I am currently on a waiting list at a dealer for an E55. I'm sure other people put their 1K or so to hold the spot.
My question is, what kind of paperwork did you get with your deposit? I basically got a reciept and a paper showing what car it is I'm putting a deposit on.
It doesn't say what number on the wait list I am or anything like that.
Do others here have something different?

Thanks.

I got a simple receipt indicating that I placed the (required) $2K deposit.
My suspicion is that any busy dealer is not going to want to be upfront about divulging the actual wait list numbers, because they have more flexibility that way.
They can move better customers up a few slots if someone backs out at the last minute, etc.
The one thing you want to be sure of is that your dealer is guaranteeing an MSRP vehicle without mark-up.
That should be clear from the very beginning. That's one of the best reasons to be on a waiting list for a limited production high demand vehicle.

Thanks, your reasoning sounds good to me.
I am on a wait list at a dealer which we have bought our last 2 cars from. On the receipt it did say that they cannot guarantee pricing, but my salesman assured me that he would not charge me over MSRP. Do think I should get it in writing?

I have a "Retail Buyers Order" that simply has my name, address, etc. It also has the Make, Model and my preferred color as well as the proposed year, in this case it says "03-04". Also says MSRP for pricing and has my deposit amount. No mention of spot on the list, although when I originally put my deposit down in September I was #2 on the list behind a guy who wanted an E55 or the E500, whichever he could get first. Well he took the E500 and now I am #1 on the list.

I may try to push the dealer to get them to write that on my Buyers Order. Think I will have any luck?

I'm number one on my dealer's list. They required no deposit and only sell cars for MRSP. I'm on my way there today to get the order information from them so I can option out my car.
Rich
'01 E55
'99ML 430
'96 C4 Cab

My sheet said amount of deposit and to be sold at MSRP on it. Salesman told me I was 2 at the time. You just have to trust the dealer on the slot you have. If they have not requested you to option your car already, you are probabley not in the first 2.

I placed my order last week (in Minnesota) and I was told (since 2001) that I was number one on the list, however, I had to tell the dealer that orders were being accepted already. I received no paperwork indicating a waiting list number. As I have done little business with this dealer I am sure he would have pushed me back in favor of a better customer so I think waiting lists are probably of true little value. A build date is key.

I spoke with MB Tampa (I have purchased from them before) and they placed 6 E55 orders on the 30th of January and told me that I could get on the list and have a car in June or July. So much for a two year wait.

DO NOT agree to pay over MSRP from your dealer. Just ask what their procedure is for sales of high-demand cars. My dealer told me that they will only sell at MSRP on hot items. Don't patronize a dealer that gouges you.

Thanks for the replies... I placed my deposit back in august and apparently they weren't taking any more deposits, but since I am a big customer they snuck me in. Also, at the time they said I was like 10th or something, but since I'm a big client they said they would get me a car asap. Either way, I think I would rather wait til the 2004 model comes out anyway.
But, I think I should ask them to put something in writing that it's gonna be at MSRP.

Waiting for the 2004 model sounds like the way to go especially if Nav is desired. It looks like MBZ will not have the Comand Nav system ready for any 2003 model W211's. That is a shame - a whole model year without the availability of Navigation in the states while both CD and DVD based nav are options in Eurore.

I have a feeling that the 'early adopters' will get screwed on the W211 E55 as related to options, packages and colors. The first US W210 E55's in 1999 only come in 3 colors - Black, Silver and Obsidian.

I also feel for the 'early adopters' buying the 2003 CL55 & S55 and not getting the Double Spoke wheels nor the DVD nav.

Yeah, that's the reason why I want to wait for the 2004. But some people want it right away and may not mind not having COMAND.

So the CL and S don't have the DVD nav either? I know they have the new larger screen... that's a shame. I don't understand automakers sometimes.

I snuck onto the list on a 2003 E55 since a lot of people are ditching their places in line so that they can get a 2004 E55 instead.

Although mine will not come with COMAND from the factory, I assure you that it will be installed at some point in the future.

-s-

I sat down with the GM at my dealship today. I have a 4/2 build date. They think that it will be an '04. All of the E class colors were available to choose from. There was nothing about command. They said it might be standard, but judging from what people on the E class forum are saying, I am doubtful that it will even be available let alone standard. It doesn't seem that the cars are as loaded, option wise, as the W210 E55's were. Almost all of the standard E class options were listed on the order screen. I'm really going to miss my multicontour seats and rear sunshade (I only use it when I miss the window buttons while using the cupholder)
rich

Rich,

Tell your dealer that one of the people on the Forum would like to make a $500 bet that a 4/2/03 E55 will be a 2003 AND Command/Nav won't be standard. Nav is showing as an option in Netstar. I have now talked to enough folks and read enough things that I am willing to make the bet.

I don't doubt that the car will be an '03. I was looking at the order screen myself (I guess that's netstar) and there was no command option listed. ???

When I optioned my car last week I was looking on the Netstar screen with the dealer and Command was listed as an option but showed no price. It also denoted 'delayed availability.'

The dealer told me it would be an '03 not an '04.

Rich if it is a 4/2/03 build it I am positive it will be a 2003. That's what a friend at MBUSA told me. Not that it matters, you will still have one of the first ones, and it will drive like a rocket.

My guess is that they probably will not be 2004 models until that production line has started. Normally this occurs in July - so 01 July 2003 is logical.

Remember, AMG gets regular production cars from MBZ. MBZ is not geared up to produce andy 04's until that normally July timeframe.

'03 or '04 doesn't matter to me. I put a lot of miles on (40k on by '01e55, 104k on my '96 c4 cab, 60k on my ML 430). Right now I'm 10k over normal use on my e55 and that will hurt when I trade it. If it's an '03 I get an extra 12-15k miles of "normal" use. Here in VA they have personal property tax, and that will be less if it's an '03 because it will have a lower value than an '04. I have to have command though and I'll wait until I can get it. I haven't finalized a color yet. Silver vs Pewter vs Platinum

My understanding is that MBZ dealers cannot sell above MSRP unless they have purchased the car from a source other than MBZ, i.e., another dealer, an individual, etc.

When the CLK55's first arrived, some dealers in my area apparently completed sales to individuals who never even drove the car off the lot. The dealers then resold these cars "on consignemnt," and split the premium or took a second sales commission, etc. Technically, however, these cars were "used" cars, because the sale was not the first, and the cars could not be represented as otherwise.

But then again, maybe I have this all wrong.

They can sell above MSRP. I use a small dealership in Richmond VA. They never used to sell above MSRP until this year with the SL 500 and SL 55. They add a premium of $3500 to these cars. People are buying them at MSRP and reselling them.

Since 2001, I have had a $!,000 deposit (acknowledged only by a small receipt) with my Mercedes-Benz dealer. For me, that has been adequate.

Hi guys,

We have E55s on the schedule for production in April and May.
According to the (VR) Vehicle Report they are listed as 2003 models.
As far as COMAND. As of now it is not available on any W211 cars. It is apparently an "integration issue" with the new Harmon Kardon Stereos (????). Don't ask me, I don't design or build them, I just sell them.

Bottom line = If you have a W211 car being built (including E55s) it will be a 2003 model if built before July and COMAND is NOT an option as of now. No, there is no word yet on furure availablity. Hopefully iot will be back for '04 but we have no official word yet.

CME4BENZ,

Is the 2003 E55 the most desired AMG model at this time?

CME,

What's the intellegence among the dealers about the late introduction and no Nav on the 2003 E55's. I would imagine that while dealers might be thrilled to finally have productions and that there are folks that care less about Nav, like many here I have moved to a 2004.

THanks

Tezta,

I think "the most desirable AMG" is pretyy subjective.
Myself, being single I would get a CL55 of SL55.
Love the CL, only Mercedes still makes a true 2-door hardtop.
If you only need 2 seats and want the sun to shine in you need an SL55.
Then there is my friend that sold his Porsche turbo for a E55 so "he can scare 3 people at a time instead of just one"
I love the "sleeper" factor of the E55.

HarvE55,

The recent announcement that Nav is not available is upsetting.
Originally the factory said "delayed availability". The deal was that if people want it we would discount it to $1695, pay for it now or work it into you rlease numbers at the discount price and we will owe it to you when available. Well now it is not going to be available any time soon and we have to call people and tell them now that they are not going to get it. In the word ofn Charlie Brown "AAARRRGGGHHH"