pmlnnrt

Hello Everyone, I am new here, I had a 2015 SL 400 and traded it in for a new 2018 SL 450. I have tracked it to Baltimore, but there it sits ! Does anyone know how long the DOT will take to release for sale the 2018 Year MB SL-450 ? The 550 SL are on hold as well, I am told.

pmlnnrt !

pmlnnrt

The New 2018 SL - 450 is the same interior, Ginger Brown Nappa, with Premium 1, Drivers Assist, Wood grain Steering wheel, and Soft Close Doors

The Wheels on my 2015 (pictured) had optional MB wheels -which I may use again on the 2018 model

Will take photos once the car arrives -

Phil

Kmgwood

I think my 450 is coming into Brunswick GA tomorrow. Do I need to expect same problem there?
Why is this a problem?

pmlnnrt

Mine arrived a week ago - and has not been released by DOT - a few minutes ago I got this message from my dealer "

Hi Phil

We just got an update on 2018 estimated release dates, and the SL450’s are marked ‘Late August’. Unfortunately that’s as accurate as we can get at the moment.

Regards,
Rob


its either one of two things - they are fixing a damaged car - or the DOT has not released the 2018 vehicles yet - DOT has egg on their face with the VW Diesel problem, so am sure they are double checking now. Actually its not necessary the 2018 is almost identical to the 2017 -


If you get your vehicle soon, let me know, I will post when my vehicle is released -


A week ago the dealer said early August - now its late August !



good luck !



Phil

Streamliner

What color is that on your 2015?

pmlnnrt

The color of the 2015 was Designo Red Metalic - the 2018 will be the same interior and Exterior..

I Bought the 2018 for features that were not on the 2015, which I bought off the Dealers floor. the 2018 was ordered with all the whistles and bells -

In 2015, there was a choice of Mars Red, which was not a metalic red, or the Designo (optional cost) Red Metalic.

Posted here is another photo of the 2015 SL -400

Streamliner

I wasn't aware of that color. Are you sure that's the entire name, Designo Red Metallic? The current one is Designo Cardinal Red Metallic.

pmlnnrt

BINGO - you are Correct - forgot the CARDINAL !

Streamliner

I thought that color was new for 2017. Oh well, we learn something every day. Beautiful car by the way.

pmlnnrt

Thank you !!

Kmgwood

My sales person says DOT has nothing to do with it.
Mercedes decides.

pmlnnrt

Good to know- thank you - let me know when your Dealer says your car has been released - and I will tell you when my car is released too -

I will contact me dealer, and hint that some one in the know, says its MERCEDES is the one who decides - nothing to do with DOT -

I have heared that when they need fix or repair a shipped car that is off the boat, that it could be quite a while

Thanks for the information, Stay in touch !

Phil

HouTexMB

When our '17 SL550 arrived at the Brunswick, Georgia port on 6/2/16 it did not get released to the carrier for transport until 8/3/16. It was due to Mercedes not wanting to launch the '17 models until then and I was pretty ticked that it had to sit out baking in the Georgia sun for almost 2 months while they sorted this out. We finally took delivery in Houston on 8/8/16 and it was the first '17 SL to be delivered by our dealer.

SLclass

Beautiful color. Good luck on your delivery issue!

pmlnnrt

As soon as I hear anything, I will post it here !
Sounds like Mercedes wants to clear out inventory, before they release the next model year. Had I known that I might have decided to keep my 2015 SL this summer and do the deal in September. its kind of crazy, that if we ordered a specific vehicle and it was built, that they would hold it for several months

Thank you everyone for your input !

Phil

seascape

Perhaps Mercedes is waiting to see the reaction from the new BMW Z4 Roadster, which will be shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in a couple of weeks, so they can better position the 2018 SL.

pmlnnrt

I had two Z-4 's - a 2009, and a 2014. They dont hold a candle to the SL ! lMuch smaller, much rougher ride. In fact with the 2009, the Run Flat tires made the ride feel like there were no springs in the vehicle. When I bought the 2014 before delivery I had the Run Flats taken off, and put on normal Tires - a big difference . The insides of the Z-4 are cramped and not that comfortable too - the car is much narrower too. When I bought the 2015 SL, I was worried about the Run Flats, however Mercedes, compensates with a softer suspension which negates the fear of Run Flats.

To me there is no comparison of the Z-4 to a SL - Wish I had bought the SL's before buying the Z-4'. Price is a factor too - a lot less for the Z-4 !

Here is a photo of the 2014 BMW -Z-4 which I traded in for the 2015 SL - am so glad I did that too !

Wolfman

?? How so? A Mercedes SL is never positioned against a Z4.

Wolfman

Delivery date was similar on ours, but that year was the launch of the facelift. Delays like this do not happen in normal model years unless MB likes to reduce old inventory.

Even then, the delays are in weeks, not months.

That said, there are several other MB models awaiting release but appear to be held back for EPA certification.

This shouldn't impact the SL as the engine is already certified but it could just be government red tape...

pmlnnrt

I could not agree more. Emissions and engine has already been certified!

You would think Mercedes would release "customer ordered" vehicles and hold
Dealer stock vehicles to reduce inventory at dealerships..

I am told "late August" for my vehicle which was ordered in the middle of May.
I bet it's sitting in a outdoor lot baking in Baltimore.

I will post when I hear it's been released and again when I finally get it !

Phil

seascape

You're right, although I did consider one before deciding on an SL.

FWIW, I went to Pebble Beach on Friday, hoping to see the BMW Concept Z4 and 8 Series Coupe, and the Mercedes Vision 6 Cabriolet, but they were nowhere to be seen. My wife saw the Mercedes on Saturday, and loved it even more than the Vision 6 Coupe.

pmInnrt, I feel your anxiousness, as my 2017 has been sitting for the past week in the Long Beach VPC. Hopefully, I'll get it in time for a Labor Day road trip.

pmlnnrt

Just got this from my Dealer - Shipping begins !!!! FINALLY !!!!
Market 2 Management,

We have received the necessary Pricing, Monroney Label, Certificate of Origin sign-offs, and Certifications from Vehicle Compliance & Analysis for the following MY18 model:
MY18 SL550R
MY18 SL63R
MY18 SL65
MY18 E400S4

Wholesale activity and shipping of these vehicles will commence tomorrow, Friday, 8/25/17 for all Regions.

Dealer just called to say the SL-450s are Not being shipped yet - they were not left off this list by mistake either !

Kmgwood

Got a call last night from my sales guy.
He says my SL will be "moving" out of Brunswick by the end of the week he hopes.
Not totally convinced that will happen but encouraged.

pmlnnrt

I hope its true - I was at my dealer yesterday - they now think before Sept 15th-

Its like a race between you and me ! Let's see whose car is shipped from the Vehicle Processing center and which of us gets our cars first -

My thought - was that they Ship the 550s, SL63, and 65 First - as they are more expensive, and we wait our turn -

I remember when I bought my 2015 SL 400, it was Sept. 22, 2014, however I bought it off the floor and did not order it. This time I am getting what I want in the vehicle !

If I hear anything new, will post it here -

Good Luck to you !

Phil

Kmgwood

Sorry,
After prying out details.
Looks like my sales guy was basing the optimism on the fact that an '18 550 came in yesterday.
My car still says in process.
And so we wait.
your Sept date may be closer to reality..