DFWdude

Yup, we're in a Pandemic, don't ya know?

I've held off calling to schedule the "Steering Gear Bolts" Service Campaign on my W212 because of the Pandemic. I will call the dealer in March or April, once I've fully metabolized the vaccine (second dose next week). Only then will I actually drive a "loaner."

ua549

My dealer disinfects every loaner before each use. I've watched them do it. I'm not sure if they do the same with demonstrator vehicles.

haibieb

Our Ft. Pierce, FL. MB dealer has provided the family: E350, GLC, GLB's each time we have had our vehicles (CLS450 and G wagon) in for service. Most of the time, depending on the type of work to be performed, I will wait for the vehicle to be completed. At other local MB's near me in Palm Beach County, they offer Enterprise cars. Unfortunately, sometimes they are not MB products. But really who cares, as long as the cars are cleaned and they provide you good service.

2012 merc amg

I think Sarasota has been Transitioning to Enterprise but the past few times I was in for service in the past few months I was given a New E350 and was happy with that. I doubt I'll get so lucky next time though with the way things are going at this point. Seems like Benz is trying to save money making the new cars and the dealers are trying to save money servicing the cars. Just the way things are going lately.

550x2

I drive a GTC and I am usually given a A220 as a loaner. They had my car for three weeks and I explained that I am paying for a GTC and am driving an A for nearly a month! It got me two years of free service as an I’m sorry compensation. That’s not quite equal but it’s better than nothing.

sabre3

When I picked up my CPO E300 the doll up on the paint wasn't done great and the salesman wanted me to bring it back to send it out and get buffed and coated. He set me up with loaner and it was a 2020 E450 coupe. Just last week I had a loaner due to them having to replace my bumper after they scratched it up while replacing my aux battery(somebody backed it into something, or something was backed into it, I forget). I was given a 2021 C300 with no options. Huge difference. It was so underpowered. That loaner was setup by my SA. I wonder if who does the loaner setup matters?

KingScrubs

I got a C300 wagon when I asked for a "complimentary loaner" which the dealership advertised on their service site. Once I got there they tried to charge me $60 for it lol. I never bothered asking them again when I book a service appointment. When we take our BMW to the BMW dealership they give us a X7 usually or an X5 for free as the loaner vehicle, so that was sort of annoying that the MB dealer tried to charge me for it when they advertised it as complimentary.

ua549

Get another MB dealer or change brands. I had a similar issue with my BMW dealer. They directed me to the Hertz rental counter located in the dealership to get a Ford Focus. I told them that was not acceptable; sold my 1 year old BMW; never returned. I might have tried another BMW dealer, but the closest one was 20 miles away. (There are no BMW dealers in my city.)

Elvisfan0108

I drive 30 miles to get my bmw serviced. 20 miles is nothing. That’s awfully expensive, just because they didn’t have the proper loaner.

Elvisfan0108

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I guess I would ask why you were in for service so often? Doesn’t sound very reliable.

Hundens

King, the fact that they attempted to charge you for what was represented as complementary is only part of the problem. The first problem is that they wanted to charge you at all, and second, the $60 is outrageous. I used to think the "dealer experience" only sucked during the purchase phase. I am learning that it now extends into the service phase. I doubt if there is any generalized hope. The manufacturers are as ethically challenged as the dealers. Some folks get lucky and have a dealer that has values ahead of simply making money. My local Jaguar dealer is like that. The only problem is he has no product.

ua549

If a dealer isn't within 5 miles of me, I won't consider them for service or buying a vehicle from them. I live in a metro area not the boonies with only a single dealer.

Elvisfan0108

Your prerogative, I’m in the Tampa area. It’s certainly a metro area. There are no car dealers within 5 miles. I mean no dealers. Let alone BMW or MB. I bought a car in Clearwater. Had it serviced in Brandon. The 2 cars I have now are serviced in Sarasota. Almost 30 miles away.
You are limiting yourself, but that’s your choice.

places

Same, I live in the city. No way I'm driving 20 or 30 miles into the boonies to get a car serviced.

Elvisfan0108

Up north I live in the Chicago metro area. I’m 12 miles from a Bmw dealer and 7 miles from a MB dealer. It must limit your options if you ever move.

2012 merc amg

that was for my 2018 s class I just got a few months ago. It had a number of bugs that had to be sorted out In general Sarasota MB has been very good to me. There’s only that fuel smell issue I have that they have not been able to solve. It’s not real bad so I just live with it. I may take the car back to crown in St Pete if they can give me a loaner to see if they can fix the problem eventually. Probably not but it might be worth a try. At least when I eventually go to a electric car in about 4 years I won’t have issues like this. Bring it on lol.

places

I would just make sure to move next to a MB dealer!

Elvisfan0108

That scares me somewhat. I have no sense of smell. To have possibly a gas leak and not know it worries me.

ua549

Are you within Tampa city limits? There are only a few zip codes without at least one car dealer within Tampa city limits. MacDill (33621) doesn't have a dealer.

I'm in Clearwater and have I have all the German, Japanese, Korean and US brands and most of the British and Italian brands within 5 miles. I rarely drive outside the Clearwater city limits for any purpose.

Elvisfan0108

Not in Tampa city limits. There are more people in the Tampa metro area outside of the city than in the city. According to maps the closest Bmw or mb dealer is 20 miles away. All I’m saying is that if a dealer has to be less than 5 miles away,you limit your options.

2012 merc amg

Around Tampa lots of option, the Tampa dealer, Clearwater and St. Pete for Benz. Around Sarasota very few options around here, it's either go to Tampa or Ft. Myers each over a hour drive. They really need another benz dealer around this area. Sarasota is busy all the time.

Hundens

An hour's drive. Oh my God. Here there is one dealer between Phoenix AZ and El Paso TX 429 miles. And it shows.

ua549

Don't forget MB of Wesley Chapel though it doesn't work for the Sarasota market. That said the Tampa Bay/Sarasota market comprises 4 counties - Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota - they are fully developed (wall to wall congestion). It takes me over an hour to go 17 miles from my house to KTPA airport, Before I retired 25 years ago I drove to the airport in 20 minutes to catch my fights. I flew 4 day a week every week.

Elvisfan0108

I’m south of Tampa. While Tampa dealers are closer, I prefer to drive to Sarasota. Less traffic. I’m from Chicago, so traffic here doesn’t bother me. Unless of course there is a crash. Haven’t been to a MB dealer. But been to Bmw and Acura dealers.

S550e

I usually get an E300 at my dealership. A few times I have gotten an E400 Wagon and a GLE350. I requested that they never give me a C Class or anything below due my 6'5" height.