Rick

Thought some of you might enjoy this....

Mercedes-Benz of Princeton: Thank you for choosing Mercedes-Benz of Princeton!
System: We have alerted the online representatives that you are waiting. Someone should be with you momentarily.
System: A representative has joined the conversation. Compose your message below and then click Send.

Toni Fusik: Hello, How may I help you?

Rick: Please let me know when I can order my new 2008 (or 2009) CLC-350 4matic.
Optioned as follows - Orion (Japisblau) blue, black leather, heated seats, panorama roof, comand, paddle shift, AMG sport group, AMG rear spoiler, black birdseye console, bluetooth hands free communication and CD changer.

Rick: I'm very serious about this....

Toni Fusik: Give me just one moment and I will find out right now..

Rick: I'd consider Euro delivery if all spec options are available and it can be guaranteed that US warranty would cover all service and repairs (similar to my 2002 C230k - ask Arno)

Toni Fusik: I'm sorry we do not have any models that are a "CLC" we have a CLK, CLS, CL & C

Rick: CLC is the new C-klasse Sport Coupe - offered in Europe, Asia, South America, Asia and Africa

Toni Fusik: We do not have that model in North America

Rick: here's a link....please let me know when I can order one...
http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/cont...html#chapter=1

Rick: :-)http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/cont...html#chapter=1

DiBenz

Wow, that's a decent looking coupe!

Saprissa

that's awesome Rick !

we should all do that !!

Carlos

Saprissa

TemjinX2

lol no way your going to be able to order it through mercedes. The car isn't technically DOT approved, so getting the car registered is going to be difficult. I guess you can claim its a w203 and try to get it registered that way, since it uses the same chassis.

if you really want the car though, i would find some legit importers to do it for you.

Saprissa

TemjinX2,

i think there was a little bit of sarcasm intended / associated with the dialogue in that posting....

TemjinX2

ah...thought he really wanted one, with all the talk about the clc lately.

Tangerine

Does that mean I can swing by my Nissan dealership and order an R34 GT-R. I'm in the US.....

qianlimoro

Yes.., yes it does.

RW C55

Look at 00:42, there are some buttons between cup holder and shifter.. wonder what htat is?

FrankW

i think this is just having too much time on your hand to bother with a sale rep asking for something obvious isn't available for US market.

e34m20

Wow ... and just when I was starting to open my mind about the new coupe.

qianlimoro

True. You should post endlessly to these forums to fill up your time. What did that sales rep ever do to you?

California

I wonder if you could get a CLC in Mexico?

I had an almost identical conversation with Mercedes Encino sales rep

but he told me no warranty and grey market...

Kal Rubinson

Only a little bit since I've had similar conversations about a new C-class wagon.

Kal

FrankW

£19,920...that's $38,000 USD. no thanks. for that price I'll take the E92 328i. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have a good laugh when and if Top Gear or Fifth Gear test on this car or reviews it.

ChrisBrown

Anything is possible. However, the cost that might be involved to get it certified, and modified for US emissions would probably be ridiculous.

TemjinX2

you can also order the car part by part and just assemble in the US. You can then register the car as kit car vehicle and not have to pass DOT crash standards.

Thats how someone got a JDM nissan GTR into the US 4 months before the US release date.

FrankW

or you can just buy the car out of country, take out the engine, and put it back and register as a kit car that way. the Noble way FTW!

it's cheaper to buy the GT-R in japan btw. you just have to deal with it being right hand drive.

Saprissa

if you import a car without an engine, and import an engine without a car, they are just considered "parts".
What you do with those parts after they are in country has some loophole benefits.

TemjinX2

and have an navi system that speaks to you in japanese.

Rick

Actually....I was VERY serious about ordering this car. If they could have found a way, I would have given them a 20% deposit that afternoon. No sarcasm...no BS...I want this car!

slammer111

Come to Canada then import it south. Last time I checked, dealer said CLC will be available shortly over here.

Damn those mirrors look sexy...

Saprissa

Hey Rick, like Mercedes-Benz of old, when you wanted a Euro-spec car you could get it via grey-market. But people paid the price. Meaning, they went through all the paperwork, DOT conversions, and US Customs regulations to bring it in. You can do it, but none of the novices on this forum would go ahead with it. There are some people who could give you sound advice on importing non-USA cars, like Mark Cummins. He is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the legal import of non-US spec cars. But like I said, if you want it bad enough, it can be done.

Carlos

Saprissa

Rick

Carlos,
¿como estas?

I have a friend in Germany that manages a shipping company. As far as cars, he usually handles high ticket or older exotics worldwide. He has already said he'd be happy lend advice and arrange shipment, conversions and certifications, but at about a $9000.00 premium.

Euro delivery is not an option, unfortunately. MB will not support "gray market" cars through US channels if it is offered through MBUSA.

Not to toot my own horn (pun intended), but in another time's forgotten space, I was heavily involved in the "gray market" (audio and video consumer electronics). So I'm well aware of it's...shall we say....proclivities...

I've also been told by another dealership that US Dealers are pressuring MBUSA for the B klasse and CLC with smaller and CDI powerplants.

Obviously, I'm after the CLC350/4-Matic as spec'd. This would replace my "barely broken in" '02 C230k (52k mi and running strong)...and it could happen one way or the other.

Oh, and by the way - eff the emmin' effin' BMW's....their representative dealers here are terrible people and I'd never consider a purchase from those pompous, arrogant as------!
ooops, I've said too much

Saprissa

Rick,
good to know about your buddies shipping service. I'm moving to Germany early next year, and while 2 of my vehicles are being shipped for free by my employer, I was contemplating shipping one or two more, depending on cost. Might move this conversation to PM or e-mail.

but I hear ya on the CLC. A-Klasse, B-Klasse and CDIs would definitely be nice over here.

and definitely, screw the BMW !

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com