Dealer service - wait for car for how long?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
E55
Dealer service - wait for car for how long?
My 2001 E55 is now due for it's A service. I have owned it 22 months, although still less than 8,000 miles.
I call up Downtown L.A. Mercedes, Service Department, and they ask me what time I can be there in the morning (later this week).
I advise I will be there no later than 9 A.M. I ask how long I should expect to wait. He replies "sometime in the afternoon". Well, then, about what time do you think that would be, I persist.
Oh, it's hard to say, blah, blah....
I know that the A check is not very involved. Not too much more than an oil change. WTFO!!
Is this what I should expect from a dealer? Maybe I should take it to an independent, but then I would have to pay, right?
I call up Downtown L.A. Mercedes, Service Department, and they ask me what time I can be there in the morning (later this week).
I advise I will be there no later than 9 A.M. I ask how long I should expect to wait. He replies "sometime in the afternoon". Well, then, about what time do you think that would be, I persist.
Oh, it's hard to say, blah, blah....
I know that the A check is not very involved. Not too much more than an oil change. WTFO!!
Is this what I should expect from a dealer? Maybe I should take it to an independent, but then I would have to pay, right?
Banned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Just because you are dropping it off by 9, there's no reason to expect that they will get to it right away. In addition, there's no assurance that they will not find something that needs more extended attention. So, I think their response is reasonable.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 782
Likes: 6
From: Buffalo NY
3 Porsche rotation
You will probably get your car by 2PM. Both my E55 and ML320 took that long for the A service. Just request a loaner and pick up your car later. Don't insult your E55 by taking it to a Jeffy-lube!!!
John
John
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
2006 E500 4matic Wagon
That is odd. Usually, it seems that customers who are waiting actually get priority in the bays over those who have loaners. I always wait for my car while the oil is being changed. The most it has taken is 1 hour.
I actually change my own oil, off of the flexible service system. I just like the way the car runs when it has fresh oil. I buy my filter/cassettes and the 0W40 Mobil oil at my dealer. Then again, I drive 120 miles daily.
Cheers!
I actually change my own oil, off of the flexible service system. I just like the way the car runs when it has fresh oil. I buy my filter/cassettes and the 0W40 Mobil oil at my dealer. Then again, I drive 120 miles daily.
Cheers!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
E55
Thanks all for your replies. I called the following day, and found out who my service advisor was. She was straight forward, and courteous, and assured me it wouldn''t take long at all to do the work. The day of the appointment, I showed up quite early, and met with the s.a., then waited for the car in the lounge. It was perhaps 1 hr 30 min, then good to go.
No input from the s.a, on what was done to the car, nor advice on bringing it back for B check. I decided to ask about the latter, since I already knew of items performed in A check.
When I got home, I looked in my Service Booklet where it states "Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will certify in the service booklet that all services have been carried out." - No where in the booklet is there evidence of any service done.
I realize there is a high volume of maintenance being done at these dealerships, and the service is no doubt excellent, however, when there is a Service Advisor, acting as go between, I suppose (what kind of maintenance training do they have?), there is NO interaction between the owner and the maintenance professional.
When the car is off it's warranty, maybe I would not return to the dealership just for this reason, irrespective of cost difference.
Again, I would really appreciate everyone's frank opinions on this subject.
No input from the s.a, on what was done to the car, nor advice on bringing it back for B check. I decided to ask about the latter, since I already knew of items performed in A check.
When I got home, I looked in my Service Booklet where it states "Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will certify in the service booklet that all services have been carried out." - No where in the booklet is there evidence of any service done.
I realize there is a high volume of maintenance being done at these dealerships, and the service is no doubt excellent, however, when there is a Service Advisor, acting as go between, I suppose (what kind of maintenance training do they have?), there is NO interaction between the owner and the maintenance professional.
When the car is off it's warranty, maybe I would not return to the dealership just for this reason, irrespective of cost difference.
Again, I would really appreciate everyone's frank opinions on this subject.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 490
Likes: 1
From: Canada
05 CLK 500 cab
If you want your maintenance service book stamped, it's a good idea to leave it out on the front seat or hand it to the service advisor. Some dealerships have a rule that employees should not open the glove compartment (what did they find? maybe the owner then thinks something is missing...)
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
