Rpl84

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I ordered my GLE 450 coupe and the dealer told me the build date is March 11th. This is my first ordered MB. Is that the date its completed or started? What type of updates do dealers provide during the process? Since I live in Florida, and have a build date of March 11th, when do you think it will arrive at the dealer? Thanks for any responses!

yxc145

I have never custom ordered a vehicle before. But I would think a "BUILD DATE" is the date they start the production of the car. you probably won't see it till the summer.

jorgetav

You should receive it within two weeks after the build date. I had a build date of 2/12 and it arrived at the dealership 2/22. Good luck.

yxc145

2 weeks?! Are the GLE built in the states?

Rpl84

Great, thanks. Did you receive any updates leading up to the delivery date?

Rpl84

Yes, they are built in Alabama.

yxc145

ok. that explains it. I wish it was designed and made in Germany....

BACnMercedes

Aaaaaaahh? What do you mean? You do know your half right here?



To the OP. I've never been given a "build date." The dealer has always told me an expected delivery date to the dealership. If your sure they said build date, then yes it's about 2 weeks after that to get to the dealership.
My 400 is still yellow but expected to go red any day now since it should be delievered the 1st or 2nd week or March.

Rpl84

Thanks. Yes, the dealer told me the "build date" is March 11th and it could arrive at the dealership as early as the 3rd week in March. The dealer told me he'll have more updates after the 1st of March. I'm assuming that means yellow/red status updates and VIN number.

yxc145

I meant if it was built in Germany, it will take at least 3 weeks to ship the car over then a couple more weeks to clear custom and other process. So at least 1.5 months after build date to deliver the car.

Not saying USA made is not top quality. Just wish when I buy a German car, it was made in Germany.

gee1224

Wow i am seeing some quick dates on here, i place my order on Jan 29th got a build date of 3/15 with delivery 4 to 6 weeks after that and this is in Connecticut. i hope my dealer is just being cautious with the dates!

davezaristo

It is true that the USA made ones are subpar compared to the German made car. I've owned 5+ Mercedes over the years and the most recent one before my GLE was a 2014 E350 and you can just feel the quality between the two is different. It's hard to explain until you sit inside the car and feel the seats, panels, and trims but lets just say the E350 never had to go back to dealer for any issue and the GLE already went in once after 2000 miles. Before that I had a 12 E350 and a 09 C350 and both were German made and had 0 issue.

heron25

So are you saying that MB builds in more slop into their US manufactured cars than their German built cars? Do you realize the costs that would have to go into designing and engineering the same car with different tolerances and manufacturing specs based on production plants?

Rpl84

Just talked to my MB dealer and they told me my build date got pushed back 1 week thus far. The new build date is March 18th. I'm worried its going to get pushed back further. Very frustrating.

Rpl84

Anybody else have a GLE or any other car on order from the plant in Alabama? What is your build date and has it been moved at all?

BACnMercedes

Nope. Ordered a 400 in late Jan. and was originally told late Feb. but probably early March delievery. It will be here early next week.

Rpl84

Awesome, post some pics when it arrives. What updates did your dealer give you as your build date got closer? My build date is 3/18, so I'm hoping to get some updates soon.

BACnMercedes

In mid Feb. we were told a March 7 delievery date. A little later we were told that it was still looking good for that day. Then we were told this week it will be here Monday or Tuesday. We never got a "build date" nor a VIN so we could watch it shipped across the Atlantic (I know it comes from Alabama so we couldn't) or anything else. I thought it was pretty good communication but it is fun to watch the boat come across the Atlantic on other builds and deliveries we have done.

Germancar1

Just asking, but why didn't you ask the dealer these things?

M

Rpl84

I did ask the dealer but they gave generic answers and wouldn't commit to dates. I was hoping to find past and current experiences in this forum.

BACnMercedes

I think this also depends on the dealer, AND salesperson, and if they order a lot of specific cars for people. When we bought our E class we dealt with the sales manager (till it got to the dealership) and he gave me updates on the car. Including when he got a VIN. When we first talked, I think I remember this correctly, he could put a name (our name) on "that car" and anytime he got an update on it he could forward it to us. (Again, I think I remember him saying that).
Now the one we are waiting to get right now, we got a delievery date, it was in yellow or red status, and when it got to the VPC. But we were ok with that since it is coming from Alabama and there isn't much to see or update on it.
But like the previous MB WORLD Fanatic Germancar1 stated, just ask and start prying information out of them. I use an email to ask them questions and usually get a better response than a text or phone call.
Or remember this treatment if you ever go to order another one.
Good luck.

Germancar1

I see, well they can't commit to actual dates. No one can really when you order a car. They can give you an approximate time frame, but that is it. The rest of that they should be doing anyway, like following up with you periodically.

M

BACnMercedes

Exactly!

BACnMercedes

Horrible photo, but the 400 is finally here.

Rpl84

Congrats and enjoy! Looks like it came early. I wonder if the dealer knew it would arrive early.