rory breaker

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?

vb26

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

rory breaker

Thats good to know! Is that only for cars purchased at their dealership?

Sucks that its 40 miles away but I may have to do that. Really nuts they make you jump through hoops.

vb26

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.

45acp

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.

Tangerine

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).

OBXTucker

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.

Jorg

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

Tangerine

What is wrong with wanting a free loaner car? My mom's daily driver (toyota) gets free loaners. Its the service.

Logik

We always end up with a Camary

SL2003driver

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.

Untertürkheim

I too was told that warranty repairs will always get you a free loaner. Also, any dealer from which I purchased a car or was a loyal customer of the service department gave me loaners. Always new MB.

lkchris

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.

SL2003driver

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.

rory breaker

Agreed.

FWIW, I recently paid LESS for my oil change than the other dealers, and got an 07 MBZ rental.

acedking90

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.

Marshall_K

The dealer in my area (houses Infiniti, Lexus Merc, BMW,Audi under on roof) used to give Camrys for loaners. Then BMW , Infiniti and Lexus forced them to give their brands. When the Merc owners found out they got pisssed off. I'm now in a c230 since my ML is in the shop for a warranty water pump / heated seats replacement. The C is pretty nice!

spyderpig

I got a C loaner for free.
Did I wash the car befor returning it? NO, they washed mine.

sosh

Mercedes Benz of West Chester, on Rt 202. C Class 4matic loaners. I have never been charged they only ask you to replace the gas you have used or, they charge you $15 per 1/4 tank. Same should go for R and S in Ft Washington, same ownership.

rory breaker

West Chester denied me...said they only give loaners out to people who bought their cars there...

sosh

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.

rory breaker

If it were that easy I would have never posted this thread...going to Miami to get a rattle fixed just doesnt sound feasible.

sosh

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.

rory breaker

why dont you like them?

sosh

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.