Mercedes-Benz of South Bay - Service Center

I bought a car last year from this dealer, process was easy and price was okay. I came in a couple times for services for that car and worked with Paul, who was great. Back in March, I bought another easy and price was okay. I came in a couple times for services for that car and worked with Paul, who was great. Back in March, I bought another car worth over $110k at another dealership because Suoth Bay didn't have any of the models that I wanted in inventory. A few weeks later, I got in an accident and the car has been stuck at the body shop for a little over four months now. The body work was done with the car, so the body shop sent my car to South Bay last Friday to check for codes, alignment, and overall inspection. Called in Monday morning and was told John Steach at service was taking care of my car, told me that it would be done in a day. Called in Tuesday several times, John wasn't at his desk. I stopped by the dealership in the afternoon to speak to John, and he wasn't at his desk. I asked the guy next to John's desk where he was, and he called John that I was here to see him. John was over at someone else's desk chatting, gave me a look, and went on to chat again for a minute. He finally came over and told me that the car would take a couple more days due to some other problems, which was fine. I said thanks and keep me updated, went for a cup of coffee, and came back to ask John where my car was because I just wanted to "see" my car. Then John started giving me a look and asked me why I wanted to see my car. I asked if I can't even see my car, then he asked me WHY again. He tells me technically this car ISN'T MINE, it belongs to the body shop because they brought it in. I stare at him for a second and ask, seriously? If I want to "see" my car, he tells me he'll have to get confirmation from the body shop to give me permission to see my car. Is this guy joking me? I buy a $110k+ car, drive it for 3 weeks and get in an accident, didn't drive it for over four months now, I just want to see my car and he tells me that it's not mine and I need permission from the body shop? I couldn't believe this guy wouldn't let me see my car and I didn't really know what to say. I stood there and stared at him and he tells me stop giving him attitude. He again tells me that the car is not mine, it's the body shop's, and asks why I need to see my car. What kind of service advisor won't let his client see his car? I understand that dealerships are independent businesses from Mercedes, but I've never seen such poor customer service from a luxury auto dealer. These little things do so much damage to the brand image. Over the past 2 years, I leased two Mercedes and bought one Lexus. I am never buying from South Bay again, especially after knowing that the service department is horrible. More

I took my vehicle in to have a dent removed because it was still covered under warranty. Upon retrieving my vehicle from the services department, I noticed a total of three white scratches where the dent was still covered under warranty. Upon retrieving my vehicle from the services department, I noticed a total of three white scratches where the dent originally was. I was absolutely livid. The technician tried to say that those scratches were already present when the vehicle was brought in. When Zubair Ali originally inspected my vehicle, he did not see those scratches on my vehicle. I have a navy blue CLK 350. Those scratches would have been more apparent than the dent because of the contrast of color. Zubair Ali then called over his manager, Steve Schimkus. Mr. Schimkus was of absolutely no help. They offered to "try" and take the scratches out, so I allowed it. When I got my vehicle back a second time, there was still one scratch present. Mr. Ali's response was that because of the depth of the scratch, it could not be removed. I found that very hard to believe since they were a dealership and they had all of the right tools to do whatever they wanted. I filed a complaint with the BBB (better business bureau). My next step is to write their corporate office a letter, then small claims court. I would advise anyone and everyone to purchase their next vehicle anywhere but here. I bought my first Mercedes at the Buena Park dealership, should have stuck with them. More

Guy the service person he is sooooooo freaking unfriendly he must hate his job,,, its amazing...This is by far the worst service department in the whole country... i have my car serviced there and i always s he must hate his job,,, its amazing...This is by far the worst service department in the whole country... i have my car serviced there and i always seem to go back and fix the problem my self. also last time i took my car in for starting problem, when i got the car back my mercedes oil filter removal tool that i bought and kept in the trunk near in the battery compartment was stolen from the trunk. they replaced my sun roof and now the roof opening seal is loose and keeps jamming on the corner, i took the sunroof out they never put sunroof to body seal they bolted the roof straight to the roof no seal metal to metal, also i found out the reason the seal was loose is cus they did not put small plastic clips on the seal bracket to hold the seal tight.. one time i had a full service on the car, i picked up the car and while i was on the freeway the splash guard under the engine came off on one side and started to drag under the car,,, on the freeway..... they forgot to put all the clips to hold the guard in place. shall i keep going? rear view mirror bracket cover broken, engine cover cracked, door sills miss installed door wont close. enough said,,, they did other stuff which went well, but more bad stuff than good stuff. More

Service writer charged $275 for diagnosis. Then after repairing the A/C blower which was the diagnosis for $1220, he waited until the end of the next day to tell me they needed to replace switches now fo repairing the A/C blower which was the diagnosis for $1220, he waited until the end of the next day to tell me they needed to replace switches now for an add'l $1,000. Then he packed the invoice with a litany of "recommendations" that I declined. He never mentioned these recommendations. One of the most stressful weeks I've had in years - and I own my own business. The dealership is only as good as its worst service writer. I will never use them again and will let all my friends and clients know how bad they are. More

This dealership used to be very good, with good customer service. I understand that it has changed ownership, and the service is now terrible. My last three trips for service have been disasters: one time service. I understand that it has changed ownership, and the service is now terrible. My last three trips for service have been disasters: one time I was charged for a loaner car because the service people "were not able" to get to my car until the end of the day (I had brought it in at 8:00 a.m.) and they would only provide a 1 day free loaner. The second time I ask them to trouble shoot a specific problem; again they did not even call to tell me what the problem was until the end of the day, and when I told them to go ahead and fix it, they told me they could not do it that day because it was so late. Again, I had to pay for a loaner car due to their delay. The third (and final) time I went for service, I was given the hard sell on extra service items that I was told should have been done in the past (even though I have always had my car serviced at this dealer and had never been told about the "need" for any of these services.) The charges were outrageous ($550 to change the sparkplugs; a total of close to $2000 in "recommended" extra services)) even though no one had even looked at the car to see the status of the sparkplugs or whether any of the those extra services were needed. I will not buy another car there, nor will I return for any more service. More