MBTex

Well I had been going back and forth with the dealer on what options to get, even tried to order one last week with the 18 inch rims only to decide they weren't $1000 better than the AMG rims that come standard on the 350.

I finally decided and signed the order sheet.

C350 Sport
White Ext. \ Grey\Black Int.
P2 & Multimedia Packages

Now comes the waiting game on when it will get here. Dealer couldn't even give me a build date yet.

MJ50

sweet... so u'll be gettin' LED tails...

MBTex

Yep...saw some on an E-Class last week and decided I had to have them. I was torn between P2 and the 18's, then decided the Lighting Package in P2 alone was worth going with the standard 17" AMG's. The sudden delay in the 18's from the factory sealed the deal for me.

Shake

Good job on the order. Nice color combo

TEAShea

Nice. I have a C350 with the 18" on the water ---

TEAShea
from Nebraska

MBTex

Sure wish mine were on the water....who knows, maybe MB is shipping one over now that hasn't already been sold.

Peyton

You know, with all this 'shipping' talk, I heard some place that it takes 4-5 weeks to get to the USA after its built. That is, through customs, and in your hands.

...soo... I got the evil twin to your car MBtex, (black with all the options) and they said it would be here October 1 or late september so, that would mean its leaving Germany now.

Just a thought.


Anyone know how long it takes to build a car? (given that all the parts and options are in stock?)

hutch300

i know some cars could be bulit in less than a week or at least thats what i have been told

GDawgC220

If you order a car from factory to be built, from order to delivery generally takes 3 months time.

MBTex

Well I'd say time from order to delivery to you just depends on where you live and how quickly your dealer can get your order into MB. And, of course, how many other people around the world are ordering from the same MB plant. My dealer couldn't tell me anymore than mid to late Oct for Texas delivery, which would be 2-2.5 months.

In terms of actual build time, my salesman actually made it a point to tell me that it takes 60 hours to build your average MB (as opposed to 15 for your average American car). I guess it is supposed to demonstrate that your MB is not some assembly line car made entirely by machines. No clue if he is right or not.

MBTex

I really liked the black as well, but it just isn't good in the summer for me. I had considered the Palladium Silver as a compromise (especially after seeing and loving the demo), but I decided that I would only really be happy in black or white for an MB. So my decision was pretty easy. I actually would've preferred the Tan interior of the 300 Luxury, but it wasn't offered in the 350 so I went with the Grey seats because they were the only option other than black.

PUMes

Congrats man! Little saddened that you didn't go w/ the '18's, but ti's all about what makes you happy!

MBTex

Thanks. Well I didn't want to wait and the staggered AMG 17's are a very close likeness in my opinion. Not quite as nice, but miles ahead of the standard 300 rims. And I loved the LED tail lights when I saw them.

I'll give it a year or two and see if I'm in a "new rim" kinda mood...they could end up on the car yet.

stealtheo

Only the turn signal is LED in the rear housing assemble

MBTex

We know...saw them and they looked very nice.

MBTex

Just got back from the dealer....car being built on 9/25. With delivery about 5 weeks after.

Glad I ordered when I did.

MBTex

Today is build day for mine....should be rolling out of the factory by Thursday and hopefully onto the boat by early next week....

Peyton

hurray! Mr. C350 is getting its legs put on today. This sounds really juvenile but I wish I could go watch mine being put together :-P

MBTex

Sounds like you're sticking with it then....

Dealer called to remind me that today was build day (as if I needed reminding). Said he'd let me know when it was on the water...

Kev204

Wa....my sales guy on vacation wa....

MBTex

Car was "supposedly" built almost 3 weeks ago...yet still no word on whether or not it is on the water.

Dealer has no clue other than to tell me it might be a parts problem with the MM system and he doesn't know when my car will get here....anyone have any firm build dates that are pushed back indefinately? Any MM orders that have been delayed?

It has been 2 months since I ordered and still have no clue where the car is, or even if it exists....might have to start thinking about Plan B.

oblu

This isn't MB specific, just what I know from Audi and BMW. Once you place your order, the actual build date is dependent on what open allocation slots your dealer has. If it's smaller, lower in the ranks, etc. that could be months out ... which looks like it was your case.

Once built, it's then sent off to wait for shipping. That can be immediate or that can be another few weeks depending on capacity.

Then, for east coasters, it's on the water for 2-3 weeks. BMW comes in into Raleigh and I think, don't quote me on this, Audi comes into NJ. Not sure where MB comes in. If you're west coast, things really suck because you have to wait for it to come through the panama canal, which adds another couple of weeks.

Then once it's docked it takes a day to unload, but then it'll sit at the VPC center to get the cosmoline cleaned off (not sure if MB uses it, either that or my dealer's detail dept was a lot better than the BMW and Audi detailers at removing all traces from the door jambs) sometimes some accessories to be added any shipping damage repaired and to go through US Customs.

That can be 72hrs to a week depending on backup.

Then it gets on a truck and dropped at the dealer, who then has to go through their prep. I've seen some cars come off the transporter showroom ready, and I've seen some come off (all covered carriers mind) looking like they just cleared a sanded mountain pass.

Then it's ready for you.

Usually 2-3 months all told. And it's the reason I'll never ever ever order a car again. I'll buy one that's already on a ship as long as it's just a week or two out. But I refuse to wait 3mo for a car ever again.

BTW, BMW is the only manufacturer I know that has an easy system to track and order. Audi's is awful, it can be done but the dealer has to really do some digging. I suspect MB's is the same.

The Benz

Hi All. This is my first post, although I've been reading the board intently for over one month. I ordered my car on Aug. 13 in So. Cal:

- C350, Palladium Silver, P2, MM, 18" AMG, Leather, IPOD, TeleAid

And it's now on the water! It's scheduled to dock on Oct. 23 and the dealer said I shoud be driving it by the end of the month! I had read here that MM,18" and leather were each holding up production, so I must say I was ELATED to get the call that it had shipped! Let's just hope that yours is next MBTex.

-Mike

MBTex

Yes, oblu, the system is similar and I did receive a batch and build date from the dealer. I was first in their Sept. allotment and it is a larger dealer. Build was scheduled for 9/25 (my dealer even called to remind me) with the car rolling out by 9/27. Then he was supposed to let me know when the car was on the boat. Still no word.

Dealer originally told me 10-11 weeks and he has been right about everything so far.

However the fact that he can't track it has me worried. Says it is still #1 car for that dealership, but who the heck really knows anything with these cars.

MBTex

OK now this one does it....I ordered the same car minus 18's and leather 3 days later. So there are no parts delays with MM or P2. When was yours built Benz?

Congrats on having your car on the water by the way...if only....