off

Wow, very disappointing. I hope MBUSA is monitoring this forum and thread, and realizing the amount of ill will they are creating.

PaulE550

So I'm guessing the '17 E400 coupe you were looking at would have been somewhere between $55K and $58K with the $5K discount MBUSA was offering and reasonably optioned out vehicle. About the right price range Rick? If so, not much of a discount beyond what would normally be expected if you just walked in off the street. Certainly not what one would expect after MBUSA said they wanted to retain you as a valued customer.

If you didn't sign any paperwork handing your car over to MB yet, you are certainly within your rights to take your E300 back. Then you can start checking out alternatives from either BMW or Audi. They certainly offer competitive solutions. May not have the nicest and newest interior look, but so what? At least you would get a vehicle that is actually fully functional and wouldn't be sitting in a dealer's service area for a third of the time you've had it.

Let us know what you end up getting to replace this problematic mess of a luxury vehicle.

RickInHouston

I've never been so miserable.

Might lease a C class or CLS - whatever the cheapest cheap *** car they sell on the lot. Suck it up for 3 years and then leave the turd back on their lot.

Flash Gordon

What a bunch of BS from MB! I bought my 2017 E400 in April at 10K off the 70K MSRP without twisting the dealer's arm.

Cao Black

I don't want to seem unsympathetic, but I don't know that MB's reputation is at stake here. I'm perfectly happy with my E300 choice, and while I empathize with Rick's plight, it will have no affect on my decision whether to buy another Mercedes sometime in the future. I'm just saying...

He seems to be making progress, albeit slowly and with much drama, so why not just stay the course and see what happens. Better price, free warranty or maintenance, complete release, whatever? I don't think we've heard the last of this.

tresean1

But see the problem is they don't care. None of the top marques care. Not Louis Vuitton, not Hermes, not Gucci, not Prada, not Mercedes, not BMW. None of them have given me stellar customer service and customer aftercare (well aside from maybe LV because they know how loyal my family is). They all sell you their product with the " you need us more than we need you" mentality, because it's a status symbol, then when it comes to the customer service and brand loyalty, they tell you to go suck it. Because they feel as if their face value and demand is more important than the small things. Unfortunately...

Shelly401

Is another E300, equipped like your original purchase not an option....
And just do a swap ?

It would be difficult to believe you would get another lemon....

Especially, as I am sure you would totally check it out before accepting it....

At this point, I would just want my $$ back, and go elsewhere, but apparently, that is not an option....

I feel your pain....


Shelly

PaulE550

Given the final offer from MBUSA that you got on your E300, why would you want to hand MB more money by leasing something that you're going to hate for the next 3 years?

If you're determined to lease another MB, at least try to get decent discount off the lease. Something for all the nonsense you've put up with for 3 months.

PaulE550

True. I have to agree with you. There is NO SUCH THING as brand loyalty anymore. That has been gone for years. It's all just about whatever the latest transaction is worth.

RickInHouston

It's just hard to explain. I've been driving an E loaner for three weeks, now. Base model. It just has lost all special-ness.

When I got my first got both my E's before this - I felt a bit like I didn't deserve such a nice car. I just loved the experience.

This time around it's just an utter letdown. That's why I tried to at least have them find a dual screen so it would seem different, in some way.

MB USA puts their hand out and says, "We love you and want to have you stay." Then they designate my car a 'trade assist' instead of Lemon like they should so they can squeeze as much money out of it from the next guy. AND, FORCE ME TO BUY ANOTHER MERCEDES. WHAT KIND OF DEAL DO YOU THINK THE DEALERSHIP WILL OFFER IF THEY KNOW I HAVE TO BUY FROM THEM!!! They are making the rules and the rules are all in their favor.

I need to walk away from this. I'm really drained from being bent over today.

Shelly401

At this point you really need to get a lawyer involved.....
You need to Lemon Law the car, so you can just get your $$ back
And be done with Mercedes....

This is BS......

Shelly

PaulE550

Here's an idea. MBUSA offered you a $5K discount off the E400 coupe. While that is obviously an insult, since you can get that amount off just walking in off the street, see if they will apply the $5K discount to whatever you want to lease instead. Since you seem to want to stay with MB, at least for a few years, at least you should get something out of this situation. I know it is not much, but your only other alternative is to go the lemon law route which we have already discussed. Then you get to prolong this wonderful experience a bit longer and you'll also be out of pocket whatever the legal fees come to. It all depends on how much more you want to put up with from MBUSA. That's a personal decision only you can make. Try to decompress and take your mind off this issue for a while.

RickInHouston

The dealership called a half hour ago.

They agreed to the coupe (if it's still available at the other dealership). He is trying to get the deal done by tomorrow.

Pictures coming soon.

Fingers crossed.

Thank you all for your support throughout this.

​​​​​

thefisch

Woohoo. Looks like your perseverance paid off.

dieseldoc

Sounds great. We want to see pictures.

davidjohnbamber

Hopefully this will come to a satisfactory resolution, and maybe karma isn't always a *****.

off

Good job on keeping the pressure on them. If you're leasing don't let them mark up the money factor. Finance or lease, $5K discount applies. If you're eligible for fleet or USAA, another $2,500 off.

Look forward to seeing pictures of that coupe!

mbchris

Fingers crossed for you. Share pics and the back story on how price was agreed on if you can. Did MBUSA or the dealership step up?

RickInHouston

The new car is being flat-bedded from another dealership (thank you, Houston, for having more than one dealership). It will be detailed and ready to go tomorrow morning!

Pictures to follow. I'm a black car guy, but none to be found in Houston, so I'm trying something new. After all I've been through, I'm actually excited!

The salesman said, "there's an awfully lot of calls today between us and MB USA. They want to make sure you are happy. Are you happy?". You gotta love when the deal finally turns that corner and rounds for home and everyone hugs it out.

ua549

Happy motoring!

Mbracer26

This makes me want to call MBUSA and get my car replaced as well. I didnt know rattle box feature came standard on my car.

Lanzz

Rick, that is great news. Keeping my fingers crossed that it works out and you get to enjoy your new car - finally.

baybombers

I hope once you get behind the wheel of the coupe the frustration of your experience will quickly fade.

RickInHouston

The deal is done!

Here's the new ride. Yes, after a few minutes, all the bad has been washed away.

I love it. Weird though (this is not a complaint) it can't play flac files. Hopefully that's just an update to the media player. If not, I'll gladly transcode to mp3. I forgot how the smell of leather in a car is so fantastic.

And another sign from above this is the right car - I programmed Homelink to open my garage door!

PaulE550

Looks great! Enjoy! Now take it out on the open road and have some fun. You deserve it after all you have been thtough. Again enjoy!