What's your loaner?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,834
Likes: 773
From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
That makes sense, plus Jim the Service Manager at Sarasota is very competent and seems to hire real good people. It's kinda a problem though with their new loaner policy, they just adopted it fairly recently.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 827
Likes: 202
From: Florida (727)
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.
I'm located in New Port Richey. I wish they would open a dealership around here, even if its in Odessa or Trinity. There is even a BMW and Ferrari dealership is Palm Harbor. But at least I have 5 dealerships within a 45-60 minute drive I can choose from so its not the worst.
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
All my loaners have been because of either a warranty issue or in the long ago last for regular service. They have stopped giving loaners out for any service less than an hour now I believe. But if it’s a loaner because of a warranty issue, isn’t MB picking up the tab? So in other words it’s MB that’s being cheap on us? Or is the dealership just getting paid a set rate and therefore they are taking the cheapest way out?
Just curious as to who to blame on poor customer service these days.
Just curious as to who to blame on poor customer service these days.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 1,529
From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
All my loaners have been because of either a warranty issue or in the long ago last for regular service. They have stopped giving loaners out for any service less than an hour now I believe. But if it’s a loaner because of a warranty issue, isn’t MB picking up the tab? So in other words it’s MB that’s being cheap on us? Or is the dealership just getting paid a set rate and therefore they are taking the cheapest way out?
Just curious as to who to blame on poor customer service these days.
Just curious as to who to blame on poor customer service these days.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 383
Likes: 89
From: SW Desert USA
2014 Jag F-Type vert, 2004 Volvo V70R
"Just curious as to who to blame on poor customer service these days."
First its the responsibility of the Ownership of the store. Owners hire GMs and set the standards in the first instance. But because of the Franchise arrangement, MBUSA shares in the responsibility. The individual who owns the McDonalds on the corner has to meet the standards that come out of Chicago. The wide variance in performance of the MB dealers is evidence that the standards coming out of Atlanta are pretty loose. I have worked with MB dealers who could do surgery, and others that couldn't fill the air in a tire (literally). After all its the MB Star that is on the car, MBUSA is responsible for the brand in this country. They have multiple ways of enforcing standards. Some positive, some negative. They have the ultimate power because they can pull, albeit not easily, the franchise agreement. That's who I think is to blame.
First its the responsibility of the Ownership of the store. Owners hire GMs and set the standards in the first instance. But because of the Franchise arrangement, MBUSA shares in the responsibility. The individual who owns the McDonalds on the corner has to meet the standards that come out of Chicago. The wide variance in performance of the MB dealers is evidence that the standards coming out of Atlanta are pretty loose. I have worked with MB dealers who could do surgery, and others that couldn't fill the air in a tire (literally). After all its the MB Star that is on the car, MBUSA is responsible for the brand in this country. They have multiple ways of enforcing standards. Some positive, some negative. They have the ultimate power because they can pull, albeit not easily, the franchise agreement. That's who I think is to blame.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 1,529
From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
"Just curious as to who to blame on poor customer service these days."
First its the responsibility of the Ownership of the store. Owners hire GMs and set the standards in the first instance. But because of the Franchise arrangement, MBUSA shares in the responsibility. The individual who owns the McDonalds on the corner has to meet the standards that come out of Chicago. The wide variance in performance of the MB dealers is evidence that the standards coming out of Atlanta are pretty loose. I have worked with MB dealers who could do surgery, and others that couldn't fill the air in a tire (literally). After all its the MB Star that is on the car, MBUSA is responsible for the brand in this country. They have multiple ways of enforcing standards. Some positive, some negative. They have the ultimate power because they can pull, albeit not easily, the franchise agreement. That's who I think is to blame.
First its the responsibility of the Ownership of the store. Owners hire GMs and set the standards in the first instance. But because of the Franchise arrangement, MBUSA shares in the responsibility. The individual who owns the McDonalds on the corner has to meet the standards that come out of Chicago. The wide variance in performance of the MB dealers is evidence that the standards coming out of Atlanta are pretty loose. I have worked with MB dealers who could do surgery, and others that couldn't fill the air in a tire (literally). After all its the MB Star that is on the car, MBUSA is responsible for the brand in this country. They have multiple ways of enforcing standards. Some positive, some negative. They have the ultimate power because they can pull, albeit not easily, the franchise agreement. That's who I think is to blame.
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Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 99
Likes: 18
2025 BMW M3 Competition xDrive, 2019 E450 (Sold)
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.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 225
Likes: 32
From: Sweden
2019 E200 sedan
No loaner car, either from the dealership in my hometown where I bought the car (hedin bil) or in the town where I now live (veho bil). This is in decently large cities (for being Sweden). Really sucks
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 27
From: Australia, Melbourne
E200, C250 CGI
Wow. Quite unbelievable the posts here.
My numerous visits last year saw me get A200 Hatch and Sedan, B180 and C200.
But in order for me to get these loaner cars, I have to wait at least a month.
My numerous visits last year saw me get A200 Hatch and Sedan, B180 and C200.
But in order for me to get these loaner cars, I have to wait at least a month.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 1,601
From: Florida
I've gotten an E450 Wagon, CLS 450 and GLE350 as my loaners when bringing in the CLS. Wife got a GLB for her loaner when bringing in her GLC.
Our local dealer probably has 35+ loaners. A good mix of A's, CLA's, GLA's, GLB's, GLC's, C300's, E350's which are given to most customers. They have some nicer spec'd cars like a CLS450, E450 (sedan, wagon, coupe), GLC43, or GLE350/450 that are given to specific customers. Interestingly I've never seen a GLS loaner. I would imagine some families would need a 3rd row? My local BMW dealer is similar, they swapped all their awful 320i's for 2-series Gran Coupes (yuck!), a lot of X1 and X2's (also yuck), X3's, X5's, X7's, and a few 3 and 5-series. They've slimmed down the number of sedans in their fleets.
Our local dealer probably has 35+ loaners. A good mix of A's, CLA's, GLA's, GLB's, GLC's, C300's, E350's which are given to most customers. They have some nicer spec'd cars like a CLS450, E450 (sedan, wagon, coupe), GLC43, or GLE350/450 that are given to specific customers. Interestingly I've never seen a GLS loaner. I would imagine some families would need a 3rd row? My local BMW dealer is similar, they swapped all their awful 320i's for 2-series Gran Coupes (yuck!), a lot of X1 and X2's (also yuck), X3's, X5's, X7's, and a few 3 and 5-series. They've slimmed down the number of sedans in their fleets.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 57
Likes: 7
From: Eagle River, Alaska
2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC Wagon
"Complimentary"
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.
We've had a GLC loaner, and a couple of cars (Chevy Tahoe and Ford Flex) from their used lot when all of their loaners were booked and our GL450 was being kept longer than promised.
Last edited by Kevin T; Feb 19, 2021 at 08:34 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 827
Likes: 202
From: Florida (727)
I just brought my 2021 GLE to Crown Eurocars to get the windows tinted and the loaner they provided. . . . . . a 2020 Dodge Ram bare-bone base with 25K miles (rides VERY rough for a truck with 25K miles) via Enterprise. Usually the dealership would provide a C class or a CLA/A class at the minimum but I guess their fleet isn't as strong anymore.
Does anyone have any recent experience with renting a car through the dealership which uses Enterprise? Last time I had to do this (maybe like 5-7 years ago) at a different dealership, it was a horrible experience and Enterprise tried to nickel and dime me for everything and tried to charge me for the rental when they said it was no cost to me.
Does anyone have any recent experience with renting a car through the dealership which uses Enterprise? Last time I had to do this (maybe like 5-7 years ago) at a different dealership, it was a horrible experience and Enterprise tried to nickel and dime me for everything and tried to charge me for the rental when they said it was no cost to me.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 669
Likes: 255
From: Los Angeles
Panamera, '63 Impala
I just brought my 2021 GLE to Crown Eurocars to get the windows tinted and the loaner they provided. . . . . . a 2020 Dodge Ram bare-bone base with 25K miles (rides VERY rough for a truck with 25K miles) via Enterprise. Usually the dealership would provide a C class or a CLA/A class at the minimum but I guess their fleet isn't as strong anymore.
Does anyone have any recent experience with renting a car through the dealership which uses Enterprise? Last time I had to do this (maybe like 5-7 years ago) at a different dealership, it was a horrible experience and Enterprise tried to nickel and dime me for everything and tried to charge me for the rental when they said it was no cost to me.
Does anyone have any recent experience with renting a car through the dealership which uses Enterprise? Last time I had to do this (maybe like 5-7 years ago) at a different dealership, it was a horrible experience and Enterprise tried to nickel and dime me for everything and tried to charge me for the rental when they said it was no cost to me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 5,382
Likes: 1,104
.
I had that experience once. Now if the dealer is out of loaners (even though I requested one when making the appointment) I simply ask for my car and tell them I'll make other arrangements. They cringe at the thought of losing business and usually I get a salesman's demo car. (Lokey and Crown)
I will not use Enterprise under any conditions no matter what the situation may be. Period.
I will not use Enterprise under any conditions no matter what the situation may be. Period.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 4
W213 2017
I have had very good experiences in Dallas with loaner vehicles. So far four separate service appointments and have received A220, GLC, E350 (2021) and most recently a GLB250 (2021) with the full AMG trim. I always wondered why they spec out the loaner vehicles, maybe it's a bit of a marketing play?
