twodivers

Need your help regarding a confirmed order I have for exactly the ML350BT I want. Trouble is, it is scheduled for a final decade of May build.

Does anyone know the cut-over date in Vance for the new MY?

Seems to me that with a build that late, it may be worth taking delivery later in order to get a 2013. Trouble is, I have no idea if M-B will be offering the same options/packages in '13. I mean so many issues have occurred this year with lighting, MB-Tex dash, Pano roof, etc.

So, better to get what I want and know, or roll the dice on a later delivery but newer MY?

I would appreciate any advice you folks may have.

GregW / Oregon

I'm in the same boat, 6/5 production after ordering late Oct. '11, due to Lighting/Handling/Panorama. And, I'm gone for 3 weeks late June-early July. It was stated by a knowledgable person on this forum that it could be as early as mid-June. This is not confirmed, and while the date is undoubtedly in place, MB is being tight-lipped. I would expect this info will be available by the end off the first quarter.

twodivers

I've followed your trials and tribulations, Greg and feel for you! My order went in Nov. 7, with essentially the same equipment, less the Handling. It would be nice having the ML for the entire summer vs. sometime in July. And I just get the sense that some items (3-Zone climate, MB-Tex dash to name but 2) may not be available in '13 given the issues they have had.

I'm leaning toward "a bird in hand" as I plan on holding the ML for a while, and the MY won't make much difference when I decide to get rid of it.

GregW / Oregon

I think that's a smart move. Since I would be out of the country when my '12 arrives, I'm still on the fence, balancing having it mid-July with the possibility of new model upgrades predicted like color MFD, wood cup holder cover, multicontour seats, 360-degree cameras and B&O sound. If it turns out that '13s won't be available until September or after, I'll probably go with the '12. I'm under no time pressure to order, as I own my '06 ML which is really fine, just more than ready.

WCH BOS

I'm hoping that the change over is July as I will probably wait for the '13. Got an email from my dealer today - he has a ML550 and a ML63 (both sold) waiting at the prep center waiting for the EPA to finish their ratings of this model.

twodivers

I'm with your thinking there. The color MFD would be a nice thing. And the wood cover is the way it should have been from Job 1 - but I do think mine will be open all the time.

Like you, I'm not under pressure, except that which I exert on myself. Since ditching my X164 a couple of years ago (not sure why in retrospect) I need to get back into an SUV! The B&O sound would be sweet...

Decisions, decisions.

300DTurbo

2 Questions:

• What is VANCE?
• What happened with the MB Tex Dash?

GregW / Oregon

Vance, Alabama is where the factory is: http://www.mbusi.com/
I haven't heard issues with the dash except it has been in short supply at times.

BTW, you can delete duplicate posts

twodivers

Vance is the town in Alabama where MBUSI manufactures the ML, GL and R and will be building the next generation C Class for this market.

I can't say that anything has happened to the MB-Tex dash - it is on my order and will be shipped, but I just get the sense that given the mess up surrounding this launch, they may try to simplify things. So rest easy - nothing but my speculation!

300DTurbo

my SR tells me that EVERY single ML built in the world will originate from that plant.

True or False?

edit: True I guess, see 9th bullet point: http://www.mbusi.com/pages/factory_trivia.asp

GregW / Oregon

True.

twodivers

Greg is correct, it is true. I think they may ship the ML63 body-in-white to Affalterbach to finish. But they won't build every single next-generation C-Class for the world!

VelociRaptor

I have seen a few MY2013 vehicles come through the line that are customer cars.

twodivers

Wow! I don't think I have that much pull!

But, VelociRaptor, what you are saying is that if I did, I could order a MY '13 now for build before the change-over?

jean7of9

VelociRaptor: How long is the normal manufacturing time of the ML-Class from start to finish, considering that all parts are available.

jean7of9

Since MY13 production started so early, It would be nice to know what improvements and redesign MB is bringing to the MY13. We already know a few:
Wood cover for cups
Designo leather
Color TFT in control panel
Amber Rear turn Signal (may be)
Solid production schedule (may be) etc...

MD Boy

Greg, what is the color MFD?

Also, is the B&O system in place of the H/K or an upgrade (Read more $$) over it? Same with the multi-contour seats and cameras. Are all these replacing current items in the P2 package?

If that's the case, I would really consider waiting - which is tough, because I have my April 1st build date confirmed.

Thanks.

GregW / Oregon

That's the Multi Function Display between the gauges. Supposedly will be changed to full color. The B&O system, if offered, would be a big $ upgrade, likely. Not sure of exact dispostion of other changes. Not a reason to wait, IMO.

YYZ-E55

Amber is standard outside of North America. You won't see it here.

GregW / Oregon

How could you be building '12s and '13s at the same time - that doesn't sound right except for some test vehicles.

jean7of9

YYZ-E55: I have not seen any W166 turn signal in action yet. Is it bright enough to attract attention under a sunny sky? Also I think the rear spoiler Brake Light can do the job. My concern is not the color but the color temperature since Amber not only lights the side but is visible from further distance. During heavy snow storms or thick fog the red light is barely visible. Amber light penetrates fog and provides better visibility.

VelociRaptor

Its just a hand full that I know for sure that they were for customers. Now weither or not they were for Opra or Ted Nuggent I dont know lol.

GregW / Oregon

Ted Nugent? - thought he was dead!

VelociRaptor

God I hope not lol. I just searched the web real quick to check.

YYZ-E55

The color and specific output requirements for the rear turn signals differ between the EU and NA. Rear blinkers in the EU must be amber. For NA, they can be amber or red, but if they are amber, they must meet a specific brightness requirement that is at the high end of the EU scale (the requirements overlap slightly, but in general NA requires brighter indicators).

NA regulations also stipulate a larger surface area for the rear blinker than EU. This is why you see cars like newer Audis where the signal light uses a totally different area of the lens in NA versus EU.

Finally, it was assumed that Americans had a preference for red rear blinkers, especially on SUVs/Trucks. For the most part, Benz's with LED rear blinkers are red in NA, though a noteable exception is the facelift R-Class, which gets amber LED rear blinkers globally.