Mercedes-Benz of Marin

I leased a E350 blu tech in 2011. Although there was some confusion around what RAB would do when I wanted to buy the car in 2012, I went ahead with the deal. I had had a beautiful 1993 mercedes which had be confusion around what RAB would do when I wanted to buy the car in 2012, I went ahead with the deal. I had had a beautiful 1993 mercedes which had been totaled in an accident but which I had always had serviced at RAB. The service department is great. Eliseo Estrada is just fantastic. Gets the job done no matter how long it takes and for a fair price. I wish I could say the same for the sales department. To make a very long story short, without even explaining anything to me about the process, Brent told me that I needed to bring the car in to be pre-certified before I could buy it. Ok- I brought it in. I signed no paperwork even through I asked him about this and he told me not to worry. We would get to it. When I went to pick up the car, Brent was not there but Eliseo let me take it, assuming that it was ok since no one had told me that RAB now owned the car!! The next day I got a frantic call from Brent, telling me that I had to come down and sign the paperwork. I should not have been allowed to take the car! We were leaving that day to take my son off to his freshman year at college in Oregon. After telling Brent that there was no way that I could get down that day ( and I had not even completed a credit application), he said he would call me back. I immediately called and asked for the manager, Rick, and let him know in no uncertain terms how unhappy I was. I told him that I no longer wanted to deal with Brent and he said fine that he would work with me. He faxed me a "borrowed car agreement" and we took my son to school. When I returned, I completed the credit application and Rick said that he would send someone to my house to complete the transaction. Who did he send? Brent! Will I take my car to Eliseo? Absolutely! Will I buy another car from RAB? No way!!! More

I have had a string of unfortunate experience with RAB I have had a string of unfortunate experience with RAB Motors. RAB Motors have taken advantage of both the service and sales department. There I have had a string of unfortunate experience with RAB Motors. RAB Motors have taken advantage of both the service and sales department. There is a long list of misrepresentations that have occurred . However, It is a quite costly for one or two individuals to take an action against car dealers. More

Here is a portion of the email i sent to mbusa in regard to RAB San Rafeal I am unhappy with what I consider to be abhorrent customer service on behalf of RAB motors.  I have owned many MB’s and dea to RAB San Rafeal I am unhappy with what I consider to be abhorrent customer service on behalf of RAB motors.  I have owned many MB’s and dealt with many dealerships across the county and I will detail as to why I feel my experience with RAB Motors has been by far the “dirtiest”.    My RAB Motors nightmare began on Sunday when my battery died for a second time just a few days after a being jumped by RAB the first time.  I was told that I was denied my 24 hour 7 day a week roadside assistance because RAB was closed and SF and Oakland refused to cross the bridges.   This is unacceptable.  I was told I would have to wait until the next morning (Monday) to get a jump / have my battery tested.  I made a 7:30 am Monday appointment on Sunday after being refused roadside assistance.  He  arrived around 8:45.  I then asked if I could have my battery replaced and he said he would have to test it first.  I was told that the battery tested at 11 volts and was therefore fine and needed to be brought into RAB for a diagnosis as to what was draining the battery.  Upon arrival you originally told me that the diagnosis would cost $175 not covered by my warranty.   After complaining as to the cost I was told it would be waived.  While waiting I introduced myself to Greg LaPierrre the Director of Pre-Owned Vehicles for RAB.  I told him I was contemplating selling my vehicle and asked for an estimate.  When I had a surprised reaction to what I considered a low ball offer he went nuts and basically threw me out of his office.  He seemed mentally unstable.  At this point, I was in disbelief as to how I was being treated and requested to speak to someone in charge.  I complained to Robert Kane, whom I felt could care less.   I felt completely “stonewalled” by RAB and felt that my only recourse was to reach out to Mercedes Benz Customer Advocacy for help.   I was then informed by RAB that the “drain” on my battery was caused by a radar detector that “altered the factory specs”.  This is untrue,  no factory wires or setting were altered and the radar is plugged into a non-used ignition location.  Also as my installer pointed out in writing to you the Radar  turns off when the car is off therefore a battery drain is not possible.   Furthermore the Radar detector was installed nearly two years ago and the battery just began to “drain” this week.   This makes little sense.  It seems more likely to me that my 2008 ML (not 2007 as your email title states)  battery has just gone bad over the past 3 years having nothing to do with the radar.  However,  at this point I was informed that the $175 diagnostic fee that was “waived” is now  a $262.50 fee to remove the Radar to “bring the wiring back to factory specs” in order to conduct the diagnosis More

Took my 2007 Mercedes CPO with supposed warranty in for three defects the first 10 months. To my surprise none of them were covered or so they said. Went to another dealer and all was covered and repaire three defects the first 10 months. To my surprise none of them were covered or so they said. Went to another dealer and all was covered and repaired properly. Terrible dealership! PS 2007 Mercedes GL450 and all of the chrome trim is pitted and of course not covered by warrant according to RAB. More

WARNING: Avoid doing any kind of business with RAB dealership in San Rafael, CA. The employee that sold the new Mercedes to my wife and I made several dishonest statements and unkept promises to sell dealership in San Rafael, CA. The employee that sold the new Mercedes to my wife and I made several dishonest statements and unkept promises to sell the car. While we were completing the paperwork, another RAB employee entered the office and began to attempt to sell a "special" paint coating. We indicated that we were not interested in the product. The employee continued on for thirty minutes to the point of harrassing us for not buying the product. We should have walked out of the RAB dealership then, but did not. The employee from the finance department entered the office with the sales agreement. My wife and I stated to the finance person that we wanted to check the paperwork before signing. It was good that we did check because there was a substantial error in the calculations, in RAB's favor. The RAB employee did not apologize for making the error, but did correct the error. Needless to say, purchasing a new Mercedes from RAB Motors was a very unpleasant experience. Several months later I received a letter from Mercedes Corporation that an update for the navigation system was available. One of the statements that the salesperson promised to my wife and I is that the updates for the navigation system are free of charge. RAB Motors attempted to charge us for the update. I contacted Mercedes Benz Corporation and they in turn contacted RAB Motors and the updated software was sent to us, without charge, as was originally promised by the RAB salesperson. Long story short, buy your Mercedes at any dealership other than RAB Motors in San Rafael, CA. I am not alone with my disatisfaction of RAB Motors, just read all of the other evaluations of the dishonest practices that occur at RAB Motors by RAB employees. For all of you that have had similar horror stories dealing with RAB Motors, I suggest that you contact Mercedes Benz Corporate at 1(800)367-6372. More

The most dishonest dealer I have ever dealt with. I was told many many lies so I can purchase the car. I have since found out that the sales person said whatever he wanted to say to sell the car. Unfortuna told many many lies so I can purchase the car. I have since found out that the sales person said whatever he wanted to say to sell the car. Unfortunately I did not ask him to put it in writing. Lesson learned. I would never make that type of a mistake again! More

Very rude and condescending. I would not stop by this dealership for free coffee let alone spend $35,000 there. Good luck with that attitude in this economy. Half truths, partial truths, and fiction is dealership for free coffee let alone spend $35,000 there. Good luck with that attitude in this economy. Half truths, partial truths, and fiction is what this sales person specializes in. Mercedes quality has slipped globally anyway, so I'll just meander down to Lexus to make my purchase. More

Brought car in for service every year with same mechanical problems. Rattles, squeeks and electronics. Have not been able to fix problems now going on 3 years.Service contact person challenges ever mechanical problems. Rattles, squeeks and electronics. Have not been able to fix problems now going on 3 years.Service contact person challenges every complaint. Very rude! I will never take my Mercedes back to this dealer. More

My comments pertain to shop service. An error was My comments pertain to shop service. An error was made and my car was damaged. After some discussion, R.A.B. stood behind their service, even thou My comments pertain to shop service. An error was made and my car was damaged. After some discussion, R.A.B. stood behind their service, even though they could have denied responsibility. It cost them about $2,500 to have a local body shop repair my vehicle and they gave me a free loaner car ('09 E350) during the repair. What more could they have done? Of course I'd rather it had not happened but they made it right and I respect their General Manager and Service Manager for doing so. More

Friends, Please do not patronize RAB dealership! They Friends, Please do not patronize RAB dealership! They are ruthless car sharks. The only thing they seem to respect and cater to are the ultra-rich r Friends, Please do not patronize RAB dealership! They are ruthless car sharks. The only thing they seem to respect and cater to are the ultra-rich richies of Marin. Here is my story: In 2002, I paid them all cash for my first new sports car, which ran great. In 2006, I traded that car in for a Certified Pre-Owned car (first time I bought used) that, it immediately became apparent once major stuff had to be replaced, was not up to snuff. Seven major repairs and 14 months later, after the car sat in their shop all last week with a major electrical issue, I threatened to contact M-B USA and surprise, then RAB management was suddenly willing to talk to me. They offered to first pay 50% and later 100% of this latest very expensive repair OR to "replace" my car. Great, I thought, and went with high hopes to meet with the General Sales Manager and find a new vehicle. He was a strange bird, nervous as an actor auditioning and no common sense that I could detect. He and another manager on the floor joined us for a very bizarre discussion that centered around the wealth of their Other Clients, while he read my complaint letter to M-B USA out loud. I am not kidding when I tell you that all they did to refute my points were to talk about the ultra-rich in Marin who can "afford" to throw money at problems like the ones my car (a high-end luxury vehicle, $100K new) has had. Really? ... RAB wanted to pay me $18,000 on a trade to get me to lease something else! When the Kelly Blue Book on the car is $35K. They said they don't go by KBB. ?! They sure went by KBB when they took my wonderful sports car in on this trade! After the smoke cleared, I decided to take back my (for now) fixed car. I am writing M-B USA to let them know what kind of tacky people are selling their product. I do believe in M-B cars' safety and I loved the way my sports car handled and this car too when it's running fine. $18,000! What an insult. And here I thought they were trying to rectify a bad situation. They are ruthless, strongarming, and only hungry for money. After these latest shenanigans their "management" pulled, I am never setting foot in RAB again (though I have had a good relationship with my Service Advisor since 2002). I'm finding a private mechanic. If you value your dignity and have any sense of business ethics, please stay clear of these people. Their mechanics do a good job of fixing things that should have been working in the first place, but snakes are running this dealership, plain and simple. More