SL/R231: Transport
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Texas
W211 E63 AMG White on Black, Pano Roof - P2 - Parktronic, Airmatic, Keyless Go - FOR SALE
Transport
I'm trying to buy a used SL550 and have it transported from California to Texas. Mercedes dealer says they only use whoever their transport is. Quoted $1,500 for open trailer. Sounds high. I would expect door-to-door enclosed for that. Am I off?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 660
Likes: 300
From: Franklin, TN
2019 E450 wagon: 2019 BMW 430i: 2013 Chevy Traverse: (departed)2013 SL550 & 2019 E450 cab
Folks here use Reliable Carriers a good bit. Open transport is not the safest IMO, had a friend that put his Q5 on an open trailer from here to Idaho. His car, a Porsche 911, and an R8 all burned to the ground; insurance recovery was a rather protracted process. Good luck!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,162
Likes: 4,382
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
And, they have been around forever. I used them in 1979 or so to transport a 1962 Corvette from Racine, WI to L.A. The car had won many awards, including the McDorman Chevrolet show, where the owner won Best of Show and a brand new Corvette as first prize.
Anyway, Passport actually flubbed the job. The seller had provided an all weather cover and a plastic cover to put over that, but when the car was offloaded in Chicago or wherever their Midwest terminal was,, it was not recovered for the final leg of the trip and the covers were put in the trunk. This was during the winter and the truck got rained upon, the truck leaked, the Corvette got wet and the Sateen Silver paint fogged. However, Passport made good on the problem, paying me in full. What a memory.
Anyway, Passport actually flubbed the job. The seller had provided an all weather cover and a plastic cover to put over that, but when the car was offloaded in Chicago or wherever their Midwest terminal was,, it was not recovered for the final leg of the trip and the covers were put in the trunk. This was during the winter and the truck got rained upon, the truck leaked, the Corvette got wet and the Sateen Silver paint fogged. However, Passport made good on the problem, paying me in full. What a memory.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Texas
W211 E63 AMG White on Black, Pano Roof - P2 - Parktronic, Airmatic, Keyless Go - FOR SALE
I tried to get the dealer to let me choose my own transport company and they will not allow it. Is that typical? They use High End Transport, which is a broker. As a broker, I don't like that I won't know who is ultimately going to deliver the car. This is the only thing holding up the deal.
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Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 380
Likes: 100
From: Orlando, FL
2017 550SL - 2018 560S
I tried to get the dealer to let me choose my own transport company and they will not allow it. Is that typical? They use High End Transport, which is a broker. As a broker, I don't like that I won't know who is ultimately going to deliver the car. This is the only thing holding up the deal.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Texas
W211 E63 AMG White on Black, Pano Roof - P2 - Parktronic, Airmatic, Keyless Go - FOR SALE
30 hours and 1,700 miles. It's one of those deals where I'll probably just have to use their guys and hope they selected them for good reason. This is my first time buying a car sight unseen, but the sales rep did a great job of taking pics of even the smallest blemished (literally penhead). It's CPO and I have a good service advisor at my home dealership.
On a good note, it looks like I might sign for my first SL tomorrow with every option I wanted!
Now to find a paint matched spoiler...
On a good note, it looks like I might sign for my first SL tomorrow with every option I wanted!
Now to find a paint matched spoiler...
Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 195
Likes: 60
From: SoCal
2020 SL550. 2018 E400S4. 2014 CLS550
If you’re paying for it yourself you should choose your own transport. I live in Calif and bought a new MB from a dealer in Kentucky, they didn’t want to handle the transport at all. I went through a local broker but specified owner driven point to point (no transfers) enclosed trailer, and was very happy, although it was expensive. But once the car leaves the dealer’s lot legal ownership transfers to you, so its worth it to pay more for good service and avoid problems.
Last edited by allfortheunion; May 6, 2019 at 11:54 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 936
From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
Don’t over think the transportation. Every car sold in the U.S. has at one time either been on a ship, rail train or semi truck for transport. Tens of thousands of cars are transported every week especially for military folks being transferred or folks moving across the U.S. Things can happen but 99.9% arrive the same as they left. Don’t let this stall your deal.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 3,680
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
The transport sounds a bit pricey and I would only accept an enclosed transport. We paid $1600 from CA to MN 6 weeks ago...
Using an enclosed trailer is the only way to be sure that the finish doesn’t diminish.
Our dealer arranged the transport.
Using an enclosed trailer is the only way to be sure that the finish doesn’t diminish.
Our dealer arranged the transport.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 936
From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
In my experience with transport companies the price of diesel fuel changes the price of delivery. The cost 6 weeks back may not be the cost today.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 3,680
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I don't think fuel prices play a role as I had originally checked around and quotes for enclosed transport came in at $750-$1100. Also had a $3500 one that specializes on exotics with a dedicated trailer.
Our transport originally wanted $2k and when the dealer asked for a better deal, they dropped to to $1600.
Couple pics...
