I once took my car to Mercedes Benz of Wilmington, NC(I was working out that way and had my car with me) to get a few gaskets fixed and a few other simple things fixed under my CPO a few days before it expired. My dealership checked out the car and sent over recommendations(replace 3-4 gaskets, check the rear strut, and few other things due to slow leaks). The service manager at MB of Wilmington, NC said that the gaskets were okay...for now, but that I would probably have to replaced them sooner than later. This in turn means that my car would be out of warranty when it comes times to replace the gaskets and fix the other minor things. If that isn't bad enough, I asked if while they were under the car and had the splash guard off, if they would pop a little dent back out of my lower grille(must have hit something and it got pushed in slightly). I made sure that the service manager knew that I ONLY wanted him to push the dent out if he had time. If not, I would do it myself. I also specifically told him I would only pay for a few tabs that hold the grille in if they were broken, and if he was going to charge me to push the dent out, to disregard it. When I go to pick up my car, the service manager is gone for the day. I walk in to get my receipt and turn in my loaner. Before I can leave, I have to pay $20 for "labor" to push the dent out of the grille. I refused to pay and raised hell about it. Since the service manager had already went home, and I needed my car so I could be at work the following day, 2 hours away, I had no choice but to pay the $20. On top of all of this, they attempted to wash my car. There were swirl marks, dry soap and dirt, all over it. It was dirtier than when I dropped it off.

Per my experience with this dealership, I would stay away from the service department, if at all possible. If anyone else has had a similar experience with this place, please chime in. It has been nearly 3 months, and I'm still bitter about the entire experience.

 

1. It's only $20. Let the service advisor know about it. If they're cool and understanding, they'll re-credit it back to you or give you a deal on a future service or part.
2. I am always hesistant on dealer car washes. I never let Lexus wash my previous car, even though it was free. Until recently, I just started letting the MBZ dealer wash my E63. Keep in mind that they're free. You get what you pay for.

 

The service advisor pushed the dent out, himself.

$.01 or $20, it was an unjustified charge.

Just because they don't charge you to wash your car, doesn't mean they should do a ****ty job.

 

I never said it was unjustified. Read #1, the second and third sentence. If that doesn't work and you're still not satisfied, contact the service director. If that doesn't work, contact the GM.

Work your way up the ladder until you get what you feel is fair.

 

Really? $20? You're slamming their rep over $20?

 

Not only $20, but due to the fact that I had two dealerships tell me what all needed to be fixed. This dealership just said that "the gaskets weren't bad enough, yet", meaning that it will come out of my pocket once my CPO expires(4 days later).

$20 or $1000, it's the principle. If someone is going to take advantage of you for $20, what makes you think they won't do it for $1000?

 

Get a clue...$20 ? You wasted more than $20 of my time reading your post

 

Nice Fable, Aesop.

 

I can't speak for your $20 issue or car wash quality, but Leith Mercedes in Raleigh NC treats me very well. They are about 2 hours away from Wilmington.

I'd get the car to them before your CPO expires if you can. Ask for either Frank or Chuck, both are great SAs.

 

They'll still get their money, either the consumer pays or MBUSA pays under warranty.

But if a dealer doesn't follow exact protocol on determining replacement parts and labor they risk not getting rebated. Some dealers are just a lot more cautious.

 

The CPO expired 4 days after I had it at their dealership, sadly...lol.

That's why they were hesitant. I believe they were audited a year or so ago, so they didn't want to do any warranty work that didn't HAVE to be done. My dealership in Asheville, NC is great, but I prefer the Charleston, SC dealership. Really great bunch of people in service, and great mechanics.