Production Delay!!!!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 625
Likes: 4
From: Australia
X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
Aussiebenzlover,
the original brochure issued in May stated the Active Curve (and hence the ML550) would not be available until "August production (TBC)". Therefore it would be prone to product shortages and a backlog of orders.
This is the main reason I left of the active Curve. I am certain the car is worth the wait!
Dougie bear,
we do have a 10% GST applying to all our cars (and everything almost). And we have a luxury car tax of 25% applying to that part of the car exceeding $A57,160.
That means adding those taxes and subtracting the currency exchange, we should pay $A90,000 for that $US80,000 car.
But we pay $140,000 (a 50% surcharge) because Mercedes can get away with it. And Mercedes can get away with it because all others do too.
the original brochure issued in May stated the Active Curve (and hence the ML550) would not be available until "August production (TBC)". Therefore it would be prone to product shortages and a backlog of orders.
This is the main reason I left of the active Curve. I am certain the car is worth the wait!
Dougie bear,
we do have a 10% GST applying to all our cars (and everything almost). And we have a luxury car tax of 25% applying to that part of the car exceeding $A57,160.
That means adding those taxes and subtracting the currency exchange, we should pay $A90,000 for that $US80,000 car.
But we pay $140,000 (a 50% surcharge) because Mercedes can get away with it. And Mercedes can get away with it because all others do too.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 318
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Australia
'24 GLB250. Previously '23 GLB250 '17 GLS500 '14 C250 '13 ML500 '12 C250 '08 ML500 '07 E500 '03 A160
GregW / Oregon: Very true, for example Airmatic, Lighting Package, Premium 1 Package, COMAND, Active Curve System, 20" AMG 5-spoke alloys are all standard on our ML500s, but options on the US vehicles. There's heaps of other US options that are standard on ours too, but too many to mention. And yes, my dealer told me part of the reason for my delay is due to the ON/OFF ROAD package I have selected. Not to worry, I'm sure the wait will be worthwhile. This will be my 2nd ML and I'm very excited about its arrival!
dougiebear & iankayem: Yes, taxes taxes taxes. Here's a brief run down of the breakup of my $141K drive-away price:-
Base vehicle price $91K
Options approx $12.5K (wood/leather wheel, luxury front seats, heated rear seats, ON/OFF Road pack, THERMOTRONIC climate control, Panoramic sunroof, Entertainment pack, and Designo interior)
Dealer delivery & registration approx $2.5K
Stamp duty almost $7K
GST $10.5K
Luxury car tax $17.5K
Take off all the taxes and my new drive-away price would be around $108K, still around $20-25K more than the USA.
Cheers guys ...
dougiebear & iankayem: Yes, taxes taxes taxes. Here's a brief run down of the breakup of my $141K drive-away price:-
Base vehicle price $91K
Options approx $12.5K (wood/leather wheel, luxury front seats, heated rear seats, ON/OFF Road pack, THERMOTRONIC climate control, Panoramic sunroof, Entertainment pack, and Designo interior)
Dealer delivery & registration approx $2.5K
Stamp duty almost $7K
GST $10.5K
Luxury car tax $17.5K
Take off all the taxes and my new drive-away price would be around $108K, still around $20-25K more than the USA.
Cheers guys ...
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
2013 M350 (hopefully)
delay of production
Anyone know how long the hold up for leather optioned gasoline ML350 in the U.S. will be? Are we looking at possibly January 2013 (4 months from now) or even later for the start of production?
If this is the case I will either change to MB-tex or move on to another brand/make.
If this is the case I will either change to MB-tex or move on to another brand/make.
Last edited by ca92129; Sep 5, 2012 at 02:16 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2013 ML350 Bluetec
My SA told me that the MB rep said leather would be available for a Dec build. I'm trying to get a slot for a Bluetec with active ventilated seats. Hoping to get the system to accept the order sometime this month.
