rkao

Wife's lease of the LX470 is up in April and after always thinking she'd like the GL450 as the replacement, she test drove a GL450 and then drove an ML350 (my dealer loaner) and thought the ML is a much better size for her on a daily basis.

So the choices are down to the ML550 and the X5 4.8i.

According to my BMW dealer, the lead time to order an X5 is only 4 weeks (!) from SC.

Does anyone know what the expected lead time for a built to order is for the ML550 from AL?

Am impressed that the towing capacity for the W164 is up to 7,200 lbs. so will tow my track car/trailer without issue.

We're going to take a back-to-back test drive of the ML550 and the X5 4.8i shortly but any additional info from the forum would be appreciated.

dpulling

For towing, you might look at the 320 CDI. Drive one and see.

spnslc

Our ML550 took about 2-1/2 months from order date to build date, then about two weeks to get it transported by train and truck from AL to our dealership. We ordered it mid June 07 and it was delivered to our dealership mid September 07. This was the first year for the ML550 (engine size) and orders were high, so maybe it has improved since then.

We own both the ML550 and the GL450. Most days my husband drives the GL and I drive the ML. I prefer driving the ML over the GL because of its smaller size and it is a zippier car. I love the 550 engine. But, I find that I need the GL sometimes for its bigger size, especially when transporting the kids, their friends, and the dog around. So we trade off now and again.

chilledbenz

Depends on what options and color you want. You can have the salesman type in the exact car you want into their computer and they can check to see if there are any that match your options at other dealerships, at the plant lot in Alabama, or any scheduled to be built. Might be able to get it within a weeks time, or less if your willing to compromise on color choice. Also might want to look into taking something on in the dealers inventory already, they are dropping quite a bit off the m.s.r.p. right now, I've heard as much as 5k so just something else to think about.

kimcork

Here's how it seems to work:
The assembly line schedule is based on the engines -- which are built in Germany. Dealerships "buy" vehicles on the schedule...so, as a dealer looks into the computer, he sees a combination of "bought" and "available" vehicles scheduled to be built.

They also seem to nail down the color and options pretty far out--around six weeks, as I recall.

I was searching near the end of the 2007 model year--most dealers could only get me a 2008 (at TBD $$); I found a dealer that had already bought a CDI, but who didn't have a customer for it, yet.

I ordered my 320 CDI 20 April, knowing it would be built the week of 26 June. Took delivery on 2 Jul.

LOVE it!

jerseyMLdriver

When I was looking into the 320, I went to the dealership and they told me a three month minimum. I was all already to give them all the specs when the dealer told me that everything I wanted in the 320 was available there in the 350. It took me about ten minutes to decide that I would rather pick up the car that day then wait. They did have to add a few minor things to it so a week after I signed the last papers, the car was ready. See what they have on the lot. They might have the exactly what you want or close to it on the lot. Or they might be able to find one at another dealership. If it's already made you can work with them on the price. It maybe harder to work on the price if its a built to order.

AWDman

could you comment some more on your towing experiences? Like the OP i will need to tow a track car later this year. even intend to tow all the way to florida so i may keep running through winter. comments re gas mileage whilst towing and in general would be particularly useful.

i suspect for towing the cdi may be best even if compared to ml550 or ml63?

i have a 74 mile round trip daily commute maybe the cdi will be my all season vehicle....multi purpose- commute, towing, take the family to dinner...

thanks.

ML550

I love the ML550-Faster and softer ride-

tarponbeach

My CDI is scheduled to be built on March 14th. I ordered it on Feb 1st. So, from time ordered to anticipated March 30th delivery, about 8 weeks.

One of the reasons that BMW's have shorter lead times, is that once a scheduled vehicle is "sold", it becomes a "priority one" vehicle, and gets moved up in the production schedule. Mercedes does not do this.