time for build order
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 380
Likes: 20
From: Cincinnati, OH
2021 GLS580 all black. 2014 GLK black (kids car). formerly: 2014 GL550 Palladium Silver (US)
Not sure what you mean. I ‘ordered’ in September (580). Dealer had an allocation in Dec but we wanted an option not available until after that.
Our dealer was unable to get another allocation until Mid May. We’re in OH, so not too far from AL. I’m thinking end of May/Early June. It was about 3 weeks from build for ours in 2013.
Our dealer was unable to get another allocation until Mid May. We’re in OH, so not too far from AL. I’m thinking end of May/Early June. It was about 3 weeks from build for ours in 2013.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 442
Likes: 110
From: North NJ
'22 Bentayga S / '25 Range Rover
Not sure what you mean. I ‘ordered’ in September (580). Dealer had an allocation in Dec but we wanted an option not available until after that.
Our dealer was unable to get another allocation until Mid May. We’re in OH, so not too far from AL. I’m thinking end of May/Early June. It was about 3 weeks from build for ours in 2013.
Our dealer was unable to get another allocation until Mid May. We’re in OH, so not too far from AL. I’m thinking end of May/Early June. It was about 3 weeks from build for ours in 2013.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 380
Likes: 20
From: Cincinnati, OH
2021 GLS580 all black. 2014 GLK black (kids car). formerly: 2014 GL550 Palladium Silver (US)
You should ask the dealer that. Maybe they already have an allocation, maybe they don’t. If they don’t, you might not get in until the switchover this summer to ‘21.
I got the feeling it was really difficult to get the allocation. I think the one they would have sold me is still in their lot too. I assumed when I gave up the slot in late Dec/early Jan and there would be another one in Feb or March. Mid May was way later. SO that was ~ 6 months from when I turned down the early one.
But maybe a larger volume dealer already has allocations that they haven’t sold??? Just guessing. But I think it’s fair to ask if they have an allocation and when.
And if you have the opportunity to shop around, ask them all that question.
I got the feeling it was really difficult to get the allocation. I think the one they would have sold me is still in their lot too. I assumed when I gave up the slot in late Dec/early Jan and there would be another one in Feb or March. Mid May was way later. SO that was ~ 6 months from when I turned down the early one.
But maybe a larger volume dealer already has allocations that they haven’t sold??? Just guessing. But I think it’s fair to ask if they have an allocation and when.
And if you have the opportunity to shop around, ask them all that question.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 442
Likes: 110
From: North NJ
'22 Bentayga S / '25 Range Rover
You should ask the dealer that. Maybe they already have an allocation, maybe they don’t. If they don’t, you might not get in until the switchover this summer to ‘21.
I got the feeling it was really difficult to get the allocation. I think the one they would have sold me is still in their lot too. I assumed when I gave up the slot in late Dec/early Jan and there would be another one in Feb or March. Mid May was way later. SO that was ~ 6 months from when I turned down the early one.
But maybe a larger volume dealer already has allocations that they haven’t sold??? Just guessing. But I think it’s fair to ask if they have an allocation and when.
And if you have the opportunity to shop around, ask them all that question.
I got the feeling it was really difficult to get the allocation. I think the one they would have sold me is still in their lot too. I assumed when I gave up the slot in late Dec/early Jan and there would be another one in Feb or March. Mid May was way later. SO that was ~ 6 months from when I turned down the early one.
But maybe a larger volume dealer already has allocations that they haven’t sold??? Just guessing. But I think it’s fair to ask if they have an allocation and when.
And if you have the opportunity to shop around, ask them all that question.
Around when do they typically switch over the model years? I don't follow the MB stuff as much as some of the other brands (I'm a big Porsche owner/fan, and we do marketing for a bunch of auto brands as well).
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 380
Likes: 20
From: Cincinnati, OH
2021 GLS580 all black. 2014 GLK black (kids car). formerly: 2014 GL550 Palladium Silver (US)
I'm not an expert, but from my experience, they should know if they have an allocation. So ask if they have one. I was surprised my dealership didn't have more, but the forum did say allocations are tight. I also said if it got to May, I'd wait for a '21 and now I'm scheduled for May.
May is later than I'd like to buy since it will quickly depreciate once '21s come out, but I drive a GL 550 from 10/23 (which we love) so I plan on keeping it.
You'll have to decide if you'd rather wait given you are likely not to get a car until June or later OR you want to be first out of gate with a '21.
You can also order with multiple dealers, letting them know first one wins. That only works if you are more or less paying list - which I am, and kicking myself for not using that tactic.
I'm thinking '21s usually are coming out in Aug or Sept. ??? that's a memory, and every year could very.
If you haven't already, have the dealer check inventories.
May is later than I'd like to buy since it will quickly depreciate once '21s come out, but I drive a GL 550 from 10/23 (which we love) so I plan on keeping it.
You'll have to decide if you'd rather wait given you are likely not to get a car until June or later OR you want to be first out of gate with a '21.
You can also order with multiple dealers, letting them know first one wins. That only works if you are more or less paying list - which I am, and kicking myself for not using that tactic.
I'm thinking '21s usually are coming out in Aug or Sept. ??? that's a memory, and every year could very.
If you haven't already, have the dealer check inventories.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 126
From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
MB order/production is a mess. I started negotiating with dealers last September. Got an order submitted in October. Dealer said production was allocated to them in September with production date of November. The production date then got pushed back to December, January, Feburary. On February 4th it finally went into production. It has sat at the factory in production (B4 status) since February 4th and it is now March 4th. Both the dealer and MBUSA has no idea why it's stuck at the factory or when it'll get delivered. Their guess is there are some parts shortage due to Corona virus. And it's not dealer playing games, They gave me the PO# at the beginning, and we've been monitoring that PO since. Something at MBUSA factory is delaying it, and I didn't order anything too out of the ordinary.
I've had to cancel the order and get something else.
I've had to cancel the order and get something else.
Super Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 554
Likes: 63
From: Virginia
2019 E450 Cabriolet, 2020 GLS450
MB order/production is a mess. I started negotiating with dealers last September. Got an order submitted in October. Dealer said production was allocated to them in September with production date of November. The production date then got pushed back to December, January, Feburary. On February 4th it finally went into production. It has sat at the factory in production (B4 status) since February 4th and it is now March 4th. Both the dealer and MBUSA has no idea why it's stuck at the factory or when it'll get delivered. Their guess is there are some parts shortage due to Corona virus. And it's not dealer playing games, They gave me the PO# at the beginning, and we've been monitoring that PO since. Something at MBUSA factory is delaying it, and I didn't order anything too out of the ordinary.
I've had to cancel the order and get something else.
I've had to cancel the order and get something else.
our GLS450 was ordered end of October on an allocation the dealer already had for a 3/Jan production decade. It was subsequently pushed to 2/Feb. Our order was loaded, except for EABC, air balance and 3rd row heated seats. It finished production on Feb 11, arrived at the dealer Feb 14, and we drove it home Feb 15.
There’s something else going on they’re not telling you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 126
From: Central Coast, CA
2020 X7 xDrive40i, 2016 X3 sDrive28i
Unless you ordered a gold-plated steering wheel hand-made in China, I think the dealer telling you it’s the virus is total bullsh-t.
our GLS450 was ordered end of October on an allocation the dealer already had for a 2/Jan production decade. It was subsequently pushed to 1/feb. Our order was loaded, except for EABC, air balance and 3rd row heated seats. It finished production on Feb 11, arrived at the dealer Feb 14, and we drove it home Feb 15.
There’s something else going on they’re not telling you.
our GLS450 was ordered end of October on an allocation the dealer already had for a 2/Jan production decade. It was subsequently pushed to 1/feb. Our order was loaded, except for EABC, air balance and 3rd row heated seats. It finished production on Feb 11, arrived at the dealer Feb 14, and we drove it home Feb 15.
There’s something else going on they’re not telling you.
The November production got pushed back to December, then to January, then to February. It finally went into B4 status on February 4th and has stayed in B4 status since. (I've seen the netstar system in person, Dealer can't fake netstar status). I've contacted MBUSA and opened a case and had it escalated.
Both the MBUSA customer service manager, and the general manager at the larger dealer reached out to the factory. The response they got was there's a part shortage due to the virus.
As of today March 6th, the car is still in B4 status and has not left the factory. That's over a month in B4 status.
As far as the smaller dealer with the January production, well that one is now pushed back to April production.
My order was moderately equipped (just over $91k), no EABC, fancy leather, or air balance etc. Only thing I have selected that I don't see many vehicles with is 5 zone AC.
We've decided to move on and have an X7 on order now. But still keeping in touch with the MB dealers as to status of the two ordered GLS450's. The X7 will likely arrive before either GLS leaves the factory even though it was ordered 5 months after the GLS was ordered.
