pj230

For special order and european delivery, how long does it really take for either of these options? On the special order, I've heard anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months, and because this is low frequency event, I get different answers from different salesperson or dealers. Is it true the dealers have access to the production line to determine what's in line for production and if looking for a specific car like with manual, can determine if it's spoken for, etc. and be able to reserve that car?


Also on the EDP, when does the payment start after you close the finance with MB? Is it when you actually take delivery in Europe or sometime after that? Again, curious for those who have done EDP, how long did it take from order to US delivery?

TIA

amdeutsch

They will not let you take delivery in Europe and then pay for it afterwards. Did you read the write up on MBUSA.com about the EDP. I remember it was fairly informative.

BudC

MB-Jim is the resident expert on Euro Delivery but I've done some research on the subject.

When you place the order, you provide a $2,000 deposit. 30 days before you are scheduled to pick up the car in Sindelfingen, you pay the balance of the cost of the car less license and taxes. When you take delivery of the car back in the U.S., you pay license and taxes.

I've been told it generally takes a minimum of 60 days from the time you place the order until you can take delivery in Germany. It might be possible for the saleman to find a car that was ordered for Euro Delivery and then canceled. It's one way to obtain a car more quickly.

Delivery generally takes 4-6 weeks from the time you drop the car off in Europe until it's available through the east coast ports. Deliveries coming in through California may take an extra two weeks.

You save 7% off the base MSRP along with the $720 U.S. delivery charge for normal U.S. delivery. You may also get something more off the price depending on the salesman.

CitronC230K_03

my SPC order was submitted Nov. 25 and delivered at the dealship on Jan. 29

pj230

They will not let you take delivery in Europe and then pay for it afterwards. Did you read the write up on MBUSA.com about the EDP. I remember it was fairly informative.

You missed my question which is when does the first pymt come due after you close financing with MB which is 1 month prior to delivery in Germany. I think I have the answer now based on other replies.

CitronC230K_03

your right, besides my SPC order was just that, no Euro Delivery involved. would have loved to of done that though.

Dr Chill

I wonder if anone has taken delivery in Sindelfingen and than had it modded in Germany before dropping it off for shipping home.

CitronC230K_03

like euro spec mods?

amdeutsch

You have a few issues to deal with on this one:
1) If MB/Customs inspects the car and finds out what you've done the car will have to be converted it back to factory specs and you lost all that mod money plus then some.
2) Finding a shop that has your parts in stock and can get you in in a timely manner.
3) Warranty; what about it if you need it.
4) Interruption of your travel plans if things don't work out as intended.
5) Possible higher cost due to your time requirements.
6) No refund of the VAT since you would then have to admit to Customs that the car is moded; i.e. no longer meets factory specs for import.

MarcGetty

I did European Delivery on my 2002 C230 Coupe in May of 2002. My color (citron green) was a special order and my dealer said this would take 6 to 8 weeks before I could pick it up in Sindelfingen.

Lies! My car was built <72 hours after ordering my car at my local dealership. It sat in Sindelfingen waiting for me to pick it up the whole time.

Once I returned the car in Frankfurt it took 5 weeks and 6 days for it to get to my dealership just outside of Philadelphia, PA. Much of this time the car spent sitting in the USA.

Do not even think of modifying the car while in Europe! First of all it is a crime to modify a registered vehicle and not get TÜV approval of the modification. Also, if found to be modified by US customs they will refuse the car and it may be put on a boat back to Bremerhaven.

-Marc

'81 VW Mk1 Scirocco Philadelphia, PA
'84 VW GTI Bunny Truck marc@getty.net
'02 MB C230 Kompressor AIM: DaMarcDaMarc

MarcGetty

As for payment, I paid $4000 cash (double the $2000 minimum) up front to the dealership at order time. I financed the rest and the first payment was deducted from my checking account 45 days after ordering and every month after that. When I got back I paid PA sales tax and all title and inspection fees in cash (~$2000).

You definitely have the potential to be paying for a car that you don't have in your posession. My first monthly payment on the car was made while I was in Germany a few days before picking the car up.

-Marc

'81 VW Mk1 Scirocco Philadelphia, PA
'84 VW GTI Bunny Truck marc@getty.net
'02 MB C230 Kompressor AIM: DaMarcDaMarc

CitronC230K_03

it took about 3 weeks for my citron coupe to be built. ordered on nov. 25, built dec. 17. wish i could have done european delivery.