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Not happy!

jonnyMercUK

jonnyMercUK

Active Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
679
Location
South Yorkshire
Car
Mercedes C220 CDI AMG SPORT
Well Well Well!

Had my first bad experience from Mercedes yesterday. I have had a slight niggle with my C Coupe since I picked it up, there was a rubbing noise coming from the steering column, I left it as I thought it was just because it was brand new.

I took the car in to Mercedes Doncaster when passing a couple of weeks ago, a technician took a look and advised me to book it in...so I did. Because I start work at 8 I needed a loan car the night before and return it back the day after.

The first balls up was when I received a confirmation call, and they had not booked the loan car for the night before, I couldn't book it in for any other day so the lady said she "would sort a something out".

The biggy (and some may call me a snob) was when I was taken to my loan car....baring in mind i'm use to a brand new c class coupe and was told when ordering the car I would be given a like for like car when having it serviced etc. OH NO!!! It was an A Class..brilliant! I wouldn't mind so much if it was just to get me out and about but when I do a 100 mile round trip a day I knew it wasn't going to be fun! I said something when I was taken to the car but the lady said it was the only car they had left.

Has anyone else had this experience? I know when I had my BMW they had to give me a like for like car.
 
Just my opinion, but I think you've set the bar too high. OK, so the original loan car should have been sorted, but a mistake was made and they offered you an A-class instead. The car is capable of a 100 mile journey in safety and comfort.

I'm sure BMW dealers make mistakes too and may have offered you a 1-series or even Mini.

The key issue for me would be whether they fix the steering noise or not.

Chin up.
 
My local dealers also supply A Class courtesy cars. (Rather smaller than mine too, but I wouldn't really expect them to retain a spare E55 AMG.)

Last time mine was in, they had no cars available, so the Service Manager drove me home in her own car and collected me when the job was done. Thanks Zoe at Draytons Worcester :thumb:
 
Do you remember the advert "THE LEXUS EXPERIENCE" I had an experience when I had a Lexus. I bought a 5 year old GS300 sport I took it for a service and a loan car was booked for me. While I was waiting a guy with a suit and a set of golf clubs came in. He was told that he had not booked a loan car for the day of his service and they would do their best to accomodate him with a car. after about 10 minutes two cars drew up outside the service waiting area. One was a brand new Lexus GS300 and the other a brand new Toyota Yaris the guys came into reception and anounced our cars were ready. Our friend swooped up his golf clubs and headed for the GS300. he was stopped by the service manager and told that his car was the Yaris. and the GS was for me. Now bear in mind that I was dressed in casual clothes and just chilling with my complimentory coffee; this guy flipped when he realised that he had to go to the golf course in a YARIS. He demanded that the cars be switched. I said nothing and was prepared to have the Yaris if the guy asked nicely. No chance. in the end the service manager told him I had booked a car loan and this was now sorted. He would have to except the Yaris or change his service date. The poor guy was chomping at the bit. This story is not meant to prove a point just a little story about loan cars.
 
jonnystuartuk said:
Maybe it's just my over expectations :(
Click to expand...

My dealership used to give a Europcar Corsa sometimes as a loan car, though these days it tends to be an A- or B-Class.

You can't expect them to provide you with a like-for-like model, it's just not practical. Be grateful that they're offering you a loan car at all.

As for the A-Class not being a proper MB, there those who said that about the "C-Class" (ie: 190E) when it was introduced.
 
wemorgan said:
The key issue for me would be whether they fix the steering noise or not.
Click to expand...

I agree.

Think your expectations are a tad high. It's wheels, and hardly an inconvenience to you while your P&J is fixed. My TVR specialist has Perodua loaners - well, I don't expect him to lend me his £50k Sagaris. And the 3-speed auto box version is the biggest crock of sh*te going, but it saves me a load of hassle for the 60 mile round-trip.

Stay focussed on the rectification and don't have your experienced blurred by something so utterly minor. Hope they get to the bottom of it fairly quickly.
 
jonnystuartuk said:
Well Well Well!

Had my first bad experience from Mercedes yesterday. I have had a slight niggle with my C Coupe since I picked it up, there was a rubbing noise coming from the steering column, I left it as I thought it was just because it was brand new.

I took the car in to Mercedes Doncaster when passing a couple of weeks ago, a technician took a look and advised me to book it in...so I did. Because I start work at 8 I needed a loan car the night before and return it back the day after.

The first balls up was when I received a confirmation call, and they had not booked the loan car for the night before, I couldn't book it in for any other day so the lady said she "would sort a something out".

The biggy (and some may call me a snob) was when I was taken to my loan car....baring in mind i'm use to a brand new c class coupe and was told when ordering the car I would be given a like for like car when having it serviced etc. OH NO!!! It was an A Class..brilliant! I wouldn't mind so much if it was just to get me out and about but when I do a 100 mile round trip a day I knew it wasn't going to be fun! I said something when I was taken to the car but the lady said it was the only car they had left.

Has anyone else had this experience? I know when I had my BMW they had to give me a like for like car.
Click to expand...

Some things don't change then, Doncaster told me the same a few years ago when my car was off the road for a gearbox for a week. The timing for me was not impeccable, although I did discover that a carpet can fit into an A Class.

At that point I was told that they would put me in something larger when they could. Someone later let slip that they only c class and it was out on long term loan.
 
When I used Doncaster Mercedes for the only time when I took my W211 for a service they offered me an ML or a B-Class. I went for the B-Class and a very nice car it was.

As for an A-Class not being a 'proper' Mercedes, the same would have been levelled at your C-Class thirty year ago.
 
Perversely, I often find driving a small loan car for a day or two an interesting and enjoyable experience. Recently for example a Ford Focus 1.6 petrol loaned to me by a Merc dealership steered and handled beautifully and was a real pleasure to drive.
 
I think the second generation A class is a great car and perhaps it is just me but I like to be offered a different courtesy car to the one I have even if it is nearly half the engine capacity.
 
Mercedes Lakeside dont even give me a bloody loan car. I have to spend my time window shopping at the nearby Lakeside retail park!
 
Update: Just had a grovelling phone call from the service manager giving me his sincerest apologies. He offered to give my car a good clean and bring it too me however I declined that as i'll be out and about this afternoon.
 
SPX said:
When I used Doncaster Mercedes for the only time when I took my W211 for a service they offered me an ML or a B-Class. I went for the B-Class and a very nice car it was.

As for an A-Class not being a 'proper' Mercedes, the same would have been levelled at your C-Class thirty year ago.
Click to expand...

I had an E from them once. I think once the Courtesy cars are used up they move onto the sales execs demo's.
 
I had exactly the same steering column problem with my C-Estate back in January.
Booked the car in with Mercedes Shrewsbury and arranged courtesy car. Dropped it off on the day and was admittedly disappointed to end up with an A Class. Not ideal- but did the job and only for one day. Made me appreciate my C more when I got back into it in the evening though!

Regarding what car they give you- I am just glad they offered the courtesy car option- though I would not have wanted to do a long run in it. My car had also been washed externally. Overall I was satisfied with the service from the dealer....

HOWEVER, my previous car was an Audi & Shrewsbury Audi literally went the extra mile. Towards the end of it's lease, it was in the garage 2 or 3 times for warranty work before going back. Courtesy cars were never a problem- I had a Q7 twice (very nice to drive but bl**dy thirsty!) & a new A6 Avant the other time. Furthermore, my car was returned immaculate- washed externally PLUS vacuumed internally & surfaces wiped.

Ultimately- Mercedes = cracking car & satisfactory service (so far). Audi = compromised car (appalling ride!!!)- exceptional customer service.
 
At least it wasn't a Smart.
 
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