Long story short, my first GL550 was stolen by the transport driver my dealer hired back in October. Link to orginal thread here



They pulled some strings and got me a fresh from the factory one but it was going to Seattle and they would have to ship it. Was told it would be here Tuesday......Tuesday comes, nothing.

Call dealer (I am now just texting with Sales Manager since we are near family from all our communcation over the past 2 months) and he tells me that he just called the trucker and he just "didnt pick it up". Something about going to the dealer and they told him it wasn't there or some crap.

Wow, I just have lost all faith in humanity at this point. Well maybe just truckers. We finally have had enough and are flying to Seattle and are gonna drive the mother f'in thing back to Utah.

If anyone is the praying type, please pray for us. This deal is so snakebit, watch the thing catch on fire or terrorists strike Seattle with a dirty bomb.

Fingers crossed. If you see a Diamond White Metallic 550 with dealer plates on it cruising around Seattle, this weekend. That's us.

 

Another chapter for your book. As I was reading your post I'm calculating how much a plane ticket would cost from SLC to SEA.

In true Hollywood fashion, I'd demand the people in Seattle send you a photo of the GL with the morning newspaper to verify date so you can determine it's in fact still there before getting on that plane!

Let us know how it all progresses, good luck and safe travels.

 

Wow…..not sure what to say other than VERY WIERD!!

 

The configuration on your "new" GL550 - quaint it doesn't have Off-Road or Active Curve - you'll like the Designo black - a lot - the B&O has great imaging - but limitations.

Two experienced suggestions:

1st - you will enjoy your GL550 much-much-much more - if you explore and understand the true design intent of the "paddles" - at speed, pull back left paddle 3 sec to reach passing/power gear - accelerate from their - then upshift with right paddle.or hold right paddle 3 secs to release back to auto - MUCH smoother/faster power/passing procedure.

For added braking power from engine - such as downhill freeway exit - hold left paddle 3 secs to reach power/braking gear.

2nd suggestion - All previous expereince or web comment about "brake bedding procedure" understand there is NO horse**** for the GL550 brakes - however, my strong personal recommendation is to be appropriate/conservative with braking for the 1st 2500 miles - but use that 2500 miles to explore/get-comfirtable with your paddles.

Have fun - keep the beat !

 

SUCCESS!!!!

FRIGGIN LOVE THIS THING!!

What a machine. Drove back from Seattle at 80-85 when allowed and she pulled about 16mpg. Some parts of the Cascades ran -17 below air temp but we drove in warm heated and massage seat comfort.

This brings this soap opera to a close.

I beg you guys, please PLEASE be careful when choosing a transport company. They are swiping Benz's ALL OVER the USA. Hot hot vehicle in China. The driver that stole mine had a record of 11 years driving experience and the company had insurance. I still think he got bumped off.

Benz corporate is thinking of shutting down transport to dealers. How stupid. In this internet age, they could really make some serious cash if Benz would setup a small trucking company to cruise across the US.

Thanks again for all the help gents!

 

YES! Have fun with it!

 

Congratulations! What a relief! You've got me nervous as ours is being shipped from NJ to Miami this week. I heard that a lot of these stolen luxury SUV's are going to Dubai & the surrounding area as well as China. I hope it gets here safe & sound. I can't wait to drive it. The one we drove here was incredible but I wanted porcelain/black designo leather so our only option was to order til a friend's broker found ours in a container at the port in NJ! Been dreaming about it every night.

 

Have fun with it!

 

Any clue why it would be in a crate in NJ? GL's are assembled in Alabama and shipped via train/truck around the US. Can't imagine why it would be a US destined GL in a crate.

 

I asked him about that when I read that GL's are built in Tuscaloosa, AL. He said most are built here in the states but some are built in, was it India? I think he said India but I may be confusing that with our vacation this fall.

 

Just checked emails. Yup, it's India.

 

Yes they do make gl in India now started about a year ago, but I thought those were for India market only and they are only producing 350 s there

 

Gl's made in India do not come to Canada or the U.S.A, North American GL vehicles are supplied by Alabama only

 

Hmmmm. Sounds like my broker is feeding me some ****. Calling him right now! Well report.

 

Ok...Let's see if this makes sense. He said that he used the word "port" to simplify the terminology. He said the car is at what is called a "regional terminal", like a distribution center, where the factory transfers all vehicles for that region. Then, they are transferred to local dealers. There was some confusion in mentioning the India factory...he tried explaining but I didn't follow. I was certain he said it was coming from India but when I emailed him asking about it, I asked, "Mercedes, a German brand actually builds in India?" He responded, "Yes, they do." All that cleared up, our car is at the NE terminal, awaiting release.

 

Still……. If he used the word "container", then I would be wanting more info! MB GLs made in Alabama are NOT shipped via "containers" anywhere in North America.

 

I am very concerned but this guy came highly recommended by some good friends of my wife's. I don't know what else to do but wait for further details or call him out. Not sure the latter will help the situation out at all. My wife agrees we should wait till Tuesday...if it's not being transferred to us by then, it's time to get pushy.

 

Don't at all mean to undermine your excitement about the new GL, but to be completely honest at face value this whole thing sounds highly suspect. Might be worth some of your time to ask around and see what you can find out about how reputable this broker really is, or at a minimum press him to tell you exactly how and through what entity he is acquiring the car.

 

I know what dealer he's getting the car from. They're one of the largest MB dealers in NJ & they have a great reputation. Our broker has forwarded emails to me from the associate he works with. Emails have the associate's & the dealer's info. It all seems legit, only we've got to wait a few more days than expected. I'll be patient till Tuesday & see where we're at.

 

Sorry to open a can of worms, hopefully everything will work out properly, but 'container' scared me. Jakpro1 got so concerned from his first stolen vehicle that he flew up to meet his new GL and drove her home.

 

I'm glad your car made it home safe! Post more pics when you get the chance. That interior is gorgeous.

 

Did you finally get your car?

 

broker says it's going to be at the dealership tomorrow & will then be transported down here. should get it by thursday. i've already begun to lose the excitement but today is my birthday so i'm way to busy to be worrying about it. I'll update tomorrow when my car leaves the dealer. have a great day all

 

Fingers crossed.

 

fingers & toes! lol
thank you.