James LaCasse

Review of Mercedes-Benz of Westminster

The gist of this review is that Westminster Benz w...

The gist of this review is that Westminster Benz was totally indifferent in fixing my vehicle in a timely fashion and communicating anything to me. Also, I want people to be aware of the huge expenses in owning a Sprinter.

Let's look at the actual vehicle. (Also, if you want a good additional read on Sprinters, look at Tom Robertson's article on "The Fatal Flaw of Mercedes Benz Sprinters".) The Sprinter is a fine vehicle when it is working. However, not so much when you have mechanical problems and most likely you will. That is when the expenses really add up. It can be a major headache finding a reliable repair shop or any repair shop, and a massive challenge when parts have to be ordered from Germany. I will just say I am on my second Sprinter (I got rid of my first at 163,000 miles due to costly maintenance and bought a second thinking I had bad luck on the first). This one which is at 130,00 miles has recently cost me $6500 in non- routine maintenance the last nine months ( glow plugs, EGR valve, DEF heating element $1800, and locked ignition $2600 etc. . ). I am just at the mileage when things start to go wrong with the DEF system, so, I am not very hopeful. Already looking to sell it as I am basically paying a new car payment in repairs.

Now for the extremely poor Westminster Benz Service. I will say the one thing through this whole episode is that no one seemed to really care about me or my vehicle. As I said I spent $2600 due to a key that would not turn in the ignition. Yes, that is right. Something as simple as the key won't turn in the ignition. I had the Sprinter towed on a flatbed to WB on a Monday. I was originally told they would look at it as soon as it came in on the tow truck. I had to call four hours later just to make sure it had got there. Then no call until Wednesday around noon. Only to tell me that it would be $2900 to fix (at least they got that wrong) and would it be ok if it was ready by that coming Monday. I said "yes" but I need it by Monday for an important trip back East and was told no problem. Get a call Monday saying they have not got the EIS (Engine Ignition Switch ?) from Germany yet. Haven't even been able to locate one. That is one week they have had the vehicle and don't even have the parts to fix it or know where the part is. Not feeling good on this one. Talk to them on Tuesday. It is official, still can't get it and not sure where one even is. Pretty upset by this, and ask them specifically if they can park the vehicle in a spot where I can get at everything inside so I can load it into another vehicle on Wednesday. So, I am forced to rent a Ryder Sprinter ($1200) and go over there to transfer things into the other vehicle. Only to find it surrounded by expensive Benz cars and backed against a tree (remember it can't turn on). I ask to get everything moved so I can get my cargo. After, a fuss they move the cars but say they can't move it from the tree until the service is done. I am forced to be a total ass to get them to move my vehicle forward with a tow strap, so, I can get at everything. So, I do get everything unloaded and am able to do my week long trip back East (which is one tenth of my income). When I get back to town, no communication from WB. Again I am forced to call them numerous times to find out my vehicle status. It was actually done. This being after two weeks of having it for a simple ignition problem. I guess the one silver lining is my ignition didn't lock up in the middle of nowhere when I was driving.

All I can say is be wary of owning a Sprinter and/or using Westminster Benz.