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Correct - Vance does not have factory delivery - the reason is technically Vance is a "Free Port Zone" and the MB's there have to be shipped out of the Free-Port-Zone to US dealers for customer delivery. Even the Vance factory workers who do employee/purchase-lease have to pickup their MB at the MB dealer in Birmingham.
In general .... once a VIN# is assigned it pretty much confirms the Scheduled Production Date - although that date can flex 1-2 days either direction.
Remember - a "watched pot doesn't boil" - and once production starts your dealer can give you their experienced estimate of dealer delivery time-frame
The Alabama factory tour is awesome ... coupled with a visit to Barber Motorsports Museum (https://www.barbermuseum.org/)
Make sure you check with Vance before you leave for your trip - when new models are going up on production (example the X167 GLS) they can choose to close the factory tour several weeks to insure against "leaks" on that new model.
In short form - more robots "Kuka's" at Vance than at any other auto factory in the US - "zero-waste" facility - "close" to carbon-neutral and they should achieve this by year end... shooting for 475K units this year (and really shooting for 500K) - impressive !
That's the only running board option I've seen. I believe the lights only come on when entering or exiting the vehicle, so I don't know why you'd turn them off.
… because everyone doesn't want lighted running boards. If so then the W166, C292 and X166 would not have had a standard version without lights if everyone wanted lights.
… because everyone doesn't want lighted running boards. If so then the W166, C292 and X166 would not have had a standard version without lights if everyone wanted lights.
From most comments I've seen, people don't want the running boards, period. Get your pant legs dirty, not wide enough, etc. Probably good for small children? I've never had them so I will stay out of that debate.
I think the refundable deposit is required by State Law in Oregon but not in most States. I’ve had cars ordered with no deposit, $500 and have had a request for as much as 10%. Usually the deposit is negotiable in my experience and non refundable. If you are a repeat customer it can make a difference.
I think the refundable deposit is required by State Law in Oregon but not in most States. I’ve had cars ordered with no deposit, $500 and have had a request for as much as 10%. Usually the deposit is negotiable in my experience and non refundable. If you are a repeat customer it can make a difference.
When you order before any cars are available to see, as many of us have, I think most dealers would make the deposit refundable, unless you order something really weird.
From most comments I've seen, people don't want the running boards, period. Get your pant legs dirty, not wide enough, etc. Probably good for small children? I've never had them so I will stay out of that debate.
I agree I've seen the complaints. Small children are a concern but also a concern for elderly people. Without running boards I have to lift and push my elderly mother by her butt up into my GLE and help her slide down out the GLE. I see most GLE and GLS with running boards than without so I'm surprised a non-lighted version is not offered as before.
This was written from the Austin press event last November but just published.
"It (E-ABC) seeks to make bumpy roads feel smooth and to all but eliminate body roll in corners. It's mind-boggingly good at both--like playing a driving game while seated on your couch."
"Both models are equipped with the same nine-speed automatic transmission, which is all but perfect."
"The brakes don't inspire confidence when slowing the vehicle from high speed; the pedal requires more effort than expected -- one of the rare instances in which additional brake boost might actually help."
"There is a lot of gizmo overload in the new GLE, but it all works well, which is what really impresses here. Lots of luxury automakers are piling on technology; few have integrated it as deftly as Mercedes has."
A cool thing with MercedesMe Connect on the GLE.. my techs were working on one of the GLE's linked to my MercedesMe-Connect account (MMC) - I have 6 linked to my MMC account for demo - and to keep track of them for fun - and Service had the electrical system partially disconnected for their work - and I got a text alert from MMC about my battery being critically low... kindof cool when you see online monitoring/diagnostics at work...
A cool thing with MercedesMe Connect on the GLE.. my techs were working on one of the GLE's linked to my MercedesMe-Connect account (MMC) - I have 6 linked to my MMC account for demo - and to keep track of them for fun - and Service had the electrical system partially disconnected for their work - and I got a text alert from MMC about my battery being critically low... kindof cool when you see online monitoring/diagnostics at work...
Previously you posted, "...before you use MBUX you need to ask the dealer if the "MercedesMe Connect" has been setup on the GLE or not." Shouldn't this be automatically enabled, or is it something that has to be done by service for each vehicle?
Greg, I think he was referring to the new Mercedes Me Connect app (not the older Mercedes Me app) you have to install on your phone and be logged into your account before it can be paired with MBUX. I was told the app activates some brand new features including the battery alert fab posted above.
Greg, I think he was referring to the new Mercedes Me Connect app (not the older Mercedes Me app) you have to install on your phone and be logged into your account before it can be paired with MBUX. I was told the app activates some brand new features including the battery alert fab posted above.
I am aware of the app, but he specifically says the dealer has to make sure the car is set up for it. Perhaps he will respond.
I am aware of the app, but he specifically says the dealer has to make sure the car is set up for it. Perhaps he will respond.
I didn't have the app on my iPhone when we went for out first test drive but MBUX prompted me to open the Mercedes Me Connect app when I tried to do the new user setup. I skipped that step since it was a test drive anyway and some things didn't work in MBUX. The salesman said the app needs to be paired to enable the full functionality of MBUX. Beyond that, I don't know.
Did anyone order high gloss linden gray? I'm wondering if the wood/leather steering wheel can be ordered in this, because the configurator says it has to be changed to the natural walnut to do that, which of course wouldn't match.
I've changed my choice of leather to black/magma gray so wanted something cooler color to go with it. The metal weave is my second choice, which also would leave me without the leather/wood steering wheel.
Did anyone order high gloss linden gray? I'm wondering if the wood/leather steering wheel can be ordered in this, because the configurator says it has to be changed to the natural walnut to do that, which of course wouldn't match.
I've changed my choice of leather to black/magma gray so wanted something cooler color to go with it. The metal weave is my second choice, which also would leave me without the leather/wood steering wheel.
This may be one of those things that you can only find out by getting with your dealer and seeing if netstar will allow it. The configurator is just an ordering guide, and is not always in sync with netstar.
I stopped into the dealership today and my build is complete (B5). The salesman said once they are built they park them in a large staging area and then invoice the dealership prior to shipping them by train to Baltimore. Then it takes about 10 days to reach the dealership. Unfortunately, I may not buy it when it arrives. They received a 350 with Espresso Brown/Magma Grey leather and I'm really not feeling the brown/gray combo. My wife didn't mind the color combo but it may not be the one for me after all this waiting. I doubt I'll order another and wait until June or July so if I don't take this GLE, they'll have to locate another and try to make a dealer swap. It kind of ruined my day. On a positive note, they just received a Polar White 450 with the Macchiato / Magma Grey interior and I like that combo a lot more. It didn't have the optional equipment I want so I wouldn't buy it. My wife says I need to calm down and wait until ours arrives, she thinks I'll feel differently once I see it. She may be right and often is.
03-11-2019, 06:46 PM
