Dealer Tech wants to take my car home overnight
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2014
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E350
Dealer Tech wants to take my car home overnight
Is it common for the dealer to ask if the tech can take my car home overnight so that he can check all is well? They just put a new transmission in(itss been there for a week). Why not test drive it tomorrow during the day?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
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From: Placitas, NM
E550
Uh, there is some rationale to that.
If the tech's commute is long and varied, and if he normally drives an MB and knows how the tranny should act during the drive, maybe that justifies it.
OTOH, it's a weird request. Does anybody know the guys's driving record? Whose insurance covers this, and how well? Will the car be garaged?
Do the service director and general manager know this is happening? I'll bet not.
If the tech's commute is long and varied, and if he normally drives an MB and knows how the tranny should act during the drive, maybe that justifies it.
OTOH, it's a weird request. Does anybody know the guys's driving record? Whose insurance covers this, and how well? Will the car be garaged?
Do the service director and general manager know this is happening? I'll bet not.
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Republic of Texas
'99 and '05 E55 AMG
Let the tech drive it. Better for the tech to recognize a subtle but potentially serious issue that you might not. I know one lady whose car had serious but intermittent issues that took a full week of the tech's drive time commuting until, one evening, the car quit (as the owner said it would do) and put the tech on the side of the road during rush hour. After that, the service manager stopped doubting the owner.
Better the tech than you. If it's their *** on the line, you bet they'll make sure it's correct.
If it is wrecked for whatever reason, since it was in the possession of the dealership, they have the responsibility.
The early failure is referred to as "Infant Mortality". A few pieces will fail shortly after manufacture and placement into use. After a few months, the failure rate drops significantly, stays level for a time, and then the failure rate rises as the equipment approaches the end of life.
FWIW.
Better the tech than you. If it's their *** on the line, you bet they'll make sure it's correct.
If it is wrecked for whatever reason, since it was in the possession of the dealership, they have the responsibility.
The early failure is referred to as "Infant Mortality". A few pieces will fail shortly after manufacture and placement into use. After a few months, the failure rate drops significantly, stays level for a time, and then the failure rate rises as the equipment approaches the end of life.
FWIW.
Last edited by bbirdwell; Feb 24, 2015 at 09:55 PM. Reason: add'l info
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From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
I have left my car and had the tech I request take the car home to check into things from time to time.
The car is covered insurance wise by my insurance and theirs so I don't worry.
The car is covered insurance wise by my insurance and theirs so I don't worry.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
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2014 W212 E350 4M
I have had service managers ask for and get permission from me to take a car home to diagnose a fault. (Not for an MB though) The only thing it cost me was a few gallons of gas but it was worth it. Some conditions, intermittent problems or faults can't be replicated with a ride around the block or a hot engine.
Last edited by RSIKR; Feb 25, 2015 at 01:36 AM.
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From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
I think what you don't want is to take any hit on your insurance if, in the rare case, anything should happen. I guess your collision would cover any damage but if any doubt ask your insurance agent. I would also want the dealer to cover any deductible, so check with them. Take a walk around the entire car like they do when providing a loaner, before handing it over, to take note of any existing blemishes, etc. That way. if it comes back with a new one, everyone is on the same page.
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2006 E320 CDI 2014 C63 507 Coupe 2012 E550 4M 2016 E63s Wagon
I would trust the techs at my dealership to take my car overnight, and would be happy they are literally going the extra miles to make sure the new transmission works properly.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 230
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From: Greenville SC USA
2008 E320 Bluetec (until 11/14), 2001 SLK 320, 2004 Volvo V70, 1972 MGB, 2013 E350
Not unusual. The techs were testing my 2008 Bluetec when they were attacked by a herd of deer.
They paid a very hefty $7000 repair charge at the body shop of my choice.
They paid a very hefty $7000 repair charge at the body shop of my choice.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
When I was going through trans problems in my 2014 e550 the car spent more time in the techs driveway than mine... Car was ultimately bought back but they took great care if it
I was a little disappointed to find cough drop wrappers in the door slot that WERE NOT mine!
I was a little disappointed to find cough drop wrappers in the door slot that WERE NOT mine!
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Canada
07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
Ah, NO!
If there is a problem with the "new" transmission, they can find it on dealership time clock, not some "techs" ego builder, look what I got to drive home, leaving his Ford fiesta at work.
Have seen personally how other peoples cars have been abused when the tech thinks nobody is watching.
Just sayin!
If there is a problem with the "new" transmission, they can find it on dealership time clock, not some "techs" ego builder, look what I got to drive home, leaving his Ford fiesta at work.
Have seen personally how other peoples cars have been abused when the tech thinks nobody is watching.
Just sayin!
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Years ago I had a Saab 900 Turbo where the cruise control failed after about 30 mins. Only way to prove it was to drive it for 30 minutes on a set speed. Dust was getting into the poorly sealed control unit located above the pedal and short circuiting when it got hot.
Last edited by El Cid; Feb 25, 2015 at 05:24 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Canada
07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
That's the beauty of ownership, you can do what you wish. I tend to believe paying for service is of the mechanical type, any road adventures will be done buy the owner.
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From: Los Angeles
'19 MBZ E450 Wagon, '19 BMW 530e
Either the SA or the shop foreman gets to drive it home for test drive.
However they all need to get permission before doing so.
The dealership can't afford having their techs go out for 30-60 minutes test drives. Free if they just drive it home for the night. My SA doesn't even bother getting new car for himself as he's the dedicated QC driver 5 days a week.
However they all need to get permission before doing so.
The dealership can't afford having their techs go out for 30-60 minutes test drives. Free if they just drive it home for the night. My SA doesn't even bother getting new car for himself as he's the dedicated QC driver 5 days a week.
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From: Toronto
MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
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e550
Why not drive it yourself and if there is a problem then let the tech. take it home. What happens if he has a accident that is his fault do your rates go up?
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^ what if he runs into the lift post while pulling the car into the service bay? Come on, seriously? It's a car that needs to be fixed, and sometimes they need to be driven by the fixer. Some of you guys are just too paranoid.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Los Angeles
'19 MBZ E450 Wagon, '19 BMW 530e
Your insurance company will go check if that driver has his own insurance before your policy steps in.
The catch is some discount insurance company will go to minimum state required coverage during permissive use. With that in mind, NEVER lend your car out if you are insured by GEICO.
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From: SOUTHWEST OHIO
2016 E350 2015 ML250 2002 Z06 CORVETTE
Having operated dealerships for years, I can assure you this is not an abnormal request. Many times when we had an intermittent problem that was hard to find, we would ask permission to drive the car. Our insurance was the primary in these cases.
I can assure you, no matter how nice you think your car is, for the tech, its just another problem and somewhat of a pain to go through the process.
I can assure you, no matter how nice you think your car is, for the tech, its just another problem and somewhat of a pain to go through the process.
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2021 GLS 63 2014 GL550
Interesting thread.... This past Christmas I bought the new GLS63 for my wife. The car has less than 800 miles on it and it has been in the dealers shop for 4 weeks due to the "check engine light" being on. The first diagnostic was that "we" ran it low on gas and sucked air into the fuel line. Interesting since we had only put two tanks of fuel in it and the fuel level has never been below 1/4 tank. Further diagnostic by the dealer now indicates miss fires on cylinder #1. They replaced the injector and still no remedy for the "check engine light". Currently they are smoke testing the turbos (not sure what that means). I am remaining patient for a another week if it is not resolved, intend to ask for my money back and they can sell the GLS63 to the next sucker.
As far as Mercedes and quality, my opinion is that they are HORRIBLE! My wife has driven Mercedes for the past 23 years. We alway buy new and everyone of them has had more than normal repair issues ranging from failing fuel pumps to replacing an E63 engine at 15,000 miles due to "porosity" in the block casting. Hoping this instance is good enough to get my wife to consider another brand vehicle.
As far as Mercedes and quality, my opinion is that they are HORRIBLE! My wife has driven Mercedes for the past 23 years. We alway buy new and everyone of them has had more than normal repair issues ranging from failing fuel pumps to replacing an E63 engine at 15,000 miles due to "porosity" in the block casting. Hoping this instance is good enough to get my wife to consider another brand vehicle.
