Advice: Have car shipped from LA to SF or pickup
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
2003 Toyota Echo (Twin Turbo)
Advice: Have car shipped from LA to SF or pickup
I purchased an E350 wagon from carsdirect.com and have a dilemna. They can ship the car on an truck from LA to SF (California) but it is not enclosed. Since it is going to rain all this week, I am afriad of not being able to see any scratches on the paint since the car will likely show up dirty.
Does anyone have experience with having cars shipped from LA to SF? Should I pick it up in person?
Chris
Does anyone have experience with having cars shipped from LA to SF? Should I pick it up in person?
Chris
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
2003 Toyota Echo (Twin Turbo)
Thanks for the responses. I would like to pick it up but it is just too complicated with flight arrangements, rides and work. So I am going to have it shipped.
The cost for shipping was $400. Dealing with carsdirect so far has been a good experience. The deal was good because it was combined with some incentives MB corporate was providing. So in the end, I think I got about 7K off MSRP. I also got 3.9% financing for 48 months.
I'll let you know how it goes after I get the car.
The cost for shipping was $400. Dealing with carsdirect so far has been a good experience. The deal was good because it was combined with some incentives MB corporate was providing. So in the end, I think I got about 7K off MSRP. I also got 3.9% financing for 48 months.
I'll let you know how it goes after I get the car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
If shipping is an extra charge, do you have an option to choose a shipping company which uses enclosed trucks?
Try contacting another forum member (DragonAMG). He just had a car shipped, and I recall him saying he's used this company a few times, all with good results.
Try contacting another forum member (DragonAMG). He just had a car shipped, and I recall him saying he's used this company a few times, all with good results.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
W211
Originally Posted by tbone
If shipping is an extra charge, do you have an option to choose a shipping company which uses enclosed trucks?
Try contacting another forum member (DragonAMG). He just had a car shipped, and I recall him saying he's used this company a few times, all with good results.
Try contacting another forum member (DragonAMG). He just had a car shipped, and I recall him saying he's used this company a few times, all with good results.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
If the car is brand new I would pay extra to get it shipped using covered transport. I would not be worried so much about the rain as I would of debris from the road hitting something.
I had my car shipped from LA to Portland, OR using covered transport with no issues.
Good Luck
I had my car shipped from LA to Portland, OR using covered transport with no issues.
Good Luck
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area
E500 Sport
Here's the thread
Originally Posted by tbone
If shipping is an extra charge, do you have an option to choose a shipping company which uses enclosed trucks?
Try contacting another forum member (DragonAMG). He just had a car shipped, and I recall him saying he's used this company a few times, all with good results.
Try contacting another forum member (DragonAMG). He just had a car shipped, and I recall him saying he's used this company a few times, all with good results.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 11
From: Treasure Coast
2018 Mclaren 720s, 2021 Aston Martin DBX
Arrange the shipping yourself for an enclosed transporter...or how about having them get a MB car cover for protection.
Are you really going to send the car back if it's scratched?
Are you really going to send the car back if it's scratched?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, CA, USA
Tesla
why not just fly down to LA and drive it back? ticket is less than $100 and you can visit Disneyland while you're at it? 
Plus you can break in your engine on 5 fwy instead of bumper to bumper traffic.
Plus you can break in your engine on 5 fwy instead of bumper to bumper traffic.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
2003 Toyota Echo (Twin Turbo)
Well, I wound up getting it shipped. It arrived safe and sound. No issues. I love the car Thank you for your input. In retrospect, it would have been better to drive it up and get through the break in.
Regarding the break in period, is there a maximum speed you are supposed to go before 1000 miles? The tip manual just stated to vary the speed.
Thank you for your input. In retrospect, it would have been better to drive it up and get through the break in.Regarding the break in period, is there a maximum speed you are supposed to go before 1000 miles? The tip manual just stated to vary the speed.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
Some MBs & Bimmers
Originally Posted by knifegun
Well, I wound up getting it shipped. It arrived safe and sound. No issues. I love the car Thank you for your input. In retrospect, it would have been better to drive it up and get through the break in.
Regarding the break in period, is there a maximum speed you are supposed to go before 1000 miles? The tip manual just stated to vary the speed.
Thank you for your input. In retrospect, it would have been better to drive it up and get through the break in.Regarding the break in period, is there a maximum speed you are supposed to go before 1000 miles? The tip manual just stated to vary the speed.
With all the rain for the past few weeks, I won't be surprise that I5 will have alot more road debris and these will definitely have an impact on your paint job. The nano paint does chip easy.
Have fun with your new ride.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
2003 Toyota Echo (Twin Turbo)
Very true. Turns out the car carrier was one of those that is essentially a truck with a long ramp that carries 3 vehicles. There was a Toyota Matrix at the top and my car was nicely tucked behind. It came a bit dirty but no scratches what so ever. Happy with how everythinng turned out.
