blittle

"Supposed" to be completed this week.....checked with the dealer today...no VIN yet

Otis123

That's interesting. 11 days "in production" no VIN. What did you order?

JasonMayes

They "usually" don't hit it with a vin until about a month or so before the dealer ETA, ..so I've seen.

blittle

450 with most of the options .... Minus the designo, active curve and rear entertainment system. I really like the dealership I work with ,BUT, I'm not so sure that they have a real good handle on the Vance production process. My 2011 showed up at the dealer a week after the VIN appeared in the system.....who knows! I'm betting early March before i see it.

Otis123

Same hear. Dealing with a good guy, but Vance seems like a bit of a black box to them. You put stuff in and you never really know what will come out or when.
I'm starting to sense that options are what can add a lot of variability to production time. I have a ton of options as well.

fabbrisd1

VIN# generally gets assigned around the 3rd real day of production for the vehicle, and it's transparent/available in the Netstar system- thats all standard system stuff.

"Options" can add additional post-production time, like a couple of days for the SPC stuff... other than that there are no real twists to the system

All should work out..

blittle

Like you said.... "all should work out!" This is my 3rd GL since 07 and each one has been a "wait" .... worth it .... BUTTTTT.... it would be so much better for the consumer if there was some sort of transparent system for tracking an ordered vehicle so that you could make plans , if needed...regarding trips, etc.

cookstar

If I could trade in my delivery date with you I would, much rather receive the car in Mid March like it was scheduled, its usless to me in February as I refuse to drive a new car in snow again

fabbrisd1

Actually, the system is transparent - with distinct clear stages - in this particular case (assuming all info is correct) "scheduled for production" supposedly became marked "in production" (your dealer did or did not tell you that it had been changed to "In Production" when you updated with them?).

Then while "In production" the vehicle info gets updated with VIN# info the 3rd/4th day of production..

Unfortunately that information, especially for the most enthusiastic new owners, doesn't make the countdown any less of a countdown.

blittle

The dealer told me a month ago that the vehicle was scheduled "to be completed" the second week of Feb. Checked with them on the 1st of feb and the wording was "in production"......yesterday's info was "should be done this week" but no vin yet! I wonder how "up to date" the Net Star info is at any given moment? If no VIN by this Sat. , I am suspect of the dealer info....

fabbrisd1

Either your dealer is giving you any updated information at the time you ask them or they are not.

Personally it sounds to me like they are - but you are letting a month old "old estimate completed 2nd week February" flip you out over these last few days.

This is Tues of the 2nd week for heavens sake, you are told its in production, which may make production completion possible/likely for this week..

Unfortunately even accurate updated information, doesn't make the countdown any less of a countdown especially for the most enthusiastic new owner...

JasonMayes

As much as they give us an "Est. prod date" and "est delivery date" they can still delay it at any time.

We have an ML that has been delayed at the VPC for a few days now.

blittle

Yeah.... you are right, I need to back off a bit....just trying to "push" it here before I head out of state for 10 days beginning Mar. 2!

fabbrisd1

Jason - let me point out clearly this is a Mercedes enthusiasts forum - and a good one - if you want to contribute freely as a enthusiast, all well and good.

I would urge you not to over reach yourself either personally or professionally again - in my opinion you already have a couple of recent posts that are suspect to the theme/purpose of this forum.

JasonMayes

Fab - Im not trying to attack or mistreat anyone, and in no post on this thread here are "suspect". If I'm overstepping boundries, please PM me and we'll take care of it. (Or a Mod can step in).

You're right,...does seem like a very good forum for enthusiasts.

BUT, sometimes enthusiasts are looking for facts, or bits of information that their dealer isn't giving them. That's where I step in, or like to. I've only been in the business for a year and hate the "traditional antics" that dealers and salespeople give people. Im 100% fair, and truthful, and don't like the "games". I've had over 20 now PM's about members asking me my opinions and hearing a crappy story about their local dealer.

I apologize for before, Im just here to help as much as I can, and Im not trying to over step any boundries or make anyone mad.

...Back to work.

fabbrisd1

Blittle - released to carrier today - the sky smiles...

JimBarnhart

blittle

blittle

Went out and talked to the 2011 today....... told her it "was nothing personal" It really has done everything I wanted and NEVER had one issue during 33k miles.

Otis123

My GL350 "entered production" 2/3. Its now 2/13 and still no VIN..............................

blittle

So.......somewhere between Pennsylvania and Alabama is a Cinnibar Red Gl450 ...maybe on a train, maybe on a truck, maybe still sitting in the "marshaling yard". ...... But definitely not in my driveway! Dealer said today..."before the end of the month." I've been through this with my first two GL's , but this one has been the longest........ I can't wait to hear what the dealer says about our original trade agreement ( 4 months ago and now 2500 more miles ) !

Otis123

So. I remembered I have a friend who used to work at the Vance plant. So I called him up and asked him if he still had any buddies over there that could give the the straight F ing story about my $80K vehicle.....

To keep it simple, dealer told me "In Production" 2/3 as of today he tells me still no VIN. Reality is my vehicle is scheduled to enter production this coming Friday 2/22 and should be given to the transport folks around Monday 2/25 and arrive at my dealer around Friday 3/1.

blittle

I've heard that BMW has a system where the customer can track the production process...... MB could use something like that. It would let us track our orders and not have to constantly harass the dealers who could care less about individual details and are focused on monthly sales figures. ( not meant to be disrespectful to dealers ... It's just a different priority )

sraza

i know some dealers can make it painful- i agree having a link off the mbusa site to use confirmed PO as a tracking will help-
however my dealer never minded me asking anytime, email or phone call and was specific about status, dates and delivery time- honesty is what make a dealer attract more customers.

wheelsloose

BMW's system of tracking your car is useless because it is very delayed. I have ordered a few BMWs and both of them said they were still in production when they actually showed up at the dealer. The actual dealers system is much more accurate to the day. MB dealers have the same thing and you can call your service advisor and he can tell you the same thing.