Loaner Cars from Dealership
#27
I felt the same way even about the recent S 500 loaner they gave me. The S Class doesn't do anything for me. The loaner was fairly well equipped, but clearly didn't have Nappa leather, so the seats felt like vinyl. The poor leather quality was pretty surprising to me in an S Class. I would have expected Nappa leather to be standard fair. Point is, you can differentiate a car quite a bit via the options. Leather upgrades and such can make a big difference and the higher trim models such as the AMG models are very different from the basic models that are often used as loaners. I recently had a new W206 C300 loaner and that car felt like a Toyota Camry compared to my C63S coupe. I have Nappa leather, carbon fiber and aluminum trim, so that C300 felt like a plastic box, not to mention the dull driving experience. Two different worlds. Regular Mercedes-Benz models don't frankly impress me, even the S Class. Unless it's got an AMG or Maybach badge, I'm not gonna be impressed. It's fine as a set of wheels for a few days, but I'm usually bored already the moment I drive out of the service bay.
#28
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2019
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From: Toronto, Canada
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
Definitely bare bones as a loaner. Service advisor let me know that the 2 available recall updates are fine and they are on the process of updating my MBUX software from 316 to 33X. Then waiting for a heated steering wheel control module that was faulty and preventing mine from activating.
Can’t wait to get it back.
Can’t wait to get it back.
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pmichaelmd (07-10-2023)
#29
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2019
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From: Toronto, Canada
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
I felt the same way even about the recent S 500 loaner they gave me. The S Class doesn't do anything for me. The loaner was fairly well equipped, but clearly didn't have Nappa leather, so the seats felt like vinyl. The poor leather quality was pretty surprising to me in an S Class. I would have expected Nappa leather to be standard fair. Point is, you can differentiate a car quite a bit via the options. Leather upgrades and such can make a big difference and the higher trim models such as the AMG models are very different from the basic models that are often used as loaners. I recently had a new W206 C300 loaner and that car felt like a Toyota Camry compared to my C63S coupe. I have Nappa leather, carbon fiber and aluminum trim, so that C300 felt like a plastic box, not to mention the dull driving experience. Two different worlds. Regular Mercedes-Benz models don't frankly impress me, even the S Class. Unless it's got an AMG or Maybach badge, I'm not gonna be impressed. It's fine as a set of wheels for a few days, but I'm usually bored already the moment I drive out of the service bay.
That said, I read on the forums that they saw an S-Class (W222) iin Germany with cloth seats, apparently even MBTEX or aka ARTICO isn't standard.
#30
I've said this before. Where I'm from the S Class as well as the E Class are used as taxis. They are the yellow cabs of Europe. MB is now trying to distance themselves from their taxi reputation. They've shut down the taxi division recently. It doesn't fit Ola's plans.
Last edited by superswiss; 07-10-2023 at 08:58 PM.
#31
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From: Toronto, Canada
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
I've said this before. Where I'm from the S Class as well as the E Class are used as taxis. They are the yellow cabs of Europe. MB is now trying to distance themselves from their taxi reputation. They've shut down the taxi division recently. It doesn't fit Ola's plans.
#32
Yeah, kinda hard to position yourself as an uber luxury brand if you can just hail an S Class at the train station. Gonna be difficult to overcome the brand perception, though with many people still remembering the more humble times of the brand.
#33
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From: Toronto, Canada
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
Although Daimler Truck is now separated, what are their plans with that division?
#34
No idea. They are a separate and independent company now. Was kind of a similar thing. Can't really be a luxury car company if you also make commercial trucks, but the trucks will still keep the Mercedes Star as far as I know, so there's that.
#35
I've said this before. Where I'm from the S Class as well as the E Class are used as taxis. They are the yellow cabs of Europe. MB is now trying to distance themselves from their taxi reputation. They've shut down the taxi division recently. It doesn't fit Ola's plans.
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jlt1112 (07-11-2023)
#37
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thebigkat82 (07-11-2023)
#38
I have had to take my car ('22 EGS AMG) in for a problem with the HUD and have been disappointed to find that my local dealership provides service vehicles through Enterprise car rental. The first time, I was told they had no MB loaners available and I was offered a Mustang convertible. The next visit was the same, except the offered vehicle was a Chrysler minivan. I expressed my disdain with the service advisor and his manager, noting that it's ridiculous that they are providing substandard rental vehicles even when a customer is servicing a vehicle that cost $160K+, but I doubt it will have much impact on the bean counters.
I'm wondering if my experience is typical or if other dealerships continue to use a fleet of MB loaner vehicles.
I'm wondering if my experience is typical or if other dealerships continue to use a fleet of MB loaner vehicles.
To me, I'm not paying MB service prices to not drive an MB loaner. I'm happy with a C, GLC, E, GLE, I refuse GLAs, A Classes or GLBs. Its not about being snobbish its about getting what I'm paying for, if I rent a car from Enterprise for service at an independent I'll take a Sentra. Its about what I'm paying for, the cost of a loaner is built into the service prices at a luxury dealer IMO.
$58 a day for a car from Enterprise AND you want to charge me $1,000 to change my oil, brake fluid and cabin filters and check a bunch of stuff? F you lol. I'll take it to an independent and rent a Sentra from Enterprise myself for $35 and save $500.
#39
I'm grateful to get any loaner, at either Mercedes or Jaguar. For the past three years w/ chip shortages, I often got nothing, or sometimes a used junker. I just had an almost new GLC from Mercedes...it's just not going to be the same experience as my EQS 580, but if nothing else it reminds me how awesome my car is in comparison. At Jaguar, I've had loaner Land Rover Discovery(s) for extended periods of time...really liked those.
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hyperion667 (07-11-2023)
#41
I'm grateful to get any loaner, at either Mercedes or Jaguar. For the past three years w/ chip shortages, I often got nothing, or sometimes a used junker. I just had an almost new GLC from Mercedes...it's just not going to be the same experience as my EQS 580, but if nothing else it reminds me how awesome my car is in comparison. At Jaguar, I've had loaner Land Rover Discovery(s) for extended periods of time...really liked those.
I don't care about driving a lesser car, I like experiencing the different cars. I just don't want to drive something I hate (I hate the A Class, GLA and GLB) while paying all that money. I could just take it to my independent mechanic and go rent a really nice car and still save hundreds of dollars, I'm not going to pay that and also pay to rent a ****ty car from Enterprise, or get no loaner.
The other thing I have found is MB takes a LONG time to work on a car. For simple things they have had my car for 5+ days at a time, even routine service almost always requires it stay overnight, Lexus was much much faster. So even more reason I want a good loaner.
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superswiss (07-11-2023)
#42
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 825
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From: NE KY, on the Ohio River
2018 S560; 2022 EQS450+
Dealing with Cincinnati MB, 70 miles from home, I'm always asked if I need a loaner. Don't recall needing one and none available.
However, the dealer will send a driver here to pick up my car, and then deliver it back if I want to do that. Have taken advantage of that a few times.
My usual practice, unless I've scheduled the service to coincide with another event in Cincy, is I just wait on the car and then drive home.
However, the dealer will send a driver here to pick up my car, and then deliver it back if I want to do that. Have taken advantage of that a few times.
My usual practice, unless I've scheduled the service to coincide with another event in Cincy, is I just wait on the car and then drive home.
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SW20S (07-11-2023)
#43
EQS is in the shop for a variety of things. Dealer let me choose from the their lot of loaners, mostly C, E, GLB, and GLCs, with a few EQE SUVs around. Took the C300 as I wanted to try out the new gen C-class and been in it for 5 days so far. Interior features and switch gear feel almost identical to the EQS, which isnt really a good thing for the latter considering the C300 runs half as much as my EQS 450+. Drive is definitely to my liking, a firm sporty feel with minimal body roll in the corners and nicely planted.
#44
EQS is in the shop for a variety of things. Dealer let me choose from the their lot of loaners, mostly C, E, GLB, and GLCs, with a few EQE SUVs around. Took the C300 as I wanted to try out the new gen C-class and been in it for 5 days so far. Interior features and switch gear feel almost identical to the EQS, which isnt really a good thing for the latter considering the C300 runs half as much as my EQS 450+. Drive is definitely to my liking, a firm sporty feel with minimal body roll in the corners and nicely planted.
I brought my EQS580 to the Des Moines dealer today for the 2 recent recalls. It took longer than expected and my service advisor offered me an EQS450 SUV with no questions asked. I’ve had nothing but good experiences at this dealership. A couple hours later I drove back to the dealership with the loaner and picked my awesome 580. My 580 is a MUCH better car than the loaner they gave me.
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nath_h (07-19-2023)
#45
I brought my EQS580 to the Des Moines dealer today for the 2 recent recalls. It took longer than expected and my service advisor offered me an EQS450 SUV with no questions asked. I’ve had nothing but good experiences at this dealership. A couple hours later I drove back to the dealership with the loaner and picked my awesome 580. My 580 is a MUCH better car than the loaner they gave me.
#46
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 15,244
Likes: 2,952
From: Toronto, Canada
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
I brought my EQS580 to the Des Moines dealer today for the 2 recent recalls. It took longer than expected and my service advisor offered me an EQS450 SUV with no questions asked. I’ve had nothing but good experiences at this dealership. A couple hours later I drove back to the dealership with the loaner and picked my awesome 580. My 580 is a MUCH better car than the loaner they gave me.
#47
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 15,244
Likes: 2,952
From: Toronto, Canada
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
#48
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 15,244
Likes: 2,952
From: Toronto, Canada
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
#49
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 15,244
Likes: 2,952
From: Toronto, Canada
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
EQS is in the shop for a variety of things. Dealer let me choose from the their lot of loaners, mostly C, E, GLB, and GLCs, with a few EQE SUVs around. Took the C300 as I wanted to try out the new gen C-class and been in it for 5 days so far. Interior features and switch gear feel almost identical to the EQS, which isnt really a good thing for the latter considering the C300 runs half as much as my EQS 450+. Drive is definitely to my liking, a firm sporty feel with minimal body roll in the corners and nicely planted.
#50
I brought my EQS580 to the Des Moines dealer today for the 2 recent recalls. It took longer than expected and my service advisor offered me an EQS450 SUV with no questions asked. I’ve had nothing but good experiences at this dealership. A couple hours later I drove back to the dealership with the loaner and picked my awesome 580. My 580 is a MUCH better car than the loaner they gave me.