SL/R230: Certified Pre-Owned Rant
06-22-2006, 12:43 PM
#1
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Certified Pre-Owned Rant
I'm really, really disappointed by the joke that the dealer who sold me my 2005 SL600 (with only 3800 miles on it) called Mercedes Certified Pre Owned. That means it SUPPOSEDLY had a 100+ point inspection between the time they got it in and the time it was put on the lot for sale. Immediately after purchasing it, I had to bring it back to service twice for:
1. Brakes squealing like a terrorized pig. All 4 pads & rotors were glazed when they sold it to me. Service had to turn all 4 rotors, replace the front pads, and "deglaze" the rear pads.
2. The SBC recall had not been performed. Come on! They didn't even check for campaigns during the certification inspection!
3. The steering pulled noticeably to the right. Service installed the left front camber adjusting bolt fix and did a 4 wheel alignment. The car's steering now feels much better, like it should have felt in the first place.
I brought this up to my service advisor yesterday. His response was that they have to go through those cars really fast bacause they are so backed up in that department. That's disgraceful!! Then they brag that they will do $600 million in business this year out of just one location.
Anyway, many thanks to the membes of this board. If it hadn't been for you, I would never have known about the camber adjusting bolt fix.
1. Brakes squealing like a terrorized pig. All 4 pads & rotors were glazed when they sold it to me. Service had to turn all 4 rotors, replace the front pads, and "deglaze" the rear pads.
2. The SBC recall had not been performed. Come on! They didn't even check for campaigns during the certification inspection!
3. The steering pulled noticeably to the right. Service installed the left front camber adjusting bolt fix and did a 4 wheel alignment. The car's steering now feels much better, like it should have felt in the first place.
I brought this up to my service advisor yesterday. His response was that they have to go through those cars really fast bacause they are so backed up in that department. That's disgraceful!! Then they brag that they will do $600 million in business this year out of just one location.
Anyway, many thanks to the membes of this board. If it hadn't been for you, I would never have known about the camber adjusting bolt fix.
06-22-2006, 04:33 PM
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2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
Dealerships
Unfortunately some dealerships are reliable and some are not. Sounds to me as though the dealership that you are dealing with is one that is not. My local dealership is rated by Mercedes as one of the worst in the country. I take a ride to Jacksonville about 150 miles to get competent service. You can't fight with idiots, they will bring you down to their level.
06-22-2006, 11:08 PM
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Bentley Arnage Red Label
I think the "starmark" certified cars is just a clever marketing way to make people think that buying from an authorized dealer will get you that much better of a car. I have had them and in the future, all I am concerned with on any used car is how it checks out and how much warranty is left. I would much rather buy a used car from an original owner that I trust over a dealer that brings in a car from the auction and magically the next day its "starmarked" and was a one owner local trade! The warranty is what really saves you.
06-22-2006, 11:21 PM
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2002 SL500
Where Do You Find Ratings?
Originally Posted by StephenK
My local dealership is rated by Mercedes as one of the worst in the country.
Thanks, Will
06-23-2006, 01:41 AM
#7
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Originally Posted by cy0811
was it FJ in Newport?
I suspect there's a big disconnect between whatever department is supposedly doing the certification and their sales department, which means their management is either ignorant, or doesn't care. I don't know which is more scary.
It makes you wonder how many other customers of theirs are getting vehicles that really are not ready for sale. Eventually, not managing their size and growth will cause them to implode. It sure won't be the first time that's happened to a business!
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06-23-2006, 03:06 AM
#8
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They are the most arrogant dealership in the world. The only reason I'd EVER buy from them is if they're within $500 of a quote from Caliber in Anaheim, or Laguna Niguel MB, just so my car will get treated right during service since it wasn't bought from them.
They have way too many "checkbook" buyers .. show up, write a check, drive off the lot.
They have way too many "checkbook" buyers .. show up, write a check, drive off the lot.
Originally Posted by AnotherSL
Yes, it was. The sorry thing is that during the price negotiating, they kept hammering me with how much it had cost them to certify this car.
I suspect there's a big disconnect between whatever department is supposedly doing the certification and their sales department, which means their management is either ignorant, or doesn't care. I don't know which is more scary.
It makes you wonder how many other customers of theirs are getting vehicles that really are not ready for sale. Eventually, not managing their size and growth will cause them to implode. It sure won't be the first time that's happened to a business!
I suspect there's a big disconnect between whatever department is supposedly doing the certification and their sales department, which means their management is either ignorant, or doesn't care. I don't know which is more scary.
It makes you wonder how many other customers of theirs are getting vehicles that really are not ready for sale. Eventually, not managing their size and growth will cause them to implode. It sure won't be the first time that's happened to a business!
06-23-2006, 10:08 AM
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SL/M6
FJ in newport may sell the most in the world, but do not have the best deals on certain cars...I went to EVERY dealer in LA and the surrounding cities and they couldnt or wouldn't match the price I was finally quoted on a new SL by a smaller dealer (this was not the first time)....and my family friend's dad is a SM at FJ- but the GM wouldnt budge probably due to the idiots who write them checks without negotiating.....they are hyped up due to their size and many people get shafted by not price checking with other dealers...The manager I buy from now (at a different dealer) will beat their price on anything anytime and is a pleasure to deal with and IMO is the best in the business LA area MB sales wise. It was the first time I really felt good before, during and after negotiations.
Last edited by CY; 06-23-2006 at 10:49 AM.
06-23-2006, 08:37 PM
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04 SL 500, 09 R350, 09 E63, 2010 Prius
Hey, cy0811, who's your dealer? I use House of Imports, Ron Amani, he's pretty nice and decent, not sleezebag material that I used to deal with. 
06-24-2006, 12:07 PM
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'03 S55 AMG, '01 CLK55 AMG
Originally Posted by StephenK
Unfortunately some dealerships are reliable and some are not. Sounds to me as though the dealership that you are dealing with is one that is not. My local dealership is rated by Mercedes as one of the worst in the country. I take a ride to Jacksonville about 150 miles to get competent service. You can't fight with idiots, they will bring you down to their level.
Last edited by epj1906; 06-24-2006 at 12:10 PM.
06-27-2006, 10:41 PM
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2006 ML500
My certified S55 was in pretty good shape overall.....not even any brake issues which seems to pop up quickly on the Benz's.
I'm going a little
, but anybody know a good dealer in the ft lauderdale/miami area? I use the Pembroke Pines dealer and I am totally unimpressed.
I'm going a little
, but anybody know a good dealer in the ft lauderdale/miami area? I use the Pembroke Pines dealer and I am totally unimpressed.
07-01-2006, 01:27 AM
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2002 BMW 745Li Black/beige, 2006 SL600 Capri Blue/Black still on order
Originally Posted by cy0811
FJ in newport may sell the most in the world, but do not have the best deals on certain cars...I went to EVERY dealer in LA and the surrounding cities and they couldnt or wouldn't match the price I was finally quoted on a new SL by a smaller dealer (this was not the first time)....and my family friend's dad is a SM at FJ- but the GM wouldnt budge probably due to the idiots who write them checks without negotiating.....they are hyped up due to their size and many people get shafted by not price checking with other dealers...The manager I buy from now (at a different dealer) will beat their price on anything anytime and is a pleasure to deal with and IMO is the best in the business LA area MB sales wise. It was the first time I really felt good before, during and after negotiations.
07-01-2006, 01:33 AM
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2002 BMW 745Li Black/beige, 2006 SL600 Capri Blue/Black still on order
Originally Posted by cy0811
FJ in newport may sell the most in the world, but do not have the best deals on certain cars...I went to EVERY dealer in LA and the surrounding cities and they couldnt or wouldn't match the price I was finally quoted on a new SL by a smaller dealer (this was not the first time)....and my family friend's dad is a SM at FJ- but the GM wouldnt budge probably due to the idiots who write them checks without negotiating.....they are hyped up due to their size and many people get shafted by not price checking with other dealers...The manager I buy from now (at a different dealer) will beat their price on anything anytime and is a pleasure to deal with and IMO is the best in the business LA area MB sales wise. It was the first time I really felt good before, during and after negotiations.
