Oh dear! Another Merc Dealer bashing thread....

[mercboiuk]

....this time with regards to trying to buy a car.

At Robinsons Mercedes, Norwich. My Dad and I pop along to Robinsons to ask about test driving a C63 AMG and E63 AMG. I knew they had a C63 demo car, and did have an E63 estate, but when we enquired, the E63 had been sold and the C63 had moved to their Cambridge branch, but is now sold.
So I asked if they will be getting any more demos in. "Well no. We only get the latest AMG model in. Go to Mercedes Mayfair. They always every AMG in stock to test drive." Very helpful considering, we live quite away from both locations!
The guy just oozed an "I can't be ****d" attitude. Very unimpressed.
We also visited the local VW and Audi dealers to check out the R36 Passat and S5/RS4, respectively. Both dealers had a relaxed atmosphere, the salesmen giving you as much information as you could wish for.
My goodness, it seems Robinsons Mercedes' sales department is just as bad as their service department! Such a shame when you consider the history of the brand

Darren

 

[partsspecialist]

Thats not very good. Is this dealer a smaller branch? because they sound like one.
I used to work for a smaller branch. Here at manchester we have an AMG specialist salesman who really does know his stuff!

 

[W210 Fan]

I hate that attitude, like you have disturbed a salesman from anything important,

It does seem to differ from dealer to dealer, most people on here rate Tony Purslow, I am one of them, I went to the Audi dealer next door on Slyfield trading estate when I had an Audi V8 Quattro, when they asked what it was and I told them they asked whether Audi made it or not, I pointed to the car car park and told them it had an Audi badge on it, they then said they dont support vehicles that old and carried on reading the paper, Tony Purslow cant do enough to help me, spose that one of the hundreds of reasons why I drive a merc not an Audi,

 

[Dryce]

I hate that attitude, like you have disturbed a salesman from anything important,

I blame commissions. While they act as an incentive to close deals they can work against the larger organisation (dealer / brand) if there is no immediate deal for that salesman to work.

 

[Smatt]

Have found Robinsons Cambridge generally fairly relaxed & helpful. Were not at all pushy over purchase we made there & quite patient with a lengthy decision process we went through when choosing.

Can't comment on the Norwich branch as not been there, but we had a similar experience in general with BMW dealers. Stratstone (nee Altwood) Taplow(BMW) gave shocking aftersales service.

 

[st4]

Have Robinsons not been on this forum before with bad attitude. It was concerning a 124 autobox IIRC. It seemed a) they knew FA about anything b) they didn't care.

This isn't my experience with MB dealers, Stratstone MB seem very good.

 

[mercboiuk]

Have Robinsons not been on this forum before with bad attitude. It was concerning a 124 autobox IIRC. It seemed a) they knew FA about anything b) they didn't care

That was me and my 124. LOL

They are my nearest dealer, so I'm kinda stuck with them, regarding enquiries about newer cars.
Just seems as though the sales section isn't much better!

Darren

 

[st4]

That was me and my 124. LOL

They are my nearest dealer, so I'm kinda stuck with them, regarding enquiries about newer cars.
Just seems as though the sales section isn't much better!

Darren

Best advice, travel the extra miles to one thats of more use.

 

[NW_Merc]

My 2p worth as my brother was looking at Jaguars (yes I gave him a clip round the ear for it - he's got an MB at the mo' ....) and was deciding on whether he wanted the saloon X-type or the XK or the new XJ and the guy basically said to him in a manner not dissimilar that he didnt know what he wanted.........

My brother has decided that he will probably go for a jaguar and at this garage but will make it very clear to give the other sales person the commission just to make a point.

I don't think all sales people at the dealership will be like this twirp. See if there is someone else who you can talk to at this dealership and then if you're interested in the car they can get the commission.....

 

[robert.saunders]

I had bad times at Robinsons Peterborough, mainly aftersales it has to be said, but enough to make me wary and not overly inclined to deal with again

 

[st4]

I had bad times at Robinsons Peterborough, mainly aftersales it has to be said, but enough to make me wary and not overly inclined to deal with again

So you bought a different car...

 

[robert.saunders]

So you bought a different car...

Well, the Ford was acquired for purely financial reasons during a major shift in my money (i.e. I purchased a different money-pit. A house) but the MB brand will be visited again soon, but I'm not likely to purchase anything again through this particular dealer (the A140 was purchased from them, the C220 from MB Brighton but serviced at Robinsons P'boro).

Mud sticks and all that

 

[st4]

Thats a bad read...

Maybe a nice W211 would be a good bet for you once you revisit the MB brand. Did you have a Merc before this W203 or was that your first one.

Truth be told, the new Mondeo is a great car and after that carry on I wouldn't blame you if you opted for one. But maybe next time use a good MB Indie, even if its in Portsmouth....

 

[Mactech]

One way or another I have bought five Mercedes for myself and my wife over the past five years, and only one of those (the first one) has been from our local dealers Robinsons of Norwich.
The guy we bought the first car from was really good, but moved to another brand a few months later. The current crew seem either less interested or completley incapable of matching deals on offer elsewhere.
I find the service department OK, but my wife finds them very condecending
Loughborough, where I bought my S Class were in a different league.
Fine if you can travel, frustrating if you can't.

 

[robert.saunders]

Thats a bad read...

Maybe a nice W211 would be a good bet for you once you revisit the MB brand. Did you have a Merc before this W203 or was that your first one.

Truth be told, the new Mondeo is a great car and after that carry on I wouldn't blame you if you opted for one. But maybe next time use a good MB Indie, even if its in Portsmouth....

Aye, it was a bad experience if truth be told. Not what is to be expected by MB; Ford, yes

I had smallish cars for a while before the C220; prior to that the A140 which I loved but was an auto and underpowered, but I did enjoy it. And before that a series of other brands, Seat Ibiza, Fiat Bravo etc, and some dodgy Pugs/Rovers/Fords before that

I adored the C220 but we had to part company to assist me in my move and my cash flow. Not that the Ford has been much cheaper to run to be honest, but it does deliver great mpg and is a genuine hoot to drive (eats tyres mind). I admire the new Mondeo but only the estate, the hatch does nothing for me. Plus it has to be in the right colour.

Ironically, when the W203 was in for its work I acquired a loan C230K for a few days, which got me hooked on the different power delivery. As a result, I would next like a larger CDi such as a C320 but I am severely tempted by a W211, either 270 or perhaps if I'm feeling flirty, a 320.

But, but, but - that Kompressor. It was great to drive. So, who knows what I'll end up in, but I know I'll need some varied test drives

 

[st4]

=r.

Ironically, when the W203 was in for its work I acquired a loan C230K for a few days, which got me hooked on the different power delivery. As a result, I would next like a larger CDi such as a C320 but I am severely tempted by a W211, either 270 or perhaps if I'm feeling flirty, a 320.

But, but, but - that Kompressor. It was great to drive. So, who knows what I'll end up in, but I know I'll need some varied test drives

If you don't do many miles you might be better with an E350 or E500. Serious power there, and not that much juicier than a C230k (well a bit actually). Alas though you will see a real rise in your fuel bills....

The 270cdi is probably the one to have of the W211's and the 320cdi a real performer. My 220cdi is playful enough but quite a rowdy engine noise wise. All in all the W211 is a great reliable car, and in 4 or 5clyinder guise easy on fuel. They're getting cheap too with the arrival of the ugly W212.

 

[robert.saunders]

Mind you, I did like that W209 CLK500 from another thread

 

[st4]

Mind you, I did like that W209 CLK500 from another thread

Its a beauty, but in 2002 they weren't galvanised, so it would be a bit rusty.

 

[dsolds]

If you don't do many miles you might be better with an E350 or E500. Serious power there, and not that much juicier than a C230k (well a bit actually). Alas though you will see a real rise in your fuel bills....

Have to agree with the E500 cos that's what I have. I have also tried the E350 and found it rather flat, a bit noisy, sort of a screamy growl rather than a nice deep burble, but absolutely no acceleration unless thrashed hard. Damn thirsty too.

But the E320CDI, ah now there's some torque. I reckon it would pull the severn bridge off its mounts if left long enough. And they keep up with my 500 very nicely up to about 80mph. An absolutely blinding motor.

Have to say though, Go V8. You know you want to and you know it makes sense. And we all know it has the correct amount of cylinders