MinnBobber

Hi,
I went to a MB dealer to test drive the E 350 Sedan, sport pkg and suspension with 18" AMG wheels. Nice!!!! I have not driven a sport with 17" or a luxury.

1. Salesman said "E and ML are built on the same chassis". True or false?? First I've heard of that.

2. Went to parts dept to see what they had for Mercedes wheels for E Wagon.
I said I was looking for 17" wheel but styled like 18" AMG split 5 spoke. They asked why 17"? I said the 18" would be rougher ride. They said 18" wheel has same tire sidewall dimension. True or false???? I think the tire on the 18" wheel has less sidewall = harsher ride. Anybody know the answer.

3. I do know this one. I told salesman I'd like to drive an Indium Grey if they had one. He said they didn't make that color anymore. I got a brochure to show him.

I wish their staff knew their product

mrnoorde

The easy answer:

It's time for you to find a new Mercedes dealership to work with.

ghstudio

+1

mnje350

False,

Wait maybe I should read their statements first.

Just read the responses and agree with the above. Find another dealer.

mrnoorde

To answers your questions:

-The ML is not the same chassis as the E-Class. The ML does share its basic chassis design with the newest Jeep Grand Cherokee (and forthcoming Maserati SUV).

-The overall diameter of the 17 and 18-inch setup is the same. Because of that, the 18-inch has a lower sidewall. The 18-inch setup is also likely heavier due to the larger wheel (though that isn't 100% true with every car). Both the possible weight increase and lower sidewall height contribute to the the harsher ride.

MinnBobber

Yes, it's bad when the customer knows more than the "professionals". I really don't trust anything they say.
This dealer is most convenient location but....

FYI, my original salesman had some false info too so I asked if they could give me a new one who knew the E and ML models really well (thinking about getting another ML or an E). The new one is just as bad.

It's not just at this dealer. I went to a big Audi dealer and looked at A6 and inquired about A6 Avant (wagon). Salesman said:
1. A6 V6 motor is turbocharged and supercharged---wrong
2. Said I could factory order an A6 Avant---wrong.

mrnoorde

Here is the best answer a salesperson (well, anyone) can ever give when they're asked a question that they don't 100% for certain know the answer to:

"I don't know but I can find out for you."

There is nothing wrong with not knowing the answer as long as you know where to get the answer. The final component is to quickly and efficiently get that answer to the person who asked the question.

K-A

All false. The 17's have thicker tire, which will result in a smoother ride, namely when going over bumps an such.

ImInPA

I recall reading somewhere around the time the current C class was released that the C platform would see use in various iterations in many of MB's future vehicles including the "upcoming E" and "several crossovers". It is possible that the new ML could be based on a modified version of this chassis, but, I have not heard anything to support it. The chassis is certainly strong enough for suv/crossover duty. I would tend to believe the GLK would be C based and possibly future GLs.

RSIKR

Agree, find a different dealer.

hyperion667

damn why are dealers SOOOOO stupid???

I made this thread a while back:https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...aler-sold.html

BM2BZ

most of the consumers nowadays will do at least some sort of researches before making some of their purchases. not that it's right or making any excuses for any sales associates but it's tough for them to memorize all the features/functions/sizes of every single products they carry. i'm not backing the two salespeople who minnbobber talked to and i do believe they made the dealer look bad but the very best thing to do is go to another dealer. you never know what will happen if you take the car there to service one day. they might tell you every single issue that you have is not under warranty.

mnje350

Amen!!

EnigmaAW

I work for an Audi/Volkswagen dealership, and if Audi corporate heard a sales guy say that, he would be axed immediately!!

hyperion667

goes to show that ANYONE can sell cars ANYWHERE and not have to know chit about them

such as life eh?

El Cid

This is a complaint about every salesperson. The problem is that most people have narrowed it down to and researched one to three cars before they go to a dealership. The salesperson has to sell many, many models and variations of each brand the dealer sells. No way most salespeople could know as much about a car as today's average buyer.
That's why it is important to talk to more than one salesperson or dealership and even contact the manufacturer's customer service dept.
The one who says I don't know, but I'll find out is probably the best one.
Don't forget, the salesperson HAS to move the metal to keep his/her job and much easier to sell one off the lot than order or get one transferred.
Recent show on MSNBC re: American car dealerships. One person at a dealership stated salespeople have to sell 10 cars pers month, every month or they are fired.