Mercedes-Benz Dealer Reviews.. Have a look!

[MERCSPORT]

Just thought I would share my thoughts on MB Dealers I have experienced over the last 3 years (my family bought our first Mercedes) starting with the first...

Mercedes-Benz Of Whitefield - Manchester - 2008
W203 2007 57 Mercedes-Benz C180 Kompressor Avantgarde Auto Saloon, Cubanite Silver, 16240 miles from new, 1 owner (Enterprise/Leased by Mercedes-Benz UK), £14590 (after negotiations)

Paul Russell sold me the car over the phone! I didn't even view the car, car was delivered to me, well pleased with the deal I got and the service and friendliness received from the staff.

2010 - Rang Paul Russell, after Mercedes-Benz Of Milton Keynes found non-merc handbrake shoes, these have been on the car since I bought it.

Paul Russell response - Even if they are not genuine Merc parts I would pleased knowing they have lasted this long!!!

1st stamp missing on my service book - Rang the service team twice, both occasions saying they would ring me back, never got that phone call!

Mercedes-Benz Of Bedford - Bedfordshire - 2009
2007 57 Mercedes-Benz C180 Kompressor Avantgarde

Herjit Singh/Service Manager - Did not get my serviced by Mercedes-Benz, took it to a family friend instead, took it to Mercedes-Benz Of Bedford to take the service light off, which he did but decided to take away my Road Side Assistance Cover.

Various experiences with Bedford MB about bodywork and suspected noises, proved to be fine.

Herjit Singh would quote my stupid prices for my bodywork, others working at the same dealership offered me excellent prices for the same work (just had to pop in on the weekend instead where somebody else would be working in Herjits place!)

2009 Oil leak, gearbox repaired immediately, good customer care received.

2010 -

Brakes squeaking, car checked by MB technician, brakes were corroded, told to replace them, quoted £650 approximately. I said this was a rip off, tried charging me £70 for diagnostics which I refused to pay after saying I was not told there would be a charge, keys were handed to me.

Replaced brakes using Euro Car Parts, got all my brakes for about £150, fitted them using a screw driver, and paid Mercedes-Benz Of Milton Keynes to adjust them! Nice...

Carpet tore, was told I was not covered under warranty, I paid £70 to repair the carpet.... Was a completely disgusting job, bits of fluff absolutely covered in glue which spread all over the carpet! The next day the fluff got sucked up by a vacuum cleaner when I was cleaning it...

Took it in again, the done the same job again, got sucked up again! Then went a third time to the MB Bedford, had a go at the manager and his assistant, told him I hated Kevin from his service team and said his customer service was appalling... He arranged for someone to take pictures of my carpet, sent them to MB Head office and told me they would sort it after apologising lots of times.
Herjit then rang me, saying that MB Head office had contacted him, he then asked where I had the car serviced, I replied Millennium Mercedes (Independent Merc Specialist), he replied saying because I did not have the car serviced by them, I would pay an extra £50 and they would chuck the labour in free....

Loan Cars Provided By Mercedes-Benz Of Bedford -

2008 58 C200 CDI SE Saloon Auto -
(Completely Standard), but pleased (my first drive in a new shape!)

2009 58 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4i Club Semi-Auto
I paid to have my bodywork done, not even a warranty job and they give me a corsa!

2009 09 Mercedes-Benz C200 CDI Sport Auto Estate
Better, enjoyed it apart from the fact it was filthy brown on the outside, the car was grey... or so they said

2010 60 Mercedes-Benz A160 CDI Manual 5 door Classic
After requesting an Auto, they gave me a manual, bog started A class which I hated, there was a stain behind the driver seat which looked like vomit.

2010 - Mercedes-Benz Of Milton Keynes - Milton Keynes
W203 2007 57 C180 Komp Avantgarde
Car was making a stretching noise, took it in 1 month before warranty ends! Was served by Jennifer, took the car to MB MK instead as tensions were rising over me and MB Bedford

Service was awesome, got a breakfast, coffees, biscuits, staff were very friendly. I got to speak to the technician who said he would order ball-joints and have my car done next week! Brilliant
Brought the car in next week, was then told the car needed handbrake shoes, they asked me to pay up £378! I refused, got an MOT done (No advisories?) and went home. I then rang them up again, demanding my suspension be checked, brought it in again and they lubed it, it worked for 2 weeks they the noise came back again. I rang them again but by this time, the warranty had finished and I was told it would not be under warranty any more.

The car was now making a ticking noise from the engine, so I sold the b*t*h!

Loan Cars -

2009 59 C200 CDI Sport Auto Saloon
Loved it but dissapointed that I had to pay £!5.00 for insurance

2010 60 Ford Fiesta Edge 1.4 tdci Manual Hatchback
Did not want a manual, got a manual, from a bog standard Ford (I was again a paying customer this time) and again I had to pay insurance, £10.00 this time.

2011, 2nd February - Mercedes-Benz Of Gatwick and Cambridge
W204 2007 57 Mercedes-Benz C180 Kompressor Sport Auto Saloon, Obsidian Black, 2 owners (first MB, second Laura), 37000 miles from new (just had a £700 service), bought from Mercedes-Benz Of Gatwick for £15300 again over the phone, sold to me by Mike.

The car was delivered to my door, I was really excited and signed, it was absolutely gleaming! and looked awesome in the snow. I left the car and went on holiday for 2 weeks, came back, took my car out on a nice warm day (snow gone!) and all of a sudden, a nasty grinding noise coming from my brakes! I rang MB Gatwick, and spoke to Mike, who agreed to have it booked in at MB Cambridge (as it was closer), I did however ask for it to be taken to MB Bedford or MB Milton Keynes, but he said that he could not get through to any of them?
Went to MB Cambridge, they found the steering fluid was low, and so they topped it up, they said my brakes were fine, and that I should give it a month or two and they should be set as the brakes had not been used enough (corroded/rusted).
Came back in a month still complaining about the grinding saying it was embarrassing when stopping at the lights. They then said, that MB Gatwick was refusing to replace the brakes and that I should pay £115.00 to have them cleaned, as it could take some of the corrosion away. This did not work and in fact made it worse (the brakes looked exactly the same!). After 2 weeks I was fuming ! I rang Steve Langley (Manager, Mike was on holiday apparently), had a massive go at him, I had also found a health check carried out by MB Cambridge stating the brakes were on there way out! He also heard my mum shouting in the background :lol:, he then shouted back over the phone, looks like he cracked under the pressure! He then agreed for me to book my car in at Mercedes-Benz Of Bedford, for them to check it and prove that my brakes needed replacing. I booked in 2 days later, my mum took the car in where she was greeted by Herjit, he checked the brakes and rang Steve saying it would cost them £600, Steve told him to no, saying it would be cheaper in house. Herjit then got ****ed off, and took it out on my mum saying his time had been wasted, and his loan car could have gone to someone else, this upset her and angered me!
MB Gatwick took the car and yes, replaced the brakes as they too found they were not to be on a USED APPROVED VEHICLE. They car arrived back (picked up and dropped off/also given a loan car). I then set about trying to get my wasted £115.00 back from MB Cambridge. I spoke with a woman whos name I cannot remember (Stephanie I think.. not sure) from their service team, she refused to refund my money saying the problem was not with them, she seemed very rude and un-neccasarily sharp even though I was quite polite, after all I wanted a refund :lol:. I then rang MB Gatwick who told me to ask MB Cambridge. So for a final time I range her, she was even more louder this time, I said the tone of her voice was not appropriate and to lower it, I said I am not arguing with you please calm down, she then replied I think we should end this conversation here and put the phone down!
Steve Langley then agreed to pay up...

Woman from MERCEDES-BENZ OF CAMBRIDGE... I honestly hope and pray she has got sacked... She also said I was very silly! Very professional!

Loan Cars -

MB Cambridge - 2011 60 Mercedes-Benz C200 CDI Sport Estate Auto
Didn't like it, felt cheap compared to my C180, it was given to with a bird sh*t stain on the bonnet and some brown stuff on the grill.. NICE!

MB Gatwick - 2011 60 Mercedes-Benz B160 Semi-Auto

 

[MERCSPORT]

2011 - Mercedes-Benz Of Milton Keynes
W204 2007 57 C180 Sport
There was a tapping noise coming from my car, MB Cambridge told me it was the pulleys and was normal, but I did not trust them anymore! Surprise surprise.
Mk Mercs booked it in straight away, I was greeted by Gee Loi (Service manager), he was brilliant in every way. I took the loan car, he told me to hand the car back with half a tank of diesel (the same amount given to me).
He then rang confirming my car was fine, and saying it was good that I brought it for my extra piece of mind, (the first phone call from MB not being at all ****y), I returned the car, handed the keys back to him, he was very friendly, said my car was very nice and in excellent condition. He then took the liberty to coming out to check my tyres and my curbed alloys (thanks mum!), he then got his tyre expert out and bodywork guy, checked it, quoted me, gave my tyres the clean bill of health, shook my hand and took the loan car away.
I checked my car, they has waxed my alloys! Hoovered it, washed it, and polished my beads on my wing mirror!! ALL OF THIS FREE OF CHARGE!

Loan Car -

2011 11 C200 CDI 7G tronic Facelift Auto Saloon
Exactly what I wanted, brilliant spec, very clean and no hidden charges!

Gee sent me a text afterwards asking me if the service I received was good enough ending with I would appreciate any feedback or concerns you have.

I cannot wait to get the next bit of work on my car done! Thanks Gee!

 

[markg14]

MB MK 2008 various issues

MB Milton Keynes 2008 Took car in for new gearbox software, which was applied. MPG dropped from 55+ to 45 (regular 80 mile motorway run). They took 2 or 3 attempts to fix it, and never did. While waiting for the car on various occasions had the pleasure of listening to other customers complaining.

MB Chelmsford (Waterhouse) 2008/9 Took car for B service and car was returned with all boxes ticked. Charged for air filter, but service book indicated none fitted. Tyre pressures noted at 29 front, 32 rear. When I pointed out that the tyre pressures were the same as when I took it in (32 front, 36 back), and also the air filter discrepancy, they agreed to do the service again. Six months later, same problem with tyre pressure check. I marked them with all "1's" on the survey sheet, and they informed me that I was not welcome any more!!!

Apparently, MB UK collate the scores on the surveys, and MB Waterhouse were only interested in the customers who scored them highly.

I must add that the Service Manager, Nigel Pavely, is an excellent bloke. Unfortunately, one or two of his staff were very poor. One in particular was the most surly twat you could imagine.

MB Romford 2009 to date Excellent - they finally sorted out the gearbox software problem. When the technician accidently scuffed an alloy wheel, they paid for the wheels to be refurbished. Names to note - Mark Goody, Dee (receptionist) and Andy (technician) - all excellent.

 

[Some guy on the internet]

Never understood why people bitch about courtesy cars. You drive it for a day or two, BFD.

If you don't like their courtesy car then put your hand in your own pocket & rent something.

 

[wi-fi]

I can relate to your experiences too with-out name and shame which i can easily having my arm twisted,i been buying cars brand new mostly over 23 years my last 5 years has been Mercedes cars from Scotland and england. All i can say Mr Arthur daley is a very honest man in comparison to real Mercedes Benz dealer ,do not get me wrong some of their team are good but no where near 50% of expectation from so called prestigious cars.they always redeem them self after complaing but that should not be the case,however i love the cars and with all the bad experience still drive a Mercedes and i love it

 

[jibcl500]

Well I can rate the service guys at MB cambs as they supply my parts and the manager is a mate of mine so I tend to get over and above the level of service.

Mind you my coop bonnet flew up and hit the roof and I wanted MB to fix it, 4 times it went back before the paint was good enough but its still not great, the first paint job even had a pubic hair stuck in the paint!!!!!

They dont use that bodyshop anymore.!!

jib

 

[MERCSPORT]

Never understood why people bitch about courtesy cars. You drive it for a day or two, BFD.

If you don't like their courtesy car then put your hand in your own pocket & rent something.

I just thought I would put down what I thought about the car in general, but to be honest, its Mercedes-Benz, not your average back street garage, I expect the cars to be clean and a courtesy car is usually given for free, if I had to pay for it there would be no difference between courtesy cars and car hire

 

[MERCSPORT]

the first paint job even had a pubic hair stuck in the paint!!!!!

They dont use that bodyshop anymore.!!

jib

Nice :lol:

 

[Dosco]

the first paint job even had a pubic hair stuck in the paint!!!!!

They dont use that bodyshop anymore.!!

jib

Interesting that! doest think it was another take on a 'table-ender' BTW were you driving along the A45 Dual C in Northamptonshire the other day in that rather nice motor of yours?

 

[jberks]

I know dealers can be poor but I must say you seem really hard to please. Perhaps as I have a bit more mechanical knowledge I'm in a position to understand their position a little more but I'm glad you're not one of my customers.
On a few points you make

"Herjit Singh/Service Manager - Did not get my serviced by Mercedes-Benz, took it to a family friend instead, took it to Mercedes-Benz Of Bedford to take the service light off, which he did but decided to take away my Road Side Assistance Cover."
He didn't take your cover away. Technically you did. The terms are very simple. Mobilo is renewed every time a car is serviced at a dealership. No dealer stamp no Mobilo. Next service at the dealer - hey presto Mobilo restored. All he was doing was advising you of the situation - don't shoot the messenger as they say.

"Brakes squeaking, car checked by MB technician, brakes were corroded, told to replace them, quoted £650 approximately. I said this was a rip off, tried charging me £70 for diagnostics which I refused to pay after saying I was not told there would be a charge, keys were handed to me. "

You booked a car in for a diagnosis. They did this. Presumably tieing up a ramp and mechanic for 1/2 an hour. They quoted you for the work and fair enough, you knew you could get it done cheaper and refused. Normally there would be no charge for the strip down as they earn it back on the repair. As there's no repair, they're left with a cost. Its not unreasonable to expect you to pay - though they should have been clearer admittedly. A simple communication error - nothing more.

2009 58 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4i Club Semi-Auto
I paid to have my bodywork done, not even a warranty job and they give me a corsa!

For bodywork, the car is supplied by the bodyshop. The dealer doesn't do the work themselves. They're merely the intermediary. The bodyshop is not strictly MB so they have a range of loan cars. If you had a specific requirement you should have asked. My Dad did and ours gave him a 3 series!


"MB Gatwick took the car and yes, replaced the brakes as they too found they were not to be on a USED APPROVED VEHICLE."
Sorry??
No PDI sis going to check the make of brake shoes. If they pass the efficiency test then they work. Often, people fit non MB pads, as you and I have. They still work. I'm not aware that the approved used rules cover exact brake parts. Only efficiency.


"2010 - Rang Paul Russell, after Mercedes-Benz Of Milton Keynes found non-merc handbrake shoes, these have been on the car since I bought it.

Paul Russell response - Even if they are not genuine Merc parts I would pleased knowing they have lasted this long!!!"

Fair comment. They worked, they were ok, what do you want him to say?
To be fair though, how do you wear out handbrake shoes on a merc? Mine are original and I suspect always will be.


"Replaced brakes using Euro Car Parts, got all my brakes for about £150, fitted them using a screw driver, and paid Mercedes-Benz Of Milton Keynes to adjust them! Nice...
"
So you fitted non MB brakes yourself. You can hardly critisise for someone else doing the same or complain that they're inadequate. And if you can fit pads without a spanner ....

 

[MERCSPORT]

I know dealers can be poor but I must say you seem really hard to please. Perhaps as I have a bit more mechanical knowledge I'm in a position to understand their position a little more but I'm glad you're not one of my customers.
On a few points you make

"Herjit Singh/Service Manager - Did not get my serviced by Mercedes-Benz, took it to a family friend instead, took it to Mercedes-Benz Of Bedford to take the service light off, which he did but decided to take away my Road Side Assistance Cover."
He didn't take your cover away. Technically you did. The terms are very simple. Mobilo is renewed every time a car is serviced at a dealership. No dealer stamp no Mobilo. Next service at the dealer - hey presto Mobilo restored. All he was doing was advising you of the situation - don't shoot the messenger as they say.

"Brakes squeaking, car checked by MB technician, brakes were corroded, told to replace them, quoted £650 approximately. I said this was a rip off, tried charging me £70 for diagnostics which I refused to pay after saying I was not told there would be a charge, keys were handed to me. "

You booked a car in for a diagnosis. They did this. Presumably tieing up a ramp and mechanic for 1/2 an hour. They quoted you for the work and fair enough, you knew you could get it done cheaper and refused. Normally there would be no charge for the strip down as they earn it back on the repair. As there's no repair, they're left with a cost. Its not unreasonable to expect you to pay - though they should have been clearer admittedly. A simple communication error - nothing more.

2009 58 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4i Club Semi-Auto
I paid to have my bodywork done, not even a warranty job and they give me a corsa!

For bodywork, the car is supplied by the bodyshop. The dealer doesn't do the work themselves. They're merely the intermediary. The bodyshop is not strictly MB so they have a range of loan cars. If you had a specific requirement you should have asked. My Dad did and ours gave him a 3 series!


"MB Gatwick took the car and yes, replaced the brakes as they too found they were not to be on a USED APPROVED VEHICLE."
Sorry??
No PDI sis going to check the make of brake shoes. If they pass the efficiency test then they work. Often, people fit non MB pads, as you and I have. They still work. I'm not aware that the approved used rules cover exact brake parts. Only efficiency.


"2010 - Rang Paul Russell, after Mercedes-Benz Of Milton Keynes found non-merc handbrake shoes, these have been on the car since I bought it.

Paul Russell response - Even if they are not genuine Merc parts I would pleased knowing they have lasted this long!!!"

Fair comment. They worked, they were ok, what do you want him to say?
To be fair though, how do you wear out handbrake shoes on a merc? Mine are original and I suspect always will be.


"Replaced brakes using Euro Car Parts, got all my brakes for about £150, fitted them using a screw driver, and paid Mercedes-Benz Of Milton Keynes to adjust them! Nice...
"
So you fitted non MB brakes yourself. You can hardly critisise for someone else doing the same or complain that they're inadequate. And if you can fit pads without a spanner ....

I was not complaining about Herjit Singh (service light issue), I thought it was fair enough too.

For the brake squealing issue I was not told there would be a charge, that is why they dropped the charge as Kevin (guy I was dealing with) also agreed that he did not mention this.

For the Corsa courtesy car, they told me it was this or nothing, and I needed a car for work (1 week) so I decided to take it, even though 2 weeks prior to booking I was told I could have a C class or something similar. Bodywork was done on-site.

The brakes being replaced on the C class Sport were MB make, I was saying that they were badly worn and needed replacing!

The brake shoe had not been worn out if you had read it all out properly, MK merc said they were, only at that point they told me that they were not MB parts, if you read on I go on to say that the suspension needed doing and it was not the shoes.

When I replaced the brake discs and pads at home on my C180 Avantgarde I was merely saying what I had done, and was not criticising Mercedes-Benz Of Milton Keynes at any point.

It seems that I have not wrote this clear enough, I hope this clears things with you, what I want, service wise as a customer, is not unfair or unheard of. Its what I expect from a prestige manufacturer such as Mercedes-Benz.

 

[jibcl500]

Interesting that! doest think it was another take on a 'table-ender' BTW were you driving along the A45 Dual C in Northamptonshire the other day in that rather nice motor of yours?

No not me sir. I went to Kent the other week to see Carl but thats all I driven in the last few weeks.
jib

 

[Dosco]

No not me sir. I went to Kent the other week to see Carl but thats all I driven in the last few weeks.
jib

Another car the same then - he was knocking on a bit - I was doing well lets say a tad over the limit and he went by me in a blur of colour.........

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Just to add to this tale a little.

As most of you know, I had a 'failure to proceed' incident a few days ago. Car recovered and taken to our MB Dealership in San Javier (about 20mins from where I live). Diagnosed as a MAF failure.

I have picked the car up today repaired and having had a service, was returned nice and clean.

The dealership was helpful and courteous and at 49 euros an hour extremely good value.

I ordered a spare key - 180 euros - and came away a few euros lighter, but delighted with the attention I had received.

Whilst I was there, I mentioned the hourly rates charged in the UK. They informed me that they have some customers who drive down from the UK, and have work done whilst taking a holiday. The money they save, covers the cost of the holiday.!!

Now there's interesting for you - have a meet in San Javier and enjoy our superb Spanish weather - and it won't cost you anymore than having the work done in the UK. It's a win/win for all concerned.

 

[MERCSPORT]

Just to add to this tale a little.

As most of you know, I had a 'failure to proceed' incident a few days ago. Car recovered and taken to our MB Dealership in San Javier (about 20mins from where I live). Diagnosed as a MAF failure.

I have picked the car up today repaired and having had a service, was returned nice and clean.

The dealership was helpful and courteous and at 49 euros an hour extremely good value.

I ordered a spare key - 180 euros - and came away a few euros lighter, but delighted with the attention I had received.

Whilst I was there, I mentioned the hourly rates charged in the UK. They informed me that they have some customers who drive down from the UK, and have work done whilst taking a holiday. The money they save, covers the cost of the holiday.!!

Now there's interesting for you - have a meet in San Javier and enjoy our superb Spanish weather - and it won't cost you anymore than having the work done in the UK. It's a win/win for all concerned.

Thanks for that! I might just do that!! I have also heard MB in France do a better job and are cheaper!

 

[Dosco]

Just to add to this tale a little.

As most of you know, I had a 'failure to proceed' incident a few days ago. Car recovered and taken to our MB Dealership in San Javier (about 20mins from where I live). Diagnosed as a MAF failure.

I have picked the car up today repaired and having had a service, was returned nice and clean.

The dealership was helpful and courteous and at 49 euros an hour extremely good value.

I ordered a spare key - 180 euros - and came away a few euros lighter, but delighted with the attention I had received.

Whilst I was there, I mentioned the hourly rates charged in the UK. They informed me that they have some customers who drive down from the UK, and have work done whilst taking a holiday. The money they save, covers the cost of the holiday.!!

Now there's interesting for you - have a meet in San Javier and enjoy our superb Spanish weather - and it won't cost you anymore than having the work done in the UK. It's a win/win for all concerned.

Jez - Best suggestion this year

 

[MERCSPORT]

Anybody else want to share their horror main stealer stories??

 

[stickandrudder]

No, but I could share a few horror customer stories.............

 

[MERCSPORT]

No, but I could share a few horror customer stories.............

Go for it mate

 

[stickandrudder]

Like the bloke who wanted me to send his comand unit away for repair.
I did so and lent him another unit in the mean time.
The repair took longer than anticipated and he accused me of selling his unit on ebay.
When his unit was eventually returned he claimed that it wasn't his original unit because he'd written down the numbers from the label on the side and they were different.
I turned the unit over and showed him the label on the other side which did have the same numbers that he'd written down.
He accused me of fabricating the label (I'm not making this up)
The next day he returned when I wasn't there, assaulted a member of staff and stole my Star tester.
The police eventually recovered my Star machine one month later, returned him his now repaired Comand unit but failed to recover my Comand unit which was still in his car.
He was successfully prosecuted for the assault but the CPS decided not to charge him with theft of either my Star machine or my Comand unit and had the temerity to suggest that I should take up a civil case against him for those items and my loss of income.
So, sometimes, if I don't like the look or sound of you, I'll tell you to take your business elsewhere.....