Mercedesfan

The European Delivery saga comes to a conclusion with the 4MATIC E now arrived at its final port after having gone through the VPC (Vehicle Processing Center.) Linked below are photos as landed at the port:

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jay...ejay/my_photos

Adobe

Did it arrive in good condition?

Mercedesfan

Not a scratch. Even made it through the VPC with the European License plate intact though had to request the dealer hang onto it during their final prep. Found it interesting that the Maroni label with full list of specs and options, EPA mileage figures etc., was affixed to the window at the VPC just like a new vehicle.

GearHead

Hi Mercedesfan

Many congrats. I'm sure you are happy to have the baby come home.

I think it is DOT rules that when an auto manufacturer processes a vehicle for domestic USA delivery, the Maroni needs to be posted.

GL

IluvS500

that castle has an eerie look to it, but beautiful at the same time. Makes me wanna go to Germany now.

Mercedesfan

Thanks. Already looking forward to a return trip.

Minglewood

For you car to arrive in the U.S. from when you dropped it off in Europe. Looking at your posts, seems it took about 8 weeks?

Mercedesfan

Correct, but it actually reached the LA delivery center in less than six weeks. I believe the same ship stops at the East Coast and Houston ports first so depending where you live in the US the delivery times vary. A dealer closer to LA would probably have the car within a week of its arrival at the LA port.

Minglewood

Seems from other posts that you're not the only one who recently picked up his new car. I better go visit the local dealers and see what they've got. My Audi lease is up EOM. I'd like to find an E500 4matic wagon. I suppose I'd have to wait for an '05 to do ED (don't mind spending the summer on my motorbike). Anyone know what changes to the '05. When available? Price? Are there some recent '04s arrivals on dealer lots (suppose I can determine this on my own with a few phone calls)? Thanks.

northbenz

Anyone have European Delivery scheduled for a 2005 model year car yet? I see on the MBUSA Website the only European Delivery 2005 model they list is the new diesel model. Curious if there are any changes in the program for the 2005 models and if the currently advertised discounts for Euro delivery still apply to the 2005 models?

MB-JIM

The program hasn't changed. The discount is at least on the E320 CDI since I can confirm I received it on my 05 CDI. It is 7% off the entire msrp including options. Since the shipping is also waived, the net savings is over 8%.

airbusman

We just took delivery on a 2004 E-320 4matic, and other than the ridulous cost of crossing the channel (over $280.00 one way on Eurotunnel) the trip was fun. We stayed at the hotel in Stuttgart, went to France for 4 days at a friends, and then ended up at my sisters house in London for a few days. The car arrived on 21 April 2004, it was dropped off at Heathrow on 23 May 2004. Fairly fast shipping. A few scratches, some cases of soda pop we left in the trunk were stolen (seven - probably in Baltimore) but all in all the experience was nice.

The Nav system, Bi Xenon cornering lamps and butt grabbing seats all worked nice.

Obsidian Black is hard to keep clean. Never again.

-Ed