SL/R231: My 2018 Order
11-28-2017, 03:21 PM
#101
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'18 SL 550, '19 1500 Z71 Silverado LTZ, '19 Mustang convertible
I don't believe anyone on this forum can answer your question. We are consumer end users and only those who work at Mercedes in production and shipping could give you a guess. Ships make many ports of call and I doubt anything produced in Europe goes directly from one port to another without stops to load and unload more product. Also, what is listed on the Internet may not be in real time. Sorry I cannot give the answer you want to hear!
12-07-2017, 01:18 PM
#102
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'18 SL 550, '19 1500 Z71 Silverado LTZ, '19 Mustang convertible
Well, she is finally on the water! I just now learned that the ship departed (ATD) on 12/5 at 1153 hours (EST), with an ETA on 12/18 at 0800 hours (EST), in Brunswick, GA! For anyone interested in tracking their marine shipments, I am using this link: https://www.marinetraffic.com
Last edited by SLclass; 12-08-2017 at 11:48 AM. Reason: Brunswick, not Savannah
12-07-2017, 04:17 PM
#103
Well, she is finally on the water! I just now learned that the ship departed (ATD) on 12/5 at 1153 hours (EST), with an ETA on 12/18 at 0800 hours (EST), in Savannah, GA! For anyone interested in tracking their marine shipments, I am using this link: https://www.marinetraffic.com
Congratulations !
Phil
12-07-2017, 10:45 PM
#104
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Thank you very much and will do, Phil! What an awesome and wonderful experience for me to even be buying a Mercedes Benz SL550! I am so stoked! Dang, I grew up in tobacco fields! This is literally a dream coming true for me!
12-07-2017, 10:59 PM
#105
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SLclass - you sound a lot like me. I've been lurking on here for awhile and finally started making posts and comments about the SL class. Although your trials and tribulations are MADDENING to read, this thread contains a LOT of thought-provoking info. Since it will replace my "fair weather only" '09 Corvette, I'm holding off on ordering one until after I go to the Philly Auto Show in late January and check out all other options for a luxo-roadster/convertible. Planning to order one in February in hopes that it will get here by April. YOUR experience does not bode well for that timetable, though.
Please keep us posted on your progress and when yours finally arrives in your driveway.
Please keep us posted on your progress and when yours finally arrives in your driveway.
12-07-2017, 11:20 PM
#106
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SLclass - you sound a lot like me. I've been lurking on here for awhile and finally started making posts and comments about the SL class. Although your trials and tribulations are MADDENING to read, this thread contains a LOT of thought-provoking info. Since it will replace my "fair weather only" '09 Corvette, I'm holding off on ordering one until after I go to the Philly Auto Show in late January and check out all other options for a luxo-roadster/convertible. Planning to order one in February in hopes that it will get here by April. YOUR experience does not bode well for that timetable, though.
Please keep us posted on your progress and when yours finally arrives in your driveway.
Please keep us posted on your progress and when yours finally arrives in your driveway.
Last edited by SLclass; 12-08-2017 at 08:52 AM.
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BobBass (12-08-2017)
12-08-2017, 04:49 AM
#107
I agree with both of you ! My First SL was in 2015 - I went with friends to a dealership - saw one one the showroom floor - made a comment, how much is my BMW Z-4 worth in trade - Never thinking I could afford a SL - to my surprise, they offered me far more than
I thought, Later that day, I was driving home my first Mercedes - Just the way it handles, on tight curves, hugging the road, it was a wonderful experience - I bought the vehicle off the show room floor - and after almost 3 years, decided I wanted more extras that it did not have.
So I ordered a 2018 SL in May -thinking I would have it in the middle of the summer - only to actually get it in early November, but it was well worth the wait - I went thru 4 tires with stone bruses in the side wall, and 3 bent rims from POT HOLES here . They do not sell the wheel
and tire Insurance after the car has been delivered, so this time I bought it which also covers the Key Fob should it be lost (was told a 400 dollar replacement cost) I know SL Class, when you first drive it, you will say, "Why did I not buy it sooner" ? I am probably over protective,of the vehicle as I park in LEFT FIELD not near any other cars in a parking lot. BobBass - dont wait any longer - ORDER IT - get what maybe the last of this series, as rumors have it that the car will be a soft top, and a 4 place car next year - I certainly hope not, as it
will then be like the 57 T Bird - the last off a 2 seat roadster ! You both will really enjoy the SL am POSITIVE of that !
Phil
I thought, Later that day, I was driving home my first Mercedes - Just the way it handles, on tight curves, hugging the road, it was a wonderful experience - I bought the vehicle off the show room floor - and after almost 3 years, decided I wanted more extras that it did not have.
So I ordered a 2018 SL in May -thinking I would have it in the middle of the summer - only to actually get it in early November, but it was well worth the wait - I went thru 4 tires with stone bruses in the side wall, and 3 bent rims from POT HOLES here . They do not sell the wheel
and tire Insurance after the car has been delivered, so this time I bought it which also covers the Key Fob should it be lost (was told a 400 dollar replacement cost) I know SL Class, when you first drive it, you will say, "Why did I not buy it sooner" ? I am probably over protective,of the vehicle as I park in LEFT FIELD not near any other cars in a parking lot. BobBass - dont wait any longer - ORDER IT - get what maybe the last of this series, as rumors have it that the car will be a soft top, and a 4 place car next year - I certainly hope not, as it
will then be like the 57 T Bird - the last off a 2 seat roadster ! You both will really enjoy the SL am POSITIVE of that !
Phil
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BobBass (12-08-2017)
12-08-2017, 10:57 AM
#108
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'18 SL 550, '19 1500 Z71 Silverado LTZ, '19 Mustang convertible
I agree with both of you ! My First SL was in 2015 - I went with friends to a dealership - saw one one the showroom floor - made a comment, how much is my BMW Z-4 worth in trade - Never thinking I could afford a SL - to my surprise, they offered me far more than
I thought, Later that day, I was driving home my first Mercedes - Just the way it handles, on tight curves, hugging the road, it was a wonderful experience - I bought the vehicle off the show room floor - and after almost 3 years, decided I wanted more extras that it did not have.
So I ordered a 2018 SL in May -thinking I would have it in the middle of the summer - only to actually get it in early November, but it was well worth the wait - I went thru 4 tires with stone bruses in the side wall, and 3 bent rims from POT HOLES here . They do not sell the wheel
and tire Insurance after the car has been delivered, so this time I bought it which also covers the Key Fob should it be lost (was told a 400 dollar replacement cost) I know SL Class, when you first drive it, you will say, "Why did I not buy it sooner" ? I am probably over protective,of the vehicle as I park in LEFT FIELD not near any other cars in a parking lot. BobBass - dont wait any longer - ORDER IT - get what maybe the last of this series, as rumors have it that the car will be a soft top, and a 4 place car next year - I certainly hope not, as it
will then be like the 57 T Bird - the last off a 2 seat roadster ! You both will really enjoy the SL am POSITIVE of that !
Phil
I thought, Later that day, I was driving home my first Mercedes - Just the way it handles, on tight curves, hugging the road, it was a wonderful experience - I bought the vehicle off the show room floor - and after almost 3 years, decided I wanted more extras that it did not have.
So I ordered a 2018 SL in May -thinking I would have it in the middle of the summer - only to actually get it in early November, but it was well worth the wait - I went thru 4 tires with stone bruses in the side wall, and 3 bent rims from POT HOLES here . They do not sell the wheel
and tire Insurance after the car has been delivered, so this time I bought it which also covers the Key Fob should it be lost (was told a 400 dollar replacement cost) I know SL Class, when you first drive it, you will say, "Why did I not buy it sooner" ? I am probably over protective,of the vehicle as I park in LEFT FIELD not near any other cars in a parking lot. BobBass - dont wait any longer - ORDER IT - get what maybe the last of this series, as rumors have it that the car will be a soft top, and a 4 place car next year - I certainly hope not, as it
will then be like the 57 T Bird - the last off a 2 seat roadster ! You both will really enjoy the SL am POSITIVE of that !
Phil
You obviously believe in wheel and tire insurance, and with good reasoning, it sounds like. I have not decided about it either way. I did drive my '14 E350 Cab for 31 months, while hitting some potholes, but never incurred damage. I have never owned this type of insurance coverage. From reading about it here and there in this forum, I am beginning to ponder as to whether or not the types of wheels and tires on the SL are more prone to damage than the E350, etc. Obviously, I would figure replacement costs for the SL are much higher than the standard C and E Class cars. I would have to make a guess about the AMG C and E versions. I would appreciate feedback, from you and others, about considerations for wheel and tire insurance for the SL.
Since my original post, I have obtained a price of $1,997.00, for five years of coverage, should I choose to purchase it.
Last edited by SLclass; 12-08-2017 at 02:41 PM.
12-08-2017, 04:18 PM
#109
Junior Member
My overpriced $.02 and painfully obvious take on this is that potential damage from potholes and other road abnormalities is due to the 30 and 35 series tires. I bought 3 years of tire/wheel insurance for my BMW X3 for $950 but it "only" has 45 series run-flat tires. We have a major problem with manhole covers here in PA (besides the crappy roads in general) and I have nailed more than my share because they were unavoidable or weren't readily visible. I was either lucky or the wheel/tire combo was able to withstand the impact. I'm picking up an '18 X3 in a week or so and it will have 50 series tires so I think I'm going to pass on the insurance this time around.
However, if and when I get an SL, it will have the lowest profile tires I've ever had so I'll probably go for it.
However, if and when I get an SL, it will have the lowest profile tires I've ever had so I'll probably go for it.
12-08-2017, 05:16 PM
#110
BobBass, you are right about the Run Flats - and their low profile tires - they dont have that much "Give" to them, and when they drop into a pot hole,
its very easy to get a stone bruse or buldge in the side wall - had 4 of them in under 13,000 miles -
It all depends on where you drive - if in the south where roads are better and they dont have frost to create pot holes, its probably not necessary
for Wheel and Tire Insurance - I drove back from Rochester on Interstate 81 - and when I hit several potholes in a row - it was too late lost one tire then,
and bent three rims - Last year - I heard or read some place that there is a law suit against Mercedes, BMW, and another company which skips my mind,
all about the wheels bending - A Mechanic at the Mercedes Dealership told me - they have the specialist there at least twice a week to straighten rims and they do a land office business in New Tires - I know - I bought 4 of them and bent 3 rims - the big problem, is you cant buy the wheel and Tire Insurance
once you take delivery of the vehicle (so I was told by Mercedes) - I BOUGHT IT on the delivery of my 2018 SL- as I spent more on replacing tires that looked good, but had buldges in the side wall -and of straightening out 3 bent rims !
Phil
its very easy to get a stone bruse or buldge in the side wall - had 4 of them in under 13,000 miles -
It all depends on where you drive - if in the south where roads are better and they dont have frost to create pot holes, its probably not necessary
for Wheel and Tire Insurance - I drove back from Rochester on Interstate 81 - and when I hit several potholes in a row - it was too late lost one tire then,
and bent three rims - Last year - I heard or read some place that there is a law suit against Mercedes, BMW, and another company which skips my mind,
all about the wheels bending - A Mechanic at the Mercedes Dealership told me - they have the specialist there at least twice a week to straighten rims and they do a land office business in New Tires - I know - I bought 4 of them and bent 3 rims - the big problem, is you cant buy the wheel and Tire Insurance
once you take delivery of the vehicle (so I was told by Mercedes) - I BOUGHT IT on the delivery of my 2018 SL- as I spent more on replacing tires that looked good, but had buldges in the side wall -and of straightening out 3 bent rims !
Phil
12-08-2017, 07:47 PM
#111
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Bob and Phil, I am going to conduct a little research. I will post when I have completed it. Thanks to you both for your kind feedback!
12-08-2017, 10:30 PM
#112
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Thanks, Phil! Yes, there is no doubt in my mind that this SL550 will be an awesome adventure! I did test drive two '17 SL550's, one very aggressively, and I was very pleased with performance, handling, ride and comfort.
You obviously believe in wheel and tire insurance, and with good reasoning, it sounds like. I have not decided about it either way. I did drive my '14 E350 Cab for 31 months, while hitting some potholes, but never incurred damage. I have never owned this type of insurance coverage. From reading about it here and there in this forum, I am beginning to ponder as to whether or not the types of wheels and tires on the SL are more prone to damage than the E350, etc. Obviously, I would figure replacement costs for the SL are much higher than the standard C and E Class cars. I would have to make a guess about the AMG C and E versions. I would appreciate feedback, from you and others, about considerations for wheel and tire insurance for the SL.
Since my original post, I have obtained a price of $1,997.00, for five years of coverage, should I choose to purchase it.
You obviously believe in wheel and tire insurance, and with good reasoning, it sounds like. I have not decided about it either way. I did drive my '14 E350 Cab for 31 months, while hitting some potholes, but never incurred damage. I have never owned this type of insurance coverage. From reading about it here and there in this forum, I am beginning to ponder as to whether or not the types of wheels and tires on the SL are more prone to damage than the E350, etc. Obviously, I would figure replacement costs for the SL are much higher than the standard C and E Class cars. I would have to make a guess about the AMG C and E versions. I would appreciate feedback, from you and others, about considerations for wheel and tire insurance for the SL.
Since my original post, I have obtained a price of $1,997.00, for five years of coverage, should I choose to purchase it.
12-09-2017, 05:57 PM
#113
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My overpriced $.02 and painfully obvious take on this is that potential damage from potholes and other road abnormalities is due to the 30 and 35 series tires. I bought 3 years of tire/wheel insurance for my BMW X3 for $950 but it "only" has 45 series run-flat tires. We have a major problem with manhole covers here in PA (besides the crappy roads in general) and I have nailed more than my share because they were unavoidable or weren't readily visible. I was either lucky or the wheel/tire combo was able to withstand the impact. I'm picking up an '18 X3 in a week or so and it will have 50 series tires so I think I'm going to pass on the insurance this time around.
However, if and when I get an SL, it will have the lowest profile tires I've ever had so I'll probably go for it.
However, if and when I get an SL, it will have the lowest profile tires I've ever had so I'll probably go for it.
My personal auto insurance agent and the adjustor have confirmed that I will have coverage for replacing damaged wheels, minus the $500.00 deductible. It does not cover tires, but I only got about 20,000 miles anyway on the rear tires of my E350 Cab with just 302 hp and 273 lb-ft torque. So, tires will most likely need replacing with even less miles on the SL. In addition, I am trying hard not to panic about this SL and just stick with knowing my personal driving history, which is about 45 years and without a damaged tire or wheel. The vast majority of my driving has been and will continue to be in NC. I just hope I am not jinxing myself with this post! Someone please wish me good luck with my first SL!
12-09-2017, 06:23 PM
#114
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I drive Interstates and main county roads here in Texas and in 50 years of driving have never had wheel or tire damage.
Only one flat I can remember. Somehow I have avoided driving much in Houston which is right next door and is a typical huge city with tens of thousands of pot holes and uneven streets. If I drove on a regular basis in the city I would consider the insurance.
Only one flat I can remember. Somehow I have avoided driving much in Houston which is right next door and is a typical huge city with tens of thousands of pot holes and uneven streets. If I drove on a regular basis in the city I would consider the insurance.
12-09-2017, 07:38 PM
#115
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I drive Interstates and main county roads here in Texas and in 50 years of driving have never had wheel or tire damage.
Only one flat I can remember. Somehow I have avoided driving much in Houston which is right next door and is a typical huge city with tens of thousands of pot holes and uneven streets. If I drove on a regular basis in the city I would consider the insurance.
Only one flat I can remember. Somehow I have avoided driving much in Houston which is right next door and is a typical huge city with tens of thousands of pot holes and uneven streets. If I drove on a regular basis in the city I would consider the insurance.
12-10-2017, 08:51 AM
#118
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For reference.......my wife's first house was bought for 35k and after I graduated from College I lived in the families one room weekend cabin that was built
for 12k. Times have changed and I am super happy I can now afford these creature comforts after working 65 hour weeks for 40 years!
12-10-2017, 09:53 AM
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2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon
Definitely not silly. It is a major purchase and I think we are all a bit nervous signing on the bottom line when we take delivery, no matter how many times we have done so. However, this is an amazing car you are getting and on the drive home from the dealership (hopefully it won’t be snowing), that nervousness will melt away. It will be replaced with worrying about always finding the perfect parking space in which to leave your baby. May you have many wonderful years of safe, happy miles with your new car and Merry Christmas!
12-10-2017, 06:40 PM
#120
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Definitely not silly. It is a major purchase and I think we are all a bit nervous signing on the bottom line when we take delivery, no matter how many times we have done so. However, this is an amazing car you are getting and on the drive home from the dealership (hopefully it won’t be snowing), that nervousness will melt away. It will be replaced with worrying about always finding the perfect parking space in which to leave your baby. May you have many wonderful years of safe, happy miles with your new car and Merry Christmas!
12-15-2017, 05:38 PM
#121
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Well, my Cardinal is currently near Bermuda. Just hoping she makes it through the Bermuda Triangle!
