GregW / Oregon

Yeah, that didn't seem to help me.

rush1169

Mercedes goal is to sell as many ML350s as they can. If an ML350 were $66,000 and came fully loaded as a buyer's only option, they will sell fewer 350s and that is not compatible with their goal.

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.

GregW / Oregon

I agree with this logic completely. It's better to five people optios, assuming the final cost is not increased. Of course, the options have to be available to be relevant!

ML12NYC

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.

GregW / Oregon

The disaster is not the reason for the delay.

ML12NYC

ooo...my bad.

What is the reason for productions delays?

GregW / Oregon

I can't say precisely, as it was given to me as inside information, but let's just say it was self-inflicted.

300DTurbo

Let me put my boots on.

lboudreau

I wouldn't be so quick to call that BS. I'm pretty sure he knows what he's talking about

Sean76NYC

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.

dougiebear

Our friend Veloceraptor said last year that they don't make many 550's.

Nor do I think AMG's.

all quite odd this ML W166 launch

GregW / Oregon

Thank you. I don't post here to boost my count. I don't make stuff up, but just try to be helpful.

GregW / Oregon

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.

300DTurbo

Greg you are on a forum, this is where people "leak" the news of corporate faux paws and blunders. That's the fun of information exchange.

GregW / Oregon

Yes, but if too much is leaked further info will not be forthcoming. There's a balance.

300DTurbo

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?

GregW / Oregon

It's a personal decision, but I've never felt the need for that stuff. With the backup camera, you should be good.

batuceper

The rear camera with the lines, plus the tilt-down mirror on the passenger's side when you engage reverse, are really helpfull when one wants to parallel park.

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.

troymir350

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...

300DTurbo

Good point! This makes sense as the ML/JGC was a joint venture with Diamler Chrysler, the last of.

Wolfgang

Good point. Here's an AF blurb from their website.

lboudreau

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

YYZ-E55

Some 350s and 550s with bi-xenons made it to Canada this week.

twodivers

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!

YYZ-E55

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.