Vance Factory Tour
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Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 129
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From: Florida
1982 300Dt, 2021GLE53, 2013 GLK250, 2009 Smart Cabrio
Vance Factory Tour
Anyone done the factory tour? I have reservations next week and plan to tour the factory and the museum. Any tips, things to look for, etc?
JB
JB
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 129
Likes: 4
From: Florida
1982 300Dt, 2021GLE53, 2013 GLK250, 2009 Smart Cabrio
Correct...no cameras! They have sent me a pretty ominous agreement with strict guidelines for behavior! I have toured Stuttgart on three different occasions and never had to sign an agreement.
I'll take whatever shots I can before the actual tour.
I'll take whatever shots I can before the actual tour.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
I had a tour of the Cadbury factory in the UK where they didn't allow cameras. I think it's just some goofy security thing. Or maybe they're afraid he'll see all the stuff that they're shipping overseas that we can't get here.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,244
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
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From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by StevethePilot
Ya, und I'm zer gut at it, altzo too! I lehrnt it früm der Hossenpfeffer Bugz Bahni!
Although, Jamie Lee Curtis from Trading Places also comes to mind.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: MS Gulf Coast
1997 E320 Sedan
I've done the tour, museum and the off-road track as both driver and passenger. The tour is well worth it and museum can be a hit or miss depending on which artifacts are on display. The off-road track is typically reserved for factory deliveries.
Have fun.
Have fun.
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From: Land of Magnolias and Mint Juleps
) but otherwise, I'm open.
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Will do. Plan on departing 29th of October and it will be the first days in November by the time I reach that part of the country. Will be taking I-20 east to Charleston, SC. I will keep in touch.
Last edited by Nevada Jack; Sep 10, 2007 at 09:43 AM.
Super Member
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From: Land of Magnolias and Mint Juleps
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
I will probably be close by those dates. I will be in Summerville visiting with my sister. It is located about 20 miles or so west of Charleston off of route 26. Depends when I depart here.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 129
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From: Florida
1982 300Dt, 2021GLE53, 2013 GLK250, 2009 Smart Cabrio
Just returned from a week's vacation that included the factory tour. Here are my observations....
The Welcome Center/Museum facility is nice, but very small compared to Stuttgart. We arrived early for the 9:00am tour...they open officially at 8:30am, but unlocked the doors at 8:20am. We took the time to tour the museum and the gift shop...dissapointed; no GL models yet.
The tours are held only of Tuesday and Thursday, two tours each day at 9:00am and 9:15am.
Very strict rules on dress code, no cameras, no cell phones.
Had some nice Classics in the museum...about 5 of them in addition to the first ML, the first GL, and the first R.
The tour is almost exactly like Stuttgart and you see almost the same areas.
Time was about 90 minutes and all walking. The plant is big since they added the R and GL lines.
They have not done Factory Deliveries for the last three years or so since they shut down the tours during the R and GL factory adds. They said that they have not yet decided to reinstate the delivery program. Sounds like it was real nice....they showed us the delivery area and apparently when you came to pick up your car, they would actually show you your car in the final stages of production....then an hour or so later it was delivered.
Interesting fact...it takes about 24 hours to build a GL. In Stuttgart two years ago, they told us that it took 36 hours to build our E320 that we picked up. All parts and componnents arrive "just in time".
That's it, write with any questions about anything that I missed mentioning.
JB
The Welcome Center/Museum facility is nice, but very small compared to Stuttgart. We arrived early for the 9:00am tour...they open officially at 8:30am, but unlocked the doors at 8:20am. We took the time to tour the museum and the gift shop...dissapointed; no GL models yet.
The tours are held only of Tuesday and Thursday, two tours each day at 9:00am and 9:15am.
Very strict rules on dress code, no cameras, no cell phones.
Had some nice Classics in the museum...about 5 of them in addition to the first ML, the first GL, and the first R.
The tour is almost exactly like Stuttgart and you see almost the same areas.
Time was about 90 minutes and all walking. The plant is big since they added the R and GL lines.
They have not done Factory Deliveries for the last three years or so since they shut down the tours during the R and GL factory adds. They said that they have not yet decided to reinstate the delivery program. Sounds like it was real nice....they showed us the delivery area and apparently when you came to pick up your car, they would actually show you your car in the final stages of production....then an hour or so later it was delivered.
Interesting fact...it takes about 24 hours to build a GL. In Stuttgart two years ago, they told us that it took 36 hours to build our E320 that we picked up. All parts and componnents arrive "just in time".
That's it, write with any questions about anything that I missed mentioning.
JB
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Just returned from a week's vacation that included the factory tour. Here are my observations....
The Welcome Center/Museum facility is nice, but very small compared to Stuttgart. We arrived early for the 9:00am tour...they open officially at 8:30am, but unlocked the doors at 8:20am. We took the time to tour the museum and the gift shop...dissapointed; no GL models yet.
The tours are held only of Tuesday and Thursday, two tours each day at 9:00am and 9:15am.
Very strict rules on dress code, no cameras, no cell phones.
Had some nice Classics in the museum...about 5 of them in addition to the first ML, the first GL, and the first R.
The tour is almost exactly like Stuttgart and you see almost the same areas.
Time was about 90 minutes and all walking. The plant is big since they added the R and GL lines.
They have not done Factory Deliveries for the last three years or so since they shut down the tours during the R and GL factory adds. They said that they have not yet decided to reinstate the delivery program. Sounds like it was real nice....they showed us the delivery area and apparently when you came to pick up your car, they would actually show you your car in the final stages of production....then an hour or so later it was delivered.
Interesting fact...it takes about 24 hours to build a GL. In Stuttgart two years ago, they told us that it took 36 hours to build our E320 that we picked up. All parts and componnents arrive "just in time".
That's it, write with any questions about anything that I missed mentioning.
JB
The Welcome Center/Museum facility is nice, but very small compared to Stuttgart. We arrived early for the 9:00am tour...they open officially at 8:30am, but unlocked the doors at 8:20am. We took the time to tour the museum and the gift shop...dissapointed; no GL models yet.
The tours are held only of Tuesday and Thursday, two tours each day at 9:00am and 9:15am.
Very strict rules on dress code, no cameras, no cell phones.
Had some nice Classics in the museum...about 5 of them in addition to the first ML, the first GL, and the first R.
The tour is almost exactly like Stuttgart and you see almost the same areas.
Time was about 90 minutes and all walking. The plant is big since they added the R and GL lines.
They have not done Factory Deliveries for the last three years or so since they shut down the tours during the R and GL factory adds. They said that they have not yet decided to reinstate the delivery program. Sounds like it was real nice....they showed us the delivery area and apparently when you came to pick up your car, they would actually show you your car in the final stages of production....then an hour or so later it was delivered.
Interesting fact...it takes about 24 hours to build a GL. In Stuttgart two years ago, they told us that it took 36 hours to build our E320 that we picked up. All parts and componnents arrive "just in time".
That's it, write with any questions about anything that I missed mentioning.
JB
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
