theboogers

the mbusa web site in build your own say that a special color can be ordered for a one time fee of $1150.00. does anyone know what the dealer hs to do to get me a special color? i have a sl55 due in at the end of may and want special paint here in usa. thanks

Doody

there have been a few threads previously on this sort of topic.

the consensus response thus far has been that you CAN NOT order an R230 in any color other than the "standard" paints as shown in the R230 brochure.

could you please post the URL for this section of the MBUSA site to which you refer?

and please keep us posted if you learn anything new!

doody.

theboogers

i do not know how to post a url. but, if you go to mbusa.com, pick the sl55, pick build your own, the exterior color choice page is first. then at the bottom of the color choice there is a arrow to pick about metallic paint, special orders . if you pick this it brings up a window about personalizing your car under metallic paint. thanks

internet_mafia

You are confusing the term "special order" with "custom". By special order, MBUSA means that you can order a combination (exterior/interior) not already peiced together in the brochure, such as Black Opal and Teal Blue leather. It still baffles me how a $100K car has such a limited color palette as opposed to the $20k mercedes.

jco-amg

With Mbusa that only applies if you are want a non-standard combination of colors according to the chart they provide in the brochure...you still can only chose from the colors provided.

With the SL55 all colors are "standard" as it says at the top.
"metallic paint is standard for this model"
If you go to say the SL 500 and select a metallic paint you will see the 1150 charge appear on the right.

Other than the two designo "packages" offered
You cannot get any of the other many designo colors available in Europe unless you order the car from a dealer there...take delivery and then import it yourself

internet_mafia

What can we, the consumers, do to voice our outrage at MBUSA'a attempt to shapperone our tastes?

jco-amg

A friend of mine does custom painting and tuning...maybe we should print up a bunch of brochures and dump them on the tables in MB show rooms...

Or better yet start taking special orders through a dealer in Europe...grey market import them for clients...once people started seeing what was really possible...and all sorts of beautiful custom MB's were running around....MBusa would want to get in on the action....worked with G class!

Bilal

Guys, I know how pi**ed off you may be about colours and all, but I don't blame you one bit. Dealerships all over the world will treat you like Inhabitants from Pluto the moment you mention any customization options.

The way I see it, If you can afford to buy an SL55, then why don't you fly over to Affalterbach just for one day, and be out next morning. While there meet AMG at their headquarters and tell them exactly what you want, right down to the last detail, even if you want "bad *****" engraved on the sill plates.

Then give AMG your dealers contacts, and go back to the US, and give the dealer the AMG contacts, I once saw a complete pink SL, so don't tell me its not possible!!!

Anything is possible, you just have to bypass the system

Doody

bilal - my understanding is that your proposed solution isn't feasible because the factory wouldn't build a North American car in such a scenario. one would have to get a non-NA car and then federalize it once you got it ino the states ($10K to $20K).

does anybody know if that is not the case?

well worth a vaction trip to germany!

doody.

ps: the aftermarket yellow paint job on that Kleemann SL55 cost $18K. an aftermarket solution is silly.

jco-amg

Not if it costs you 20k to import a custom color grey market car.

internet_mafia

Paying that much money for a paint job negates the whole benefit of getting the color you want. Also, the hassel of importing and federalizing a car takes circumventing MB to the extreme. I am geuessing that the reason MB doesn't want a whole variety of colors is because the painting robots can only support so many colors. Being that the SL is not a car that has the demand of a C class for instance, there is no need to support the additional colors.

Doody

internet mafia: the point is that if you don't live in the US you CAN get other colors. unless they have an entirely distinct assembly line for NA -vs- non-NA cars (this seems VERY unlikely) it's not a production process issue. this is some procedural issue at MBUSA as best we can tell.

doody.

Capi

and thats the point.

damn you are customers. you are paying a shi*load of money for a dream car.

its like a house... you build it that way how you want it.

in germany its totaly usual to go to the dealer and tell him what you want.

You want a Pink car ? You can pay for it ? no problem. you'll get a SL 55 with a pink color and brown dots if it makes you wet

i dont understand how MBUSA can say: No we dont have "extra-colors" thats just sick....

bobafett

I agree with your sentiments, Capi, however it seems that MBUSA has a monopoly on the distribution here. Either you take it as they provide it, or you go buy something else.

Of course, this alienates all of the rappers who would buy that incredibly handsome color scheme you described. Pink with brown polka dots...the thing is, that might clash with some of my clothes - i better make sure and get a lime green with orange accent interior to match.

--Dan

Capi

i talked last week friday with an MB Employee. You can get special color combinations, but only if you purchase your car directly via AMG.

AMG is a daughter company from MB thats true, but they have other selling methods.

So, if you want special color combinations. Try to contact AMG directly.

theboogers

capi- unfortunately we are in the usa. the mbusa will not allow special colors. if i was buying in europe i would gladly contact amg direct. if i knew someone at the amg plant i would also try to contact them, but i have no chance to do this.