What's your loaner?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: The Palmetto State
19 E63s, ‘24SQ8, wanting another gas guzzling V8
I’m going to revive this thread for another question. At what point do you demand something more than a GLC or C lass and expect a comparable loaner?
Super Member
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2021 M550i
If available, for a S class they will provide a S class. If you have an E you can ask for an E as well. Never hurts to ask. Also, it basically comes down to what models they want to loan out and lease out as a demo afterwards.
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From: Sarasota, Florida
2023 E450 Cabriolet, 2019 F150 Platinum, 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T
Yeah........... and things have changed at MB Sarasota.... aka Autonation....... they like to blame covid but i think it's juts the head bean counter is in control.....
- No more free washes when you stop by
- Last few Loaners where C class, B class etc... Was just told no more MB loaners, you will get a econobox thru Enterprise...
sigh...
Gonna check out Ft Myers MB...
Mike
- No more free washes when you stop by
- Last few Loaners where C class, B class etc... Was just told no more MB loaners, you will get a econobox thru Enterprise...
sigh...
Gonna check out Ft Myers MB...
Mike
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,364
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From: The Palmetto State
19 E63s, ‘24SQ8, wanting another gas guzzling V8
Should we demand more from a loaner after we have purchased so many MB from the same dealership? Spent so much money? Been in a loaner after a certain amount of time and your car is still not fixed? I was told, “we don’t have anything.” I find this unacceptable from an MB dealership and even MB to allow this at certain levels.
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: Austin TX Area
2020 E450 Wagon
Should we demand more from a loaner after we have purchased so many MB from the same dealership? Spent so much money? Been in a loaner after a certain amount of time and your car is still not fixed? I was told, “we don’t have anything.” I find this unacceptable from an MB dealership and even MB to allow this at certain levels.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Florida (727)
Also, call them every day/every few days and see if they received any new loaners and demand they swap you into the better loaner.
Yeah........... and things have changed at MB Sarasota.... aka Autonation....... they like to blame covid but i think it's juts the head bean counter is in control.....
- No more free washes when you stop by
- Last few Loaners where C class, B class etc... Was just told no more MB loaners, you will get a econobox thru Enterprise...
sigh...
Gonna check out Ft Myers MB...
Mike
- No more free washes when you stop by
- Last few Loaners where C class, B class etc... Was just told no more MB loaners, you will get a econobox thru Enterprise...
sigh...
Gonna check out Ft Myers MB...
Mike
If you don't mind driving about an hour, try MB Clearwater, Crown Eurocars, and MB Tampa for service. They have been good.
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From: Sarasota, Florida
2023 E450 Cabriolet, 2019 F150 Platinum, 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T
I usually ask when I schedule the appointment with service. I tell them I am a big guy and need something that I fit in (I am 6'4). They usually give me a GLC or E class. I did get lucky once and got a 2020 GLE.
Also, call them every day/every few days and see if they received any new loaners and demand they swap you into the better loaner.
I used MB Maitland (Autonation) when I used to live in Orlando. They made us go through Enterprise once and it was awful and they tried to charge us for the rental. After that, they always gave us loaners and it would usually be a C sedan, C coupe or a GLC. I use Mercedes Benz of Clearwater (FKA Lokey) for service because I noticed they have the best loaner fleet in my area. I usually get an E class or GLC from them and I even got a GLE once because I told them I was considering getting that after my E class lease.
If you don't mind driving about an hour, try MB Clearwater, Crown Eurocars, and MB Tampa for service. They have been good.
Also, call them every day/every few days and see if they received any new loaners and demand they swap you into the better loaner.
I used MB Maitland (Autonation) when I used to live in Orlando. They made us go through Enterprise once and it was awful and they tried to charge us for the rental. After that, they always gave us loaners and it would usually be a C sedan, C coupe or a GLC. I use Mercedes Benz of Clearwater (FKA Lokey) for service because I noticed they have the best loaner fleet in my area. I usually get an E class or GLC from them and I even got a GLE once because I told them I was considering getting that after my E class lease.
If you don't mind driving about an hour, try MB Clearwater, Crown Eurocars, and MB Tampa for service. They have been good.
Thanks For that info
Oh and on my 3rd AMG ml63/gle63s in 3 yrs... hopefully this is the one for awhile....
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.
I have used Lokey Mercedes in Clearwater for decades. I purchased all the cars in my sig except the W198 from Lokey. The loaner for my last annual service was an S450. IMO the loaners correspond with what the sales department is attempting to sell me.
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Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 138
Likes: 21
From: San Diego
'17 E300
I was told they were out of loaners and they could put me in a shuttle bus and go over to enterprise. I'm not interested in being in a ford focus, and waiting around for all that to happen. Luckily I have another car and a motorcycle to get around in. Was quite surprised for such a large dealership.
This has been my first experience with MB getting my car serviced, and I have to say it's not been any better than I would get from Toyota or Chevy. They tout how sophisticated and elegant they are, but in the end they just move us like cattle. They are not embarrassed to charge obscene prices for the same things other car manufacturers do for 1/4 the price.
I'm not going to be running back to MB for my next car for sure.
This has been my first experience with MB getting my car serviced, and I have to say it's not been any better than I would get from Toyota or Chevy. They tout how sophisticated and elegant they are, but in the end they just move us like cattle. They are not embarrassed to charge obscene prices for the same things other car manufacturers do for 1/4 the price.
I'm not going to be running back to MB for my next car for sure.
Last edited by West_Coaster; Feb 4, 2021 at 12:20 PM.
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
I've had C-Class and E-Class loaners at the dealer closest to me. Other than the walk-around inspection to ID defects (which I highly recommend you do), I don't usually notice which model I have til I get home. Years ago, the MB dealer across town provided a combination of MB and Ford loaners based on the demand and what was availalbe that day.
My daddy taught me "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Mercedes-Benz is the first car make I've ever experienced to offer loaner cars of any type. Of course, the Hondas and Toyos I've purchased in the past never offered loaners, because those cars almost never needed to go back to the dealer (at all, for any reason).
My daddy taught me "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Mercedes-Benz is the first car make I've ever experienced to offer loaner cars of any type. Of course, the Hondas and Toyos I've purchased in the past never offered loaners, because those cars almost never needed to go back to the dealer (at all, for any reason).
Last edited by DFWdude; Feb 4, 2021 at 01:05 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: The Palmetto State
19 E63s, ‘24SQ8, wanting another gas guzzling V8
Again, I just find it hard to believe that so many MB dealerships only have the smaller cars for loaners. I figured they would have something in reserve for special times.
I am watching the lemon law times. I really do not want that though. I want my car. I just hate being in a GLC.
I am watching the lemon law times. I really do not want that though. I want my car. I just hate being in a GLC.
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Joined: May 2018
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From: Illinois
2021 c300 Cab. Arrived 7/28/21 . 24 GLE 450e.
I’m thinking of buying a e450 cabriolet. I find this thread very interesting. We currently have an Acura and a bmw. We always get either an Acura or Bmw. A lot of dealers drop off now. The loaners are not the necessarily the same trim level. The bmw was a lower trim level. My wife didn’t like it. Plus it was a 4 door. She liked the larger door of our convertible. I can’t believe MB would send you to enterprise.
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From: SW Desert USA
2014 Jag F-Type vert, 2004 Volvo V70R
What's Your Loaner? Come-on get serious. My MB dealer sells six figure cars, has a $200 labor rate in the service department, and then charges $30 a day for a loaner. So you have it for three hours, drive 50 milers, and they charge you $30 USD. Another classic MB dealer rip-off. MBUSA must/should control these con artists. A classic case of abusing the well healed customer who won't object to the abuse. It would conflict with the customer's self image. A Subaru customer would tell them where to put their $30 charge.
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From: Charlotte, NC
2024 E450 AT Wagon, 2024 EQS450+ / Had: 2021 E350, 2019 E300, 2021 + 20 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s)
GLB, GLC, GLA are the typical loaners in my experience. I had a GLB for about 4 weeks one time - wasn't bad, but it wasn't the same as my E Wagon or GLE. I am sure there is a stash of nicer loaners for S/Big AMG and other VIPs, but luckily, Hendrick hasn't pulled back on their (overall pretty good) loaner policy because of the pandemic. There's no chance I would get in a van and to go Enterprise - surprised that is even offered with a straight face - the Dodge dealer that serviced my Challenger did that - and it was a luxury at Dodge - it is a punch in the face at MB or any other highline dealer.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Dallas-Ft.Worth,TX
2016 E350 Sport
What's Your Loaner? Come-on get serious. My MB dealer sells six figure cars, has a $200 labor rate in the service department, and then charges $30 a day for a loaner. So you have it for three hours, drive 50 milers, and they charge you $30 USD. Another classic MB dealer rip-off. MBUSA must/should control these con artists. A classic case of abusing the well healed customer who won't object to the abuse. It would conflict with the customer's self image. A Subaru customer would tell them where to put their $30 charge.
If the dealer really does call it a $30 "loaner," then it really does illustrate how such a dealer presumes that owners have more money than brains.
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Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
It varies, I never really cared as my only requirement/request is that they give me the newest/lowest mileage loaner available at that time. I do see lots of people in front of me at the dealership get really worked up over what they get.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Florida (727)
What's Your Loaner? Come-on get serious. My MB dealer sells six figure cars, has a $200 labor rate in the service department, and then charges $30 a day for a loaner. So you have it for three hours, drive 50 milers, and they charge you $30 USD. Another classic MB dealer rip-off. MBUSA must/should control these con artists. A classic case of abusing the well healed customer who won't object to the abuse. It would conflict with the customer's self image. A Subaru customer would tell them where to put their $30 charge.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
In 25+ years I have never had an S for a loaner and I've owned a few. Never even heard of it.
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2021 M550i
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
Never did, didn't think of it. Actually, I mostly pass on the loaner and get picked up. I really can't stand driving a car that so many others have, not sure so clean inside. This is why I always request low mileage loaners.
