Mercedes Benz customer Service

I am writing concerning my new S550 with the above referenced VIN number, which I picked up on May 16th from authorized Mercedes dealer, European Motor Cars of Devon, PA. I am a long time Mercedes owner and anticipated the continued combination of outstanding service and performance that has been the hallmark of my experience and for which Mercedes is renowned. The service at the dealership was excellent and I began the two plus hour drive home secure in the assumption that my decision to continue as a Mercedes customer was well founded. It was during this first drive that I noticed a minuscule stone strike the windshield adjacent to the rear view mirror with the result being a minute round indentation at the point of impact. I was initially alarmed that so small an object could cause such trouble but subsequent examination revealed the impact was tiny and almost imperceptible.

I continued enjoying my new S550 on the daily commute from home to my medical practice until June 4th, when I was shocked to discover a new, approximately 15 inch long horizontal crack from the left side of the windshield to the passengers side. Unlike May 16th there was no observable incident or cause behind this new crack. I subsequently thoroughly examined the crack from outside and could not identify any sign of an impact site. Later that day, I called the MBUSA customer service center to report the windshield crack and ascertain what remedies were available under the vehicles warranty terms, especially considering I had the car less than three weeks.

The service representative I spoke to advised me to take my car to an authorized Mercedes dealership service center where the windshield would be examined. I was also told that it was not necessary for me to return to my dealer, European Motor Cars of Devon, PA for service as long as I took the car to an authorized Mercedes dealer. The next day I made the arrangements and took my car to Mercedes of Massapequa in Massapequa, NY.

The service manager examined the damage and suggested that what had probably occurred was a tiny stone had struck the windshield. He further advised me that unfortunately he sees many S550s with cracked windshields based on the high definition of the glass used in Mercedes windshields; the problem is one that Mercedes is aware of and one that Mercedes is working diligently along with their European suppliers to correct. He also advised me that based on this issue and the corresponding large number of S550s requiring replacement windshields, there is a long back order period, currently over 30 days, and accordingly I would have to wait until the end of July before my windshield could be replaced. He assured me that based upon all these issues, especially the known windshield defect, he would call MBUSA to make certain my windshield replacement would be covered under my warranty.

Unfortunately, when the service manager called me back the next day, he told me that MBUSA denied his request to fully cover my windshield replacement under warranty. He told me that the approximate cost for the windshield replacement would be $2, 263.00 and I was being offered a 50% valued customer credit by MBUSA with the end cost to me being more than $1, 000.00. Considering my long standing relationship with Mercedes and the facts and circumstances particular to this issue I decided to call MBUSA directly. I asked for the representative assigned to my situation and was informed only that ** was my representative and that he would call me the next day. Despite this assurance I never received a call from **, and after waiting for his call, I decided to call him directly. I called several times and left several messages on his extension requesting he call me immediately to discuss my concerns.