I went to the mercedes dealer because the auto-tilting mirror (when put in reverse) thing was malfunctioning, but was doing so intermitenly. the service guy came out, put the car in reverse a few times, and told me "Boss..looks like it works"

So, then he told me it was probably user error, I said no. Then he said "We're not seeing eye to eye, let me get someone else out here." So another woman comes out, and she can't help me because its 3:30, and they close at 4.

So...I walk around looking at cars. I come back, see the first guy that helped me, and we don't like each other. He's locked out of the building, so I state "You're obviously important." Then he gets into the building, comes back out, and says "You're talking to me about importance and you drive what, a c230?"

Yes folks, I got made fun of by the Mercedes benz service people for driving a mercedes.

That's pretty funny - this thread's not getting any love.

That's one of the reasons i would never buy a Mercedes. I don't think I should ever NEED all that luxury. They're great cars, don't get me wrong, it's just that there's too much image/hierarchy behind the big brands that I just couldn't handle. I'd rather have a Saab or Volvo.

I was waiting for a punchline...

Two guys walk into a bar right...


But really, that's pretty obnoxious.

I was never treated that way at the BMW dealer... but then I did help the new car manager, used car manager, and one of the top salesman by refinancing their houses. I was always treated well. And come to think of it I am treated well at the Mazda dealership too. I know if I was you some one woulda been pickin' my size 9 1/2's outta their ass.

Every encounter I've had with anyone at ANY Mercedes dealership has been negative. I don't know what it is about them, but they're some real pieces of work.

OK, time for the "what you should have said".

"Look, I'm driving the Mercedes, you're servicing the Mercedes. Shut up and fix the damned car."

That's probably because the C230K Sports coupe and sedan has been giving Mercedes Benz a bad service reputation. That neat little hatch back has a horrendous service record and is tarnishing MB's good name!

I looked at the C230K just before getting the 8 and from what I have been reading on forums like is this a lot of dealers wish the car would just fade away and not come back.

Don't get me wrong, I personaly loved it and came real close to getting a silver C230K with the C2 amd C5 pkg but after going thru a bad divorce from the other German mfgr (VW) I decided to get a car that was going to be a wee bit more reliable.

Originally posted by Rotary Nut
That's probably because the C230K Sports coupe and sedan has been giving Mercedes Benz a bad service reputation. That neat little hatch back has a horrendous service record and is tarnishing MB's good name!

I looked at the C230K just before getting the 8 and from what I have been reading on forums like is this a lot of dealers wish the car would just fade away and not come back.

Don't get me wrong, I personaly loved it and came real close to getting a silver C230K with the C2 amd C5 pkg but after going thru a bad divorce from the other German mfgr (VW) I decided to get a car that was going to be a wee bit more reliable.

I'm pretty sure everything you said up here is false.

How mercedes develops this is like this: Stuff is developed for the s class/e class. Then they charge hefty premiums for the technology, that everyone that buys the s/e/cl/sl class pays for.

Then they sell the c class with pretty much all the technology that they put on the s/e/g/sl/cl classes, but you don't pay the premium. And the c styling makes it my favourite except for the e.

I have a sedan; the coupe is horrendous, but the sedan is my favourite car on the market.

Huteki!

I looked at the c230 for such a long time ibefore I bought my 8. Major major knock against it was that it was only a cassette deck came standard! WTF?? Optional 6 CD changer in my Glove box? ughh..

I was willing to over look this glaring problem but as I slowly added all the options and the size of the car and then when I found that I could get my 8 on S-plan pretty much sealed the deal.

Granted its still a nice car but I just couldn't justify it.

how do I get involved with this s-plan. I read that if I join this german car club or something, I can get the s-plan deal.

If so, hook a brother up.

But I love the c. And the 8. and the 3, and the new bmw 5, and the lexus sc.

Originally posted by cumpressor4u2nv
I'm pretty sure everything you said up here is false.

How mercedes develops this is like this: Stuff is developed for the s class/e class. Then they charge hefty premiums for the technology, that everyone that buys the s/e/cl/sl class pays for.

Then they sell the c class with pretty much all the technology that they put on the s/e/g/sl/cl classes, but you don't pay the premium. And the c styling makes it my favourite except for the e.

I have a sedan; the coupe is horrendous, but the sedan is my favourite car on the market.

Huteki!

My friend currently works for Mercedes dealership as sales, and since I saw your post so deliberate about how his post was "false", I decided to ask him myself whether C230k is true. Guess what, he said it is. Out of all the Mercedes, it has the most problems. I wasn't surprised when he confirmed it... considering it's the lower end of the Benz line.. what do you expect. It's still a good car, but compare to all the other Benz, he said it has the most problems.

that is one of the things thing i absolutely hate about mercedes, and luxury car, dealers, they're always so arrogant and treat you like crap, and i just don't get it, you're the customers. so i'll never buy a "luxury" car. sorry you got treated that way

oops I should have clarified that the s-plan was just for the my 8. MB laughed at me when I mentioned maybe a fleet discount.

There is a lot of topics on the s-plan.. but pretty much its if you(or a direct relative) are employed by ford or one of its partners the you can get pretty much invoice pricing on the car. the pricing sheet is somewhere around this forum. think there are also some professional clubs that can participate in the plan as well but I am not familar with them.

Originally posted by cumpressor4u2nv
So...I walk around looking at cars. I come back, see the first guy that helped me, and we don't like each other. He's locked out of the building, so I state "You're obviously important." Then he gets into the building, comes back out, and says "You're talking to me about importance and you drive what, a c230?"


:( I feel sorry for you man. It's never a good feeling when your dealer makes a remark like that to one of their valued customers. There's just one thing I'm not too clear on in the above quote. When you said, "You're obviously important", it almost sounded like you were making fun of him :confused: ( I'm certain you weren't) and you kind of have to imagine yourself in his shoes as well. From his point of view, he was locked out and you said something that he must have mistaken for. (easily happens... and please, I'm not saying you said that in that manner, I'm just speculating why he reacted that way)

well I was saying "You're obviously important..." sarcastically, because of how ridiculous he treated me earlier. I came in to report something wrong with the car and he told me "We usually find these things to be cause by user error." And then he said "let me get someone else out here to explain user error..." It was just a horrible experience all around.

And then when I made the comment about his importance, it was after he made some sarcastic comment when I asked where he was from, and he said Germany, and he is obviously Hispanic. So i commented "born in germany and now selling mercedes" which he reponds to with "selling mercedes..in the service department...yeah..." So it was after him saying that, that he tried to get into the door, and I responded with the importance comment.

It was a horrible experience; First being told it was my fault, then them not being able to take a look at it because it was 30 minutes before closing. I drove an hour to get there, and thats what they say to me. :(

My most pleasant dealership experience has been with Lexus of Winter Park/Orlando. Great people over there. Especially Steve Snipper or Sniper. Good guy that Steve.

I think it was a miscommunication on both parts... though he should still treat you with more respect as a customer of their company..."customer is always right."

If you were trully bothered, talk to their manager. But I assume it's because he looked at your C230 as the lower end Benz and didn't have to give you the same treatment as if someone pulled up in a SL500. Now that's getting into the Pimp rides for Benz... AMG55 :)

Originally posted by Kaliken
I looked at the c230 for such a long time ibefore I bought my 8. Major major knock against it was that it was only a cassette deck came standard! WTF?? Optional 6 CD changer in my Glove box? ughh..

Two years ago, my friend test drove the exact car and said the exact same thing when he was out, car shopping. Almost 30 grand (canadian dollars) and cd is an option? He was left walking away from the MB dealer, dumbfounded and... till this very day, I can still hear him questioning that under his breath. I think it left him mentally scared or something.

Yeah a $700 dollar option ($400 if you order it that way)

WTF!

Originally posted by chinx
that is one of the things thing i absolutely hate about mercedes, and luxury car, dealers, they're always so arrogant and treat you like crap, and i just don't get it, you're the customers. so i'll never buy a "luxury" car. sorry you got treated that way

The dealers can't even afford the cars for themselves!

I think cumpressor4u2nv is on the mark with his Lexus experience. Those dealers know how to treat people well. Every customer is important to them. Our local Cadillac dealer acquired the Lexus franchise in 1989 or 1990, largely because of their stellar reputation. They have consistently been one of the top-ten-rated GM dealers (not just Cadillac) in the entire U.S. for the way they operate. They run Lexus the same way.