Confirmation of lighting package delay
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2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
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335i
The base price is $48,990. If one adds the lighting package, the price is $50,190. Mercedes will sell more MLs when priced at $48,990 than they will at $50,190, so making the lighting package standard and raising the price is not compatible with their goal. MB will sell a significant number of $48,990 Ml350s as well as a significant number without the lighting package but with other options.
The lighting package adds about $22 per month on a 5 year loan. For many buyers that's a deal breaker considering "normal headlights" <gasp> work just fine. It would be a very expensive mistake for MB to include the lighting package as standard and raise the price accordingly.
On a related topic, MB cannot control the supply of the parts needed for the lighting package. For whatever reason, the supply is not enough to meet current demand. They could simply "hold off" and not release the car until the 2013MY or even make a late 2012MY appearance, but consider they had planned this release date at least a year, if not years, in advance without the knowledge of the impending parts shortage. To "hold off" at this point means there would be either zero W164 models or there would be an enormous expense to continue W164 production - either option was, I'm sure, a non-starter.
I think Distronic Plus, leather, ventilated seats, and more should be standard, but I certainly understand why they are not.
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The base price is $48,990. If one adds the lighting package, the price is $50,190. Mercedes will sell more MLs when priced at $48,990 than they will at $50,190, so making the lighting package standard and raising the price is not compatible with their goal. MB will sell a significant number of $48,990 Ml350s as well as a significant number without the lighting package but with other options.
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From: NYC
2012 ML350 4MATIC (GAS)
I disagree! The cost to make these vehicles is not $48,990. There is a markup. They could have made this vehicle with HID lights as well as a had a adaptive lighting package. Other car makers are doing this. They dropped the ball when they didn't have a backup plan for the natural disaster hit in Japan. I'm sure they learned their lesson.
Last edited by ML12NYC; Jan 12, 2012 at 05:14 PM.
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I disagree! The cost to make these vehicles is not $48,990. There is a markup. They could have made this vehicle with HID lights as well as a had a adaptive lighting package. Other car makers are doing this. They dropped the ball when they didn't have a backup plan for the natural disaster hit in Japan. I'm sure they learned their lesson.
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From: NYC
2016 C450 AMG
I diagree completely!
1- This truck costs alot less to produce them we think, there is no doubt HID's could have been standard without raising the price to much...
2- This delay was not because of any disasters...if it were u would not see any 2012 Lexus's with HID's, or even better any BMW's or Audi's. As ive stated some time ago...I can walk into any of those places and get a 2012 with HID's with no problem.
This delay is most likely because of a last minute change or because of the simple fact that Mercedes didnt see it as a must have? The HID package will change the look of the tuck completely, and in my eyes was just a very BIG dropped ball by benz not being prepared to get the Truck to market the right way.
Greed could have played a part as well. By 2013 you will most likely not see an ML newly produced without a lighting package, just like u wont see a newer Range Rover without the HID's...its part of the look of the Truck. Stupid mistake by Mercedes at the expense of people like me.
1- This truck costs alot less to produce them we think, there is no doubt HID's could have been standard without raising the price to much...
2- This delay was not because of any disasters...if it were u would not see any 2012 Lexus's with HID's, or even better any BMW's or Audi's. As ive stated some time ago...I can walk into any of those places and get a 2012 with HID's with no problem.
This delay is most likely because of a last minute change or because of the simple fact that Mercedes didnt see it as a must have? The HID package will change the look of the tuck completely, and in my eyes was just a very BIG dropped ball by benz not being prepared to get the Truck to market the right way.
Greed could have played a part as well. By 2013 you will most likely not see an ML newly produced without a lighting package, just like u wont see a newer Range Rover without the HID's...its part of the look of the Truck. Stupid mistake by Mercedes at the expense of people like me.
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2013 ML BLUETEC JULY 31
Nor do I think AMG's.
all quite odd this ML W166 launch
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2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Dealer just emailed me that I can get a gas with 319 Lighting Package with late February build. Need to see if I have to give up any options on my list still. Very tempting not to wait another 6 months.
Edit: Found out I can't get the Handling Package until late May production, so I'm going to wait. At least we know there is some limited production of 350s with the package before the April date that was bandied about.
Edit: Found out I can't get the Handling Package until late May production, so I'm going to wait. At least we know there is some limited production of 350s with the package before the April date that was bandied about.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Jan 14, 2012 at 01:19 PM.
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300D Turbo 1984
Re-post Good & Bad news
I have a Priority 1 (P1) place in the queue right now... I have a guarantee that I will be receiving my ML (WITH the lighting package) by Mid March 2012. HOWEVER, I can no longer add the PARKTRONIC as this will drop me down to (P2) and I will lose my place in the queue with no projection on the Lighting package delivery date.
I think we will be without the pesky beeping, and that little dome on the dash and the roof of the trunk. - I'll be getting out to help guide into parking spaces...
Should I raise hell with MBUSA and see if they can get it added? For $970 why not, I'll live with those little domes, and discs on the bumper.
Any thoughts?
I think we will be without the pesky beeping, and that little dome on the dash and the roof of the trunk. - I'll be getting out to help guide into parking spaces...
Should I raise hell with MBUSA and see if they can get it added? For $970 why not, I'll live with those little domes, and discs on the bumper.
Any thoughts?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
I have a Priority 1 (P1) place in the queue right now... I have a guarantee that I will be receiving my ML (WITH the lighting package) by Mid March 2012. HOWEVER, I can no longer add the PARKTRONIC as this will drop me down to (P2) and I will lose my place in the queue with no projection on the Lighting package delivery date.
I think we will be without the pesky beeping, and that little dome on the dash and the roof of the trunk. - I'll be getting out to help guide into parking spaces...
Should I raise hell with MBUSA and see if they can get it added? For $970 why not, I'll live with those little domes, and discs on the bumper.
I think we will be without the pesky beeping, and that little dome on the dash and the roof of the trunk. - I'll be getting out to help guide into parking spaces...
Should I raise hell with MBUSA and see if they can get it added? For $970 why not, I'll live with those little domes, and discs on the bumper.
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parallel parking
OTOH, the PARKTRONIC (the auto parallel parking) may be good for the 99% of Texans who can't parallel park, for the 1% of the time they have to parallel park!
Personally, the Parktronic is just a gimmick, and the proximity sensors tend to go off randomly once they get dirty....
Hope this helps,
Steve in Texas.
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From: Michigan
2019 AMG GLE 63S
ML Lighting Supplier
So, a previous ML now a GL forum poster. I've been following this story as I've had ML with lighting package, GL without and GL with the lighting package. The lighting package is a big deal, otherwise all you wouldn't be posting and reading all the other posts.
Anyway...I confirmed that the lighting supplier to the ML changed for this model change. This IS a big deal. Hella has been the ML lighting supplier since the first day (sorry if wrong, but high confidence) and now MB has sourced Magnetti Marelli. I assume Marelli has the halogen and the HID; maybe someone can look at their lights for the logo.
Anyway, for those that care: when an OEM changes suppliers, there are definitely growing pains. But to go from Hella (German, almost brothers to MB), to Magnetti Marelli (part owned by Fiat, that owns Chrysler, that used to be owned by MB) (OUCH!!!), there will be some issues for sure. No idea about the delay, but a lighting supplier change is big. And I ramble...
Anyway...I confirmed that the lighting supplier to the ML changed for this model change. This IS a big deal. Hella has been the ML lighting supplier since the first day (sorry if wrong, but high confidence) and now MB has sourced Magnetti Marelli. I assume Marelli has the halogen and the HID; maybe someone can look at their lights for the logo.
Anyway, for those that care: when an OEM changes suppliers, there are definitely growing pains. But to go from Hella (German, almost brothers to MB), to Magnetti Marelli (part owned by Fiat, that owns Chrysler, that used to be owned by MB) (OUCH!!!), there will be some issues for sure. No idea about the delay, but a lighting supplier change is big. And I ramble...
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300D Turbo 1984
So, a previous ML now a GL forum poster. I've been following this story as I've had ML with lighting package, GL without and GL with the lighting package. The lighting package is a big deal, otherwise all you wouldn't be posting and reading all the other posts.
Anyway...I confirmed that the lighting supplier to the ML changed for this model change. This IS a big deal. Hella has been the ML lighting supplier since the first day (sorry if wrong, but high confidence) and now MB has sourced Magnetti Marelli. I assume Marelli has the halogen and the HID; maybe someone can look at their lights for the logo.
Anyway, for those that care: when an OEM changes suppliers, there are definitely growing pains. But to go from Hella (German, almost brothers to MB), to Magnetti Marelli (part owned by Fiat, that owns Chrysler, that used to be owned by MB) (OUCH!!!), there will be some issues for sure. No idea about the delay, but a lighting supplier change is big. And I ramble...
Anyway...I confirmed that the lighting supplier to the ML changed for this model change. This IS a big deal. Hella has been the ML lighting supplier since the first day (sorry if wrong, but high confidence) and now MB has sourced Magnetti Marelli. I assume Marelli has the halogen and the HID; maybe someone can look at their lights for the logo.
Anyway, for those that care: when an OEM changes suppliers, there are definitely growing pains. But to go from Hella (German, almost brothers to MB), to Magnetti Marelli (part owned by Fiat, that owns Chrysler, that used to be owned by MB) (OUCH!!!), there will be some issues for sure. No idea about the delay, but a lighting supplier change is big. And I ramble...
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MBs
Good point. Here's an AF blurb from their website. 
History of Automotive Lighting
Automotive Lighting was founded 1999 as a joint venture between Magneti Marelli and Robert Bosch GmbH(K2 lighting division). This offered the opportunity to combine the expertise in lighting technology between two companies with recognized foundations. The creation of Magneti Marelli lighting division was based upon the acquisition of Carello SPA in 1988 and therefore can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th century. During this time period the development of lighting technology progressed with the aptly called "Bosch-Light". After the shares of both founder companies changed, Automotive Lighting today is a full subsidiary of Magneti Marelli Group.
http://www.al-lighting.com/index.php?id=1036&lang=en#
Automotive Lighting was founded 1999 as a joint venture between Magneti Marelli and Robert Bosch GmbH(K2 lighting division). This offered the opportunity to combine the expertise in lighting technology between two companies with recognized foundations. The creation of Magneti Marelli lighting division was based upon the acquisition of Carello SPA in 1988 and therefore can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th century. During this time period the development of lighting technology progressed with the aptly called "Bosch-Light". After the shares of both founder companies changed, Automotive Lighting today is a full subsidiary of Magneti Marelli Group.
http://www.al-lighting.com/index.php?id=1036&lang=en#
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From: NS, Canada
2023 E53 AMG, 2024 EQE AMG SUV
Found this:
"Mercedes Benz M-Class (Halogen, Xenon AFX-modul with adaptive high beam and optional LED infrared high beam for night view systems, cornering, turn indicator and position light with LED light sources)"
Source: http://www.magnetimarelli.com/_modul...0DEF%20ENG.pdf
"Mercedes Benz M-Class (Halogen, Xenon AFX-modul with adaptive high beam and optional LED infrared high beam for night view systems, cornering, turn indicator and position light with LED light sources)"
Source: http://www.magnetimarelli.com/_modul...0DEF%20ENG.pdf
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From: Charlotte, NC
'15 GL350 Bluetec
Great photos, thanks for posting YYZ-E55. Is it just me, or can you make out some test on the top edge (close to the hood) on the headlight module? Sort of ruins the "cleanliness" of the execution!
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From: Toronto
MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
No, it's an aluminum-looking detail that is etched with "MERCEDES-BENZ INTELLIGENT LIGHT SYSTEM". It looks good in person; the pics are just poor quality.
