ayilar

My C230k coupe, ordered in June, has been held up in port for 3 weeks. The salesman tells me that he has a lot of C's being similarly held up in Baltimore, that MB will not release these cars to dealers until they have been "fixed", and that the cars affected are mostly 230's.

(i) Anyone in the same situation?
(ii) Any idea about what the required "fix" might be?
(iii) Has anyone noticed a decline in stocks of C230's at their East Coast dealers?

Thanks in advance for the responses!

rockintunes23

Which Mercedes dealer said that to you? Annapolis and a few others didn't say anything to me like that. They have a whole lot full of 230s.

KWiK

your car may have been damaged in shipping...that's why he said "fixed"

could be as simple as a light replacement or as much as need some body/paint work

CitronC230K_03

ewww! that would suck!

rockintunes23

If that happened, I would be like... "I'm not going to take delivery!"

ayilar

I certainly hope that's it's not been damaged -- that's why I am trying to see if others are in the same situation right now. I was told to expect the car in early September, and it did come off the boat (as promised) more than three weeks ago -- but I am now almost in October, with no car in sight and no clue about when to expect it.

My salesman seems to have been been a pretty straight shooter so far, so I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. What he told me was that a bunch of cars are being held up in port for the same fix, and that the prep center in Baltimore "might be" waiting for a part from Germany. "Could be really minor," but he apparently is not being told.

I did a forum search before first posting earlier today, to see who has in the past experienced long delays at the port of entry. I have found some choice stories, with the reasons for long delays ranging from a batch of cars missing an owner's manual, another batch with mis-matched tow-hook covers, and a third batch that was delayed two months waiting for redesigned seatbelts. All those stories date back to late 2002, however. Can someone tell me if such crazy procedures are still standard MB practice?

wingless

Mine was delayed a coupla days, as they put an unsolded vehicle, off the same boat onto the truck to the dealership before mine.

As your is the first to indicate that there is a new '05 problem, is sounds like you are applying an appropriate amount of skeptisim.

rubenl

If you get the car that currently needs "fixing" make sure you give it a good lookover prior to signing...

Sauceboy01

hope it works out for you man! I know how much waiting sucks!

S_kLaSse

Mine was delayed a week because they wanted to keep my car on the dealership to show their customer, since mine has almost all the options. Goodluck to you. Better check the car before you buy it.

mick1

they can do that ? if possible, i don't want other people (buyers) seating in the car i ordered.

ayilar

Well, my car finally came in. I put 70 miles on her today, an even mix of highway and city driving. Everything seems fine. Hopefully, all is well that finishes well.