Tafel Motors

What do you think about Tafel Motors? Tafel Motors always exceeds my expectations with their talented and friendly staff. I am always treated fairly and enjoy my time with the staff.

Allison

Posted 11/04/09 | Report Abuse

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It started when I purchased the vehicle in October of 2008. I purchased it as a pre-owned Certified vehicle. The vehicle only had one previous owner, and all the services were done at Tafel.
Few days after my purchase I noticed my Easy Entry was not working properly along with Electronic trunk closer, sound was not coming out of speakers, yet the radio would be on. These issues would not all happen at the same time, however, there was no pattern to them either.
I brought my vehicle in numerous times for each issue, and every time they would tell me they could not figure out what the problem is. They have replaced the power seat memory control module for drivers seat (2 to 3 times according to them) regarding my Easy Entry complaint. Additionally, they have replaced the control unit in the drivers door panel. Regarding the radio issue, they have replaced the amp once, and CD changer once. About a week later, my Easy Entry was not working, and additionally, drivers seat has moved on it's own 2 times (all the way back where I could not reach the pedals) .. That has happened on 2 different occasions.
Last time I dropped my vehicle off at the service department was on June 11th regarding the easy entry problem and drivers seat moving while driving. They kept my vehicle till June 27th. When I picked it up I was told they could not pin point exactly what the issue is so they replaced the module and control unit (again). While driving home, to my shock, side door tweeter (speaker) box fell off. I looked at the box and noticed that a revet that holds the box to the door had been broken and siliconed back together. I assume it broke while they removed or moved up my door panel to get to the controls. Additionally, my door panel was not put back correctly (top of the door panel was not sealed down). I contacted the service manager today (June 30th) and actually spoke to him for the first time. ( every other time I tried contacting him, he was unavailable and out of state). He was extremely rude, defensive, and not helpful at all.
Than, I brought my vehicle to the service department so the service manager can take a look at the condition I got my vehicle back. I was visibly upset and he turned around and said to me "And this is what this fuss is all about?" I was completely taken back by his sarcastic remark. He became extremely defensive and told me that no way his mechanic would do something like that.. he doesn't even have a glue gun! (silicone comes in a tube and does not require a glue gun). Pretty much he told me that I was lying even though I had photos showing him the panel being pulled. At that point he said that this conversation is over and that i can make an appointment for next week for them to fix the tweeter (speaker) box. As I was getting ready to leave the service department, I turned my car on and to my surprise my Easy Entry was not working! Seat was locked up as well as the steering wheel. Now , I have just picked my car up for that issue 3 days ago, and they had my vehicle there for 16 days! Shop foreman came and witnessed the issue and issued me a loaner vehicle.

This has been an on-going issue with this vehicle and it has become a safety issue. I am scared to drive the vehicle because I do not know when my seat will move or my steering wheel lock up. I am absolutely terrified that I will cause an accident and seriously hurt myself or someone else. I cannot, and will not get in that vehicle knowing that this can happen at any time. It happened 2 times while driving at highway speeds and luckily I was able to get control of the vehicle. Next time, I may not be so lucky. The dealer keeps replacing same parts over and over again, changing codes, recoding, decoding, resetting, and they cannot seem to find a solution.
I know Mercedes Benz prouds themselves on exceptional customer service and customer satisfaction -- however, sadly Tafel Mercedes Dealer not so much. As a professional myself, I have never been subjected to such ignorance and rudeness. Their unprofessionalism and unwillingless to help their customer is an embarrassment to Mercedes Benz. (it is July 28th and I still dont have MY vehicle back!!!!!!!)

Posted 07/28/09 | Report Abuse

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I've had my car to Tafel for service many times because it's the only Mercedes dealership in Louisville. Each time I've taken it there, I've regretted it. On three separate occasions, my car has emerged from service at Tafel with the exact same problems it had when I took it there, and after spending thousands of dollars each time. They charge a lot of money to diagnose a problem, and more than once they have misdiagnosed the problem. I had to have another mechanic tell Tafel what the real problem was for a repair that only the dealership had the equipment to make.

They don't check to make sure they've addressed every problem you've told them about, yet strongly suggest that you have additional work done that wasn't even on that list. I have never had a repair that actually worked, which means you have to keep bringing your car back again and again and again -- and to different people because their staff turns over constantly. I had a different service adviser almost every time . When I brought my car back to repair a repair that didn't repair, neither the roadside assistance, service representative, mechanic or even service manager were the same as a month before.

Worst of all, they don't really care. Because they are the only Mercedes dealership in Louisville, they have so much business that you sometimes have to wait a day just to have your car looked at. After having so many problems at Tafel I wrote to the owner and never received a response to my letter. I had to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau just to get them to properly make repairs I had already paid for.

Because I want to have my car serviced at a Mercedes dealership, I drive 80 miles to Lexington because the drive to a less convenient dealership is far better than the headaches and nightmares you'll have with this more convenient dealership. The convenience is as tempting and as punitive as an apple in the garden of Eve.

Posted 04/18/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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We have bought all of our cars at Tafel for years. I really appreciate the safety of the Mercedes brand and am glad that both my children now have Mercedes as well - from Tafel. The service department is very friendly. Yes, a Mercedes is perhaps a bit higher in price so it is good to have a Mercedes dealer who treats you well.

Posted 10/04/08 | Report Abuse

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