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I feel like in a way; I am getting a new car too lol
any day now eh?
I think we all do, lol. This has been an epic thread. I can't wait to see pictures of this car as it's really going to be beautiful and with an interior that no one else has.
With arrival in Long Beach on Monday, 11/24, looks like if a fire is lit under somebody in Carson, you could have this in the driveway for Thanksgiving.
Last edited by ChuckinTucson; 11-08-2014 at 11:43 AM.
Reason: Changed Date
So many of us love our cars and keep them in great shape. When we buy our cars and pick them up from the dealer, we inspect them to make sure there was no damage during shipping.
I am, of course, as diligent as anyone on this issue.
Did you ever wonder how many chances your car really has to get a scratch or dinged up.
Our cars come on ships they call Ro/Ro-vessels. Ever wonder what they look like inside and what our cars go through.
Take a look at this video. I bet it makes you wonder and want to pray. I know I am. At the end of the video you will see how closely the cars are parked.
I was looking at the schedule of ETERNAL ACE, where my car is temporarily living now, and noticed that it says it was going to be at the Panama Canal for three days.
I kept saying to myself, how can there be so many cars on this boat for the Panama Canal or maybe, the ship is just getting some service, and then I realized...
It is going to take three days to get through the Panama Canal. I didn't remember this time period from my younger school days so I started to research the canal to understand why.
I had never realized exactly how the canal works and how the vessels are lifted 85 feet through the canal by a series of "locks."
Maybe this is all common knowledge to most, but I must admit, I don't remember this.
I thought it was quite interesting. Please click on the bold link below.
As of 11-11-14, 8:00 PM PST, this is a live Google satellite of all the ships that are at the mouth of the Panama canal, anchored and waiting for their turn to enter the first lock. This area is called the "ANCHORAGE of PANAMA ANCH ATLANTIC."
Last edited by LovinMercedes; 11-11-2014 at 11:26 PM.
It can't be a surprise to anyone that I am anxiously awaiting my car. Today is just a normal day, checking the location of ETERNAL ACE and making sure it will arrive on time... not that I could ever do anything about it.
So, I decide to just check out the MBUSA site today and what started out as a normal nice day has just turned into a spectacular day.
I have been very happy with Mercedes Benz but today, they just grew a little more in my heart.
Hello WINTER EVENT and hello to the $4,000 in my pocket! Today is a good day. Thank you Mr. Benz.
It can't be a surprise to anyone that I am anxiously awaiting my car. Today is just a normal day, checking the location of ETERNAL ACE and making sure it will arrive on time... not that I could ever do anything about it.
So, I decide to just check out the MBUSA site today and what started out as a normal nice day has just turned into a spectacular day.
I have been very happy with Mercedes Benz but today, they just grew a little more in my heart.
Hello WINTER EVENT and hello to the $4,000 in my pocket! Today is a good day. Thank you Mr. Benz.
Maybe I missed something but where do you see $4000 on S Class? I see $2000 on certain MBs. I went to MBUSA's website and could not find the $4k.
Thanks! I have a client who has been thinking about a '15 S550 since he fell in love with my '14 S550. This may put him over the edge to pull the trigger.
How long will this event run? Who is "qualified customers"?
Not sure what this means but if you read the small print under the Offers it says...
"Available only to qualified customers through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services at participating dealers through December 01, 2014. Not everyone will qualify."
I just received an email from our dealer for up to $8k off plus 2 years of pre-paid maintenance. Valid until 11-30... Any remaining 2014 models do have a $10k MB incentive. This looks like a $20k deal on a '14.
We are now in the home stretch on the last leg of the journey.
Today, ETERNAL ACE left the port in Mexico and is on the way to the US. First stop will be San Diego on 11-23 and then onto Long Beach on the 24th where my car will disembark.
I suspect they are stopping in San Diego because after leaving Bremerhaven, the vessel stopped at Emden, Germany where they load both Audi's and Volkswagens. These cars are dropped off in San Diego on the west coast.
My car is still in CSO status which means the paperwork has been submitted to US Customs and waiting to be cleared. Should be any day now.
Next order of business will be to work with my dealer to get my car to the dealership prior to Thanksgiving, and then delivered before the end of the month. It won't be easy but hopefully the VPC will go smoothly.
We are really getting close now.
Last edited by LovinMercedes; 11-19-2014 at 01:23 AM.
We are now in the home stretch on the last leg of the journey.
Today, ETERNAL ACE left the port in Mexico and is on the way to the US. First stop will be San Diego on 11-23 and then onto Long Beach on the 24th where my car will disembark.
I suspect they are stopping in San Diego because after leaving Bremerhaven, the vessel stopped at Emden, Germany where they load both Audi's and Volkswagens. These cars are dropped off in San Diego on the west coast.
My car is still in CSO status which means the paperwork has been submitted to US Customs and waiting to be cleared. Should be any day now.
Next order of business will be to work with my dealer to get my car to the dealership prior to Thanksgiving, and then delivered before the end of the month. It won't be easy but hopefully the VPC will go smoothly.
We are really getting close now.
I had just read about the work "slow down" at the west coasts ports--leading into possible strikes/labor negotiations. I hope you get your car quick since I know what this port problem feels like. When my '14 S550 4matic arrived at the port in Baltimore, MD in January of this year I was watching the news very closely since they had a complete work stoppage before my car arrived but the judge ordered them back to work for a short period of time as a "cool off" period. We will just keep our fingers crossed that the port issues will not affect your S Class arrival.
The journey from Germany is over. ETERNAL ACE has docked in Long Beach about 8 hours ahead of schedule.
I have spoken to everyone at the dealership and asked for help in getting my car delivered to me by Thanksgiving or the day after.
Unlike the VPC's on the east coast, the west coast VPC requires that cars are trucked from the port some 7 miles until they reach the VPC. I am told this is going to be rectified sometime early next year with a new VPC location, but for now, there is an additional step which adds time.
I am sure more to report tomorrow but for now, my car is in the USA and hopefully unloaded within the next several hours.
I was a little concerned because there were lots of vessels anchored outside the port waiting for their turn to dock, but ETERNAL ACE was allowed to by-pass all those vessels and go directly into port.
Below is the first picture where you can see ETERNAL ACE being escorted by two tug boats and finally being docked at Long Beach port.
Below is the status from NetStarMobile as of 5:12AM PST. We also have a live update on the ship's location, as of 6:30 AM this morning. As you can see, the ship is moored in Pier F. Unloading is off the starboard quarter of the vessel.
I need my car, please get moving gentlemen...
Last edited by LovinMercedes; 11-24-2014 at 11:10 PM.
For those interested, here is an article of the new Mercedes Benz VPC facility at Long Beach. Apparently, it is a major undertaking and is going to be an amazing facility, close to 1.1 million square feet.
I am sure I am not as excited as you are about getting that custom S class but I am excited to see pictures of an awesome new masterpiece that you had created--especially with that very long wait time.
I am excited for you! Can't wait to see some pictures!
I am sure I am not as excited as you are about getting that custom S class but I am excited to see pictures of an awesome new masterpiece that you had created--especially with that very long wait time.
I am excited for you! Can't wait to see some pictures!
I second that. Lovin' has been a patient man, time for him to reap the rewards. I too am looking forward to some photos...
That new facility in Long Beach is certainly welcome news. I didn't realize they were as far along on it as they are. This will allow them to drive the cars directly off the ship into the VPC without having to truck them. This will eliminate a lot of time and expense.
They have also outgrown the VPC in Carson. Getting transport trucks in and out of there is a nightmare. While I don't handle MB deliveries to dealerships, I have been in/out of there a number of times for special moves.
11-06-2014, 10:40 PM
I know I am. At the end of the video you will see how closely the cars are parked. 
