Mustard

My Mercedes-Benz dealer has just told me that if I want my imminent delivery it will be without ABC...

Technical difficulties means the SL350 will not be available with ABC for the forseeable future. Hard to believe at this late stage how two less cylinders can throw up "technical dificulties". Suspect it might be a weight/performance issue.

Another COMAND debacle in the offering methinks.......

Anybody know more?

blueSL

That's a bummer, so what are you going to do? I'm the biggest exponent of it as you know, but equally, I'd say get the SL to enjoy before the summer, no point getting it in October as I did just before the weather turns.

Mustard

It is a real bummer - planned a cruise through the Pyrenees for April with SWMBO and booked the hotels.

But there's a silver lining - See PM.

SL Boy

Sorry to hear the news - I thought there had been one or two comparative press reviews of the SL350 with and without ABC and no reported problems?

Are you sure the dealer isnt just trying to cover up for your car not having ABC?

Mustard

You are right, Paul, the reviews were with ABC fitted cars, but this problem is definitely affecting all 350's.

MBUK confirmed the problem began in February and was meant to fixed in time for production in March. It's not, and the problem may take 3 months to fix. Maybe its an OEM supply problem.

Must say my dealer has been exceedingly generous in compensating me, so I can live without ABC until an upgrade next year, but was keen to get BlueSL his additional commission..

cone

Next week, I will receive my new SL350 with ABC, no problem, let me tell you I don´t belive your dealer

Mustard

Cone - are you in Northern Spain? We have bought Mercedes Vito's for my French business in Santander.

My dealer is less than 100 km's from there. They still maintain ABC is not available, as does MBUK. Several 350's here in the UK already for sale do not have ABC.

Would you mind checking with your dealer tomorrow and PM me?

I'll be pretty angry if I find its an oversite on my dealers part...

cone

Hi, I live in the north of Spain, my town is Oviedo, 180Km from Santander. My car arrives to my dealer on monday or tuesday, it has almost ALL options except glass sunroof, distronic and auto gearbox. It was made in Germany this month, I think about 15 or 16 of march, but sure, it has ABC.

Mustard

Spoke to Mercedes in Germany a few minutes ago and they confirm ABC is definitely not available on any SL350 for at least April and May, perhaps longer. No word on why other than "technical difficulties", but I would be not be too happy if I had it on my car and there were "technical problems".

Conversely, pretty keen to get the the car on order but they will not produce it with ABC. Either take it sans ABC or wait for another slot is the official MB Germany line....

Cone - we bought vans in Bilbao - they quoted me competitvely for an SL but don't speak your language to refine the quote.

Enjoy yours, post pics as soon as you get it. Keen to hear your impressions.

cone

Hi, I have just come from my MB dealer, they received today my SL350, I confirm you, it has ABC as I ordered.
Regards

SL Boy

Was at my dealer today and asked about ABC on a 350. They have just taken delivery of their first 350 and have 2 others in the pipeline - none were specified with ABC.

Claimed they were not aware of any problem.

Mustard

I give up. Three seperate MB distributors, France, UK & Germany all say its not available for the foreseeable future. Three of you say it may well be.

Taking the car but MB's PR leaves a lot to be desired....

cone

I believe you, but I wonder why my SL350 that was made this month it has ABC. Are you going to buy a right or left side driver?

vraa

I believe Mercedes was never good with customer service, or anything that involves a customer in it except sales :o

Mustard

Vraa - Beginning to think you're right; they took my order and money PDQ. You'd think they'd have some news about why at least. Sounds like the US E-class Nav problems.

Cone - its a right-hooker UK spec car. We buy all our vehicles in S-W France & Northern Spain. Maybe its a RHD problem, perhaps an Auto problem.

blueSL

Surprising all the same, the fact that they have it sorted on the SL500, SL55 AMG, SL600 (presumably) and the CL55 AMG would suggest the SL350 should be easy.

Might not be simply technical though. It's possible there's a capacity problem with the suppliers of the components.

Bang goes my commission...

muhri

Mercedes Benz official website states ABC as an available option for the SL350 and standard on the rest of the SL lineup. I would think if they do not have it officially that they wouldn't put it up there. Just my 2 cents.

http://www.mercedes-benz.com/e/cars/sl/sonder.htm

muhri

Yet another piece of info, in the car configurator that mb website has - the option is there and you can check it. I do not think MB will still put that up there and hold up their production - rather remove it so that they can get the SL350 orders going. Just my other 2 cents. I think your dealer doesn't know what the heck he is talking about... I didn't find it anywhere where it says that its not available for RHD.

Mustard

The option to have ABC on an SL350 has been suspended pending the solving of technical problems. This applies to cars being assembled in April and May. You can order ABC but there is no guarantee you will get it in the timeframe.

I phoned Mercedes- Benz direct in Bremen & in Stuttgart - both confirmed its a fact. My dealer is correct.

cone

Mustard, I saw you ordered auto gearbox, don´t you like the new sequentronic one?

Paul Le Corre

I think that the lack of ABC on the SL 350 come from a marketing decision. MB expects to sell half of SL in europe with the V6 engine so they might decided to put the ABC on the option list to lower the price. I'm quite sure that there is no technical problems.

Mustard

Paul - it is an option. I didn't make the thread title very clear, sorry.

It is a €4,000 option on the SL350 in France. Its just that its not available right now.

Mustard

Cone- whats your SL350 like? Pleased with it?

cone

Mustard, until next week I will not release my new SL 350. My car came with a defective in the front guard and my dealer must fit a new one. (Shipment problems, you know..)It is color black emerald with alpaca grey leather and aluminium finish inside. It has almost all optios, comand, bose, tv, linguatronic, cd changer,nokia 6310i, parktronic, comfort seats with heating and ventilation, tire preasure monitor, bixenon, suitcase for rear compartment, folding mirrors, alarm, ABC and serial sequentronic (not compatible with keyless). If you wish, I can take some pics for you

Mustard

Be good to see pics - unusual colour I haven't seen before in the flesh.

Sorry to hear about the defect - hope its sorted....