This Will Be My First Mercedes ...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 468
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From: Houston. TX
2013 S550
This Will Be My First Mercedes ...
I’m a soon-to-be-first-time Mercedes owner, and this is the best discussion forum I’ve seen thus far.
Briefly, I totaled an Infinity hydroplaning on a freeway here in Houston, and decided since I didn’t die I should have a new Mercedes. Okay, so I did do a couple weeks research on the Internet first …
I test drove the only E500 on the lot (~53 miles on the odometer) on Sept. 20th and said I wanted one. I was told the waiting list went until mid-1st Quarter 2003. As it turned out, a lady walked in and dropped off the wait list (due to a pending divorce) about 30 minutes before I walked in. Her car on order had enough of what I wanted to go ahead and purchase, so I did.
It was due Sept. 28th. I still don’t have it. The last story (Oct. 7th) was that the vehicle was at the VPC in Jacksonville, FL with a bad chip in the radio (Logic 7). Apparently this affected a large group of E500s arriving in late September. Replacement chips had been on order and mine was to be released this past Friday (10/11), and due here early next week.
The dealership did give me a 2002 E320 demo to drive since 9/30 (I had to turn in my rental). While I’ve been waiting, I ordered the wood & leather Keyless Go shift knob and a wood & leather steering wheel (the latter on back order). BTW, I’ve seen posts here about the cost of adding this latter accessory, and for me it was ~$850 with Sales covering the installation costs. I hope to ask about purchasing the Nav option when the car gets here (after reading the posts here).
The car is Pewter/Charcoal, E1, E2, E4, Parktronic, AVS, Keyless Go, CD Changer, and power rear sunshade and manual side sunshades.
Not everything I would have ordered, but close enough since I needed something now. I’m hoping ownership will be everything I’m expecting.
Chris
Briefly, I totaled an Infinity hydroplaning on a freeway here in Houston, and decided since I didn’t die I should have a new Mercedes. Okay, so I did do a couple weeks research on the Internet first …
I test drove the only E500 on the lot (~53 miles on the odometer) on Sept. 20th and said I wanted one. I was told the waiting list went until mid-1st Quarter 2003. As it turned out, a lady walked in and dropped off the wait list (due to a pending divorce) about 30 minutes before I walked in. Her car on order had enough of what I wanted to go ahead and purchase, so I did.
It was due Sept. 28th. I still don’t have it. The last story (Oct. 7th) was that the vehicle was at the VPC in Jacksonville, FL with a bad chip in the radio (Logic 7). Apparently this affected a large group of E500s arriving in late September. Replacement chips had been on order and mine was to be released this past Friday (10/11), and due here early next week.
The dealership did give me a 2002 E320 demo to drive since 9/30 (I had to turn in my rental). While I’ve been waiting, I ordered the wood & leather Keyless Go shift knob and a wood & leather steering wheel (the latter on back order). BTW, I’ve seen posts here about the cost of adding this latter accessory, and for me it was ~$850 with Sales covering the installation costs. I hope to ask about purchasing the Nav option when the car gets here (after reading the posts here).
The car is Pewter/Charcoal, E1, E2, E4, Parktronic, AVS, Keyless Go, CD Changer, and power rear sunshade and manual side sunshades.
Not everything I would have ordered, but close enough since I needed something now. I’m hoping ownership will be everything I’m expecting.
Chris
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Saudi Arabia
'18 AMG GTR '16 BMW M3 - '05 Porsche Carrera S
Congratulations, I am sure it will be a great car with those options.. the color combination is nice too, a question regarding the wood/leather shift knob - Have you seen one ?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 917
Likes: 86
ctouhey,
if possible, can you post pics of the shift knob as it comes from the factory and after the wood upgrade. I am also ordering keyless go, but did not realize that this means I lose the wood unless I pay more...how stupid...I'm already paying more for keyless go.
Also, has anyone got a good explanation as to why you can't order the wood wheel from the factory ($500) but yet every dealer seems to have it to install as a dealer option ($975)
if possible, can you post pics of the shift knob as it comes from the factory and after the wood upgrade. I am also ordering keyless go, but did not realize that this means I lose the wood unless I pay more...how stupid...I'm already paying more for keyless go.
Also, has anyone got a good explanation as to why you can't order the wood wheel from the factory ($500) but yet every dealer seems to have it to install as a dealer option ($975)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,110
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
MB
it is true that the wood will not be on the key-less-go shifter, bu abh, go onto www.mbusa.com and you can find good pics of it, i believe it is under acceseries.
