Turning Japanese...

[jpbp200]

Who cares how much money dealers make? Not me. I only care how much money I make. Especially as all dealers (inc non MB ones) seem arrogant and lethargic. If anyone disagrees then have the guts to name ONE dealer where I can go and be GUARANTEED to get exceptional service ALL the time...... I will "mystery shop" them and report back if you like......

 

[jpbp200]

How anyone could allow their choice of car to be made on the basis of which salesman did or did not phone back is quite beyond me.

What else are you supposed to consider then? The only reason I am changing is because my 10 year old MB is so rusty that maintaining it is a waste of money. I have seen Renaults of the same age with less corrosion..... I gave MB the green light to sell me a new car and they failed to bother. How anyone could let lemming like brand loyalty affect THEIR choice of car is beyond ME!!!!!!!

 

[psmart]

IMHO - This has been a truly great thread, Thanks goes out to too many people to hit the Thanks button, but Ling has done herself great justice and admire the lady immensely.

jpbp200 - I made the same reasoned decision. Cash in hand, A or B class to be purchased, but a set of events, primarily poor service and disrespect from MBUK made me look at other manufacturers choosing Toyota, which has been a wise decision. Not many on this board like the Prius, but Im upgrading to the new version this year as its impressed me that much. Im still an avid Mercedes owner (recently bought the ML500 W164) and love the brand, but brand loyalty isnt guaranteed unless loyalty and service to customers is guaranteed. Something so simple, yet it eludes MBUK.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

IMHO - This has been a truly great thread.

I'm still an avid Mercedes owner (recently bought the ML500 W164) and love the brand, but brand loyalty isn't guaranteed unless loyalty and service to customers is guaranteed. Something so simple, yet it eludes MBUK.

Spot on, psmart. Blind brand loyalty is not sensible, and will eventually lead to the sort of apathy which others have reported of dealerships, either not responding to customer interest (and failing to sell cars), or producing less than impressive service at all too impressive prices.

I am sure these guys go off on away days, brainstorm the current problems in syndicate groups and come up with all the right answers. Sadly, if they do not return to base and implement the findings, nothing will change.

Brands, or outlets who are hungrier are therefore going to win. And at present, there is not enough business out there to sustain all of them.

 

[Rory]

jpbp200 - I made the same reasoned decision. Cash in hand, A or B class to be purchased, but a set of events, primarily poor service and disrespect from MBUK made me look at other manufacturers choosing Toyota, which has been a wise decision.

If BMW had got off their backsides (and I tried 3 dealers) when I opted out of my company car, then I'd have been driving a 5 Series now. Mercedes dealers (tried 2) weren't much better, but the guy I dealt with at MB Direct Birmingham was a breath of fresh air - he really wanted me to buy one of his cars, rather than me having to beg to be allowed to buy one.

 

[hawk20]

Some while back I also looked at the 5 series. The local dealer would only allow about a half hour test drive and no chance of trying a car for a day.

The local MB dealer, lent me an Elegance for a day and an Avantgarde for another day. I bought the E. (At that time I chose the Elegance but this time I've gone for Avantgarde. All nice in their own way.).

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Ril

It is easy to see how a "cause" can become a preoccupation.

 

[hawk20]

It is easy to see how a "cause" can become a preoccupation.

Yes promoting the Japanese and running down MB and its dealers can become obsessive to some.

 

[jpbp200]

Well I now have a shiny new Japanese car. I will see if it even comes close to a MB/BMW/Audi..... Watch this space.....

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Well I now have a shiny new Japanese car. I will see if it even comes close to a MB/BMW/Audi..... Watch this space.....

I agree with you on all counts. I have had 4 Japanese cars - 2 Mitsubishi Lancers when in Cyprus, no defects, no rattles in spite of horrible roads, and 2 Toyotas in the UK, no defects, no rattles. No rust on any of these cars.

I had a W 202 of MY 2000 and, like you, sold it when the rust arrived. Was there a sensible alternative? I think not. Brand loyalty and sentiment won't repair the rust for you, or compensate for the exceptional depreciation.

I now have 3 x MB (1994 precedes the rust era, 2004 and 2007 are hopefully since that era). I really appreciate the brand and enjoy the cars, but mindless loyalty is not sensible, and could be very expensive with the wrong choices.

I hope your Honda repays the faith you have in it. I guess only time will tell.

 

[jpbp200]

Who cares how much money dealers make? Not me. I only care how much money I make. Especially as all dealers (inc non MB ones) seem arrogant and lethargic. If anyone disagrees then have the guts to name ONE dealer where I can go and be GUARANTEED to get exceptional service ALL the time...... I will "mystery shop" them and report back if you like......

I notice that no one has responded!!!!!

 

[Rory]

The local MB dealer, lent me an Elegance for a day and an Avantgarde for another day. I bought the E. (At that time I chose the Elegance but this time I've gone for Avantgarde. All nice in their own way.).

I have arranged test drives of the (now) previous E Class and the new C Class at my local dealership. Neither actually took place.

You said earlier "How anyone could allow their choice of car to be made on the basis of which salesman did or did not phone back is quite beyond me." But what am I supposed to do? Go down on bended knee and beg them to let me try a car?? It wasn't that they didn't call me back - when I got to the dealership the cars weren't available despite firm and definite arrangements and they just shrugged.

 

[hawk20]

I notice that no one has responded!!!!!

Can you guarantee to be perfect all the time?

 

[jpbp200]

I agree with you on all counts. I have had 4 Japanese cars - 2 Mitsubishi Lancers when in Cyprus, no defects, no rattles in spite of horrible roads, and 2 Toyotas in the UK, no defects, no rattles. No rust on any of these cars.

I had a W 202 of MY 2000 and, like you, sold it when the rust arrived. Was there a sensible alternative? I think not. Brand loyalty and sentiment won't repair the rust for you, or compensate for the exceptional depreciation.

I now have 3 x MB (1994 precedes the rust era, 2004 and 2007 are hopefully since that era). I really appreciate the brand and enjoy the cars, but mindless loyalty is not sensible, and could be very expensive with the wrong choices.

I hope your Honda repays the faith you have in it. I guess only time will tell.

I tried to get the rust repaired and MB said it was neglect (rubbish) so, that avenue closed I had no choice. I may well be a MB customer in the future but they will have to prove that they are the better alternative...

In summary:

Do I see a new MB C class and wish I had one? No

Do I do the same for BMW/Audi? No (Although the A5 always looks fantastic)

Do I like the choice that I made? Yes ( I should hope so too as I spent 3 months researching the best deal!!!)

I do miss the kudos of having an MB keyring though but my car looks as good as any German model. It's definately not as 'solid' but it is built very very well.

As you say, time will tell......

 

[hawk20]

I have arranged test drives of the (now) previous E Class and the new C Class at my local dealership. Neither actually took place.

You said earlier "How anyone could allow their choice of car to be made on the basis of which salesman did or did not phone back is quite beyond me." But what am I supposed to do? Go down on bended knee and beg them to let me try a car?? It wasn't that they didn't call me back - when I got to the dealership the cars weren't available despite firm and definite arrangements and they just shrugged.

I don't know why you go on with MB Rory. You have this enormous fund of appalling experiences. Change brands for God's sake -and yours.

 

[Rory]

Who cares how much money dealers make? Not me. I only care how much money I make. Especially as all dealers (inc non MB ones) seem arrogant and lethargic. If anyone disagrees then have the guts to name ONE dealer where I can go and be GUARANTEED to get exceptional service ALL the time...... I will "mystery shop" them and report back if you like......

I notice you have a Honda - how is your Honda dealer?

My wife has a Jazz which we bought from TwoMillsHonda. I've been very happy with the car and the dealership. But even they somewhat screwed up the handover, however they seemed genuinely sorry and offered the first service FOC - worthwhile compensation at Honda prices!

There was one Service Advisor that I didn't get on with - imagine my dismay when she turned up at my MB dealership with just the same attitude issues (although they fit quite well at MB). Last time I went to TwoMills they had a couple of young lads on service reception and they were very good.

Honda dealers remind me of what the independent MB dealers used to be like before they reorganised and went "corporate".

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Mmmm .........

Sounds like its going to be "handbags at dawn"?

 

[psmart]

Sounds like its going to be "handbags at dawn"?

My money is on the independent )

 

[Rory]

I don't know why you go on with MB Rory. You have this enormous fund of appalling experiences. Change brands for God's sake -and yours.

I'm not bothered by brands so would choose with an open mind. I bought my current car as I wanted a diesel auto with a proper auto box (not multitronic like Audi) and 4yrs ago there wasn't a huge choice. The well equipped ex-MB management C270CDi I found fitted the bill and I've been pleased with it apart from very un-Mercedes like ride and the drifting left is a pain on long journeys. Oh, and the COMAND not working properly is a apprantly a figment of my imagination.

What I didn't expect was to be in constant fear of enormous bills foisted on me and I hoped that the dealership experience would be more competent than mainstream brands, whereas it's certainly worse. My dealer is clueless and there isn't a realistic alternative.

 

[hawk20]

I'm not bothered by brands so would choose with an open mind. I bought my current car as I wanted a diesel auto with a proper auto box (not multitronic like Audi) and 4yrs ago there wasn't a huge choice. The well equipped ex-MB management C270CDi I found fitted the bill and I've been pleased with it apart from very un-Mercedes like ride and the drifting left is a pain on long journeys. Oh, and the COMAND not working properly is a apprantly a figment of my imagination.

What I didn't expect was to be in constant fear of enormous bills foisted on me and I hoped that the dealership experience would be more competent than mainstream brands, whereas it's certainly worse. My dealer is clueless and there isn't a realistic alternative.

I sympathise. When we lived elsewhere we had a pretty lousy MB dealer and it can seriously affect your enjoyment of a car. Now, our local dealer is excellent and it does make all the difference.

Our dealer has a Group Diagnostic Technician and if you have a fault like your COMAND problem he gets involved and is first rate. When I had a C class (203) I had an infuriating squeak nobody could find, but coming from somewhere at the back of the car. The problem was pushed up to him. In 5 minutes in the car he said it was front anti-roll bar bushes (not from the back but noise can fool us all). Cured. Also had some leftward pull and he cured that. Don't know how. So then I was happy. But without such an expert I suppose I could have been very unhappy.