Just got an update regarding my late May C450 build. Said the status is "Z84 status. spec changes no longer possible"

Problem is none of the statuses on C450amg.com have this and a quick Google search doesn't bring up anything either.

Anyone seen this code before?

 

That just means its too late to make any changes. The build is quick. The ship and sit at port or hold lot is what takes so long...

 

Thanks xgman. I was told the build is targeted for late May in Alabama so it seems odd that they locked down the build at end of April.

 

I might go early then... Mercedes is the worst at keeping you up to speed on custom orders progress and delivery. Like its some big government secret. Its ridiculous.

 

Yeah, it's within a week or so of the scheduled build date. You may get it early.

 

Not sure if it is something specific I ordered, or what, but my while my first build went early, my second build is stuck. Entered production on 4/6. VIN assigned on 4/7. No other status updates since then. Still in the plant somewhere not released for wholesale or shipping. Getting very frustrated. My dealer called his "contact" at the plant. His contact can't get any updates within his job until the build is complete. So yes, very secretive, even within the plan. UGHHHH...

So, usually the build is quick....not always.

 

Also have a late May/early June delivery estimate, my build was locked on 4/22 I think it was.

 

VIN gets assigned pretty late in the production process. Do you actually have the VIN or is It just what the dealer is reporting? If it has a VIN it it sounds like it's just sitting at the transportation center awaiting release to the carrier. If it doesn't have one, my guess would be that the 4/6 build got delayed for a parts, which happened to mine and added 3 weeks.

 

Yes, I have the actually VIN, and sat in the dealer's office when we pulled up the order in Netstar on Friday and it showed 4/6 production and 4/7 VIN assigned, and blank after that I've been previously told, VIN gets assigned around day 2 of the build, so this matches up. Just no car...

 

"VPC Ready" should be the next status. Unless it got damaged between the plant and the VPC somehow and they're dealing with that. That would suck. There just aren't a lot of places for it to go for three weeks between rolling off the line and getting to the processing center. But yeah, nobody at the plant will give you guys any info. Top secret!

 

"Z" codes support the "main" codes (the codes listed on C450amg.com) and can show up in any order.

This C450 made it to the dealer on 9/30 (43 days after the "Z84" code):

(In this case, the delay could be chalked up to a new model build.)

 

This is what my sales guy sent me yesterday in response to my request for a a status update (have to keep asking).

Current Data
Production Number **deleted for privacy reasons*
ETA B4-05.1
Location Status
Location Info Additional Information about the vehicle:
Planned Delivery Date: 20160625
DEC-SCH-DATE: 16051
PLN-SCH-DATE: 16052
PROD-ACT-DATE: 20160510
SHPT-DATE: 00000000
CC-DATE:
CONS-DATE:
FINV-DATE: 00000000
WHSLE-DTE: 00000000
BUYBK-DTE: 00000000
RETAIL-DATE:
CANCEL-DATE: 00000000
PHASE-DTE: 20160428

I can see the production date here as May 10, but is that start or complete? Delivery is shown as June 25 - is that reasonable - 6 weeks to get from Alabama to Ontario?

 

Anyone?

 

So here is what I've found on mine:

- Build for changes was locked 4/22
- Dealer said car should have a VIN about a week or so before final production commences
- He would estimate that would be in about two more weeks, based on his experience (been selling MB's since the late 80's I believe)
- My original estimate was for a very late May/early June delivery

The waiting game continues, luckily trips to NYC and Tampa for a bachelor party are helping to make the time pass quickly. That and I picked up an Apple Watch to give me something else to keep me distracted, otherwise I'd be going nuts by now (I'm very impatient).

I remember seeing on here that Canada always shows a padded delivery timeline, but sometimes can show up in 3 to 4 weeks rather than the quoted 6. Lots of variables could keep it to the 6 though.

 

Yeah I figured it might be a conservative estimate, leaving some cushion in case of any issues. Would be nice to start June with new wheels.

 

Can't speak to Canada, but once again shipping from Alabama to the Washington DC Area is very quick. As I noted, my car started a build on 4/6 and as of Friday 4/29 was still in build for some reason. On Monday 5/2 the dealer called me and said still no status change but they have talked to their contacts at the plant to try to get it a priority. Car showed up at the dealer on 5/4 and is now home in my garage, so very quick shipping and in both my cars, car arrived at dealer before status change in NetStar.

 

West coast rail transport is painfully slow. Portland has a major rail hub but it took a full 17 days to get here from Vance.