SL/R230: Sat Radio
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 298
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
The dealer claims not to know whether it will be ready by late Feb. when my SL is due. Funny thing is that six months ago it was expected to be available much sooner, so something has slipped.
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Sat Radio and benz service experience
I took my car to the dealer (Portland OR).. and asked about it.. It took the service guy 4 hours to get back to me.. the earliest they expect is in March... has no idea why the delay....
My first Benz service experience.. mixed feelings... I had to pay for the loaner... from Hertz.. at Lexus .. i have a choice between and ES 330 or or RX 330...latest model reserved just for loaners.. Paid $466 for a car seat so my 3 year old can enjoy the ride with me.. CRAZY.. They installed my nav CDs which were shipped two weeks late by the benz dealer in Atlanta... and he had the nerve to call me and ask for an excellent review on some new sales survey.. obviously his comission is tied to some survey...
Overall service is OK.. but no where near Lexus..
BUT I LOVE THE CAR... just wish MB catches up with the japanese to introduce new technology.. the touch screen nav system on lexus is so much easy to use..
My first Benz service experience.. mixed feelings... I had to pay for the loaner... from Hertz.. at Lexus .. i have a choice between and ES 330 or or RX 330...latest model reserved just for loaners.. Paid $466 for a car seat so my 3 year old can enjoy the ride with me.. CRAZY.. They installed my nav CDs which were shipped two weeks late by the benz dealer in Atlanta... and he had the nerve to call me and ask for an excellent review on some new sales survey.. obviously his comission is tied to some survey...
Overall service is OK.. but no where near Lexus..
BUT I LOVE THE CAR... just wish MB catches up with the japanese to introduce new technology.. the touch screen nav system on lexus is so much easy to use..
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Atlanta, GA
1988 560SL (sold); 2001 E430 (sold); 2004 SL500; 2009 CL550
Get a new dealer
PDXXER -
Man, find another MB dealer asap. Here in Atlanta we have four dealerships. When you have ANY service you get an MB loaner at no charge. Even with my 1988 SL, I get a new MB loaner, no questions asked.
As far as the survey goes - you have got it right. Both for sales and for service...the better the rating the better the bonus. My service advisor has told me that the survey has a direct finanical relationship - good review, nice bonus - bad reivew...what bonus?
If your salesman wants a good review from you...I'd mention that you had to pay for your loaner and that it really pissed you off. He might make a few things change QUICKLY in order to get that good review from you.
Man, find another MB dealer asap. Here in Atlanta we have four dealerships. When you have ANY service you get an MB loaner at no charge. Even with my 1988 SL, I get a new MB loaner, no questions asked.
As far as the survey goes - you have got it right. Both for sales and for service...the better the rating the better the bonus. My service advisor has told me that the survey has a direct finanical relationship - good review, nice bonus - bad reivew...what bonus?
If your salesman wants a good review from you...I'd mention that you had to pay for your loaner and that it really pissed you off. He might make a few things change QUICKLY in order to get that good review from you.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Atlanta, GA
1988 560SL (sold); 2001 E430 (sold); 2004 SL500; 2009 CL550
Spoke with my dealer/service rep today...she said that apparently it is a dealer by dealer decision whether or not to provide loaners.
Here in Atlanta, we not only get loaners regardless of warranty or age of the car, but if you have an appt you get another MB to drive (C, M or E). The policy here is "if you give us a MB, we give you a MB."
They also have a fleet of Hondas at my dealer for the last minute/unscheduled. AND when they have given out every loaner they will rent cars to put you in - in one instance I was going to have my brakes done and they called to ask if we could reschedule for the next week because all of their loaners were out and they'd also rented out the two closest car rental agencies.
Here in Atlanta, we not only get loaners regardless of warranty or age of the car, but if you have an appt you get another MB to drive (C, M or E). The policy here is "if you give us a MB, we give you a MB."
They also have a fleet of Hondas at my dealer for the last minute/unscheduled. AND when they have given out every loaner they will rent cars to put you in - in one instance I was going to have my brakes done and they called to ask if we could reschedule for the next week because all of their loaners were out and they'd also rented out the two closest car rental agencies.
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service at MB
Gunther, I am in Portland Oregon. I purchased my MB Buckhead over the phone and the care was shipped to me 
The dealer in portland charged me for a loaner.. even though I spent a bundle buying accessories.. so will call them back to complain..
The dealer in portland charged me for a loaner.. even though I spent a bundle buying accessories.. so will call them back to complain..
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 299
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From: Atlanta, GA
1988 560SL (sold); 2001 E430 (sold); 2004 SL500; 2009 CL550
PD...
DO. While I fully expect my MB dealer to provide me with EVERY service I need given the price that we are paying to have these cars....they have no idea what the customers want unless you make them fully aware of your needs. We are very lucky here in Atlanta to have four dealers (btw, Buckhead is brand new and less than one year old) so there is a strong sense of competition for sales and service business. It seems that Portland has only one dealer, hence the attitude.
Go in and talk to the service manager. Be exceptionally blunt. I have found that being direct is often the only way to make these people see the light. Good luck.
DO. While I fully expect my MB dealer to provide me with EVERY service I need given the price that we are paying to have these cars....they have no idea what the customers want unless you make them fully aware of your needs. We are very lucky here in Atlanta to have four dealers (btw, Buckhead is brand new and less than one year old) so there is a strong sense of competition for sales and service business. It seems that Portland has only one dealer, hence the attitude.
Go in and talk to the service manager. Be exceptionally blunt. I have found that being direct is often the only way to make these people see the light. Good luck.
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Retraction
I checked with the service guys at MB Portland.. even though hertz "charged" me.. the dealership pays for the loaner car.... so I just want to retract my statement.. they could have just made it clear up front... thanks Gunther for the advice.. Whats MB Buckhead's reputation?
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Arizona, USA
SL550
My dealer said it will be available in March. Anyone know how this will be hooked up? I have been told you will have to have a additional unit added to the car. I am picturing something installed on the dash board much like the after market Sat receivers. I hope this is incorrect. That would look terrible
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Orlando, Florida
2006 SL 550
I understand that the NAV panel has a button marked SAT. Nothing else will be visible. I saw it at CES in an E Class, and thats how it was. The additional unit may be hidden. I am worried that the SL might require an ugly additional antenna. Have you seen what Nissa adds? yuk
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Sat Radio
The hertz rental i got from the dealer in portland had an external one attached.. it looks UGGLY.. and the reception was not that great... once you went into a parking garage it was gone.. I am assuming MB will somehow integrate it into the Sat button, probaly like the phone.. (which by the way works AWESOME!).. I just hope they dont attach it externally the way Hertz did...
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 299
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From: Atlanta, GA
1988 560SL (sold); 2001 E430 (sold); 2004 SL500; 2009 CL550
in the M class...our first request as a loaner...it's built into the command center and is a SAT button. Hoping that the antennae already has the ability to pull satellite since it works for GPS.
Buckhead's reputation is okay. It is BY FAR the smallest dealer. The two other main dealers have been around for a few decades and have a much larger customer base. Buckhead is actually an intown neighborhood that is very la-di-da....so it's a token dealership for the tennis mom's.
Buckhead's reputation is okay. It is BY FAR the smallest dealer. The two other main dealers have been around for a few decades and have a much larger customer base. Buckhead is actually an intown neighborhood that is very la-di-da....so it's a token dealership for the tennis mom's.
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 202
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Originally posted by flkp
I understand that the NAV panel has a button marked SAT. Nothing else will be visible. I saw it at CES in an E Class, and thats how it was. The additional unit may be hidden. I am worried that the SL might require an ugly additional antenna. Have you seen what Nissa adds? yuk
I understand that the NAV panel has a button marked SAT. Nothing else will be visible. I saw it at CES in an E Class, and thats how it was. The additional unit may be hidden. I am worried that the SL might require an ugly additional antenna. Have you seen what Nissa adds? yuk
