Hey, if you dont like the front desk - just sneak into the shop. Parts counters have two windows.... one in the lobby and another in the shop where mechanics pick up their parts.

Years ago as teenager before we had internet, I was regular customer at local MB dealership. The parts guy gave me wholesale discount and everybody provided good advice as I showed up with dirty hands carrying whatever part I wanted to replace.

And the dealership is an excellent place to meet fine women. Some incredibly foxy babes are always in the waiting room where free coffee and cable tv is provided.

While picking up a $2 fuse for the glow plug system, I spent nearly 1/2 hour in the place a couple of weeks ago..... telling lies to wide-eyed lovelies in the waiting room about how my rusty old diesel had more than 1/2 million miles. Even the sexy secretary/receptionists there were bending their ears to listen to my stories.

interests me, the sales and service people all have clothes carefully tailored to conceal their dorsal fins, and the customers are ALL rich twits.

USED to be that dealerships were interesting places to pass the time, much like the barbershop. They also used to be kid-friendly (say, if you and grade school buddies dropped by to see the new models and pick up literature, which they weren't stingy with).

The last time I enjoyed dropping in at a dealership was in the '70s, in the VW beetle era.

Most of the time I go to the VW dealership I take a box of the most heavenly sweet rolls and spend some time in the back talking to the guys in the shop. I BS with service manager, parts guy, and all the techs, look under hoods of other cars in the shop and in general have a good time. One several ocassions I have done this and not even been there for anything but just stop in and see the guys. This dealership is 180 miles from my house and in a couple of weeks and show the guys my old MB. One time I was up for some work on the wifes Jetta and the guys sent out for Pizza and they included me in their lunch session and would not take money for my share.

As for as the MB dealership, I have never been in the place. I just call and ask for parts dept (only 1 guy) and ask for what I want and he sends it to me. Larry sounds like a nice guy and I guess I'll drive the 200 miles to the dealership on day for a face to face.

__________________
'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

When I bought my 190E about 4 years ago. I only went to the dealership once or twice for parts only. They were nice and friendly, but I will admit that I felt a little out of place.

Last year I saw this really sharp looking ML320 on the used lot. It was a 2000 model, which had just come off lease, and it was kinda tricked out with chrome brush guard, fender flares, wood steering wheel and shift knob, etc.

I decided I wanted it, the price was right, still in original warranty, plus a Starmark warranty. I found the service writer to be very snooty. I found several little things wrong (broken trim pieces, rear hatch latch, etc.) and took it back to be fixed under warranty, and they had to keep it for almost a week. Parts not in stock, ordered wrong part, etc. The relationship was strained and chilly at best. I dreaded going back for any service, although they did finally get the things fixed that I wanted. I had them retrofit the DVD Nav system (which they originally said could not be done, but I found out that it could be done on this site (I think? - different forum )

Then earlier this year, I decide that I want a 240D. I find a 82 240D in Dallas, fly down to buy it, drive back to Little Rock, and the first thing that I want is an oil change. I call my indy, and he is on the golf course that day. I grit my teeth and take it to the dealer for an oil change.

They all swarmed around the car. The snooty service writer says that he really wants a 240D! The mechanics are crawling all over the car. They all come by to see it. Now when I go to the dealer for some part or another, all the mechanics seem to know me by name, and come up and talk to me while I am waiting at the parts counter. They give me tips on how to fix things. Lots of advice, things to watch out for, etc. They know that I like to do some things myself, and want to help me succeed.

Now that I have a 1982 240D the dealership is a fun place to go!

My dealer does have a separate side entrance for the parts department, and customers use the same counter as the mechanics.

George

Their are two dealers near me one in New Haven and one in Fairfield. The New Haven dealer is excellent nice guys and they seem to be well respected, but I never seem to be out that way. The one in Fairfield is the one I use the most, about twice a week in the last 3 weeks. The parts counter guys are pretty good they will look up parts for me and seem to be normal people. I have been very happy with the service I got their. Now the sale people they are $&$% don't every buy a car from these jerks. I went their about a month ago to take a look at a really nice 420SEL they had their listed for $13,995! I told the salesman I was just looking at the time. The car was in a coverd shed and the the salesman was like if your not going to buy it why are you wasting my time. When I asked him about the car he said what do you care, your not going to buy it! Then I tried to start a little small talk about W126's I told him about my car, and comminted about how I had cloth and I really like it. He said sorry to hear that. What a jerk not to mention the car was worth $7k at most, the rims were shot and it had 124k miles on it and he said the timeing chain was not done. I felt like saying btw my dad is in the market for an SL55 and he won't be buying it from you now #$$%$

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

George, here's the story as it was explained to me..... modern MB's include computer sytems that not only make compensations and adjustments that NO mechanic can detect, but the computer systems on the car actually speak to each other and get to know the driver's habbits. There isnt much a mechanic can do, except replace whatever parts the computer tells him to.

Yet the primitive 240D just has 2 electrical connections that run to the engine, one being the glow plug wire and the other being the temp guage. Everything else requires skill, knowledge and musical ear to diagnose, adjust and repair.

Probably this is what makes the humble 240D into such a people-friendly and satisfying vehicle to work on..... there are no computerized "middle-men" components that interfere with relationship between car and mechanic or DIY owner.

Jeepers, I had to practically bite my lip to prevent laughing out loud when one drop-dead gorgeous babe at Taffel MB dealership in Louisville told me the computerized key switch on her brand new Benz frequently wouldnt let her turn the car off........ Now here's the punchline - it was her 2nd visit for this repair and NONE of the mechanics could find anything wrong with the car ().

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Last edited by 300SDog; 07-28-2004 at 08:21 PM.

240DieselDog,

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense! Back to the good old days!

That's probably why all this "retro" stuff is so popular.

I know that I decided that I wanted a 240D, because I felt that it was so basic and simple, yet durable, safe, strong and long lived. I felt like I wanted one vehicle that could keep me in dependable transportation for years to come.

Now as far as "comfort and convenience" the ML320 is going to be hard to beat in my "fleet", but who knows how long all that "techno-wizardry" is going to hold up???

My work involves computers, and they can "crap out" at any time without the least bit of warning. Zip! Gone! Kaput!

Thanks for the feedback!

George

Hey George you have a PM for diesel GTG this fall at my place.

__________________
'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

many many parts dept customers that come in regular attire driving and old Benz can write a check for any MB in the place..

The dealer knows that too....As well as the parts guys..

__________________

79 240D my current toy
42 years a Diesel addict

240D sold
250SE sold
220D sold
280C sold
280S sold
300D (2) sold
300CD sold
300DT sold
300SD sold
380SL sold

Customers aren't allowed back there, also it is the same people working at the desk just with a different perspective of the same thing. The people at the front desk at least seem nice.

__________________
Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

Hello,
No offence to W210/211 owners, it is a fact that the W115/123s were/still are taxis around here, so the owners of the newer cars like the W201/202/210/211 tend to look down at the old *tanks*, many of which have outlasted their original owners.

About dealership visits, I would say that in the US, my initial impression of Leith Mercedes in Raleigh, NC in 1997 was that the service side were a bunch of morons who could not diagnose a failed aux. fan sensor on a w124 260E, neither did they know how to secure the exterior bottom door trim.
The parts guys I had no trouble at all, as I usually provided part#s to them! And they became friendly after I showed them a photo of my dad's 1953 170DS(owning at least one vintage Mercedes is recommended to loosen up most guys and gals in a MB dealership). One guy was always helpful, Darryl, and he had moved to MB from the BMW outfit.
Service department improved a lot by 2000 when I leased the ML320 for my business, then I met Mr.Donald McNellieIII, he was very careful and helpful with customers, when he found that I was not his *average* customer, I could walk into the service area and talk and listen to the tech myself(about the ML's warranty work).
Sales guys wanted me to buy a G500, but I passed on that offer!!!!
Have a good week.

__________________
Nachi11744

Nachi no offense taken.

My worst experience with the last dealer was after moving to Phoenix, I took my 96 911 in for an oil change. Only to be presented with an estimate for overhaul of my engine for the oil leak they perceived to the tune of $3600!!!


On an engine that does not leak a drop of oil in the garage?

I rest my case.

I know one thing for sure.

I didn't come down in last nights rain, because it didn't rain in Phoenix.

Have a great day.

I got in here late, but I'd like to say that when I go to a dealership, I'm feelin pretty good.
I park my Beautiful 1993 right in front of the showroom so they know that I beleive they "don't build 'em like they use to," and I have to keep mine in top shape, because that's my car and if it goes, I can't just buy a new one. (but the rich guys attemping to lease the S-Class probably think I'm just poor.)
And
When i get my part, I walk right out throguh the showroom so people know I'm going home to put this in myself
That and I'm only 18....

My $0.02

__________________
-Sam
93 300D
210k - Sold, but not forgotten.

Like your attitude there young man.

Now I will say that the political message/picture you have in your post is not appropriate for this section of the forum and I will complain to a moderator unless you remove said photo. Post that stuff in the Open Discussion section.

__________________
'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

however, the message it sends is, at best, ambiguous!