MBS63AMG

In these days and times, I will never purchase a car new unless the stealership allows me to rent the car for one week to test it out. $1000 for that week with a maximum mileage allowance of 300 miles should do it. Otherwise, I will walk out.

SW20S

I don't blame dealers for not wanting to use a lot car for that, most dealer GMs though have a demo that is usually an S Class, asking to borrow that is fair I think.

You can also rent one on Turo or something like that

superswiss

I clicked on this thread, because I read the title as "one week ******** rent" . Anyway, I hear you. I've often used loaners to experience the new generation of cars. This actually has put me off of a new Mercedes-Benz for now, because every loaner I had over the last 1-2 years had annoyingly buggy software. Some of them may have been fixed in the meantime via OTA updates, but loaners don't get OTA updates so they are a testament for how unfinished these products are straight from the factory. The ship now fix later attitude is just not sitting well with me.

Back in 2018/2019 I was driving Audis, and Audi was doing their Audi on Demand pilot here in the SF Bay Area. You could rent almost every Audi model all the way up to the R8 on a daily basis with unlimited miles on most models, except for the RS and R8 models which had a 200 miles daily limit. I used it to sample several of the new models as I was shopping for a replacement of my 2013 RS5. In the end I realized I didn't like any of the new Audis except for the R8, but that was just too impractical, so this is how I ended up with an AMG. Didn't actually extensively drive any AMG, but I instinctively knew I was gonna like it. I even bought my 2013 RS5 sight unseen as they were so limited at the time that test drives were impossible. Did European Delivery and flew to Germany before ever sitting in one, not to mention driving it. Some cars I just know I will like having at least driven the regular models to see if I like the interior. This is basically where it is with another AMG at the moment. The new interiors and all the software issues just don't do it for me and my current one is still awesome.

Mercedes unfortunately doesn't have a similar rental program in the USA, and Audi actually stopped theirs in favor of the Silvercar acquisition, which has a much less interesting fleet. In Europe there's Mercedes-Benz Rent through which you can rent many models through participating dealerships.

wildta

If you live in a decent sized city, Turo has pretty much any car you would want to rent. Just a quick search, there are 44 W223s near me with the cheapest being an 2022 S500 for $104 per day.

That's how I ruled out the GLS. I rented one for a weekend road trip.

MBS63AMG

LOL. Yes, I meant "test:" but I haven't figured out how to change the title.

W205C43PFL

Will need a moderator to change that title.

I agree with the idea of renting a vehicle for an extensive drive before deciding on the purchase. I have a fair share of buyer's remorse in the past and testing it extensively will help tremendously. After all, car is the second most expensive purchase after a house and usually stuck with it for a couple of years.

Sometimes a quick 30 minutes or 1 hour test drive is just not enough. An extensive (say for a week) test drive allows you evaluate the vehicle through:

1. For those who commute to work, how the DISTRONIC system assist with stop and go traffic and/or if it is a must have.

2. For those who commute to work, given the traffic conditions, is an EV really a good choice, for those testing EQ models.

3. Bringing the family to a trip and see if the long commute is comfortable for example the seats, I hear people having back problems only after 2-3 hours in a seat which you can never test in a 1 hour drive. I also heard seats need to break-in so that is another factor too.

4. A regular 30 minute test drive is also not sufficient to test the vehicle on the usual roads and evaluate if the suspension is comfortable enough (if for example the dealership is hundred miles away or out of State from home).

5. A long road trip is another way to test to see if multi contour seat with massage is necessary, is acoustic glass necessary, etc.

6. Last but certainly not least, having a vehicle for more than 1 hour or 30 minutes allows the opportunity to evaluate if the cargo room is sufficient for the needs
etc.

I am sure there are many more benefits but those are the ones that stood out to me after numerous buyer remorse experience.

Porsche has a subscription program but that is a story for another day.

Wolfman

Fixed the title.

While the concept the very desirable it isn't very realistic, especially on a higher-end vehicle. Besides the obvious wear/tear there is risk of damage that would be difficult be compensated for (they are likely not insured as loaners). The inventory of cars with the right options would be unlikely. But besides that I wonder what would take a whole week to discover. Our dealer used to give a car for the weekend which is all I ever needed.

crabman

I've used Enterprise to get an extended look at a few cars I was thinking of purchasing; a Panamera, Vantage, etc. You have to be near a bigger city that has an exotic outlet. Make sure your insurance (card or car) will cover you, or get the tack-on. Some insurances have rental car value limits, some won't cover loss of use, etc.

S_W222

Unless you are a very high-profile (and loyal) costumer with long positive history with that dealership, I don't blame the GM for not giving you the car for one full week and I'd do the same... I think you are asking for way too much honestly.

My local BMW dealer has no issue with me for a 1-2 days test, but I never even tried to ask for a week. Out of 8 times I did that, I ended up buying the car I tested 6 out of these 8 times so there is a trust here. 1 week to test the car is way too much in my view (It would be nice, but 2 days is usually enough [and fair to ask]). Meanwhile, my Mbenz dealer would have his salesman in the passenger seat while am test driving the car for 15-20 minutes... There is just not enough trust between both parties as I never bought a brand-new Benz from that dealer in particular in my current state, and I don't blame him that a 1 or 2 days test is not even an option to discuss. Trust goes both ways, and I believe that we (clients) need to earn it first.. Dealership runs a business to make money, not a free rent facility to everyone. Just my 2 cents.

When I wanted to test all EVs available on the market, I had to rent several ones except for the i7 as it was the only case where I had enough trust with the dealer representing the brand. I had to rent all other EVs for 1-2 days or longer to get a feeling of the car driving experience.

Streamliner

The real problem is finding vehicles to drive that have the better options. When I leased my 2022 S580, trying to find one with EABC to test drive was just about impossible. And if you did find one, it probably had 21” wheels. I ended up leasing the car with the option without first test driving it, which was a huge mistake. BMW offers what they call their Autobahn Pkg. on the I7 with their upgraded suspension features. Before I ordered the I7, I had the dealer do a search and there was ONE car that had it—in DENVER, which was a bit inconvenient, since I live in So. California.

When my I7 arrives, I plan on a thorough test drive, before taking delivery, but I believe that an hour should do it. If they balk, I’ll walk.

Bubba1

I usually take it for an extended test drive by picking up the car Saturday at close and returning it Monday AM. Obviously I agree to keep the mileage of the loaner “reasonable” ie a few hundred miles.

This allows me to test it in different types of roads, use it with the family (get their opinions), and “live with it” for a while. I think it’s a pretty fair approach to the dealer and the customer. If you give them enough notice most of them seem to be ok with that. If they are not ok with it move to another dealer. Lucky enough to be in a big city where we typically have multiple dealers.

Quietride

I will never buy another car without renting it on Turo. $250 could save $20k+ and a ton of time, if you have to sell a car you don't like.

For the first two hours in a rental E-Class I hated it. By the end of the week I was so impressed by how decent and livable that car is. More often than not it's so hard to fight the blinding excitement of something shiny and new.

MBS63AMG

Ok. I understand that. I think that a day with the car might suffice. Most of the issues I would want to make sure work are the infotainment system which include the luxury features (massage, interior lighting, sound system). Will it connect to the phone quickly? Will sensors work efficiently? Will safety and driver assistance features work as illustrated?

MB2timer

superswiss,
Go back to the original title. My mild dyslexia is more comfortable with that. Some might say, “lysdexia”.

W205C43PFL

Kindly asking what you hate about it in the first two hours and how did it worked out near the end of the week?

SW20S

I had a GLS loaner for a week, and that was a vehicle that I really really liked and would consider buying, after the week I liked it less. Makes sense to try something out before you commit it’s just not always easy especially with high end cars.

hyperion667

1000 for a week is hilarious!

crabman

You can pay a lot more: The Vantage I rented was 400 a day. It turned out I didn't like it as much I expected, and I would have got out of it before long, had I jumped in.

Everyone knows they pay to play tautology; but it can also reference due diligence. For some of us, car buying is an emotional experience, and it's easy to become infatuated on a shirt test drive. Doing something to get behind the wheel longer is way to keep your emotions in check by grounding them in a little taste of real world.

hyperion667

Yah, but then again a Vantage is much higher priced so that makes sense. But for something like S class, 1K for a week seems high (to me).

crabman

I never scoped the pricing; the dealer was sitting on a few broken cars (missing features) during the pandemic, and they let me test drive extensively. I don't know that I would call that high though, while you can sometimes pay less, you'll often pay 50, 60, 70 a day for a Camry or similar, depending on where you're located and your dates. They're pretty good about milking the last dollar nowadays.

I rent a lot of cars because my business happens where the work gets done; to me 1k is about what I would expect. Maybe I'm out of line with that, as I said, I haven't looked at this car in particular. To put a perspective on it the Panamera I mentioned was 200 a day years ago, an SQ8 was 150 recently, also recent was a Cayenne at 220.

I haven't used Turo, not sure how the pricing compares. I'd say 1k for a week of S Class wouldn't even make me blink; you're talking 140 a day for a car that's 4ish times the price of that Camry.

SW20S

I pay $1,000 to rent a minivan or 3 row crossover in Orlando. $1,000 is totally reasonable to rent an S Class for a week, thats only $143 a day.

Quietride

It didn't come across as particularly quiet or comfortable. Over the course of the week I found that I was much less fatigued than with some other cars.

My experience with the S-Class has been the same; it never wowed me from a noise floor perspective, but when you travel over all sorts of different surfaces at different speeds the noise floor seems to increase a lot less than with other cars.

Other stuff with the E-Class, the mirrors are really good. The little pop up bag in the trunk. The back seat was pretty decent. Funnily enough the lack of performance was a plus. It didn't pretend to be a performance vehicle, instead a tool for daily life. The motor was so quiet I turned it off a couple times by accident, thinking I was turning it on.

SW20S

I have a new C300 loaner right now and I am surprised by how much I like it. It rides great despite having very low profile tires, it’s reasonably quiet, comfortable nice interior and very fun to drive. The 4 cyl feels great. Contrast to a previous gen E Class I rented and drove around LA earlier in the year I like this C much better.

W205C43PFL

Which one, the W205 or W206? I am thinking the latter since you said it is new.

I am surprised you like it because several forum members sworn they couldn't drive anything E-Class below (even some said they can't drive an E-Class, it has to be an S-Class when they get a loaner) also interesting last time they gave you a GLS loaner now they gave you a C 300, they should had at least gave you a GLE loaner.

Hopefully you get the W222 back soon.

Edit: I presumed you liked it because it looks very similar to the W223 interior especially this gen (if you are talking about the W206), MB themselves called it a baby S-Class if I recalled correctly. The ride quality was improved compared to the W205, the actual interior material quality is up for debate.

W205C43PFL

Thank you for your reply and answering my curiosity.

Yes, that is why testing driving for a few hours and a day is just not sufficient.

Sadly, (let's just say, if... ever) dealerships offer a week test drive, as other forum members mentioned, it might be abused and perhaps the vehicle might get damaged. I understand we (forum members here that replied in the thread) aren't those people that will ever do that but we are part of the minority.

Forum members recommended a few rental services, that might be the way to go before a long term commitment to a vehicle (a contract or buying wish cash). Especially if there is a potential for buyer's remorse. I stated why a week test drive might be necessary in some situations in a few posts back: https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post8988288