crabman

This relates to our cars in that our brand is not without representation.

https://www.autoblog.com/amp/article...tisfying-cars/

ColeBlooded

I've had a glb loaner. Pretty terrible.

W205C43PFL

Curious, what is the main issue with it? I think people buy it for 7 seats but they aren't exactly useable.

ColeBlooded

Mainly the interior quality. It just doesn't deserve the MB badge imo.

W205C43PFL

I see, fair enough. Thanks for your reply.

crabman

To me the problem with both is that the value equation versus desirability factor is it out whack: Go that way you get a 3 pointed star on the cheap, buy something else for the same money you get more actual stuff.

My guess is that owners of the GLA/B are getting into significantly better equipped Santa Fe's (or whatever) and finding they don't like having the same hard plastics and less features in their car.

SW20S

I actually refuse GLB and GLA loaners. They're terrible, so cheap inside and uncomfortable and loud. Has no business being a Mercedes. Give me a Mazda CX-5 for $10,000 less.

superswiss

The A, CLA, GLA and GLB are all models that were introduced to capture market share from non-premium brands. I think it's a regrettable mistake, but all the German premium brands did it. These models are built on a completely different platform. They are FWD transverse platforms, so pretty much have nothing to do with the RWD longitudinal platform of all other MBs. It's the same with Audi's A1, A2, A3 and Q1, Q2, Q3 models. They are FWD with a Haldex AWD system that has nothing in common with what's typically known as quattro. Basically they are VW Golfs with an Audi badge. Not that a Golf is a bad car, but why pay more for a badge? The only exception is perhaps the BMW 2-series which like all other BMWs is based on an RWD platform. The BMW 1-series used to be a RWD layout, but now is an FWD layout as well.

I agree these are terrible vehicles. As far as the GLB is concerned, I find all SUVs terrible, but the GLB is the worst. I had it once as a loaner. Couldn't wait to return it.

Wolfman

For for the US market I absolutely agree that the GLB is not a good fit for the brand. If spec'd well, they are too pricey for what they are but it doesn't mean they sell poorly. They are popular and well liked in Germany and sales are on par with the GLE. In the US half of that but they are moving about a 100k units a year and with manufacturing in Mexico/China it will be a profitable model...

Streamliner

It’s getting to a truly ridiculous point now, with the effect being the continuing dilution of the luxury experience, at least in the USA. You take your $135K++ S Class, Maybach, SL, etc. in for service and there you are in an absolute SEA of vehicles that are comparatively “econoboxes.” If the dealer in question is also a Metris/Sprinter store, you have those commercial vehicles in the mix as well. It seems that if one wants a true luxury experience these days, they need to go with a Bentley, Rolls or possibly even a Porsche to get a reasonably elegant dealer experience.

This is probably the umpteenth time I’ve said this, but it’s time to split the dealerships up: Mercedes-Benz dealerships for perhaps E Class and above, Daimler-Benz dealerships for everything below. Then, we can look forward to seeing the latest “Honda Civic Fighter” at our local DB dealer.

tx170754

And then I service my LS's to a Lexus dealership, guess what, they're always give me the best cars they have as a loaner.....

SW20S

Financially thats just not feasible, and it would contribute to MUCH higher costs to service these cars. Personally? I would rather rub elbows with the people that ONLY make $150,000 a year than pay $1,000 to change the oil in my S Class.

That was never my experience with Lexus, both Lexus and Mercedes just gave me whatever they had, and if I didnt like it I could ask what else they had and switch.

bishop64

Perhaps it is not for the reason to make the dealership experience more memorable, but MB does start to eliminate many of their model lineup, getting rid of the smaller cars, coupes...etc
So, this reduction of models in coming years might just have a side benefit of lifting the luxury experience up in their dealership?
Splitting up the dealerships to service ''E-Class and above'' and ''below E-Class'' is just not going to happen.

crabman

My dealer has GLCs, they're modestly optioned but seem reasonable to me for loaners.

SW20S

I typically get a GLC, they try and give me a GLB sometimes and I request something else. I actually like driving the GLC…

chassis

Least satisfying, worst reliability, the fun never stops with MB. It's a brand that has been swirling the drain for some time now.

ColeBlooded

I tried 3 different dealers with my LS. The closet loaner i got to my LS was an ES anf i had to push for it.

DABRONX

Streamliner has hit the nail on the head. When you spend that much on a car you should expect a different experience than those who bought one for 1/4 the cost. Dealers need to have special service options for their higher end customers. Mercedes has watered down the brand where it is no longer a luxury experience.

Why anyone would buy any of the lower end models vs getting a Genesis or other brands makes no sense besides being a name brand flaunter.

SW20S

I got a GS once! Only once in 22 years of driving Lexus cars. Otherwise it was ESs, RXs, NXs, ISs (very rare), CTs when they made those (I refused them like I refuse GLAs and GLBs at MB). And I actually have had Lexuses serviced at 5 dealers! All the same.

SW20S

The world just doesn't work that way. You have one dealership, just treat all the customers well and thats what matters. I find the self importance of some of you guys a little off putting, honestly. I am not so special that I can't sit in a waiting room with people who only spent $60,000 on a Mercedes...and neither are you. This is the kind of attitude that comes with the S Class I don't like.

Streamliner

It’s not the caliber of customers you might share a waiting room with, absolutely not. It’s the idea that the $135K++ product you bought is being treated the same as a $30K product someone else bought. It’s the idea that someone who can afford these high end vehicles would appreciate an atmosphere where things are a bit more personalized, more sophisticated and less chaotic. I know my W223 isn’t a Rolls, but it sure is a far cry from a CLA or GLB and I’d like my dealership experience to reflect that. Unfortunately, it doesn’t and it seems to be headed downhill at an ever increasing rate. MB seems to be trying to be everything to everyone and the customers for the high end models are paying a price for that, which to me is quite sad.

Streamliner

That would be incorrect. Toyota built stand alone dealerships for Lexus and now Hyundai is going that route for their Genesis brand. It is definitely feasible and should be in the MB business plan.

SW20S

When you stay in a 3 room hotel suite, the same maids clean your room as clean an ordinary room. The same people cook your food. What is it you want them to do special for you? Are you willing to also pay more for service for this special treatment? Because what you spent when you bought the car doesn't factor into what revenue is coming into the service department. Specialized service personnel and facilities cost money, and if they are going to that expense just for the relatively small % of their customers who have cars at this level then they have to make a return on that revenue just from us, which means our costs are going to be way higher.

I personally am not interested in paying 3 times as much for service as I am now just to have some dedicated people and a different space. I can take that money and go spend a day at a spa to feel special.

And what about used customers? Is someone who spent $45,000 for that once $135,000 S Class allowed to service it in this special fanny patting space?

I find service at MB quite good. The people that work there are nice, and they treat me with respect and show me value. The facility is nice, they have loaner cars, its a nice upscale experience and its already really expensive. What more do you want?

SW20S

Lexus and Genesis are different brands. They don't have whole different dealerships just for some of their models. And why do you think Lexus now also sells much cheaper vehicles and also services them right alongside the LS, LC and LX? Because they have to do that in order to be profitable. And yes, Lexus dealers charge way more than Toyota dealers for service. Frills have to be paid for.

Mercedes does not need to have special dealers for high end cars, thats just silly.

I think the issue is more you changing than MB changing. You want more than what a mainstream luxury brand like Mercedes offers. If you want a Bentley or Rolls, go buy a Bentley or Rolls. Stop trying to make MB something its not. As a customer I don't want to pay for all that crap.

crabman

I think there is some expectation of a luxury experience when you buy luxury items. I do expect more than a lie flat seat and a better meal with my business ticket, there should also be a higher level of service. Same with the lodgings; I expect no service at a small hotel on the side of HWY 101, that luxury suite you mentioned, I expect something more, with more defined by how much I spent.

If you think about it you don't see Louis Vuitton at Walmart, decide you're going to pick up that Lange 1 you've been pining for and you won't be grabbing it off an end cap at Ross. Etc.

I think most people expect some kind of luxury experience with their luxury item: The question is more about defining a realistic expectation.