My experience of buying a new Mercedes

[pmw103]

Hi Tim,
When the C class came out I engaged this team

- Mercedes-Benz (UK) Media Site

around an ernous press realease around the extent of the driver assistance pack functionality as it was at launch. Basically the press relase said it had steer assist, but at the time UK cars didn't that only changed recently.

They didn't change the press release, but they replied promptly and clearly understood and considered my feedback.

This thread is getting lots of views.

I think the Media / PR team might see it in their best interests to help you get the info you need.

I did a similar thing with Toyota when I was buying my Prius.

The Toyota PR / Media team helped connect me at the right level with customer services.

Might worth a shot?

Hope this helps, I also have an e class on order also due in August, so watching this thread with great interest.

i wonder if any other orders have gone missing?

Good luck
cheers p

 

[maha]

Man i feel sorry for you

Man you are very patient, if this was me I would have asked for my money back and gone for a different car and from a private seller because I can actually see the car is there.

 

[Dryce]

Update: No Loan Cars available.

Delivery now moved back to the end of August. No reason given.

Not satisfactory.

Order a convertible and get it at the end of summer?

Unless you're getting a stonking deal I'd be looking at alternatives.

 

[grober]

The new RHD C class saloon W205 and estate? are produced in the East London South Africa plant with I believe the LHD W205 C class is still made in Bremen---- whereas both RHD and LHD E class saloon and estate are produced at Sindelfingen. The RHD E class coupe and cabriolet are actually based on the old C class W204 platform and were I believe built at Bremen along with the old RHD W204 saloons in the past. Your car is now in the slightly anomalous position being based on a] a discontinued model floor pan. b] possibly made in a plant that primarily makes LHD W205 saloons and estates based on a different running gear/chassis . How does that fit into the Bremen production line logic you may well ask- I have no idea. I wonder if they make em in batches now or even elsewhere. Anyone visited the Bremen plant recently or seen the production documentation a recent new cabriolet comes with- usually states the plant of orgin?

 

[james.raban]

I'm 99% sure all S205's (W205 estate) are built in Bremen...not just lefties. The W205 is built in SA though.

 

[grober]

I'm 99% sure all S205's (W205 estate) are built in Bremen...not just lefties. The W205 is built in SA though.

Fair enough ,good to know, still doesn't address the superceded platform issue though?

 

[kjl]

JBD has gone very silent!

 

[JBD]

Sorry guys! Busy day. Not sure if I should get involved, I don't think it will go down well. I'm surprised you have no explanation though

 

[Tiim533]

Hi Tim,
When the C class came out I engaged this team

- Mercedes-Benz (UK) Media Site

around an ernous press realease around the extent of the driver assistance pack functionality as it was at launch. Basically the press relase said it had steer assist, but at the time UK cars didn't that only changed recently.

They didn't change the press release, but they replied promptly and clearly understood and considered my feedback.

This thread is getting lots of views.

I think the Media / PR team might see it in their best interests to help you get the info you need.

I did a similar thing with Toyota when I was buying my Prius.

The Toyota PR / Media team helped connect me at the right level with customer services.

Might worth a shot?

Hope this helps, I also have an e class on order also due in August, so watching this thread with great interest.

i wonder if any other orders have gone missing?

Good luck
cheers p

Thanks. I'll try that; can't do any harm. Of course the most annoying thing is that on the radio now it's continually advertising "Get a new Mercedes E Class... Business Users only for £199 a month"

If only!

 

[pmw103]

Thanks. I'll try that; can't do any harm. Of course the most annoying thing is that on the radio now it's continually advertising "Get a new Mercedes E Class... Business Users only for £199 a month"

If only!

Hi Tim,
Sure my pleasure
Indeed worth a try.
Lol indeed, I have heard that advert too, mine is built today!
Hope it turns up, really worried after your experiences!

Hope Mercedes start communicating to you soon!

The 5 day SLA must be up soon anyone on your original call to MB CS right?

Good luck with the PR team. cheers p

 

[MD5]

JBD has gone very silent!

I've been thinking over a period of time what a benefit JBD is here, as I often see his helpful responses to various questions which he doesn't need to get involved with.

JBD, It's good to have a friendly insider on board, symbiotic or otherwise, and I hope no-one is going to hold you culpable for MB's misgivings in general!

 

[grober]

Before anyone starts to panic I should make it clear there is absolutely nothing wrong with the W204 platform which is tried and tested. I was merely speculating that production logistics or component supply may result in delivery delays. Without a definititive explanation from MB we are left to speculate.

 

[Tiim533]

Hi Tim,
Sure my pleasure
Indeed worth a try.
Lol indeed, I have heard that advert too, mine is built today!
Hope it turns up, really worried after your experiences!

Hope Mercedes start communicating to you soon!

The 5 day SLA must be up soon anyone on your original call to MB CS right?

Good luck with the PR team. cheers p

Thanks.

Yes the 5 Day SLA is up, and they phoned me and said:
We don't know where you car is.
We don't know when you'll get it.
We can't confirm if it has been sold to another customer.
You can't escalate this.
You dealer knows everything (he's as much in the dark as I am).
Thank you for choosing Mercedes Benz.

I hope yours really is built. Mine was built by all accounts on 8 July!

Dealer did mention that the problem may be with the new 9 speed auto transmission, but as there's second hand ones for sale on Auto Trader, it can't be that! He just can't get any answers at all out of Milton Keynes either.

I hope it is a good car. The customer service from MB so far has been absolutely woeful.

 

[pmw103]

Thanks.

Yes the 5 Day SLA is up, and they phoned me and said:
We don't know where you car is.
We don't know when you'll get it.
We can't confirm if it has been sold to another customer.
You can't escalate this.
You dealer knows everything (he's as much in the dark as I am).
Thank you for choosing Mercedes Benz.

I hope yours really is built. Mine was built by all accounts on 8 July!

Dealer did mention that the problem may be with the new 9 speed auto transmission, but as there's second hand ones for sale on Auto Trader, it can't be that! He just can't get any answers at all out of Milton Keynes either.

I hope it is a good car. The customer service from MB so far has been absolutely woeful.

Hi Tim,
Indeed, after your experience I will believe it when I see it.
My salesperson though was astonished by your experience. He said he had ordered 400 Mercedes over his time selling and never had an issue like yours.

Apparently its always good practice to ask the dealer directly if the car had been damaged and subsequently repaired. If the sea is rough apparently cars do from time to time end up damaging each other. I think I read that in which.

If there is a problem with gearbox, and they are working on fix, I guess better in the long run to have it fix. I think mine is the 7G+ as its the 220 engine.

I just don't understand why they can't just tell you straight what's going on.
Getting you more disappointed, doesn't help them at all.

I hope someone senior see's this thread and gets you the update you deserve.

Good luck with it all, hopefully in the end the car will be perfect and surpass your expectations and all of this trauma will fade in time.

Good luck cheers p

 

[Doodle]

I love it when someone says "You can't escalate this".

Unless I'm speaking to the CEO or the chairman of the board, then yes, I can.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I love it when someone says "You can't escalate this".

Unless I'm speaking to the CEO or the chairman of the board, then yes, I can.

Hence my previous posts, I would not accept this either. However, you can lead a horse to water...

 

[Tiim533]

Update:
Jack from MB in Bury St Ed's just phoned me and said Mercedes Head Office will pay for a hire car from Europcar (a MB) until mine turns up. Won't be this weekend but a friend is lending me a Ford Fusion for the weekend.

Still no reason for the delay. The car is definitely built and at the factory. Jack's best guess is a) gearbox problems... apparently the 9 speed box did initially have problems or b) an actual piece of equipment on the production line is broken.

So, shame I don't have it, but happier now I don't have to beg, borrow or rent cars until mine eventually does turn up.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Good news at last!

(Wonder if the rental will be an E class?)

 

[Tiim533]

Good news at last!

(Wonder if the rental will be an E class?)

I'll let you know.

Thanks for everyone's input, and when it does turn up, I'll post a piccy on here

 

[pmw103]

Update:
Jack from MB in Bury St Ed's just phoned me and said Mercedes Head Office will pay for a hire car from Europcar (a MB) until mine turns up. Won't be this weekend but a friend is lending me a Ford Fusion for the weekend.

Still no reason for the delay. The car is definitely built and at the factory. Jack's best guess is a) gearbox problems... apparently the 9 speed box did initially have problems or b) an actual piece of equipment on the production line is broken.

So, shame I don't have it, but happier now I don't have to beg, borrow or rent cars until mine eventually does turn up.

That's good, hope the car turns up soon! so strange they just won't explain what's going on though.