MBUSA Contacts
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 8
From: New Mexico
2019 E63s
MBUSA Contacts
Strictly speaking, this is not an AMG or GLC specific question, but I thought I would post it here anyway. I have been around MB cars for more than 10 years and am now on my 5th MB, my new GLC 63. In all that time, I have not found a way to directly communicate with MBUSA or MB home office. BMW has some facilities and Ford Performance is way better (for cars that often cost a lot less). No matter what you try with MB, you always get pointed back to the dealer who often knows less about what is going on that the forum or other on-line resource.
I simply want a way to comment to MB about things as they come up -- like how terrible their documentation is. The more software based the functions, the greater the need for good documentation - I don't care if it is in written, soft form, or AI in the car. The move away from hard key's in some respects makes it harder to do what you want - though I understand this is a trend. The point in all this is that I think MB would be better off if they did not wall themselves off from their customers via their dealers.
NOTE: I am not asking for a contact to make a specific complaint - that was covered by another post --- I will keep that contact in mind, though I hope never to have to use it :-)
I simply want a way to comment to MB about things as they come up -- like how terrible their documentation is. The more software based the functions, the greater the need for good documentation - I don't care if it is in written, soft form, or AI in the car. The move away from hard key's in some respects makes it harder to do what you want - though I understand this is a trend. The point in all this is that I think MB would be better off if they did not wall themselves off from their customers via their dealers.
NOTE: I am not asking for a contact to make a specific complaint - that was covered by another post --- I will keep that contact in mind, though I hope never to have to use it :-)
Last edited by Jons550; Feb 2, 2021 at 04:54 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 629
Likes: 123
From: Fla
The horses are now in the barn, 2019 E63s
Through another member I was provided with some email contact info regarding retrofitting a feature, which the member had accomplished on his GLE AMG WITH the help of MB in the south Pacific region.
My inquiry regarding a retrofit to a MY18 E63s AMG was submitted by an MB SA with whom I am acquainted. The reply was from MBUSA with quite a conflicting answer. An account was even created for me by MB regarding my inquiry however I wasn't able to sign into it and received no response to my email reply.
It's like they don't want you to get too immersed in the brand. I'll take any form of communication I can get for MBUSA so that I can refine my search with a better understanding.
My inquiry regarding a retrofit to a MY18 E63s AMG was submitted by an MB SA with whom I am acquainted. The reply was from MBUSA with quite a conflicting answer. An account was even created for me by MB regarding my inquiry however I wasn't able to sign into it and received no response to my email reply.
It's like they don't want you to get too immersed in the brand. I'll take any form of communication I can get for MBUSA so that I can refine my search with a better understanding.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,430
Likes: 5,338
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I check it with the dipstick. How do you check it? Regular MBs probably have electronic dipsticks like most modern cars these days, but the AMG V8 still has a dipstick. Know your audience. Average drivers don't check their oil.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,430
Likes: 5,338
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Strictly speaking, this is not an AMG or GLC specific question, but I thought I would post it here anyway. I have been around MB cars for more than 10 years and am now on my 5th MB, my new GLC 63. In all that time, I have not found a way to directly communicate with MBUSA or MB home office. BMW has some facilities and Ford Performance is way better (for cars that often cost a lot less). No matter what you try with MB, you always get pointed back to the dealer who often knows less about what is going on that the forum or other on-line resource.
I simply want a way to comment to MB about things as they come up -- like how terrible their documentation is. The more software based the functions, the greater the need for good documentation - I don't care if it is in written, soft form, or AI in the car. The move away from hard key's in some respects makes it harder to do what you want - though I understand this is a trend. The point in all this is that I think MB would be better off if they did not wall themselves off from their customers via their dealers.
NOTE: I am not asking for a contact to make a specific complaint - that was covered by another post --- I will keep that contact in mind, though I hope never to have to use it :-)
I simply want a way to comment to MB about things as they come up -- like how terrible their documentation is. The more software based the functions, the greater the need for good documentation - I don't care if it is in written, soft form, or AI in the car. The move away from hard key's in some respects makes it harder to do what you want - though I understand this is a trend. The point in all this is that I think MB would be better off if they did not wall themselves off from their customers via their dealers.
NOTE: I am not asking for a contact to make a specific complaint - that was covered by another post --- I will keep that contact in mind, though I hope never to have to use it :-)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 8
From: New Mexico
2019 E63s
Private lounge
The most brand immersion is probably through the AMG Driving Academy and perhaps the AMG Performance Centers at certain dealerships. If you are fluent in German you can also call AMG in Affalterbach. Another avenue is the AMG Private Lounge. There are folks on there from AMG itself reading the posts in the forum. AMG also offers private tours in Affalterbach. Highly recommended if you are ever in Germany. You get a lot of insight and can talk to knowledgeable individuals directly.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 629
Likes: 123
From: Fla
The horses are now in the barn, 2019 E63s
superswiss, are you saying the even though EDP has met its end one can still tour the AMG facility?
I have someone who is fluent in German and if I somehow shockingly obtained a number for Affalterbach I'd be further surprised if they answered questions.
I have someone who is fluent in German and if I somehow shockingly obtained a number for Affalterbach I'd be further surprised if they answered questions.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,430
Likes: 5,338
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
AMG Germany does answer questions and right there on the phone, not like MBUSA which typically answers with "we have to check with internal resources and get back to you". I called them while I was over there to get clarification on the differential oil change that is no longer required and they answered the question specifically for my VIN. They did put me on hold for a moment to talk to an engineer to get the correct answer. They do sometimes push you off if you ask about US spec models. I emailed them in the past with a question and they referred me back to MBUSA saying that they are handling questions related to US spec vehicles, but this didn't happen when I called them and gave them my US VIN. I'm guessing the general emails land somewhere else. The phone number for AMG Germany is also no secret. They are in the phone book. I think I looked them up in the German yellow pages online if I remember correctly.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 629
Likes: 123
From: Fla
The horses are now in the barn, 2019 E63s
As usual, a wealth of information superswiss, thanks. I will definitely be going to Europe once the 'rona is stamped out and everyone is happy and gay again and I reckon giving Affalterbach a phone call soon.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,430
Likes: 5,338
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
You are welcome. I think folks need to realize that MBUSA is not Mercedes. They are the US importer of these cars. While they can give input on the products in terms of how they sell in the USA to Germany, it's ultimately Germany making the decisions and if you want to provide feedback you gonna have to go to the source. Talking to the importer who doesn't make the product decisions is kind of a non-starter.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 629
Likes: 123
From: Fla
The horses are now in the barn, 2019 E63s
Excellent.......there may very well be hope for this MY18 E63s that I have my eye on. MBUSA responded to a question forwarded to them that I sent to the Upgrades guys in Germany about the AMG Drive Unit retrofit and I was told by MBUSA that it wasn't possible. No explanation, just that it wasn't possible for any W213 that wasn't factory installed already. I don't actually know if Affalterbach was even contacted about the car. Another forum member did it and said that AMG would be able to confirm the viability of such an upgrade. Guess I'll be making a phone call Monday morning.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 98
Likes: 8
From: New Mexico
2019 E63s
You are welcome. I think folks need to realize that MBUSA is not Mercedes. They are the US importer of these cars. While they can give input on the products in terms of how they sell in the USA to Germany, it's ultimately Germany making the decisions and if you want to provide feedback you gonna have to go to the source. Talking to the importer who doesn't make the product decisions is kind of a non-starter.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,430
Likes: 5,338
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I 'think' there might be one exception. I bought a CPO GLE63s from MB Manhattan a little over a year ago - I had it shipped most of the way across the country to where I live. The point is that they 'claimed' to be the only 'factory owned' MB dealer in the U.S. To be honest, I am not sure it made any difference in terms of my experience.
Last edited by superswiss; Feb 7, 2021 at 06:00 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 52
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From: US
63
Yes, there are some "factory-owned" dealerships, more like importer-owned in the USA to sell directly to customers. Most dealerships are franchises, so the factory's customers are the dealerships normally. A lot of privately owned car dealerships are no longer. Not many willing to do it anymore, or don't find successors when they retire, so a lot of dealerships are owned by large companies such as Sonic, Auto Nation and I think a couple of others. It's a handful of companies that own the dealerships nowadays. One other exception was European Delivery where essentially one bought the car from Mercedes directly while the dealership mostly facilitated the paperwork and delivery of the car. EDP cars had fixed discounts off of MSRP, 5% in case of an AMG and no destination charge, along with some other perks such as taxi vouchers, free meals on the delivery day and discounted airline tickets plus one night hotel stay plus 15 days no deductible European insurance. The standard models also were not subject to any dealer allocations, but I believe AMGs still came out of the dealer allocations, but I could be wrong about that. Direct sales are likely the future with the increasing pressure on digitizing the sales process, accelerated by the pandemic and Tesla has been doing it forever at least in states that don't have laws prohibiting direct sales. Dealerships may likely become factory-owned service centers.
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