Loaner cars?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
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From: NA
Yes
Loaner cars?
What is the deal with dealerships trying to charge you $30 a day for a loaner car?
It seems every dealer I try to schedule an appt with, they tell me I need to pay for a loaner. This is terrible customer service...is everyone else experiencing this too with your dealers? Its the principle here...a 1 year old $60k car that needs something fixed under warranty should not merit a $30 a day loaner car, so that I can bring it in, have them diagnose it, return the car, then bring it in again when the part is in, wait a few days for them to fix it, then return the car again. No dice.
Anyone have a good recommendation in the Philadelphia area?
It seems every dealer I try to schedule an appt with, they tell me I need to pay for a loaner. This is terrible customer service...is everyone else experiencing this too with your dealers? Its the principle here...a 1 year old $60k car that needs something fixed under warranty should not merit a $30 a day loaner car, so that I can bring it in, have them diagnose it, return the car, then bring it in again when the part is in, wait a few days for them to fix it, then return the car again. No dice.
Anyone have a good recommendation in the Philadelphia area?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Manhattan
Velvet Fleetwood
go to Keenans Motors in Doylestown, it's outside of Philadelphia but they don't charge you $30. Just don't expect to get a Benz as a loaner. they loan cars through enterprise so it will most likely be a chrysler 300, charger, etc.. all you need to remember is to return the loaner with the same amount of gas that you started with, otherwise they will charge you $4 per gallon 
Super Member
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From: Manhattan
Velvet Fleetwood
no shouldn't be. I purchased my car at a different dealer, so far so good. In addition, they have a nice show room. Word on the street is that the initially that dealership was going to be a Ferrari dealership. I think they still have the Fisker (spelling) car on the floor, and some classic cars on the second floor. There's also another MB dealer in Fort Washington, not sure which one is closer to you.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 279
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From: NY
BMW
are they even allowed to charge? maybe it's different with every dealer? i never had to pay for a loaner before, in fact, every time i call for service the first question they ask is if i need a loaner or not. it's always a c-class as well. but it's mb of massapequa here in ny.
Super Member
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From: 02116
Is @ Home
I think it varies from dealerships. From my dealership that I've bought my car from I've gotten free loaner cars, mostly the Chevys from Enterprise. The other dealership I frequent more makes me pay 40 for the loaner car, but I get to choose the C class or an ML (the older model).
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Mid-Atlantic
'04 S600
I got a nice C-class from MB of Richmond to use for 24 hours while they fixed a couple of sensor issues and awaited parts. First time I'd driven one - and it wasn't the same as driving my S-class, but a MB nonetheless.
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Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Ontario, Canada
2008 - S550 4Matic, 2010 - E350 4Matic, 2010 - C350 4Matic
I am always surprised that customers want a free loaner car. Where did that come from?
If a dealer books in 30 cars in the morning that means they have to have 30 loaner cars?
A loaner car is a privilege and sometimes they use it to show me a different model so I might buy it. Gas car or Diesel for example.
I appreciate it very much if they give me a loaner car, I wash it and fill it up prior to me returning the car. They like that and I appreciate having the loaner.
Now bringing your car in and having warranty repair done that is a different situation.
Just my opinion.
Jorg
If a dealer books in 30 cars in the morning that means they have to have 30 loaner cars?
A loaner car is a privilege and sometimes they use it to show me a different model so I might buy it. Gas car or Diesel for example.
I appreciate it very much if they give me a loaner car, I wash it and fill it up prior to me returning the car. They like that and I appreciate having the loaner.
Now bringing your car in and having warranty repair done that is a different situation.
Just my opinion.
Jorg
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Super Member
Joined: May 2006
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From: 02116
Is @ Home
I am always surprised that customers want a free loaner car. Where did that come from?
If a dealer books in 30 cars in the morning that means they have to have 30 loaner cars?
A loaner car is a privilege and sometimes they use it to show me a different model so I might buy it. Gas car or Diesel for example.
I appreciate it very much if they give me a loaner car, I wash it and fill it up prior to me returning the car. They like that and I appreciate having the loaner.
Now bringing your car in and having warranty repair done that is a different situation.
Just my opinion.
Jorg
If a dealer books in 30 cars in the morning that means they have to have 30 loaner cars?
A loaner car is a privilege and sometimes they use it to show me a different model so I might buy it. Gas car or Diesel for example.
I appreciate it very much if they give me a loaner car, I wash it and fill it up prior to me returning the car. They like that and I appreciate having the loaner.
Now bringing your car in and having warranty repair done that is a different situation.
Just my opinion.
Jorg
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 950
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From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
My car is a CPO with the extended 3 year 100K warranty. When I bought it the told me that I would always get a free loaner car for any warranty or service work. I always got the same thing from Lexus if I got anything more the a oil and filter change.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
NOTHING is free.
You either pay $30 or you pay higher service cost.
Since I don't need a loaner car, I'm happy my dealer is not subsidizing them by charging me more for my service.
End of ECON 101 lesson.
You either pay $30 or you pay higher service cost.
Since I don't need a loaner car, I'm happy my dealer is not subsidizing them by charging me more for my service.
End of ECON 101 lesson.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 950
Likes: 3
From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
Big assumption. It doesn't cost anything for warranty repairs and what do you pay for an A service I bet they are not passing on any saving to you. Most Premium brands provide loaners. Lexus always does for everything but a quick oil change. It would concern me if a Mercedes dealer did not provide a loaner. End of customer service lesson 101.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,675
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From: NA
Yes
Big assumption. It doesn't cost anything for warranty repairs and what do you pay for an A service I bet they are not passing on any saving to you. Most Premium brands provide loaners. Lexus always does for everything but a quick oil change. It would concern me if a Mercedes dealer did not provide a loaner. End of customer service lesson 101.
FWIW, I recently paid LESS for my oil change than the other dealers, and got an 07 MBZ rental.
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 107
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2001 C240, 2000 S430, 2002 ML320
Lexus has great service, I am a bit disappointed in MB's service. My friend gave in his 98 ES and got BRANDNEW 07 RX, which he went in the next day and traded to get an ES, and then again for an IS. He told them he was interested in buy a new Lexus...Mercedes-Benz should def. provide free loaners, and not some crappy Toyota Camry. Just my two cents.
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 232
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02 ML320 Sport, 04 350z,06 E350 4matic
Big assumption. It doesn't cost anything for warranty repairs and what do you pay for an A service I bet they are not passing on any saving to you. Most Premium brands provide loaners. Lexus always does for everything but a quick oil change. It would concern me if a Mercedes dealer did not provide a loaner. End of customer service lesson 101.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
What is the deal with dealerships trying to charge you $30 a day for a loaner car?
It seems every dealer I try to schedule an appt with, they tell me I need to pay for a loaner. This is terrible customer service...is everyone else experiencing this too with your dealers? Its the principle here...a 1 year old $60k car that needs something fixed under warranty should not merit a $30 a day loaner car, so that I can bring it in, have them diagnose it, return the car, then bring it in again when the part is in, wait a few days for them to fix it, then return the car again. No dice.
Anyone have a good recommendation in the Philadelphia area?
It seems every dealer I try to schedule an appt with, they tell me I need to pay for a loaner. This is terrible customer service...is everyone else experiencing this too with your dealers? Its the principle here...a 1 year old $60k car that needs something fixed under warranty should not merit a $30 a day loaner car, so that I can bring it in, have them diagnose it, return the car, then bring it in again when the part is in, wait a few days for them to fix it, then return the car again. No dice.
Anyone have a good recommendation in the Philadelphia area?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
That must be a new policy with the new owners. Actually I don't think that its a bad idea from a business view point. I do know they have had problems in the past with "non customers" stealing parts and other stuff from loaners. One even took the wheels and tires and put them on his car replacing the loaners with his worn out tires and beat up wheels. This guy was prosecuted. A suggestion is that you go to the dealer that sold you your car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
No, its not feasable. Try MB of Devon. I do not like them but they do have some loaners. I have friends that deal there and are never charged. I assume you moved to the area from Miami, or, did you just purchase the car there due to a better deal?? That means something to all the area dealers.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Several reasons, When I shopped for my 1st ML in 98 they had one for fairly immediate delivery but wanted 10 grand over MSRP. Ordered from West Chester got the car in 45 days for MSRP. Way back in 1974 I had a 450SL that I had purchased from a then Phila, dealer, Was in the area and needed a new rt headlight, went in there and they said I would have to leave the car overnight when the person in front of me was taken right away for a taillight bulb. Asked why and was told because you did not buy the car here. (yes, I do hold a grudge) I also do not believe the shop is anywhere as competent as West Chester. I have owned 70 new cars so far in my lifetime and never have been treated better than West Chester with both sales and service. However West Chester has recently changed ownership and I am waiting to see if the excellence remains. So far so good. Devon is only 4 miles from my house and West Chester is about 20 but they pick up my car, leave a loaner and do the reverse when my car is ready. Re your situation, you know 30 bucks a day or so is not a real bad price to "rent" a late model MB and its really insignificant in the overall scheme of things.
