HoustonC230

Well, it's been a while since I've been on the forum. It started back in 2003 with a C230 - but after a few years over seas, I'm back. Now, with a C300 for my wife, I just purchased a w166 for myself.

The ML350 is on the lot, but the dealer won't release it until it's replacement comes in. (on the truck right now). Which is pissing me off, as it was promised Mon/Tues... and now looks like Thurs/Friday. Things could be worse - but in any case, pictures and details to follow.

GregW / Oregon

Did you get any discount?

HoustonC230

No cash discount, but I they gave me free tint ($150), free liftetime maintenance (included in dealer advertisement fee... so not really discount), and free pick up for any maintenance/service.

smiley47

Which Houston dealership?

jtorrebl

get us some pics!

HoustonC230

It was ARod MB down in League City. Long drive - but since they do the pickup/delivery, it's not too bad.

Pics coming as soon as I get it... starting to get pissed. On Saturday, it was "the car is on the truck from the 13th, and will be here Mon/Tues." Now it's "we don't really know when it'll be here, could be tomorrow, could be next week."

Hope to get an update today... certainly have the feeling described in your title Jtorrebl.

mreichmann

The delivery delay that some early purchasers are experiencing is supposedly due to cars being held at the factory for a seatbelt retrofit. Apparently there was a defect. Some cars made it out last week and will be retrofited at the dealer prior to delivery while most were held back to be fixed before they are shipped.

It seems that dealers are being less than candid about what's really happening. Similarly with the Bi-xenon lights. The story is that the factory in Japan where the lamps are made was damaged by the earthquake, thus the delay.

In Canada there was an additional delay because the new V6 gas engine didn't get government certified on the ML350 until yesterday, so even though there were cars on the dealers lots for the past few days they couldn't be sold till today. Add to this that Canadian dealers didn't want to deliver cars until after their launch events ( Wednesday and Thursday).

Michael

GregW / Oregon

Thanks for the scoop.

HoustonC230

Well, just picked mine up tonight, finally! Pics will come soon. I asked the dealer if they new anything about the above, and by no surprise, they didn't claim to.

However, reality seems to back it up. The dealer still doesn't have the replacement ML from the factory, and it was due Mon/Tues. They ended up taking a transfer from another dealer, which seems like they expecting more delays.

So thanks for the info!

hutch300

Where's the pics!

HoustonC230

Ok, sorry it took so long, but here they are. Better ones will come, once I'm back from Switerland... and have the new wheels on.

robalo220

Interior pics? What are your initial impressions?
Thanks and congrats

shotgun_banjo

not diggin it. sorry. I think the 2011s look way better. maybe with AMG sport package it will look different.

50cent

This coming from a GLK driver.

dougiebear

WHAT ML?
LOL

newyorktoLA

I live in L.A. (near bel air)and already have seen 10-12 new 2012's around my neighborhood, all different variants and colors. Because Ive seen so many, the design is starting to grow on me. It sure is a very popular SUV!

dougiebear

How does the Dakota Brown look??

Sdbdj

Our Dakota Brown will be ready for pickup on Saturday, but our dealer in Houston got another one in on Monday 10/10) so we went to take it for a test drive....and while we were a little nervous ordering this color off the marketing pics and website, we were NOT disappointed, it's an awesome color combo (brown/almond. Interior is a huge improvement over last gen we really like the new navl, P2 is worth it even without the heated/cooled cup holders.