MBUSA wants my car...what to do??
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
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From: Midwest
'08 SL550 Sport, '11 BMW 550ix M sport
MBUSA wants my car...what to do??
I got a letter today from MBUSA stating that they would like to use my E55 for EPA testing purposes. Did anyone else get a similar letter?
The letter states that they would pick up my car on a flat bed truck, take it to their Ann Arbor, MI testing facility and put about 30 miles on the car on a dyno. They estimate they would have the car for about 2-4 weeks.
They're offering a comparable loaner, $750 AMEX gift certificate, full tank of gas and a wash for my troubles.
I wonder what they mean by,"comparable loaner".
Has anyone on the board done this before? If so would you do it again?
Tony
The letter states that they would pick up my car on a flat bed truck, take it to their Ann Arbor, MI testing facility and put about 30 miles on the car on a dyno. They estimate they would have the car for about 2-4 weeks.
They're offering a comparable loaner, $750 AMEX gift certificate, full tank of gas and a wash for my troubles.
I wonder what they mean by,"comparable loaner".
Has anyone on the board done this before? If so would you do it again?
Tony
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,266
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From: Texas
2005 E55
Not Me
I most definitely would not even think about doing it. They have the funds to buy a used one and test it. Just think about it, one of the most powerful sedans on this planet being used as a lab rat by some stranger under conditions that you are completely unaware of and in an environment that you have no control of. You know that they will not treat it like it is thei own car. No way for me. What are they thinking? Besides, I have never heard of any EPA testing on anything other that a new vehicle before start of model year production. Sounds like a scam to me.
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
Originally Posted by can drive 55
I most definitely would not even think about doing it. They have the funds to buy a used one and test it. Just think about it, one of the most powerful sedans on this planet being used as a lab rat by some stranger under conditions that you are completely unaware of and in an environment that you have no control of. You know that they will not treat it like it is thei own car. No way for me. What are they thinking? Besides, I have never heard of any EPA testing on anything other that a new vehicle before start of model year production. Sounds like a scam to me.
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
sounds like a scam...why would they randomly pick consumer's vehicles for EPA testing...never heard of this before.
can you scan the letter and post it?
defintitely call up MBUSA to confirm that this is real or not.
can you scan the letter and post it?
defintitely call up MBUSA to confirm that this is real or not.
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From: Australia
Originally Posted by EX-BEEMER
I got a letter today from MBUSA stating that they would like to use my E55 for EPA testing purposes. Did anyone else get a similar letter?
The letter states that they would pick up my car on a flat bed truck, take it to their Ann Arbor, MI testing facility and put about 30 miles on the car on a dyno. They estimate they would have the car for about 2-4 weeks.
They're offering a comparable loaner, $750 AMEX gift certificate, full tank of gas and a wash for my troubles.
I wonder what they mean by,"comparable loaner".
Has anyone on the board done this before? If so would you do it again?
Tony
The letter states that they would pick up my car on a flat bed truck, take it to their Ann Arbor, MI testing facility and put about 30 miles on the car on a dyno. They estimate they would have the car for about 2-4 weeks.
They're offering a comparable loaner, $750 AMEX gift certificate, full tank of gas and a wash for my troubles.
I wonder what they mean by,"comparable loaner".
Has anyone on the board done this before? If so would you do it again?
Tony
Sounds like a random test. Just make sure it's on the truck with vapours of petrol.
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From: Mason Neck, VA
DOH! thats BS. if you did do it homer would say, "haa haaa haaaa, what a jerk" if you havent heard the clip it means nothing to you, its that funny (or im geeking on the simpsons) anyway, a multi billion $ company needs to BORROW one??? doesnt pass the smell test.
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From: Santa Clarita, CA
I drive a E55T, SLK55 and 65 Mustang Conv.
Originally Posted by Vetluver
Take my wife but don't take my E55.... 
More likely in our house it'll be you take the SLK dear, I need the wagon for the office!Kim
Banned
Joined: May 2004
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From: Australia
Originally Posted by Peter B
DOH! thats BS. if you did do it homer would say, "haa haaa haaaa, what a jerk" if you havent heard the clip it means nothing to you, its that funny (or im geeking on the simpsons) anyway, a multi billion $ company needs to BORROW one??? doesnt pass the smell test.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 576
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From: Midwest
'08 SL550 Sport, '11 BMW 550ix M sport
Well I talked to my service rep and he says it's legit so I finally called up to Ann Arbor to ask them what "comparable loaner" means. He told me that he had no E55's to loan out (mostly all he had were E350's) but he did have a CLS 500 that I could use. That's almost tempting, but I told them my car means more to me than just $750 if it's going to be gone for a whole month. If they can come up with an SL55 or even an SL500, I'll allow them to use my car, but otherwise no way. He's checking into it. You guys are right on the money when it come to analogies...my car...my wife...sometimes the lines are blurred.
Its like having Cindy Crawford for your wife...you're not going to part with her for a month for Joan Rivers. But if you could trade up to say... Catherine Zeta Jones with the assurance that Cindy would be well cared for... Well that's a different matter.
We'll see what they come up with and I'll keep you posted. I was just curious if anyone else had been approached.
Thanks!
Its like having Cindy Crawford for your wife...you're not going to part with her for a month for Joan Rivers. But if you could trade up to say... Catherine Zeta Jones with the assurance that Cindy would be well cared for... Well that's a different matter.
We'll see what they come up with and I'll keep you posted. I was just curious if anyone else had been approached.
Thanks!
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
Originally Posted by EX-BEEMER
Well I talked to my service rep and he says it's legit so I finally called up to Ann Arbor to ask them what "comparable loaner" means. He told me that he had no E55's to loan out (mostly all he had were E350's) but he did have a CLS 500 that I could use. That's almost tempting, but I told them my car means more to me than just $750 if it's going to be gone for a whole month. If they can come up with an SL55 or even an SL500, I'll allow them to use my car, but otherwise no way. He's checking into it. You guys are right on the money when it come to analogies...my car...my wife...sometimes the lines are blurred.
Its like having Cindy Crawford for your wife...you're not going to part with her for a month for Joan Rivers. But if you could trade up to say... Catherine Zeta Jones with the assurance that Cindy would be well cared for... Well that's a different matter.
We'll see what they come up with and I'll keep you posted. I was just curious if anyone else had been approached.
Thanks!
Its like having Cindy Crawford for your wife...you're not going to part with her for a month for Joan Rivers. But if you could trade up to say... Catherine Zeta Jones with the assurance that Cindy would be well cared for... Well that's a different matter.
We'll see what they come up with and I'll keep you posted. I was just curious if anyone else had been approached.
Thanks!
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From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
I'm not even sure why you are considering doing this (if you are considering doing it LOL). There is just nothing for you to gain by doing this. I don't think $750 is gonna exactly change your life. I mean, if they wanted your car to put in some perf. mods (LSD, improved handling, addtl. cooling, etc.) then i'd say have a ball. But not for this. As others said, someone else driving your car, damage in transport, etc. etc.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 576
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From: Midwest
'08 SL550 Sport, '11 BMW 550ix M sport
I know what you mean guys and trust me I'm not gonna let her go for anything less than an SL55/SL500. I have been assured that they will take full responsibility for the car, plus they will put no more than thirty miles of varied (not crazy) speeds on a dyno. But if they cave to my demands...I mean wouldn't you drive an SL for a month if given the chance?
I know what your gonna say...If ya like the SL so much, just buy one... but it's not practical for me full time.
I know what your gonna say...If ya like the SL so much, just buy one... but it's not practical for me full time.
