Kaumajet

I know it's not apples and apples, but I brought my BMW motorcycle in for service to a dealer in Sarasota FL in 1996, and they gave me a yellow Honda Shadow for a loaner. I looked like a - well, I don't know exactly what I looked like, but it wasn't pretty. The mid-90s Shadow is pretty-much the PT Cruiser of motorcycles

Newbie_2_MB

OMG! A guy I work with rides a yellow Honda Shadow. Yes, it is quite the equivalent to a PT Cruiser. At least BMW gives you a loaner bike...when I bring my H-D Heritage Softail in for service, I either have to drop it off & bum a ride back home or wait for it...no loaners.

StevethePilot

That's a stupid thing for them to say. There's a fixed number of loaners they have, if they have a loaner program, so at some point they'll run out. Then what? Rental car time!

At Lexus, if they run out of Lexus loaners (usually ES or RX), they have Corollas. If they run out of those, it's luck-o-the-draw. Usually some road-weary Pontiac Whoknowswhat from the airport rental fleet with 400,000 miles on it that smells of cabbage and menthol cigarettes.

I've always been able to get a C-class from Schumacher if I make a scheduled stop, and call ahead. Plus showing up early helps.

oknish

Errr.....if you had seen me the Dodge Caravan that I was given one time, you would have loved your Cruiser. I am not kidding but that rattletrap started shaking at freeway speeds. I was back next day to exchange it.

Waiting-4-550

This forum is a cool place.. I don't feel so alone now... Now I gotta get back to work so I can buy a Bentley and test out their "loaner" fleet.. Maybe they'll get me a Ferrari when the Contintenal GT Speed gets the usual 5K oil change

Newbie_2_MB

I would have given that back too, Nish!

StevethePilot

I think I mentioned it elsewhere but when the GL was in for the bumper fix (very little other damage), I ended up with a rental. The first thing they gave me was a Dodge Nitro (I told them I'd had an SUV and wanted to stay in an SUV). A) What SUV doesn't have cruise control? This was insane. B) I needed an airsick bag. The thing was constantly moving, even on smooth roads. Bobbing and yawing and hunting. Just nauseating. Uncomfortable. A horrid car. Oh, and the buttons to open the doors! BUTTONS! Sheesh. I took it back and rented the ML350 (Enterprise). That was an interesting switch as well. Mucho better-o, though.

STP

MissMyBenz

Although we pay the price, Autobahn Motors in Belmont has always given us a first class treatment. Several times they have driven me to work or home and picked me up at the end of the day. One Friday they delivered the car to my home while I was at work and had a ride home. Most of the time they give me a rental (100% covered) always a Mercedes Benz. I've driven a C (new and past body style), CLK, E350, R350 and ML350 while they've had our cars. I will count my blessings that we have such a great dealer nearby.

heffneil

I know this is a dead thread but I wanted to say I feel totally ripped off on my service A. I paid $466. They did do the recall on the trailer hitch and had to replace the rear latch and battery. The latch didn't always latch and the battery kept dying. But $466 for basically what is an oil change is ridiculous. He said Service B would be about $525. I am in Naples FL. Cadillac charges like $125 for an oil change that costs $59 in Wilmington Delaware. Man this is a crazy town.

Someone asked about Bentley- Bentley doesn't give Bentley loaners. I know I have a lemon of a Bentley and I was offered a Hertz rental. Great lets buy a 6 figure car and get a Ford Escape as a loaner!

At least if I buy american I don't have high expectations.

StevethePilot

No thread is dead until Nish says it is, so don't worry about it. (Used to be Nevada Jack had to declare it dead, but he appointed Nish when he abandoned us for his cutsie sports car.)

Now on to your subject; it is not required that Mercedes do your routine services for the warranty to remain intact. I'd go so far as to tell the guys that this service was so outrageously expensive, you're taking your business elsewhere from now on. See what the reaction is. More than likely, they won't give a crap, but if they have any idea of customer service they'll at least discuss it with you.

And I'm sorry to hear about your Bently. They are works of art, truly.

STP

transferred

Sounds like an overcharge case to me. Make a complaint with MB NA

thebishman

I paid about $200 for my service A about 3 weeks ago in Kansas City. You need to be talking to the service manager ASAP.

Bish

Comfy_Couch

+1

heffneil

I just spoke to the service advisor. He told me that I didn't JUST have a service A. I had Flex Service 2 and Flex Service 3. He told me once they plug the computer in it tells them what to do. Sounds like a load of bull hockey if you ask me but I wanted to get your guys feedback before I go off the handle!

Thanks!

Neil

scottybdiving

Sounds like an itemized work order and pre-authorization before proceeding is in order. I assume this is your 10K service? I wonder why everybody else around here is getting "service A", and your getting "Flex Service 2&3".

heffneil

No idea. I certainly didn't sign up for it and asked for Service A. Yes this is my 10,000 mile service (first service) and I have to say I am less than pleased. When I hung up the phone with the guy I said I guess I need to be more specific. I just don't get it. Looks like they are thieves but aren't most?

nkole

The owners manual is pretty specific about what is required with the first service. Sounds like these guys are trying (or did) slip in more unnecessary stuff.

JimBarnhart

Not to defend the dealer here, but the on board computer does tell the service team what tasks to do. I agree with scottyb - look at the invoice and see what they itemized.

oknish

Thanks, STP, for anointing me the "Closer of threads" Not sure if I am worthy of the honor.

FWIW, I do concur that it looks like your dealer is trying to slip one past you, Neil.

StevethePilot

Actually no, most aren't, but I personally have never heard of "Flex Service 1 & 2." Sounds like you'll need itemization and clarification from them as to what you are and are not authorizing when you turn your car in.

heffneil

Flexible Serv. Plus $323.99
Bunch of description below but says Performed Flex Service #s 2 &3.

Oil Filter $24.19 $24.19
Ring General $1.06 $1.06
Windshield W $3.42 $3.42
Mobil 1 0W40 $6.49 $58.41

Job # 1 Total Parts $87.08

Total labor and parts $411.07

Previous Page

SS Shope Supplies $29.16

No idea what that is.

Plus tax of $26.42

Grand Total for an oil change of $466.65

What a bargain. I put a call in to the service manager who said he would call me tomorrow (today) and I haven't received a call yet.

MB dealer up the road is $270 out the door for Service A. I didn't agree to a $466 service? When I asked the dealer what a Flex Service 2 and 3 was he told me to look in my book. He couldn't even tell me. It's plugging a computer in and walking away. Sounds like BS. This is a lease. I should have them change the oil for $88 in parts (I am glad they charge me for windshield washer fluid) and be on my way.

I used to get an oil change on my GMC Yukon for $30.00 and they checked tire pressure and filled the windshield washer fluid for free!

Neil

scottybdiving

Shady people will give evasive answers. Not that this makes up for it, but hopefully you got a decent loaner out of the deal.

heffneil

No loaner the battery was dead so they towed the car in.

The service manager said I basically got a Service B because that is what the computer told them to do. He refunded me $100 and said that he would mail me information about the Flex Service 2 and 3. If you ask me is crap and next time I will get an oil change and hopefully by then the car will be gone. I just want something cheap and low expectations...

StevethePilot

First off, you're not driving a Yukon any more so things will be more expensive, but clearly you expected that. However, as you say, you surely didn't sign up for a $466 oil change! If the service manager doesn't call you back, move up the food chain. Eventually you may have to be calling a) MBUSA and/or b) your local attorney general.

I'm sorry this has happened to you, but no matter if it's Mercedes or GMC, or even Jiffy Lube, if you didn't agree to the service they have no right either doing it nor asking you to pay for it. End of story, yes?

STP

kerlyb

For all of the above stated reasons, I plan on doing my own Service A (10k). Still debating on the Service B.