Re: benz dealer vs. chrysler dealers
Based on my lengthy experience with problems I had with my car and actually finding a Mercedes service manager that tried to assist me, I can tell you that a Mercedes dealer will gladly work on your car, however they will NOT do warranty work. If you want to spend money then go for it, however they will not treat you like you have true Mercedes. Even though its the first DC and Mercedes car, its still seen as a Chrysler by true Mercedes dealers.
Now mind you, a Mercedes dealer may assist you in finding problems due to sharing the SLK engine (I got lucky!), but understand that no matter what you say or do, they will not acknowledge that it's a Mercedes in anyway - as far as they are concerned, its a Chrysler point blank.
No matter how you approach DC, your warranty is with DC and not Mercedes. If you want a headache, try it... but if not, find a reputable DC dealer in your area and let them perform the warranty work.
As much as that may suck, its reality until DC decides otherwise.