Received a very interesting phone call today!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Received a very interesting phone call today!
Even though this info was based on an SL, I thought I'd post it here as well.
I've been a bit outspoken about my feelings on the exterior colors MB offers these days. I call it "Fifty Shades of Gray," as most colors are variations of black, gray or white. So, I wrote a letter and received a call today from MBUSA.
I was told that starting with the 2018 model year, MB would offer their customers the option of ordering a new SL in ANY color previously offered by MB on any previous model. In addition, I got the idea that this option would be made available on other models as well. I got the idea that this option would be readily offered by dealers and it wouldn't take jumping through hoops to execute. The caller did not have pricing yet.
I realize that MB has been doing some custom order paint jobs previously, but getting a dealer to even admit that custom work is available is like pulling teeth. Most dealers want nothing to do with special orders. To make matters worse, an MB factory custom spray job is rumored to be in the $10,000.00+ range and can take an ADDITIONAL six to nine months to build. The caller gave me the idea that this new option may be more along the lines of current Designo colors, price wise and build time should not be impacted much.
I was very encouraged in hearing this news. Now all I need to hear is that they will have a similar option for interior colors.
I've been a bit outspoken about my feelings on the exterior colors MB offers these days. I call it "Fifty Shades of Gray," as most colors are variations of black, gray or white. So, I wrote a letter and received a call today from MBUSA.
I was told that starting with the 2018 model year, MB would offer their customers the option of ordering a new SL in ANY color previously offered by MB on any previous model. In addition, I got the idea that this option would be made available on other models as well. I got the idea that this option would be readily offered by dealers and it wouldn't take jumping through hoops to execute. The caller did not have pricing yet.
I realize that MB has been doing some custom order paint jobs previously, but getting a dealer to even admit that custom work is available is like pulling teeth. Most dealers want nothing to do with special orders. To make matters worse, an MB factory custom spray job is rumored to be in the $10,000.00+ range and can take an ADDITIONAL six to nine months to build. The caller gave me the idea that this new option may be more along the lines of current Designo colors, price wise and build time should not be impacted much.
I was very encouraged in hearing this news. Now all I need to hear is that they will have a similar option for interior colors.
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From: TX
2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (sold...sniff)
Interesting. Drive in any well-to-do suburb of Houston. It is painful to sit at a light and see white, gray, gray, gray, black, gray, black white, etc. go by. Boring. A total absence of color.
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From: pittsburgh
'25 740i; '15 targa4s; '24 cayenne
if you head over to the g-class "build your own" section of mbusa, you can see some of the colours that are offered in both "designo" and "manufaktur designo" upgrades; i believe these are examples of the additional palettes that will be available for the sl (and other models?) come 2018 to which streamliner refers above. now. if you're an old timer benzo bloke like me, lots of these colours will look familiar. what is interesting is that in 1994, i could have (and did have) a s500 in midnight blue with palomino leather (stunning combo, by the way) for "no charge." now if you want midnight blue (exact same colour mind you), it costs an additional $6,500. gotta love capitalism (and the marketing dep't) at work!
Last edited by ajm0623; Dec 6, 2016 at 09:12 PM.
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
if you head over to the g-class "build your own" section of mbusa, you can see some of the colours that are offered in both "designo" and "manufaktur designo" upgrades; i believe these are examples of the additional palettes that will be available for the sl (and other models?) come 2018 to which streamliner refers above. now. if you're an old timer benzo bloke like me, lots of these colours will look familiar. what is interesting is that in 1994, i could have (and did have) a s500 in midnight blue with palomino leather (stunning combo, by the way) for "no charge." now if you want midnight blue (exact same colour mind you), it costs an additional $6,500. gotta love capitalism (and the marketing dep't) at work!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 623
Likes: 131
From: pittsburgh
'25 740i; '15 targa4s; '24 cayenne
(continuing off-topic) i'm one of those 20,000 g-rig owners. after years and years (back to the w126 chassis - best ever, btw) of s-classes, i dumped my 2015 w222 for the '16 g550. i found the current s550 just too boring. and that is a peculiar move, i know. usually, the older we get, the more comfort we desire in our cars and usually then move in to the s-class. but i bucked that theory and went with the "indirect relationship" of age and comfort when i bought the g-rig and couldn't be happier with it. so. much. fun!
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Joined: Oct 2016
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none now
My 2017 Emerald Green Metallic rolled off the line and is at the dock in Germany. I'd have preferred BRG but I will take this one. i have seen the color in Europe on another model and it is stunning but only available this year on the s550. the 2016 green is black.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
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