In my Dealership days, we would regularly send drivers to **** cars from the railroad yard and drive them to the Dealership. Always checked with the buyer if they were OK with some miles before PDI/delivery.

 

Your story sounds familiar....Amazing how many truck drivers get sick around Christmas-New Years.

 

I would fly to Alabama myself and drive it back to PA.

 

Wish MB had factory delivery like BMW but cannot because of tax zone status of Vance. I feel very lucky that mine only sat for 8 days before being shipped and after 8 days on train to NJ arrived on a Friday. On Monday trucked to dealership. Trucking company will blame the drivers.

 

Correct - Vance is a bona-fide "US Duty Free Zone" and "factory delivries" are not possible - even Vance employee's have to get delivery off-site at MB Birmingham AL

 

That was a fun day. I always wondered why MB didn’t do it too.
As for the BMW performance center, theirs is across the street. Couldn’t MB do it down the road or somewhere nearby? Heck, why does it even have to be there? They appear to do more car deliveries there than the SUVs that the factory makes across the street anyway.

 

I would imagine the only thing stopping MB from building a delivery center outside of the designated trade zone is the will to do it. Expensive and really won't buy them anything. BMW has always emphasized the performance side of their vehicles so PCD fits with their "ultimate driving machine" marketing.

 

If you’ve ever owned one you might not call it the “ultimate driving machine.” But I do agree that the PDC does go better with their philosophy. But MB could come come up with something.
They do have an AMG class credit if you buy a new one (about $1100) but I think I I even got screwed out of that this time too.

 

I've owned one. That's why I'm on my 3rd Mercedes (2 Mercedes post-BMW). The car was nothing but trouble and I made the mistake of buying not leasing as well as keeping too long past warranty. Four injector replacements, a couple of fuel pumps, misc electrical issues. But tons of power, responsive steering and just generally good marketing perks. I attended a driving clinic they did at MetLife Stadium parking lot and really got some great tips from a professional driver. But nothing beats the coffee machine at my MB dealer and I only wish my car would break down more often so I could get their great coffee. And dealership-logo water bottles. The coffee at the BMW dealership was lousy.

 

Whats the AMG Class all about? If I get a $1000 credit I doubt if I would use it unless it’s close and more involved than I’m thinking. So if it’s transferable, I might send it your way. I know Corvette has a driving school in Vegas that’s free with new purchases. I probably missed out on the $100 credit too since I sold my 2020 in August and paid for my 53 on 12-30-2020.

 

https://amgacademy.com/program/offer

In the past, 53 owners would have gotten a full credit to attend the driving academy just like 63 owners. Since 2019 however, you only get a discounted rate.

I've attended the performance, advanced and pro levels in the past and IMO it's well worth the money. The credit is good for the beginning performance level or if you've already attended it before you can use the credits towards one of the more advanced levels. I'm hoping they re-open the schedule again before my credits expire for my 63 purchase this year.

 

IMO one Track Day (Drivers School) per year is important to keep driving skills up to snuff. Maybe your local Benz Club organizes Track Days (in years without COVID).
Two days is better.
Getting to know the limits of your car, whether it's an AMG or a 3/4T pickup, enhances your fun and could save a life.
edit: Actually, it looks like the M-B Drivers Academies only let you drive their cars, not yours. A track day with a local club would be better, especially if they provide instructors - in YOUR car.

 

My SA has been told my 580 will arrive by Thursday this week. As long as it happens I plan to make the trip Saturday. Fingers crossed at this point.

 

Well, hope it arrives as scheduled and you and your son have a nice drive across the state. Remember that 1000 mile break in so try to resist pushing it too hard on the Turnpike

Good luck

 

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately it doesn’t look good for any Academy sessions. They cancelled 2020 and don’t have anything scheduled for 2021 due to COVID.

 

Somewhere there is also a way to sign up for emails to let you know what is happening but I haven’t got any updates about any future dates since about a year ago. You have to use the credit within a year and since they cancelled everything last year I did call and get about a 6 month extension (till May 2021) but I have to use it by that date.

Back to the original thread, has anyone seen a 2021 580 anywhere? I’ve been checking random dealer sites and none are even listed. @ENCT I’ve lost track but have you got a VIN?

 

There are 23 in dealer inventory nationwide that are Priority 2-3. Most of them are enroute from Alabama. Looks like they just released the first batch.

 

That’s great news. How are you doing the search? Is it a MB dealer search you have access too or some search engine? In other words are they already showing up in dealers stock.

 

Yes I have a VIN and the app is set up. (no tracking available) Supposed to arrive at dealer by Thursday this week. Son had to bail on the trip to Pittsburgh (father duties call) but my wife will ride shotgun. (Her car anyway). We shall see what happens as the week progresses.

 

Netstar

 

Does your 580 show up yet on dealer's web site? Looks like we have decent weather this weekend on east coast so should be a pleasant drive.

If you got distronic with the speed limit feature, be careful first time you drive it. It can reduce your speed abruptly because it reads speed limit signs that are off the main highway, whether inactive construction signs on shoulder or even exit speed limits (happens to me on I-80 Westbound at Paterson NJ). It is a 737Max waiting to happen.

 

It is not on the site, not sure it will be. I did not order the distronic, if I did it again I would. ( I pretty much ticked every box but that one.) I read here that it is a nice feature. I did add it to my E63S order. I will post up some pictures when I get it.

 

I don’t remember where but you can turn off the feature that has Distronic react to speed limit sign changes. I usually set Distronic to 5+ over posted and on the Freeway around here there are rarely more than 10mph reductions in limit except in work or construction zones. Before I turned it off I had that experience when it read an 80 as 60 & braked hard. My 53 seems more reserved with less aggressive acceleration but probably not braking.

 

Yes. I've turned off that speed limit feature. Would like to live until the next MB lease

 

Yeap. It got turned off in the E class within a few days of owning it. It is just too abrupt.

This may be the week for 580s!
But I’m not counting on it.