben Bernanke is doing his best to make your money worth less if not worthless!! Regards. Ned.

golfster

Hey CLK...

How quick does that beautiful Black Series cross the James River Bridge? I had family there and spent many holidays in the NN/Hampton Roads area.

El Cid

Fortunately I have not had any issues such as above, but have been to dealer three times in 15 months. First two times for questions about the car. Made an appointment, they put car up on rack and technician and I checked it out and then took it for a test ride. Satisfied with results. All done when I arrived at dealership, but I had appointments.
For "A" Service, when I made an appointment I asked for a loaner. Within 15 minutes of getting there two days later, I was driving out in a 2009 C Class.
In the above situation I would not expect a loaner. To get it fixed within 3.5 hours and for them to charge it off to warranty work would make me ecstatic!
I looked at Lexus several times in past few years. No doubt about it, you pay for the breakfast, loaner cars, fancy waiting rooms, etc. both when you purchase the car and when you get it serviced.
Was amazed at how much better deal I got from the M-B dealer on original purchase and service costs compared to other "luxury" brands.
BTW, my dealer sells only M-B products, even as used cars, whereas the Lexus dealer is next door to his Toyota dealership and is part of a huge chain.
Bottom line - nothing is free. Not the loaner cars, the food, the coffee, etc.
While we have "paid for it" by purchasing an M-B and servicing it at M-B dealerships, most of us still want value for money spent. We don't expect dealers to provide everything everybody would wish on demand.