SL/R230: Launch edition racket
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
Launch edition racket
I’ve had deposits on both the SL55 and SL600 down for over a year, with the understanding I would take one or the other. These will be available late in the year or early next year respectively. I just got a call from my dealer today: if I’m willing to fork over $100k to $103k (which is over MSRP – they were a little vague on the price) for the designo silver “launch edition” I can have an SL500 within 3 weeks. I imagine they called me knowing that I will trade that car for a 55 in nine months. They can then resell it to someone on their waiting list willing to take a used car. What a racket!
Of course I immediately said yes ... I suppose that’s why the moniker “sillydriver” fits.
My question is whether anyone has any info on how the launch edition is equipped?
Of course I immediately said yes ... I suppose that’s why the moniker “sillydriver” fits.
My question is whether anyone has any info on how the launch edition is equipped?
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
04 SL600 & 04 Range Rover
I have a "Launch Addition" on order. Per my dealer, the MSRP has not been released to the dealers yet. That may explain why your dealer is being a little vague about the price. I have been told by my dealer that the car will have, the sport package, 18 inch 5 spoke rims, and a 2-tone charcoal interior. More options may be included. I bet it will have the wood steering wheel and shift knob option as well.
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From: Riyadh, KSA
2004 Range Rover, 02 S 600, 02 Yukon
Launch edition
The issue of the Mercedes Star magazine says the Launch edition will come with 18 inch rims but NOT the sports package.....I guess we will find out for sure within a month.
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
Thanks for the info! I thought it was strange that the dealer claimed not to have the exact pricing or configuration but it sounds like that’s not unique to this particular dealer.
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
04 SL600 & 04 Range Rover
Mercedes has not released the pricing or option list for the Launch Addtions. This has been confirmed by dealers in 3 states. The original source who said they will have the "sport package" has seen the Launch Addition. I don't see how he could be confused, the difference is very obvious to me. I have the Brabus price list and catalog. I guess it is time to go shopping for a new front spoiler.
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My local sales representative had "nicely" helped me checked the MBUSA database (the launch eition SL500 are in VPC waiting to be delivered to dealerships). It does not have any "special" options (like "parktronic","distronic","tire-pressure measuring system"...). The only "big" difference is color.
-- mb_newbie
-- mb_newbie
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
Arghhh! Exactly the options I would have ordered (and already have on my sedan). At least the dealer assures me this doesn’t change my positioning on the 55.
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
04 SL600 & 04 Range Rover
Besides color and 18 inch rims and tires, the other big differece is the Nappa leather interior. In the March 02 issue of European Car, they reviewed an SL 500 with the Nappa leather interior:
"the Nappa leather option brings leather on the dashboard, center console and headlining. As well as looking good, the high grade leather covering the dashboard feels good to the touch. It is a worthwhile option , as plastic simply does not become a car of this caliber."
"the Nappa leather option brings leather on the dashboard, center console and headlining. As well as looking good, the high grade leather covering the dashboard feels good to the touch. It is a worthwhile option , as plastic simply does not become a car of this caliber."
Last edited by mantylar; Feb 18, 2002 at 10:39 AM.
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From: castro valley, ca
sl500 1998/ferrari 355gts 1997
seems like the launch edition is really just taking advantage of a new model introduction to boost dealer and MB profitability. I wouldn't go so far as to say the word "gouge", but I would say "taking advantage of a willing public".
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
04 SL600 & 04 Range Rover
If Mercedes wanted to maximize profits with the Launch Addition cars, it seems like they would have loaded them up with all the options. It appears that they have not included any of the special options with these cars. Maybe they had a bunch of Designo Silver paint in the warehouse.
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I.M.H.O., the launch editions are used to caught people's (there are still a lot of people don't know the existence of the new SL)attention so potential customers will "flood" into delearship and put orders on the car. (that explains why launch edition has "special" colour: to get people's attention).
They also been used for "social" purposes; as far as I know, my local delearship has arranged majority (almost all) of the launch edition to owner's "good" business associates or long term (10+ years) customers.
I asked myself, if I already waited for almost two years, I can handle another several months and get what I really want (especially for this price).
p.s.: You may ask your sales representative who has MB computer access (the database list the orders, production dates, names...), it does list what "options" are on the launch editions.
Once again, those are just my personal humble opinions.
-- mb_newbie
They also been used for "social" purposes; as far as I know, my local delearship has arranged majority (almost all) of the launch edition to owner's "good" business associates or long term (10+ years) customers.
I asked myself, if I already waited for almost two years, I can handle another several months and get what I really want (especially for this price).
p.s.: You may ask your sales representative who has MB computer access (the database list the orders, production dates, names...), it does list what "options" are on the launch editions.
Once again, those are just my personal humble opinions.
-- mb_newbie
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
By the way, the dealer told me today that LE pricing and info will become available next Tuesday the 28th, the day of the official SL US introduction event in Boca Raton.
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
04 SL600 & 04 Range Rover
The Western US introduction will be held in Phoenix on the 28th. If you are in the neighborhood you may want to stop by The Phoencian. They will have quite a few new SL's. The dealers each get to take one for a test drive.
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From: MA, USA
W126 1991 350SDL
2,000 Launch Editions? Wow.
my understanding is less than 10,000 SL500s for the US market. i don't know how US -vs- ROW works in MB-land.
my understanding as well as that the LEs areNOT part of the standard 9K to 10K cars.
but it's all conjecture, so who knows.
doody.
my understanding is less than 10,000 SL500s for the US market. i don't know how US -vs- ROW works in MB-land.
my understanding as well as that the LEs areNOT part of the standard 9K to 10K cars.
but it's all conjecture, so who knows.
doody.
