Is the unreliability of MB in the US partly due to dealers?

[ktlimq]

In Germany, MB's sell very much.
One of C and E class is in the top 5 selling model. Both are in the top 10.

The best selling model in Germany is VW Golf/Jetta, whose US version is notorious for very poor reliability in the US - it was listed in the Used Cars to Avoid list in CR many times -.


1. How is the reliability of MB outside the US?

2. Do you think the unreliability of MB in the US is partly (or largely) due to poor workmanship of MB dealers in the US?
(I saw many people saying that they had to visit dealer a couple of times to fix one problem and that they had to leave the car at the dealer a couple of days ~ more than a week on each visit.

[fahrgewehr2]

German buyers aren't force fed all the options like US buyers are. Simpler cars are easier to maintain, have less to go wrong.

Its really a shame we as buyers are treated like suckers. They must make a ton of $$ off the electronics and the repairs they often need. I'm not saying I want to own a stripper, just let me customize like everyone else in the world can do. MBUSA are you listening?



Mike

[Snibble]

Originally posted by fahrgewehr2
I'm not saying I want to own a stripper

But I do... know where I can get one?

[DslBnz]

Originally posted by Snibble
But I do... know where I can get one?

LOL und ich außerdem!

It is the dealer's fresh attitude that deters many prospective customers. Most of the persona are arrogant pricks, thinking just because you walk in wearing a pair of greasy, rugged jeans and steal-toed Brahma boots instead of some three piece suit, you are "not worthy" of such honorable designation.

I have a few things I'd like to say about MB dealers, but I don't want to be banned. Or have this thread tossed into the dead threads zone.

[Gilly]

I think we'd all like to hear your thoughts on dealers. Just don't use 4 letter aka swear words and you should be fine.

I'm sure there are lots of people who regularly wear greasy jeans and steel toe boots who may be able to AFFORD a Mercedes, but I think most guys like this lean more towards Pickups, Big SUV's, Hot Rods, Harleys, or at least large RWD American Sedans. MB salesmen probably don't know what to make out of someone way out of the market segment expressing an interest in a Mercedes.

They're expensive "classy" cars and they're used to "the white collar crowd" on the showfloor. You shouldn't expect the red carpet treatment (although you may just get it!) by showing up at an MB dealer in "workin' mans clothes" any sooner than you'd expect the maitre'd to be enthusiastic about your presence at a 5-Star restaraunt in the same type of clothes. I mean, no one expects a TUX or anything, but at least whatever you'd wear out on the town Saturday night. Although a smart salesman would realize to a certain extent "Hey, the guy is maybe passing by the dealership and is interested in MB's, maybe he just wants some brochures or something, may be a good prospect", you know, no reason to be an A-Hole and shoot yourself in the foot. Maybe the same guy strolls into the Caddy dealership and gets treated like absolute GOLD because he's bought 5 cars there the past 10 years---who knows??

Gilly

[blackmercedes]

My friend Abe is a rancher. He owns a huge ranch in the foothills of Alberta near Longview and a couple samller properties in other areas. He's worth mucho-dinero but lives quite modestly.

Anyway, he was in town and so we had lunch. He's got a 1985 Toyota van with 700K on the odo and a body like brown lace curtains. I pick him up in my service loaner ML and we head for chow.

He loves the ML. Figures it's just what he needs for the ranch, and he's finally realizing that his old Van is just about done. He heads to the nearest dealer in Edmonton to look at ML's. Abe wears jean overalls, work boots and a t-shirt pretty much all the time. The sales manager asks him to leave...

A few days later in Calgary he buys matching ML430's (one for the wife...) but has been dissapointed with the service dept service compared to his old Van and the Toyota dealer. He likes his ML's but thinks the dealer network ranks below Toyota or Honda. He's right, unfortunately.

[BenzOnline]

The manager asked him to leave???


What did you say?

[blackmercedes]

Originally posted by BenzOnline
The manager asked him to leave???


What did you say?

I laughed! The same salesmanger had refused to sell me a car not long before that incident. I never recommended he visit there, he just went on his own.

All my firends and family have traveled to Calgary to buy their Mercedes'.

[Hatterasguy]

A salesman that judges a client by there cloths and what they drive is a very poor one. In my job at the boatyard during the summer I work with very success business owners regularly. They dress the part only half the time. I know someone like your friend blackmercedes, he is a very successful builder. He drives a 15 year old Caddy or the company trucks. He could easily walk in to a MB dealership and write a check for a couple, of whatever he wants. On the other hand I have had credit cards rejected from people that the MB salesman you described would be all over.

[Cap'n Carageous]

About three years ago I was looking to replace my wifes' car. The local MB dealer also sells Volvo and I thinking of either a C class or an S Volvo. We go to the dealership to look. I'm wearing a golf shirt and Bermuda shorts. Also had on my straw golf hat with the logo of the country club about a half mile away. Wife is dressed similarly. No salesman even spoke to either of us. After about 20 minutes we just got back in the 300E and drove off. I called the dealership the following Monday. Told the salesperson what I was looking for and he said he would check his stock and call me back. Never heard from him. I guess I don't look or sound like somebody they want to do business with.

On another occasion my Father-in-Law was in town one day to buy some John Deere parts. He was interested in buying a Dodge Ram X cab. He had always done business with a small town Chevy dealer and bought a new Silverado every two years. That dealer retired and sold out. Anyway, the old man has on his coveralls and workboots. He spots a truck he likes and asks a salesman for the price. Salesman looks at him and says he can't test drive the truck dressed like that. Dad-In-Law tells him he doesn't want to test drive it, he wants to BUY it straight out for cash. Salesman looks at him, laughs and walks off. (the old man could have bought the whole dealership ) He goes to the next town and bought one from another dealer.

[Cap'n Carageous]

Originally posted by tkamiya
It happens more often than you think, and it's not limited to the car dealerships....

I was once denied entrance to a furniture shop, "Rooms-to-go".

Now THAT'S bad!!! I don't think I would have eventold anyone about that!!!!!

[blackmercedes]

Why would a car salesperson jump to help someone driving a new car? They HAVE a car. When someone rolls up in an old one, then I'd be kicking the other sales staff to get to them first!

But, this works both ways, as someone has pointed out. When I had to have some roofing work done on my house, I made sure the Mercedes was tucked away in the garage next to the Subie and the lights were out. While the estimates were being done, we used the old Mazda and didn't let anyone see the Benz. I had a heating guy once jacking my estimate up when he realized I had a Mercedes.

When we went house shopping, we NEVER took my car. When we go looky-looing at million dollar showhomes for decorating ideas, we always take my car and then we don't get the bum's rush when we want to spend some time checking the house out.

[Flash Gordon]

I feel it's both the MB and the dealers that caused the quality problems. Take my car for example, I bought it in 11/02. One week later, the check engine light came on. I tried to fixed it by retightened the gas cap, no can do. Took it to the dealer and they determined that it was the the fuel sending unit. No part on hand so I had to come back again. Few weeks later, the power mirror unit did not work right. Back to the dealer, when I picked it up, the mirror was not working right at all! They called the foreman, he determined that the unit should be replaced. Left the car there. When I picked it up, I realized the steering wheel was off center when I drove. Immediately went back to the dealer and complained like hell because I knew some one drove it and hit something to cause the steering wheel off center. Left the car there. Went to pick up the car, the steering wheel was still off center. What the hell!!! I almost lost my cool and I tried my best to control myself. Left the car again, this time they told me the foreman made sure it was done right.

Yes, it seems to me that only the foreman has the knowledge. What a sorry state of repair crew for a MB dealer Do think I have confidence in my dealer???

[Flash Gordon]

Another story about MB dealer. My wife and I went shoping for the E last year at Ray Catena in Central Jersey. A big time MB dealer in the East Coast. They also sell all other top makes. To make a long story short, when we went back for the second time and ready to order the car, the salesman was with another customer. Fine, so we waited at the lobby, yes they have a lobby. The salesman came to meet with us and told us to wait. He went back. When he came back, we told him we are ready to buy the car so he went the usual motion. When it came to the trade-in,(we were still at the lobby)he quoted a very low price and I told him no can do and counter offered. The following were his exact words and I will never forget: IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!! This was very rude to a customer to say the least. I looked at my wife and said he is right that we are not going to buy our car here and we walked out. Went to another dealer only 1/2 hour away and bought it and even got a small discount.

I would go back to Ray Catena the next time I am ready for another car, but only to test drive because it's closer and they have a good inventory, NEVER to buy from them!