VasilytheRed

FYI...start your build here

MSRP is up $520 for 350 and BlueTEC; $650 for 550; $1150 for ML63
Delivery is up $20

Selecting Premium 1 Package forces you to add Parking Assist Package for an additional $1290. Lots of other stuff going on...just starting to play with it a bit.

I knew that the packages and some options were going up from previous posts, and although I didn't know exactly how much MSRP would increase by, I figured it would go up, too. I didn't know about being forced to add the Parking Assist Package. For folks who have ordered, did you also have to do this? Or is this just something on the configurator?

EDIT: According to the SA I spoke with today, you are NOT forced to select the Parking Assist Package if you select the Premium 1 Package. Not sure about other options as I only specifically asked him about those two.

whattodo

Hi
I ordered my MY14 ML350BTC about 3 weeks ago and this was not mentioned then. I got the P01 without ParkAssist. The pricing I received on the PO has the same pricing as what is on the website.
I have asked my salesman and he is currently checking on this and will update me.

Does anyone know how long after MB Configurator we will see it available at sites like CostcoAuto or USAA?

Thanks

Sales guy just replied and it is not necessary to have the ParkAssist when you get the P01.

supernsx

What is going on with the front end of the sport package? The illustration doesn't look as nice as the ML550 front. I don't think it looks different enough (especially in black) to worth the $2500.

VasilytheRed

Thanks for the update! I will also bring this up tomorrow with the dealer as I am doing my final round of test drives before I make a decision.

jesterdfw

It looks identical. The only difference is that the 350 doens't have running boards and the 550 has them. I think it looks better without running boards. That being said, if you dump all the money on the sport package and load up a 350 bluetec, you are within 4-5k of a loaded ml550. I honestly think they put in the sport package to upsell more 550's, since it closes up the price gap considerably.

Oh Cool

The chrome portion of the lower rear bumper on the 350 Sports Package is definitely different than the 550 lower rear. The 350 Sport Package fronts & 550 fronts appear to be identical.

gplank

What I would like to know is why MBUSA continues to insist on not listing all the options available to you in the configurator. For example, where is ACTIVE CURVE, the OFF ROAD Package, or the 360 degree Surround View Camera? What happens is that even your SA is clueless, and unless you really do your research, you can end up a with a vehicle that is missing some features that you might have wanted if you knew about them.

Do they do this on purpose...with some bone-headed marketing strategy behind it? Like, it would make it too complicated for stupid US consumers to figure out. ...Or, are they just lazy, and don't want to bother?

It just doesn't make sense, and it is frustrating. At least they could provide a downloadable pdf with all the options....but they don't even do that. You have to bug your SA, and if he is clueless, you have to ask the inventory manager...as they are the only ones who really know what you can order or what combinations of things are possible. They are the best ones to sit down at the computer and do the ordering with.

If you go to BMW's website, you can configure a new X5 with all the available options. So, it's not like it is impossible to do.

Oh Cool

And no Heated Steering Wheel without first selecting the Premium 1 Package for $3920 which then forces you to add Parking Assist Package for an additional $1290. A total of $5210 before you order the $250 Heated Steering Wheel.............

gplank

That might not be accurate....in fact, I would assume not....just doesn't make sense. I would contact the inventory manager of your dealership, as only his ordering system can tell you for sure what needs to be ordered with what. Sometimes things need to be added in a certain order...so be sure to ask him to try this if you are not getting it the way you want it.

Oh Cool

Agreed ....just pointing out how the Build Your Own website is setup, this could actually be a deterrent to buyer shopping around for a new vehicle purchase and swing that buyer over to consider another brand vehicle. Wasn't an issue for me I ordered all the toys anyway.

red308

I have found over the years that the MBUSA online configurator is error prone. Sometimes it is just dead wrong.

I wonder if they assign the configurator project to a summer intern? Not trying to be mean. Just seems that this is not taken seriously enough.

supernsx

Just saw a "14 on dealer lot today. I am unsure the sport package plus one worth it since cannot see a huge difference in black color. I can see it will look super nice in polar white though. Btw, the silver one is a 2013.


I am also disappointed of the 20" because the style makes the wheels look smaller than it should.*


Btw, you don't need Parking Assist to get P1. Check out the sticker.

Oh Cool

Did you get a photo of the rear?

supernsx

No but I think it looks similar to the one on ML550.

BruinsBenz

COOL!!! Which dealership did you visit???
I never knew that 2014 was already in stock. I thought estimate delivery would be end of august

bud.jones

I live in Honolulu and the website for our sole Mercedes dealership has them listed in their new inventory, but they aren't on the lot as of yet. Their designation is ML350W2. I really want to see one in person, but as we won't be making the purchase until December (at the earliest ), I want to dampen my enthusiasm a bit. Once they're on the lot ..... Actually, while I'm on vacation in Tampa in November, I'll probably hit the Mercedes dealership on Dale Mabry highway with my brother

supernsx

Kansas.

bud.jones

We should have the same configurator that the German site employs. There are literally tons more options than we have but my German is non-existent and Google translate only goes so far, but I was able to configure a 2014 ML 350 for the really low price of around €80,000 or $104,000

Anyway, here is the Tech Center link and when you click on one of the classes, you'll see a link to the configurator, which links to the German Mercedes site.

Here is the link to the M Class Configurator, in case you want to take a look.

supernsx

Frankly, I don't see any difference between 2013 (Silver in my picture above) and 2014 (Black) exterior wise, expect the sport package option.

Cannot tell for sure about the interior but did take a peek and no change really jumps out on me.

bud.jones

I agree, but my wife is a little superstitious (she's originally from Vietnam) and doesn't even want to think about a test drive until November or December, so I'll have to wait.

On a somewhat related question, how fast do the MLs sell in your area? I spoke with one salesman on the phone, and he indicated that, at least here in Honolulu, they are selling like hotcakes. I'm not sure how well to trust their website, however, as he intimated that what they have on the lot is not depicted accurately on their website. For example, almost all of their E Classes are sport trim, but on their website, they're listed as luxury trim.

Currently, they have three MY2014 ML 350s listed as in transit. I don't know when they'll get here, but I'm really curious as to the packages that will be pre-installed. I'm assuming that they'll all have Premium 1, hot/cold cup holders in front, MB-Tex, leather/wood steering wheel, and Keyless-Go (most of the MY2013 ML350s have it). I'm not sure if they'll have the pano sunroof, trailer hitch, and rear seat entertainment pre-wiring. I would also like to see the lighting and lane tracking packages as pre-installed, but I'll have to wait until they get here for that. The price on the website are only $58,250, so that's why I'm curious.

jesterdfw

Google Chrome browser should translate it perfectly. The German sites are always better unfortunately. I was looking at an Audi SQ5 and the options are much more in depth on the German site. The US doesn't get near the customization ability they offer elsewhere.

supernsx

I believe ML is selling pretty well. On all options, I will not own one without P1 and Lighting package. Everything else is not as important to me.

bud.jones

I would tend to agree, but my wife and I rented a car last year on vacation that had the keyless-go option (it was a Ford), and that was very nice. It also had BT streaming for my iPhone, something I don't have in my RX, and that was one of the best things about that car. Of course, the SYNC system (Microsoft) did not always recognize my iPhone (Apple)

We're going to pick one off the lot, so I hope they're configured about as well as the MY2013 Mls are now. All of them have the P1 package, but not all have the lighting package. We don't have any on the lot at the moment, so I'll just have to wait until they come in.

jtorrebl

Not a good approach to getting a car. Order one with exactly the options you want. It takes about 3 months

supernsx

Cannot agree more.