Bad Service LSC Menlyn-Flat battery renders Mercedes Benz ML350 Useless!!!!!!

My experience of a flat battery until now. Just to summarize briefly the events that have taken place as up until today 5th December 2019:

Sunday 1st December - Came to start car found it would not due to flat battery caused by leaving rear door slightly open from Saturday night.Called the AA to boost start on Sunday afternoon - could not get the car to start-all interior lights and dash working,but electric windows,boot would not open as battery very flat.

Monday 2nd December - Call the Mercedes Benz breakdown number.Technician came out(Leon).Could not get it started,saying the control unit is flat and not picking up the key.Asked if l had a spare of which l do not have since purchase of the car.He called for the vehicle to be towed to LSC Menlyn.Received a phone call from LSC saying vehicle is there.So l have paid Leon the technician and tow fee in total R2000 for a flat battery that has the car rendered all but useless and no closer to it working.

Tuesday 3rd December - No call the entire day from LSC Menlyn.

Wednesday 4th December - We started to call LSC Menlyn-Service advisor said she would get back to us as soon as she had any news.She called at 6.30pm to say I need to order a new key as the ignition cannot pickup the key but this is not a guarantee that this will work either.No mention made of the paperwork that would be required to get the spare key either.I disputed that it was a problem with the key as it was working perfectly and that it is the control unit that was flat as per the technicianI said to the service advisor order the key,if that is the problem no problem l will pay for it,but if it is not the problem then what?I must pay for a key and repairs to ignition?So you are fault finding at my expense?She said she would come back to me but never did.

Thursday 5th December - Left message at reception for service advisor at just after 8.00am.No return of call.I came to the LSC Menlyn at 3.00pm to see what was going on.Not much had been done to fix the car,continually told they need to get another key.I said get the key and was taken by service advisor to parts admin and given a list of paperwork they require to order the key!!!!!!!!!!!A long list of original certified copies required :(

I have explained on numerous times on the phone that we are flying overseas on Monday and would the car be ready?No answer from service advisor during all this time we have been dealing with her,just we need a new key?No indication from anyone at LSC Menlyn that this is going to be a process to get the key?No apology for the inconvenience caused,the non use of the vehicle,the lack of communication from the dealership,etc!

Having only received the paperwork for the requirements of a spare key for the vehicle this afternoon the 5th December when l came to LSC Menlyn out of sheer frustration. No mention of this required paperwork since Monday 2nd December when the car was towed in?

The numerous messages left by myself and wife and no return phone calls either by anyone at LSC Menlyn.

Calling your complaints number and speaking to them is just as ineffective and an echo of what LSC Menlyn.They cannot really help me and that the situation must be sorted out between the branch and me.

Having been my first Mercedes l have owned and having loved my ML350 until now this is really disappointing If this is what can be expected service wise and the hassle endured because of a flat battery that brings the car to a entire halt l do not want to ever own a Mercedes in my life.I travel to Polokwane and Botswana regularly on business and can only imagine what would have been the scenario if this had happened there.Once the car is working again it will be for sold immediately and my wife's 2013 A220 CDi will follow suite.

So up to now l have paid the MB technician and a tow-in fee in total R2000,am now told another R5500 will be needed for a key and still might not work.A car that has been rendered all but useless and no closer to it working and all due to a simple car battery having gone flat!

Don't buy a Mercedes and don't go to LSC Menlyn.