LCC

I ordered a 2013 ML350 in February and have been waiting for backordered wheels since. My build should be arriving at the dealership the second week in June but now I think I want to wait for the 2014 that will be here in September. I am tempted by the sport package that will be available on the 2014 but its not a must have. Nothing else on my order would change. There's nothing wrong with my current 2008 C350 so there's no hurry. Do I wait for the 2014 or hope for good pricing for the 2013? What's your opinion: does one little number make a difference?

shortspark

I had the same decision to make a year ago. I felt that the 2013 would not be different enough from the 2012 to make a difference and the price last May for the 2012 was better for essentially the same vehicle. In fact, they really could not tell me for certain how much I would have to pay for the 2013. I think this year is about the same in that I do not think the 2014 ML will be much different than the 2013 you can get now. You have to figure depreciation of a vehicle that will be a last year's model in a few months as well. Since you indicated the sports package is not a big deal then you really don't need it. If you can wait and money is not that big a factor then go for the newer model but I am certain you can save a lot of money opting for the 2013 and not loose a thing in vehicle performance.

marvron26

I am in the same exact boat as you, my MY 13 is coming end of May but I was considering witing for the MY14 now. However with the MY 13 you can get a discount below invoice vs the MY 14 pricing will be harder to budge since it will be the newer model. I think either way, it will even out when you sell the vehicle.. But it's just a matter of do you want your ML in June or in September.... The cars will look the same anyway... unless you want the sports package which will cost at least a couple grand more..

fabbrisd1

There is a commitment made by two sides - I guess I am missing the reason not to honor your end ?

frtdog

There will always be a few goodies added every year. I think for 2014 there are the heated & cooled cup holders and the 360 degree camera. I would search the internet and sit down with your salesperson and get as much info as you can. If you don't need the new stuff perhaps the 2013 is for you. But if you like the latest gadgets and don't mind the wait then the 2014 is the one.

marvron26

The way I figured it is you would save about 4k to 5k by getting the 2013 instead of the 2014. ( You can get the MY13 below invoice plus the MY14 will be 2-4% higher in price ) If you're not getting the extra options new to the MY14 then it wouldn't be worth waiting anyway. You can use that extra money to take a nice vacation over the summer while driving your new ML!

But if you really NEED to get the newest one and money is not an issue then waiting for the MY14 is ok.

gplank

Oh, comma fabbtrisd1, there you go again getting on your high horse. I'm sure his SA would be happy to change his order to a 2014. That is, unless he was a total dick and cared nothing about what MB stands for, which is total customer satisfaction. It's not like its too late to change the 2013 to another spec for another customer and such order slots are valuable this time of year.

I would go ahead and order the 2014 and get that sports package. It's makes all the difference in the looks. Get the 360 camera, too. And don't pay more than 7% under MSRP plus any incentives active when it comes in, and get that memorialized in an email to the general manager before you plunk down any deposit. They will still make 3% or more, so don't let them fool you otherwise.

This way you'll be driving a new model year for a year, rather than one that's already obsolete the day you buy it.

LCC

Thanks, gplank, for your response to this comment.

As soon as my SA informed me that the vehicle I ordered in February wouldn't be available until July I let them know that I would be interested in waiting for a '14. We have been in constant contact and she has expressed no concern in me releasing my '13 to get a '14 if I choose to.

Masterbuyer

You remind me of what a joke it would be to think you have worry about a "commitment' to MB since their commitment really means nothing. This board is full of horror stories about waiting and waiting, being promised the car is coming, then not...subject to further delays since now another part has gone unavailable. Ask GregW about all he had to go through...months and months of delays. For me, it was ridiculous trying to get my ordered ML550...first it was leather seat shortage then something else. The fact that you're February order became a July shipment illustrates this perfectly... five months is ridiculous.

So, when MBUSA can deliver on time like BMW, and can actually stick to their delivery commitments without running out of this or that, then perhaps then they will deserve a little more respect, I'm sorry to say. When I ordered my fully optioned 2012 BMW X5 in April of 2011, it took just four weeks for delivery and that was all the way from their factory in S. Carolina to Southern California. So, as much as I love their cars, MB has no excuse for letting you down with such delays.