siswati

Just had my beast in at Fort Lauderdale MB for brake recall and minor adjustments - as always I was well received and the the car was well taken care of.

Both my wife and I rate our experiences with both their sales and service staff to be second to none. (With her old Z3 she was so dissapointed with the local FLL BMW dealer service approach that when it came time to buy her new convertible she didnt even consider the Z4 and only looked at the Boxter and the 350Z (the new SLK wasnt out yet))

The only disappointing aspect of taking the car in for service (and my only beef with FLL MB) is that they contract out the loaner side to Enterprise Rent a Car, and without fail I have had a POS to ride for the day - yesterdays POS was handed over to me with the fuel warning light ON and the fuel gage needle on E.

Now up the road in Pompano the MB dealer there purchased a whole bunch of MB C series sedans which are used as loaners, and I suspect (no actual experience) that they hand them over in a good condition.

So my question is, what loaners are you receiving from your dealers and what have your experiences been and how has this impacted on your perception of your dealer (and by extension MB)

Looking forward to your responses

vrus

My Mercedes dealer is awesome to me. Sales guys are great, service guys are great. All around amazing dealership. I get ML500, C classes or E class loaners when I go..

Heck, I had an SL55 for the day one time I went (and that time I was only there for an oil change and fluid check but I had to leave it for the day because I had a business appointment).

When I went for the brake recall, they gave me the ML500.. Perfect day because it was snowing horrendously that day.

AMGfan

I've gotten C class loaners everytime via Enterprise (MB of Tampa)...The only problem with service @ the dealership is the detailing...I wouldn't let any dealer touch my car!

Duane

I would never go to Fort Lauderdale Mercedes again for anything. I am in the midst of possibly bringing action against them. I will post my experience with them soon.

MBAMGPWR

My Benz dealership gives out Ford's as loaner cars! I've never asked for anything really cool, but I'm sure they would give me something to "test drive" for the day if I asked them.

04E55 AMG

Depends on the dealership. The dealership I bought the car from does have a Enterprise on site so you always get a POS when compared to our $90K plus car. When my 911 TT went in for service which was over $125K you still had a POS for the day. The other dealership up the street from me who does not have a Enterprise, will give you MB loaners (C,E,SLK,S) whatever they have on the lot that is a demo.

It has nevered bothered me because it allows me to get to work and back to the dealer without having to hassle anyone.

RJC

Mercedes Benz as a company needs a national loaner car system period.
If you by a car from dealer A and need to bring it to dealer B, the dealers in my area (S Fl) will not give you a loaner unless you've bought it from them, this was not the case until the last year or so. The reason this happened is a dealer on the west coast of Florida realized the dealers here were really gouging its customers especially on the more popular models, so they got the word out that you will be treated right with respect to price if you travel an extra 2 hts to them. Well the dealers here started to give better more reasonable deals but they did not like doing it, so they came up with the no loaner rule. If Lexus can have a national program and give you a Lexus when you go for service no matter what dealer you bought it from, why can't MB What's the worst thing that can happen, MB's customer satisfaction in the service area starts to catch up with Lexus

Beowulf

Always an M-B loaner, and they ask if I would prefer a sedan (C Class) or SUV (ML Class). The latter are usually ML350's, although I've had ML500's in the past.

JAY55

Mercedes Benz in Laguna Hill was kinda crappy for me. Got a C class, 50 miles per day and required me to fill up the gas. THey racked up 50 miles on my Beast while it was in service. Mercedes Benz in San Diego, they got me a loaner at Enterprise (non-Benz), un limited mileage and I don't have to fill the tank back up. I'm not going back to Laguna Hill again.

deuce zer0

ours here in nashville will only give you a c benz if you bought your car from them. otherwise you have to pay to rent their awsome grandpa buicks
once i see that, i just ask them to run me home so i can get my f150 truck and tell them they can keep the tiger mobile.

Ben

Enterprise rental in Bellevue, WA... if you're early, chances are a C or ML will be available... otherwise, I've had a Saab 9-5 and various domestic brands. I'm with you all, we should drive off with an MB since we drove in with an MB.

Vadim @ evosport

My dealer experiences are kind of extreme. They are either very good or very bad.

May be it's me.

Our local dealer only uses C, M or E-class as loaners. One time I had to drive a Cavalier. I would of preffered to walk at that time or borrow donkey and a cart from border below.

Ray J

my dealer gives out Enterprise too, most cars really suck, last one i was in was a Nissan xtera, did not like that! MB really needs to put people back in MB's as a loan car.

ThemisN

The same around here. Prestige MB I think either still has Enterprise or uses their Toyota Dealership to provide loaners. They ticked me off for other reasons so it just added to my frustration with them. So what did I do? I went to a somewhat smaller dealer ( Nanuet) the same distance from me, and they not only treated me better, but they offer mb loaners. I know I didnt get the car from them, but they know if they treat me right, they will continue to earn my business in service, and perhaps lure me on my next purchase.

Ray Catena is where I bought my car from, and they offer mostly mercedes loaners as well, but Im not driving an hour to get service lol.

amb9800

Terrible service here -- the closest dealer, Rallye, only gives loaners if you schedule your appointment about 2 months in advance -- and even then, they usually give a Corolla or Camry. A friend of mine spent an hour arguing with them (after having bought his MB from them and waiting a month for the appointment) and they finally, very reluctantly, gave him a C230K for a day (his car was still in the shop for a few days afterwards...).

There are a few newer, friendlier (at least by MB dealer standards -- don't come even close to Toyota/Lexus/etc. levels) dealers that do give loaners -- almost all Camry's. Haven't ever had an MB loaner.

MB dealers here on LI tend to be quite bad service-wise. Our Toyota dealer has been worlds better. They just care so much more about every customer, and a definite motivating factor is that Toyota sends out surveys to owners, and if the dealer gets anything but Excellent across the board, they lose benefits from Toyota corporate. Same thing, but even more so, for Lexus.

scorchie

I usually don't get loaners when I have a car in for service (I prefer to drive my own cars) but last time, I needed something to go snowboarding (My G500 was brought in for service) and I got a G500 loaner. It seems they try to loan out cars similar to what the customer brings in.

-s-

wiz357

I personally refuse to go to Mercedes Benz of San Diego. When I had my lemon S55, everytime I take my car in for service or warranty repairs, they would give a Toyota Corolla loaner car. I don't want to sound like an ***, but the last non V8 car I had was an NSX back when I was in my 20's. After about 3 times of Corolla loaners and crappy service, I decided to not to do any business with them. I just feel that MBSD is just too big and impersonal. I fell like a number there. I'd rather drive 20-40 miles out of my way and take my car to Escondido or Carlsbad than to bring it to MBSD.

Marcus Frost

Loeber Motors in Lincolnwood is absolutely phenomenal in service and sales. They use Enterprise, let me pick whatever car I want. I usually get an SUV like a Tahoe or Yukon since the C class is a bit small for me (I've been given a C class 3 times). No mileage restrictions, just bring it back with as much gas as it was given to you with.

-m

motorbobb

I am still torqued about my last experience at RBM Atlanta. I took my 00 e55 in for some service work ($2.5k). I was looking forward to driving one of their ML's because my wife wants an SUV and likes the looks.

As I was escorted out to my loaner, we walked through the loaner lot next to the building and was taken around the side. I was then handed keys to a heavily used Taurus. I told them I was surprised that I would be driving a Taurus as I actually wanted to test drive the ML. There response was that the Mercedes loaners were reserved for special customers. When I asked what that meant, they said that since I did not purchase my car from them, I got a Taurus.

My feeling is that there is nothing wrong with driving a Taurus, I just did not like getting treated like a second class citizen and as far as I knew, I paid the same hourly repair rate as the others.

I tell you my Infiniti dealer (Roswell Infiniti) runs a much better operation than RBM (and you get to drive a G35 to boot). rgds kc

corgiman

Star Motor Cars in Houston gives you a crappy enterprise car - usually with an empty tank of gas - AND MAKES YOU PAY $5 PER DAY in "taxes". Supposedly to encourage retuning the car. And the cars are filthy Saturn/Camry etc...

Gid_E_Up

The owner of the Indianapolis MB dealership has become a friend of mine. Ironically, I am driving a ML350 loaner today. He (the owner) has shared that this is an expense that he provides for his customer's convenience and it's the dealer's choice to do this or not. Strickly a business decision. From my perception it's a great touch. ML is a 2005 and clean. Dealer sticker on the rear window for advertising. He also shared that it's much harder to make money as an MB dealer than the old days and many dealers are aggressively looking for cost cutting ideas--which may explain Enterprise.

Fast55

Similar experiences. Bought the last 2 MB's from Calabasas. While the salesman was OK, their service is absolutely the worst. Usually got C's or ML's from them, but Enterprise seems to be setup inside most dealerships around here, Calabasas included. Now that I go to Silver Star in Thousand Oaks, no loaner at all,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"you didn't buy it here". They just don't have enough of them to go around, so the newest buyers are first up for the loaners.

Jakpro1

W O W ...what difference from the dealership I call "The Devil's Own Dealership" or "Benz-cifer of Salt Lake".....service is okay, but the salesmen are just the biggest bunch of jerks I have ever experienced....they make used car salesmen look like Mother Teresa. I walk in just to look at new models, while there for a part, and the same a$$ harrasses me everytime (guess it's the sales manager..he sits in the center on the showroom like Jaba the Hut) "I see that you didn't buy your 55 from us...why not!" aggresive hard sell approach

Me "well the only E you had was a 2003 and you were asking 85,000 for it...without keyless go"

Him "Impossible...no way we would ever do that" ...now I am a lying according to him.

Me "well I snagged mine from Naperville motors pretty loaded and M I N T for around 70,000...and that ain't too shabby"

He proceeds to treat me like I am the biggest idiot for not lubing up and taking it from him bent over a desk......literally almost start shouting at each other in the showroom.

You ready for this......this is with my 10 year old little girl with me. Maybe cause I ain't a friggin Mormon or something....whatever. F them, I am a Benz buyer for life and that's quite a few models they are gonna lose out on til they put me in the ground.

Hey Gid, maybe I will hit Indy to buy when the new 55's come out...sounds like they actually have a clue.

cdiken

The coalburner went into the shop for "SRS Malfunction"

Out of curiosity I went on the Saab website....I can't believe a Saab 9-5 (non-Aero) is almost $40,000.

OK car, B- overall but I give the cool pop-out dashboard cupholder an A+

The Saab is WAY too harsh for a $40K car. The 2.3 liter motor is just gutless and belongs in a car 1,000 lbs lighter and $12,000 less.

Transmission "clunky" and indecisive.

Nice cruise economy on highway, only about 2,000 RPM at 70 MPH. Makes me wish the CDI had a deeper overdrive, certainly has the torque on hand to cruise 1600 RPM at 70.


Still, quircky overpriced Saab aside, Brown European was very gracious in offering me the car, they are a small dealer and it probably comes out of their pocket since no national loaner program.

onesixeight

I'm here in Honolulu, HI and the dealer here is Fletcher Jones Mercedes Benz of Honolulu (same FJ network as Chicago, LV, Newport Beach, etc)...and they give out C230K's here. Very nice loaner program and very accomodating...

My sales guys are great...usually pulls out a better new car ML, E, S, etc...but I don't like to put miles on a new car and I'm fine with the C for a few days...usually allows me to do things to a car that I normally wouldn't do to mine...