mercboiuk
MB Enthusiast
So FINALLY, after 3 and a half weeks, my car has been returned to me.
If you read my other recent thread about dealers, you'll know my car has been for a warranty repair to my gearbox.
Due to the vehicle being in a bodyshop, the 2 year warranty's deadline came and went.
However, because the vehicle's fault was reported before the deadline, they agreed to repair. No complaints there, that's for sure.
Now to the bad bits.
One week in, and I get a call from the dealer. They tell me that they cannot fault my car
The Friday of that week I head down to the dealer to go out for a test drive with their top technician - a middle-aged chap I find out has been working with a Mercedes dealer since he was 16. So he should know his stuff. I replicated my gearbox problem straight away, to which he stated that he wouldn't have picked up on it as an "abnormal gear change". After replicating the change a number of times, he then conceeded it was abnormal to keep doing it.
Upon returning to the dealer, they had the cheek to ask for their courtesy car back, telling me I'd already had it for 2 days longer than which they told me. Fortunately my Merc specialist came to the rescue, so I've been in their car. However I've had to put this car on my insurance, whereas the dealer's car is on their insurance.
They quoted me a time of one more week.
So I forward this information to my specialist and to a valet company (each of whom are expecting my car), only to be informed by the dealer on the Friday of this 2nd week that the car would not be ready. They had replaced the valve chest, but the problem was still evident.
I was then told it would be about another week. I pushed for a courtesy car, and they still said none were available
They told me Mercedes had instructed them to strip my gearbox and parts, as required.
My specialist (a Mercedes trained technician) had told me to expect this, but it still seems strange to me, as there is very little difference in a complete gearbox from Mercedes vs. stripping, replacing and rebuilding.
I rearrange the valet and the drop off to the specialist.
A call comes on the Thursday of this 3rd week. The chap tells me they have ordered a bunch of new parts, but have not received them all. I'm now told it would be ready the following Wednesday (7th May). I don't press for a courtesy car, as it's kind of pointless for what amounts to a couple of extra days (I'd already arranged insurance on the specialist's car).
A call comes on this Wednesday telling me it's complete!
I nearly fainted 
So when I picked it up, I had a nice little moan at the chap I'd been dealing with. I kindly pointed out that I was pleased they had done it under warranty, to which he agreed it was abnormal. When I mentioned about their 60 day grace period post-warranty, he seemed surprised I knew about this
I then lay into the facts about the courtesy car and some false information I was give, previously at the dealership (They had attempted a repair at the end of last year, to my gearbox and I was told they replaced the valve chest then. Only this time the car was in, I discovered only a valve in the valve chest was replaced).
Whether or not my comments would be passed on to management remains to be seen, but I suspect not.
However - as a person who rarely complains (indeed has a need to complain) - it felt fantastic
Darren
If you read my other recent thread about dealers, you'll know my car has been for a warranty repair to my gearbox.
Due to the vehicle being in a bodyshop, the 2 year warranty's deadline came and went.
However, because the vehicle's fault was reported before the deadline, they agreed to repair. No complaints there, that's for sure.
Now to the bad bits.
One week in, and I get a call from the dealer. They tell me that they cannot fault my car
The Friday of that week I head down to the dealer to go out for a test drive with their top technician - a middle-aged chap I find out has been working with a Mercedes dealer since he was 16. So he should know his stuff. I replicated my gearbox problem straight away, to which he stated that he wouldn't have picked up on it as an "abnormal gear change". After replicating the change a number of times, he then conceeded it was abnormal to keep doing it.
Upon returning to the dealer, they had the cheek to ask for their courtesy car back, telling me I'd already had it for 2 days longer than which they told me. Fortunately my Merc specialist came to the rescue, so I've been in their car. However I've had to put this car on my insurance, whereas the dealer's car is on their insurance.
They quoted me a time of one more week.
So I forward this information to my specialist and to a valet company (each of whom are expecting my car), only to be informed by the dealer on the Friday of this 2nd week that the car would not be ready. They had replaced the valve chest, but the problem was still evident.
I was then told it would be about another week. I pushed for a courtesy car, and they still said none were available
They told me Mercedes had instructed them to strip my gearbox and parts, as required.
My specialist (a Mercedes trained technician) had told me to expect this, but it still seems strange to me, as there is very little difference in a complete gearbox from Mercedes vs. stripping, replacing and rebuilding.
I rearrange the valet and the drop off to the specialist.
A call comes on the Thursday of this 3rd week. The chap tells me they have ordered a bunch of new parts, but have not received them all. I'm now told it would be ready the following Wednesday (7th May). I don't press for a courtesy car, as it's kind of pointless for what amounts to a couple of extra days (I'd already arranged insurance on the specialist's car).
A call comes on this Wednesday telling me it's complete!
I nearly fainted So when I picked it up, I had a nice little moan at the chap I'd been dealing with. I kindly pointed out that I was pleased they had done it under warranty, to which he agreed it was abnormal. When I mentioned about their 60 day grace period post-warranty, he seemed surprised I knew about this
I then lay into the facts about the courtesy car and some false information I was give, previously at the dealership (They had attempted a repair at the end of last year, to my gearbox and I was told they replaced the valve chest then. Only this time the car was in, I discovered only a valve in the valve chest was replaced).
Whether or not my comments would be passed on to management remains to be seen, but I suspect not.
However - as a person who rarely complains (indeed has a need to complain) - it felt fantastic
Darren
However you are now increasingly screened from them by an army of "suits " who contribute little to the repair of your car except increasing the cost.
Can I assume you've also had the pleasure of dealing with them? 
