LovinMercedes

I was speaking with RJC this evening and he directed me to this E Class post on MBWorld.

Couldn't help but show everyone as it is funny as heck. See below:


Went to Lexus and MB today...

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Took my wife's RX330 into Lexus for service today, as well as dropping my E500 off at the MB dealership right next door (They share a large parking lot, that's how close to one another they are - even though they are owned by different groups). Here's how it went:

First arrived at Lexus: They directed us where to pull in, OPENED THE DOOR for my wife, said "Good afternoon, how are you doing...," escorted us inside the facility, sat us down on a leather sofa and in less than 60 seconds our personal service advisor (who has always been the same person) walks in. He walks with us to the Starbucks coffee stand which is in the middle of this marble floored building and asks us if we would like anything to drink (there were sodas and water also). I grabbed about 3 Otis Spunkenmeyer cookies and followed him back to his office where he handed us keys to the loaner car that was already out front waiting for us and he said that our car would be ready at 2:30pm. We got a call at 2:15 saying that the car was ready and we drove up, they opened the doors for us and escorted us to the billing dept where we paid $0 and when we turned around our car was already there waiting for us.

Just after getting the loaner car we drove across the parking lot to the MB service center for me to drop off my E500. Here's how it went:

I drive up to the driveway and waited 5 minutes for someone to approach the car. NOBODY in sight. I get out of the car and walk inside into a crappy-*** waiting room with one 19inch TV (the Lexus dealer has a "Silent" room with plenty of leather sofas and a 50 inch plasma screen). I walk to the standard bullet-proof glass billing desk and ask if they could get someone to help me outside. I go back outside and wait next to my car for 10 more minutes wondering how the hell I convinced myself to spend 60K on my car (yes, I know the driving experience is different, but that isn't what was coming to mind at that time). A lady who I've never met comes out and says your car will be ready at 3pm, see you then... We leave the Lexus dealership after picking up the RX and go back to the Mercedes dealership - 2:45pm. Again, I can't find anybody to help me figure out what the hell to do...I walk up to the friggin desk and ask if my car is ready yet and they said that they were just putting it on the lift right then. ARGH...I went and sat down in the waiting room where there wasn't even a water cooler. Old magazines...waiting...waiting...4pm...screw this...my wife and I go back to the Lexus dealership and start surfing the internet in their Business Center for customers - 6 Computers with phones, all wired. 4:45pm Mercedes calls, your car is ready. I go back over there and they bring my car around...WASHED!!! I ASKED THEM NOT TO WASH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I drive home - yes, in my awesome performing german sedan, but disenchanted to say the least. I tell you what, if Lexus ever starts building cars that feel "german" and drive "german" there will be no need to buy German.

NeilC123

hi LovinSL600 I am thinking of looking into an Aston Martin. I wonder do you know of a forum just like this one except for AM as I would be interested to know people's views on the cars.

Thanks

Neil

LovinMercedes

Hi Neil,

By far the best place to go is the Aston Martin Owner's Club forum. Just google it and you will see how to sign up.

There are two types of members. One is a registered user and one is a club member. A club member means just that, a paying member of the AMOC. This entitles you to all parts of the forum.

Then there is a registered user. This gives you access to most places. It is not free and you have to sign up for it but the cost is very, very minimal. Depending upon which era car you want to buy dictates which thread you want to look at. If you want a newer car, you go to New Era.

If you are truly interested in an Aston Martin, this is the only place to go.

Good luck and let me know if you need anything. I am more than glad to help.

Matthew

redbrick

That's wierd....I wonder where that dealership is.....

Around here, there are three dealerships, and both are very nice. One of them is terrible. I remember one of the salesman from the terrible dealership took one look at me and directed me to the used car lot...without so much as a greeting or "Have you been served?" ...as if I couldn't afford a freakin' new benz!!! Suffice it to say, I did not purcahse my car from those jack-azzes.

Gunther

It's all in the competition....here in Atlanta we recently had an "in-town" dealership open up and lots of people flocked in...now they are going back to other dealerships for the same reasons mentioned...

At my dealership:

1) they offer pick up and delivery service - including the MB loaner, regardless
of whether you bought your car there or not;
2) there are always 2 employees waiting for drive-ups
3) there are two 50-inch plasma tvs and leather couches
4) a driving range and putting green
5) a work out room
6) internet carrolls
7) shuttle service to the mall 2 miles away - with free movie tickets

On top of all that..my services are always completed on time; my SA calls back within an hour of leaving a message (if she's unavailable); and I don't have to come back to have things done a second time.

We have enough competition here that the dealerships know that you can drive 20 minutes in any direction and have three other options.

redbrick

Wow...a driving range??? ...and a work out room??? ...free movie tickets??? Dang....we've got all you've mentioned...except the three I'm envious about.... I read somewhere in these forums some dealerships even have massage palors??? That crazy...
:v

lorinserbenz

My dealer has brass pole in the waiting room and the ex strippers that work at the dealership entertain with free lap dances! HA! I win!


Seriously, I will have to agree with Lovin... The MB dealerships are a big step down from the double deck BMW/Lexus dealers in my area.

Heck the only Plasma your gonna get at my dealer is from the blood mobile in the parking lot!

On a positive note my dealer comes and picks up my car and brings a MB loaner.
Personally I could do without the fancy waiting room, I dont have time for that crap. I dont have time to screw around at the dealer, I want my car serviced and I dont ever want set foot inside the dealer unless I have too.

I will never be able to get over the Lexoyta stigma, yes they make great cars and have cool dealerships. However they dont make bad-*** (AMG) models like MB does and what they do have to offer is flat out UGLY.

So Ill take my shoddy SL any day over a glorified CAMRY or upside down bathtub (SC430)

RJC

StephenK

If they had the pole and dancers, maybe more people would be less upset when they pick up their cars and not everything is right....

MBUSA may want to consider it!!!!!

Just keep those big German women out of there!

vraa

The Lexus dealer rocks.
Too bad their cars don't.

StephenK

Forget Lexus, just get the POLE!!!!

tandan

well lovin, i know you love to bash mercedes service, but my real life experiences with lexus of kearny mesa on two consecutive service calls caused me to inform the customer service manager i would NEVER use their facility again. i will be keeping te ls430 as it is a good car. i will go to the inconvenience of driving to another dealer. by the way, absolutely no problem withe my mb daler so far, and i didn't even purchase the car from him.

PA55AMG

I have had great service at my Benz dealer as well.

LovinMercedes

I am sorry if you thought I was trying to bash Mercedes Benz service. I have absolutely no reason to do that.

Someone showed me this post and I thought it was just funny.

Sorry if you took it as basing. I didn't mean to give that impression. Just trying to share something I read that I thought was funny.

Sorry.

allenjdmb

the helicopter. Not that customers can ride in it, but it's nice to know that they have one if we need it. I'm not sure what for. Yes, I take my cars there too.

WIldcat465

You make a good point.

Today, I picked up my CL after the dealer had it for a week to fix my windows which would not close when using the express up feature. This was their 4th attempt. It took them 30 minutes to bring my car and I had to ask twice.

I had to drive a C-class for a week

Don't get me wrong, I love my Cl500. I believe that the CL is in the top 5 cars on the planet to use as an everyday driver; however, the mediocre dealer performance after I've spent $100k has become all too common. My next car will not be an MB.

I may not even finish my SL600 lease.

I can't afford an Aston, my plan B is a Z8 and an Accord.

But I did enjoy driving both the CL and the SL today.

vraa

The SL has no competition.
Except maybe an AM, but those cares as like so up there...

mick1

This all sucks compared to how they service cars in Japan. In Japan, you would call the dealer and tell them that your car needs service. the next day, they would bring a loaner car to your home and take your car back to the dealer for servicing. By the time you're home, your car is ready.

I saw this on CNN.

vraa

Lazy bums.

mick1

them Japanese, they would apply that Just-In-Time concept to everything

WIldcat465

I believe Fletcher Jones in Newport will do this. I was told that they'll come to my home in San Diego with a loaner pick up my SL to have it serviced and return it when it's done.

I've never tested this, because I don't want germy stangers driving my car the 70 or 80 miles to the dealer. Also, they may only do this for 600 customers.

PCH_4.2

I take my car to Rusnak Pasadena... where they sell Jaguar, Porsche, Rolls, Bentley & Audi. MB sold in separate location (Arcadia, CA).
I can say that they spend more $ on sales efforts than they do on the service side. Having taken my E500 in a few times, I never felt like I was treated like I bought a MB. I have gotten better service for the Lexus that's also a runner for me. Heck, my Audi A6 4.2 was getting just the same, if not better service at their in house Audi service dept.
Rental cars are first come first serve, even tho you are RESERVED for a MB C class or a Audi A4 (depending on make of car serviced). I was in a 2-3yr old X-type 3.0 AWD w/ 26,000mi on it. The car stinked like I don't know what & I felt dirty when I was driving it. All these talk about Lexus style service for Toyota-made cars are a bit on the bashing level, but you have to hand it to them.... 'cause they are doing something right.
Daimler Chrysler is going down the tubes, the CEO wisened up and left (or was replaced...don't remember)... but if you think about it... a Chrysler 300M with the HEMI engine (340hp or so)...is running on the same chassis as the W211.... What's next...

Yes, it's tough business catering to the demands of every individual... a quality product itself doesn't do it anymore.

dmitat

You guys have to see Ray Catena in New Jersey! Nice and airy; you can browse the web on about 10 PC's; watch TV; play pool, virtual golf and off course coffee, sodas, sandwiches etc. They will give you a loaner or will limo you back and forth.
Service is a service: sometimes it's quick and easy; sometimes you're getting stuck. Last week I was getting first service on G55 - I was just hanging in there for an hour and half. And I had to leave my SL600 for three days (including Sunday) to do a recall.
But I’ve never had an impression that they don't care. Everything and everybody make you feel good!

CE750

go here to follow the actual debate that followed that poor saps post..

I can't get people to stop drinking the MB Koolaid.

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/117327-went-lexus-mb-today.html

Gunther

I also have to admit that I believe the more attitude you throw when you walk into the MB dealership for service...the less service you get. It isn't right, but it is true.

I have seen some truly haughty b*thces when dropping or picking up my car - and if they spoke to me that way I'd leave them standing on the side of the road also.