The continuing downward slide of MB dealers & the “Luxury Experience.”
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2020
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From: Florida
I have had a great dealer experience so far, nothing to complain about. My car gets in, I get my loaner, and the car is returned to me in a timely manner and freshly cleaned, and my service advisor is always great. I will say, overall the best dealer/service experience I've had would still be Lexus. Overall my BMW experience is the same as MB, for both brands however there are some dealers which I know to avoid for service, but like other have said, that's not because of BMW or Mercedes but the dealer franchise/individual owner.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 742
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
S550C4, Porsche Cayenne
Hello all, I am new to Mercedes ( CPO 2018 S450 4matic). I purchased my vehicle online & had it shipped to me (local dealership barely had pre-owned S class inventory & would only pick up/deliver from one of their own stores).
Now, I'm thinking, "I have a Mercedes Benz, so surely I can make an appointment with the local dealer & have them spend some time with me getting to learn some of the nuances of this car" ... well my first interaction with my local dealership after getting my car has me rethinking my decision to purchase Mercedes. When I tried to make an appointment to just have someone go through some things with me, the response was "you didn't buy it from here, so we can't help you". ???WHAT??? Didn't I just buy a Mercedes Benz....a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes? The Best or nothing??? Surely this can't be right, maybe I just got someone on the phone that didn't feel like being bothered. So I call the MBUSA 800 number and explain what just happened. They concurred with the person at the dealership!! Explanation was that dealerships are individually owned so they can set their own standards. What about some minimum standards set by Mercedes Benz? So, I am quite disappointed in Mercedes. To the point that I don't even want to drive the car, I'm going to let my wife drive this one, I will drive her Lexus LS...where by the way, the dealership there goes out of their way to make sure we have everything we need.
Now, I'm thinking, "I have a Mercedes Benz, so surely I can make an appointment with the local dealer & have them spend some time with me getting to learn some of the nuances of this car" ... well my first interaction with my local dealership after getting my car has me rethinking my decision to purchase Mercedes. When I tried to make an appointment to just have someone go through some things with me, the response was "you didn't buy it from here, so we can't help you". ???WHAT??? Didn't I just buy a Mercedes Benz....a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes? The Best or nothing??? Surely this can't be right, maybe I just got someone on the phone that didn't feel like being bothered. So I call the MBUSA 800 number and explain what just happened. They concurred with the person at the dealership!! Explanation was that dealerships are individually owned so they can set their own standards. What about some minimum standards set by Mercedes Benz? So, I am quite disappointed in Mercedes. To the point that I don't even want to drive the car, I'm going to let my wife drive this one, I will drive her Lexus LS...where by the way, the dealership there goes out of their way to make sure we have everything we need.
Perhaps taking the car in for service and then asking them your questions while there for the service might work.
And there is a lot of information in the very extensive Owners' Manual.
Good luck!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
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From: Tennessee
2015 MB S550 & 2020 MB GLS 450
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
On something like this, I would immediately open a case with MBUSA. Leaking gasoline? The possibility of a fire or explosion? I believe they will jump all over this, immediately. They really don’t care about you, but they REALLY care about law suits, of which something like this could generate a huge one. Just play dumb and tell them you are scared. And, PLEASE let us know how this works out. Good luck!
Last edited by 2012 merc amg; Mar 10, 2021 at 08:11 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
I think this is a little dramatic. If I just stopped driving every car I had when I had a bad service experience with a dealer of that brand I wouldnt drive any car Ive ever had...including my Lexus LSs and my S Class lol. Any dealer can service the car, but you can't expect a dealer who didnt sell you the car to sit down with you and go over features and all. That something the selling dealer should have done for you. Its like if you bought a house with one realtor and called some random realtor affiliated with the same brokerage and asked them to come over and help you with some teething issues you're having. No, thats the realtor's job who got paid for you buying the house.
A Lexus dealer would have had the same response.
And the other point, you bought a used car, so MBUSA didn't even sell you a car, the dealership you bought from sold you a car they owned. Your expectations are out of whack here.
A Lexus dealer would have had the same response.
And the other point, you bought a used car, so MBUSA didn't even sell you a car, the dealership you bought from sold you a car they owned. Your expectations are out of whack here.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 972
Likes: 28
From: DFW
BMW M850i Gran Coupe
S-Class from Walmart?
What a great forum! Thank you Streamliner!
I could comment all day on the future of Mercedes sales & service but it's all really a moot point. The future of vehicle acquisition is here and it's Carvana, Vroom, Tesla, and yes, Amazon. You will select or build a car online and then click to order. If from Amazon you may get extra credit if you take delivery on your Prime Delivery Day. I can't even think how horrific the future service experience will be! I'm upset, you're upset and your current dealer is likely upset with the handwriting on the wall. We may eventually look back at this time as "the good ole days".
I could comment all day on the future of Mercedes sales & service but it's all really a moot point. The future of vehicle acquisition is here and it's Carvana, Vroom, Tesla, and yes, Amazon. You will select or build a car online and then click to order. If from Amazon you may get extra credit if you take delivery on your Prime Delivery Day. I can't even think how horrific the future service experience will be! I'm upset, you're upset and your current dealer is likely upset with the handwriting on the wall. We may eventually look back at this time as "the good ole days".
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
On something like this, I would immediately open a case with MBUSA. Leaking gasoline? The possibility of a fire or explosion? I believe they will jump all over this, immediately. They really don’t care about you, but they REALLY care about law suits, of which something like this could generate a huge one. Just play dumb and tell them you are scared. And, PLEASE let us know how this works out. Good luck!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,830
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
L.M.A.O. Apparently you're not familiar with the 211 e-class fuel tank leaks. MB fought the NHTSA for years trying to avoid a recall and even lied, saying it was "impossible" for fuel to enter the passenger compartment. Many owner's rear seat cushions were soaked with fuel. They finally caved in and issued a 15 year warranty on the tanks. MB didn't care about raw fuel dripping under and into the car.
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MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
Ya I've read about that in my research with my issue. Apparently thats why they got rid of the under seat access to the fuel pump and the fuel sender unit. I assumed my 2018 had that setup but the Service writer at the dealer I was today told me they discontinued doing that setup, probably that is the reason. My understanding is that you need to drop the fuel tank now in the newer cars to change either the fuel pump or the sender unit, that is the reason they are not too keen on doing it on my car, they try to avoid doing this repair at all possible on the newer cars as it's a pretty big job. He said they noted that one of the fuel lines was a little loose and he said they tightened it and that just may fix the problem, I guess I'll find out in the next few days. He said if the issue is still present after the little repair they did today that they are going to need the car for at least a week or more to drop the fuel tank. I guess they would give me a loaner car, not sure what kind of car. I'm just praying maybe that fuel line tweak worked today but I'm not real optimistic as I could swear the fuel smell is coming from around the fuel tank and not the up near the top of the engine where they said the line was a little loose.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
yes they did put some gorilla tape over the fitting and said it saved precious time as there was A class cars lining up behind my car in need of repairing all their defects. My cheap old 155k car with 4 years remaining of factory warranty was not worth their very valuable time 😀
MBWorld God!
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Electric cars are extremely annoying to drive. I can't blame MB for dragging their feet. And once Republicans take back control of both chambers of Congress next Fall and the presidency in 2024 (depending on how much the Democrats cheat), and gas prices begin to fall again, the rush to green tech will slow dramatically and companies like Cadillac who are banking on being fully electric in 2035 will see their sales plummet as they'll be left holding the bag.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,273
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
Electric cars are extremely annoying to drive. I can't blame MB for dragging their feet. And once Republicans take back control of both chambers of Congress next Fall and the presidency in 2024 (depending on how much the Democrats cheat), and gas prices begin to fall again, the rush to green tech will slow dramatically and companies like Cadillac who are banking on being fully electric in 2035 will see their sales plummet as they'll be left holding the bag.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,509
Likes: 1,513
From: Orbiting the planet
This place is a joke.
Electric cars are extremely annoying to drive. I can't blame MB for dragging their feet. And once Republicans take back control of both chambers of Congress next Fall and the presidency in 2024 (depending on how much the Democrats cheat), and gas prices begin to fall again, the rush to green tech will slow dramatically and companies like Cadillac who are banking on being fully electric in 2035 will see their sales plummet as they'll be left holding the bag.
Last edited by E55Greasemonkey; Apr 6, 2021 at 05:01 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Have you heard about a company named Tesla? They've eclipsed Mercedes-Benz as the "brand to have" amongst affluent buyers and the younger generations over the last several years. They have almost a cult following. Technology is moving forward, with or without you. I suppose those dinosaur republicans ought to outlaw iPhones and return to dial phones eh?
In 2019, Tesla sold 195,125 cars in the US. MB sold 352,734.
So much for your argument about affluent buyers flocking to Tesla over MB.
I don't doubt that Millennials are the target group for Tesla. But if the US taxpayers didn't foot the bill for Tesla, they'd never sell any cars as they'd cost double what they sell for now. And it's not like they have very good build quality or are loaded to the gills in luxury features. I guess us old dinosaurs still appreciate a high quality luxury product where we don't have to worry how far our car will go before it runs out of energy and takes hours to fully recharge....whereas I can fill up from empty in 5 minutes.
Last edited by DaveW68; Apr 6, 2021 at 05:28 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
The biggest annoyance is modulating the accelerator pedal to give smooth acceleration.....and then letting off the pedal and the super annoying brake regeneration slowing the car dramatically. Those cars are either on or off. It is extremely difficult to have a smooth ride in a Tesla.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,062
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
The biggest annoyance is modulating the accelerator pedal to give smooth acceleration.....and then letting off the pedal and the super annoying brake regeneration slowing the car dramatically. Those cars are either on or off. It is extremely difficult to have a smooth ride in a Tesla.
I'd love a EV S Class.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,975
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
LOL!!!
In 2019, Tesla sold 195,125 cars in the US. MB sold 352,734.
So much for your argument about affluent buyers flocking to Tesla over MB.
I don't doubt that Millennials are the target group for Tesla. But if the US taxpayers didn't foot the bill for Tesla, they'd never sell any cars as they'd cost double what they sell for now. And it's not like they have very good build quality or are loaded to the gills in luxury features. I guess us old dinosaurs still appreciate a high quality luxury product where we don't have to worry how far our car will go before it runs out of energy and takes hours to fully recharge....whereas I can fill up from empty in 5 minutes.
In 2019, Tesla sold 195,125 cars in the US. MB sold 352,734.
So much for your argument about affluent buyers flocking to Tesla over MB.
I don't doubt that Millennials are the target group for Tesla. But if the US taxpayers didn't foot the bill for Tesla, they'd never sell any cars as they'd cost double what they sell for now. And it's not like they have very good build quality or are loaded to the gills in luxury features. I guess us old dinosaurs still appreciate a high quality luxury product where we don't have to worry how far our car will go before it runs out of energy and takes hours to fully recharge....whereas I can fill up from empty in 5 minutes.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,569
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
LOL!!!
In 2019, Tesla sold 195,125 cars in the US. MB sold 352,734.
So much for your argument about affluent buyers flocking to Tesla over MB.
I don't doubt that Millennials are the target group for Tesla. But if the US taxpayers didn't foot the bill for Tesla, they'd never sell any cars as they'd cost double what they sell for now. And it's not like they have very good build quality or are loaded to the gills in luxury features. I guess us old dinosaurs still appreciate a high quality luxury product where we don't have to worry how far our car will go before it runs out of energy and takes hours to fully recharge....whereas I can fill up from empty in 5 minutes.
In 2019, Tesla sold 195,125 cars in the US. MB sold 352,734.
So much for your argument about affluent buyers flocking to Tesla over MB.
I don't doubt that Millennials are the target group for Tesla. But if the US taxpayers didn't foot the bill for Tesla, they'd never sell any cars as they'd cost double what they sell for now. And it's not like they have very good build quality or are loaded to the gills in luxury features. I guess us old dinosaurs still appreciate a high quality luxury product where we don't have to worry how far our car will go before it runs out of energy and takes hours to fully recharge....whereas I can fill up from empty in 5 minutes.
Millennials want Teslas. Many of them, because of their tender age and modest but growing net worth, are not yet able to afford a Tesla and its potentially very expensive ownership experience. But they will, when they age and their portfolios grow. Watch.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
@DaveW68 What are the demographics of the 195k Tesla owners? It's a large slice of formerly MB customers. Tesla has taken share from BMW and MB.
Millennials want Teslas. Many of them, because of their tender age and modest but growing net worth, are not yet able to afford a Tesla and its potentially very expensive ownership experience. But they will, when they age and their portfolios grow. Watch.
Millennials want Teslas. Many of them, because of their tender age and modest but growing net worth, are not yet able to afford a Tesla and its potentially very expensive ownership experience. But they will, when they age and their portfolios grow. Watch.
Please provide the data that shows Tesla's current owners are a "large slice" of former MB customers. My guess is that of the 195k cars it sold in 2019, a large percentage were move-up Tesla owners and the rest was spread around all auto manufacturers.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
BTW, in 2020, Tesla's US market share was 1.4% of all vehicles sold and 0.8% of worldwide sales. It doesn't seem that people are exactly flocking to electric cars in big numbers.
