haibieb

Our car finally landed at Brunswick's VPC Site this week. Priority D1, VPC JV, TRD 0 (RED CIRCLE)

Does anyone have a conversion chart for the various codes used by the VPC before i ask my salesperson?

Now, the wait begins.

rbrylaw

I think knowing MB isn't planning to release these cars until the beginning of the 4th quarter, I would rather not know my car had arrived. It would just frustrate me more knowing it's at the VPC, just sitting there. I hope you don't get too frustrated waiting for the magical day Mercedes turns on the Release switch.

haibieb

A dealer representative mentioned that he does not feel that the wait is going to be that long and not place too much faith in MB's press releases. Release dates will change he said. Will see. No, I am not going to feel frustrated it is what it is. The dealership started getting other models in and more C's and E's will start coming in soon in the next few weeks as well.

sackboydad

rbrylaw

I do feel for you and have since your first "harumph" post. Your salesman fed you a load of hooey on when your car would be ready to be delivered. He set you up for disappointment and with the information you've been privy too, such as knowing exactly when and where your car arrived in the US, it just further exacerbates your frustration level. We've custom ordered a new MB near the beginning of the new model year and have been through this rodeo before. The pain will end, if you hang in there. And then the pain will be a distant memory as you're going to love that E450 when you get it.

wdimagineer

MBUSA has provided information to your dealer, in the form of a launch schedule I posted a screenshot of not long ago. That screenshot shows the approximate window in which MBUSA will initiate the sales processes (or "release") of MY19 models. Your dealer has chosen to provide you with false information and incorrectly set your expectations going back to when you ordered.

I am also waiting for a car. But I also have the added advantage of having worked for a German automotive OEM on the corporate side so I can speak to the process and hopefully provide a little added context/color. The process leading up to vehicle certification and sales start authorization isn't simple. It's not "switching on the light" like someone said in an earlier reply. There are numerous steps that need to be completed, beyond just certifications.

Mercedes has to submit documentation to ARB, EPA, and others. Those organizations have finite resources and approve them as and when they can. I promise you Mercedes and others would love for these groups to approve things faster. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. However, 2019 vehicles are being approved and are on lots now.

Mercedes also has to prep their dealer network, update training materials, documentation, marketing collateral, financing details (like residual values), roadside assistance, etc. This also takes time. The MY19 switchover introduces new steering wheels (with revised repair procedures) plus software changes to driver assistance functions. This requires updated documentation, software revisions, and other changes.

And finally, there are also manufacturer release cycles. BMW prefers a slightly earlier cycle, hence the greater number of MY19 cars available today. VW/Audi, Porsche, MB, and others prefer a later cycle. There are *0* 2019 Audis on the ground now, for example.

I hope you get your car soon and it offers you years of enjoyment. This process shouldn't dissuade you from ordering a custom car in future. Just don't order one during a model year introduction. Wait until the kinks are worked out, and then place your order. Less variables and less waiting. Oh, and I'd also find a dealer that doesn't make promises they can't deliver.

Courthaven

Sorry to hear about your frustrations. I was curious, if you don't mind, which dealership did you order from? I only ask because I am in the Baltimore area and aspiring to purchase a 2019 E300 and trying to figure out who is honest and legit and who isn't.

Thanks

sackboydad