Confirmation of lighting package delay
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 552
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From: Near Niagara Falls, Canada
2013 ML BLUETEC JULY 31
Now the story is the first MLs with lighting package will be 550s and stock orders. Neither of the large dealers in my area have any allocation slots before May for a custom build with lighting package. I ordered 10/30 and the soonest build dates I can get are 5/25 for gas or 6/5 for diesel! That's a 7 month wait! What a terrible rollout on this!
Maybe the stock orders are ours that they can change to add AHA-BI xenons and assign to us with deposits
Someone said this earlier I think. Guess more time to save $$$ and get 2013???
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
I spend it fast as I make it, and no way I'm waiting for a 2013!!
Member
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From: Charlotte, NC
'15 GL350 Bluetec
Say it isn't so! I have a call in to my dealer to see if they can tell me anything. They originally told me they would name one of the January builds as mine, thus moving it to P1. When I last spoke to my SA, he said it had been pushed out due to the lighting package (no kidding!), but didn't know much more. Depending upon what they say this time, I may be calling MBUSA to express my displeasure.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Woodstock, IL
His 2019 RAM Cummins Turbo Diesel Laramie; Her's 2007 ML320 CDI P3; Mine BMW R1200R
Y'all brace yourselves, latest rumor from my dealer is June!!
By the way, anyone seen a 550 or AMG on a lot? They were supposed to arrive for Jan sale with HID's. That's in a few days.
I am considering a 2013 BT, and HID's are a must for me, so I will just watch and see this drama unfold till then.
By the way, anyone seen a 550 or AMG on a lot? They were supposed to arrive for Jan sale with HID's. That's in a few days.
I am considering a 2013 BT, and HID's are a must for me, so I will just watch and see this drama unfold till then.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Last I heard ML550 production starts in late January, 20th or after. Insiders let us know.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 326
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300D Turbo 1984
Nothing to say other than... What the F@$&? Mercedes doesn't have any "pull" in the world market of HID lights. There are atleast 40 JGC with HIDS on the lot next door, 30 RX350's and 12GX460's all with HID's.
Someone give me some GOOD news!
Someone give me some GOOD news!
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 47
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From: Kalifornia
2012 Blk/Blk ML350 4Matic
RX350s do not come standard with HIDs anymore. In fact most of the inventory of RX's in N. Cal do not have HIDs.
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Super Member
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From: Near Niagara Falls, Canada
2013 ML BLUETEC JULY 31
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
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2012 ML350
If so, I hope they give you a big discount for being so late in the model year. I'd be tempted to wait for a '13 at that point.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Member
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
2013 Audi A8 Sport
Congrat's, Man. Do you mind if I ask, how long ago you placed your order? Were you always thinking March was your build time frame or was it to be later?
Also, where are you located?
Let's hope your build date is the norm and not a one of
Also, where are you located?
Let's hope your build date is the norm and not a one of
Last edited by MD Boy; Jan 10, 2012 at 11:15 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Junior Member
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335i
Probably not much news just yet. . .but
I ordered a 550 a couple months ago. SA called today to respond to my request for a build-date. He was told that 550 build-dates would be assigned Thursday (1/12) and he'd let me know when he knows. More on point, he asked if the Lighting Package shortage would impact 550s (I ordered it) and was told that the 550s should proceed with the Lighting Package but MB guy didn't inspire confidence with that answer but would know more Thursday - so, when I hear more tomorrow, expect an update.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Lighting package
I ordered a 550 a couple months ago. SA called today to respond to my request for a build-date. He was told that 550 build-dates would be assigned Thursday (1/12) and he'd let me know when he knows. More on point, he asked if the Lighting Package shortage would impact 550s (I ordered it) and was told that the 550s should proceed with the Lighting Package but MB guy didn't inspire confidence with that answer but would know more Thursday - so, when I hear more tomorrow, expect an update.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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335i
I'm sure the whole manufacturing process is well beyond my understanding. Mix in the need to get 550s on the lot, the shortage of parts, being somewhat expensive to flip-flop between 550s and 350s on the production line, and the need to maximize profit and I'd bet they took the best path they could figure.
As they say, "It is what it is."
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Joined: Sep 2007
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335i
With a new model release, there is an urgency to get the dealer lots filled up. My guess is the number that go into inventory is much larger than the number of pre-sold orders. So, they gave themselves an uninterrupted 3 months to pump out 350s for dealers. Now they are going to pump out 550s for 6 weeks to fill dealer inventory. Once the dealers have at least an initial supply of 350/550 combos, then the factory can "relax" a little and allocate parts more reasonably.
Still just a guess. . .it's fun to speculate
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Lighting package availability
It seems - and this is a complete guess based on other bits of info - there were, for this example, 10,000 light kits available. MB is planning on releasing 6,000 550s with the LP for dealer inventory. So, they set aside 4,000 kits for 350s and when those were gone, everyone who wants it will have to wait until the 550s are done and the next batch of kits some in. . .
With a new model release, there is an urgency to get the dealer lots filled up. My guess is the number that go into inventory is much larger than the number of pre-sold orders. So, they gave themselves an uninterrupted 3 months to pump out 350s for dealers. Now they are going to pump out 550s for 6 weeks to fill dealer inventory. Once the dealers have at least an initial supply of 350/550 combos, then the factory can "relax" a little and allocate parts more reasonably.
Still just a guess. . .it's fun to speculate
With a new model release, there is an urgency to get the dealer lots filled up. My guess is the number that go into inventory is much larger than the number of pre-sold orders. So, they gave themselves an uninterrupted 3 months to pump out 350s for dealers. Now they are going to pump out 550s for 6 weeks to fill dealer inventory. Once the dealers have at least an initial supply of 350/550 combos, then the factory can "relax" a little and allocate parts more reasonably.
Still just a guess. . .it's fun to speculate
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Joined: Sep 2007
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335i
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 189
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From: NYC
2016 C450 AMG
When u build an ML on line it gives you the option of adding the lighting for $1,200? Jeeez....Seriously? Thats nothing, should just be standard.
