I don't believe they would allow them to drive your CLA, but I wouldn't want a bunch of people climbing in and out of my car and rubbing or leaning against the paint. So my answer would be thanks but no thanks.
Technically until your car's paperwork has been completed and the financing signed off, it is their car and they can do whatever they want with it. It is a courtesy they ask you to be a part of the launch celebration.I agree that they should compensate you in some way. In essence, they are asking to rent your car back from you for a night. I like the idea of asking for free maintenance.
Joey, I hope the mis-aligned chrome trim on the CLA you saw was indeed damage and not reflecting how the car was manufactured...I would respectively decline if you can. I'll never forget the CLA that I saw at the NY Auto Show in April. It's chrome trim on the windows wasn't aligned properly. It's almost like it got damaged somehow whiling traveling the country. If they must show it, ask that it be locked so no one can go inside. Hey, it's your deposit. That means that car is called for. You should have some say in its usage.
Yes, some people may not have noticed it. But I'm an engineer and particularly sensitive to fit and finish. Nobody at the Mercedes factory would have let that trim go out the door like that. It had to be damaged from all the man handling that one car under went while touring the USA. I touched it and it felt squishy, almost like somebody put double sided tape behind it. Back then, the CLA wasn't being manufactured so they didn't have a replacement car waiting stand by.Joey, I hope the mis-aligned chrome trim on the CLA you saw was indeed damage and not reflecting how the car was manufactured...
A Chevy dealer may but I don't think Mercedes Benz would do that to you. If you have a legitimate deposit, you will get the car. They have reputation to protect. And Mercedes doesn't look kindly to dealers selling over MSRP. I do see why the Edition 1 would go on display. It's a nice looking automobile.I am fully aware that at any point they can return my deposit and sell the car to someone else and there is nothing I can do about it. Not polite but It is their car until it's sold. If someone were to offer more than MSRP they would sell out from under me in a heart beat. If nothing else maybe get some free swag or something. The only reason they asked was because its the Edition 1. They still have 5 other CLAs that are not pre-sold that will be shown anyway (43 are reserved already).