As the Octavia has gone (won't start on the regret of doing that) and the Citigo is too small, I've been looking at replacements.

 

Even though I do the long run mileage a couple of times a year they vast majority of my mileage is around town in stop start traffic. So this ruled out a diesel. Petrol makes more sense but for the size vehicle it's not cheap to run on a day to day basis, plus I want a bit of poke (who doesn't).

 

So this led me to Hybrid, mainly because despite following BossFox's electric car I still worry about the range and getting caught out with out power in the battery.

 

Hybrid's left me choices with the following (which tick the size/requirements)

 

Mercedes Benz C350e

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Volvo V60 Plug in

 

Volvo - Have to say a wonderful experience, dealer was very helpful, arrange a short test drive to get the jist of the Hybrid power train. Lots of information given and prices (which are very high btw). I was upfront with them saying that I'm just seeing what is out there and the salesman was still more than helpful and said any questions and further test drive just call me.

 

The Car is very nice to drive but you can feel when the diesel lump kicks in.....but it's quick and felt very well built. But the price was much higher than the other too and space for what is an estate is tiny, plus as a not very big bloke even I found it very snug inside. So this was ruled out.

 

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - Again dealer very helpful, arranged a 24 test drive and a first test drive the weekend before to get to know the drivetrain. Very helpful, very keen and has kept in contact. Again up front and honest saying that I need to check out the others before making a choice and the salesman like above said just call me if you have any questions.

 

It's big, but easy enough to drive. Lots of space and very practical and that's about all I can say. Dull to drive, most fun to be had is trying to extend the battery range as much as possible. Well kitted though, so I put this as a maybe but deep down I know I'd get bored of this very quickly.

 

Which left Mercedes-Benz...........

 

 

.............Lets start at my first experience, drove to the dealership and said I was interested in the c-class, brochures etc the usual stuff. I was greeted by a receptionist asked if I would like to talk to a salesman. I said yes because I wanted more information and to ask some questions.

 

I took a seat and then waited 30 minutes, in which time 4 other "customers" came through the (without appointments) and all got seen before myself. I then went to chase and was told that there was still await, I said forget about it and walked out. I gave it a week and tried again, same process and I kicked up a fuss and made a complaint, but again ended up walking out of the showroom.

Gave it the benefit of doubt and tried the flagship dealership at Brooklands, and yes they were very helpful and gave me the information and had a chat, but sorry no test drive, would need to be pre booked at a later date.

Had the test drive, liked the car, although not as rewarding to drive as the BMW 320D is was refined and as you would expect from the brand. So even though the C350e was not available for a test drive I took a chance and decided I would have one.

 

 

Then came the game of trying to get a deal/finance package sorted out........I started this car hunting back in March, to date the 3rd Mercedes dealer and still none want to take an order/deal on the C350e.

 

I'm now so fed up that I really cannot be bother to upgrade the car, I even had the though of staying with Skoda, but it would seem that the local dealers too do not want my business as I'm always chasing them for details or call backs.

 

Has the market really got to the stage where you are doing them a favour by buying a car? Or have I just been lucky?

Maybe try a bit further away.

 

Dealers are really random. Some brilliant some terrible and no real rhyme or reason between them.

 

Still I'd have thought the money involved for something like a C350e would make them interested. I just thought they ignored bottom grazers like me in the sub 20k market.

Treat 'em mean keep 'em keen appears to be the motto here :P

Ring Mercedes UK and explain the problems you have had. I'm guessing you might soon get a call from one of the dealers.

 

Personally I avoid main dealers as much as possible, sure go for a test drive and get a feel for the car, but when it comes to buying one I will always go through a reputable broker and save cash at the same time.

Treat 'em mean keep 'em keen appears to be the motto here :p

 

Though it works in many cases......sadly with me it does not :P

 

Aspman I might give it a go, but to be honest I'm left thinking why should I? I also am of the same train of thought, for that money I'd really expect to be treated better!

And yet you still want to give Merc your hard earned??

 

If they are this bad now then think how they will treat you if heaven forbid you have a warranty issue.

 

Personally I would choose a different manufacturer.

Funnily enough I was at a Merc dealer on Saturday, they had an A class AMG thingy I wanted to look at, but it had sold. As usual I looked a million dollars in paint stained jogging bottoms and a crappy top plus well overweight, thinking they won't bother with me, surprisingly they did and it was fairly pronto. Maybe just the luck of the draw, though create your own luck and walk away. As mentioned let head office know of your experiences.

I had a bit of a nightmare that lasted about 5 weeks trying to get a deal sorted with a couple of manufactures/dealers. Gave up and opted for my second choice searched auto trader found a main dealer some 300 miles away rang them did a deal over the phone paid a deposit and 2 days later collected a brand new car. Up to that point I was seriously giving up changing the car.

My worst experience was the big BMW dealership near me, could not be bothered to contact me and kept me waiting two and a half weeks to test drive a nearly newish M135i I wanted to possibly buy.

I was a PX plus cash difference no finance still had no effect!

I sympathise with you the big brands can be a bit up their own backsides, times seem quite good at the moment for them so they are a bit cocky.

Edited 19 May, 201511 yr by Defenderben

M12MKD - Try ringing Merc UK, they are really helpful and if theres any stock allocation im sure they will be able to find a dealer with it for you, as you cant test drive the C350e guess it really does not matter which dealer you buy the car through.
 

Give it another go, -

which is why in many cases disinterested main dealers lose out to brokers then whinge about it citing "that you dont get the same dealer experience and backup". 

You could say that was a good thing!

I drove 90+ mlies to buy my last car, the local dealer had a car I wanted but I wouldn't give them the pleasure of buying from them. The car sellers get one chance from me, if I don't like them for any reason I don't go back.

I went from Sheffield to Liverpool to by our Octavia and a lot of that was not only down to the car they had in but also the dealer attitude and helpfulness... Some are good but others awful

I went from Sheffield to Liverpool to buy our Octavia and a lot of that was not only down to the car they had in but also the dealer attitude and helpfulness... Some are good but others awful

On one buying cycle a while back, I also cut the Sheffield dealer out of the equation due to such a derisory trade in price that still has me wondering which fairy tale book it had been plucked from?

It's not just premium dealers thta can be dire. I'm still waiting for a part ex valuation from one Skoda dealer after 18 months, and another gave me a figure that was half what WBAC quoted. A third that I visited for a test drive just said no, try in a couple of weeks....

I wouldn't mind if it even got that far Dr Z.

Last dealer which was through a broker, can no longer do it for the advertised price, as MB have stopped the dealer support on it.

They tried selling me an E class instead, then a petrol. Surely if I'm after the hybrid it's for a reason.

They mentioned that the next allocation slot is July, so maybe try then.

Part of me thinks maybe leasing a diesel for 2 years might be better as it doesn't matter if the dpf goes.

On one buying cycle a while back, I also cut the Sheffield dealer out of the equation due to such a derisory trade in price that still has me wondering which fairy tale book it had been plucked from?

 

You got that far??? - I had two bad experiences with them...

 

The first buying a Fabia - had a test drive and knew what we wanted - exactrly - so started negotiations and the salesman wouldn't tell me what it was going to cost me until I'd signed for a car! - sorry but no way am I doing that so after 20 minutes or discussion and getting the same response I laughed at him and walked out.

 

The second when buying an Octavia 4x4 - they had a car in as a demo model and I'd driven it and asked them to call when they wanted to shift it on - reminded them a few times and no call so started looking around and purchased.  A week later I went in to pick a part up one day and found they'd had it up for sale for a few weeks with no takers...

 

I now use them for spares but nothing else!

In the past I've had good experience from other manufacturers and from Skoda. This time around its almost like they don't really want your business, as if it's a pain to have to come back to you more than once.

Obviously from a buyers point of view your not spending a few quid so you want to make sure you are getting the best deal and service.

The latest line is "there is no discount because it gets the £5000 plug in discount"

Urm don't you claim that back off the government......cake and eat it springs to mind.

My worst experience was the big BMW dealership near me, could not be bothered to contact me and kept me waiting two and a half weeks to test drive a nearly newish M135i I wanted to possibly buy.

 

 

Just to add to the proof of random dealer attitudes SWMBO was treated like royalty at a BMW dealer even though she was only buying a 116i which was the cheapest car on the forecourt.

I'd expected them to be a bit snooty but they were nothing of the sort and went to some time and length to get her a decent deal. That was John Clark in Dundee

 

Audi however appeared to be staffed by tools on that day. Like something from a Harry Enfield sketch.

Edited 20 May, 201511 yr by Aspman

My last 2 new car purchases were both Skodas. They were both from the same dealer who would be my first choice again, but they are no longer Skoda dealers so you can guess the rest......

Audi are terrible. Worst attitude of the lot IMHO.