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ED post, follow-up. There was one SNAFU during pick up at the ED. That was, we were supposed to take delivery in the center of excellence. We got bumped at the last minute, and found out about it just as we were getting ready to board the plane on the flight over. Didn't really matter to me that much, but I was disappointed for my family as I was hoping to make it a really nice first class experience for them. The delivery center was apologetic and did try to jazz up the delivery in the normal area.
Delivery was two years ago and the family still talks about it. My wife is looking forward to the next one now.
The key to making sure nothing goes wrong is to watch the ordering process like a hawk. The MBUSA Order and Confirmation is generated right away when the dealer enters the order into the system. I received mine within three days of my initial order to the dealer. I then received a couple after that as they were having trouble getting all my options built into the Euro Delivery system based on my travel date. They ended up changing my initial travel date to one month later to get my proper build. I ordered every option (except the Magic Sky Roof for $5k) on a '19 S63 AMG for Euro Delivery in November 2018.
Since one is buying the Euro Delivery car directly from the manufacture with a commission to the dealership, it is extremely important to make sure ones configuration shows up on the MBUSA final invoice and confirmation of order as that is how MB will actually build the car (compare dealer configuration to MBUSA Invoice/Confirmation of Order). If one does this, the only way something can get built incorrectly is if the manufacturer makes a mistake which is a very slim chance. I worked very close with my dealership salesperson and Annedoris at MBUSA since she is the person in charge of Euro Delivery for MBUSA. Hopefully MBUSA and my dealer salesperson did not feel I was a pain in their backside but I know this can get screwed up so I "watched like a hawk". I even followed the delivery to the US so closely with followup that my car was delivered to me in the US 38 days after I dropped it off in Bremerhaven Germany at the ship. Just thought I would provide my 2 cents here for what it is worth.
+1...I pretty much did the same. The dealership initially forgot to add the digital instrument cluster to my C63S and I caught that on the dealer build printout right away. I subsequently made some changes to my order and every time requested a new build sheet from the dealer and order confirmation from Anne Doris. She actually kept updating me quite regularly and I was in touch with her throughout the process up to the final delivery at the dealership. Nothing worse than showing up in Germany and the car is not what you ordered. Double and triple checking is the way to go. She also arranged delivery at the Center of Excellence and it all worked smoothly. One risk is always that there are production delays, but luckily I didn't experience any. I also ordered about 7 months in advance to give them ample time to schedule everything and get the order right and make sure the parts are available. I stayed a whole 2 months in Europe (9 weeks) and dropped it off in Bremerhaven as well and it was on a vessel a week later. It did end up spending over 3 weeks at the VPC in LA, but overall the wait was not too bad. I incurred some minor damage while driving in Europe, so that probably was the reason for the extra time at the VPC.
Last edited by superswiss; Jan 1, 2020 at 10:39 PM.
I took EU delivery on my 2020 Wagon and when they pulled the cover off in the center of excellence I noticed they forgot the night package, then inside, they forgot the massage seats, and the distronic cruise, and the exterior lighting package... aaaannnndddd finally the rear sunshades for the little ones. I was there for a week with my friends so I took the car - emailed the dealer, and had a blast.
Got back to Los Angeles, and the dealer had no idea how MBUSA missed the options - they showed me the order in which MBUSA had confirmed all of my options. Dealer canceled the order, gave my deposit back, and I ordered another one, which I'm going back to Stuttgart to get at the end of March - this time with my 9 year old son.
All in all - I'm happy that I get to experience the whole thing again with my son. But man, it's taking a lot of patience!
Here are some pics from EU Round 1!
That first picture is breath-taking!
I did the Factory Delivery and the car was the wrong color. I had the option of keeping or re-ordering and went with the latter... sadly I just had the second one shipped and didn't do a second factory visit. That said, I was very happy with the policy that MB allowed us to also drive the initial car for 10 days and allow us to re-order (or cancel). My only regret is not taking the second trip!
Good luck with your new order, and those options are worth the wait (as is the car!).
Aaaannnnnndddd - Second ED was obviously a bust.. Was supposed to take delivery yesterday. The good news is that my car is already at the freight forwarder because I canceled the trip two weeks ago. I guess the upside is that I won't have any rock chips on my front bumper.
Aaaannnnnndddd - Second ED was obviously a bust.. Was supposed to take delivery yesterday. The good news is that my car is already at the freight forwarder because I canceled the trip two weeks ago. I guess the upside is that I won't have any rock chips on my front bumper.
Looks like MBUSA needs more focus and attention to detail.
My ED delivery was different from the original order, but not to the extent to refuse the car. There were few minor differences. Thew only one serious enough to complain was the steering wheel... however dealer was willing to order the new one once car arrived.
I have done ED 3 times and they only messed up once. In that one, the car was broken when they whipped off the cover. It literally would not start (as it turned out it would start with the key but not the button). After fussing and fuming for a bit, MB gave us an S-class to use on our road trip and eventually sent the car we bought (after being fixed) as normal. There was a bit of kurfuffle with the keys and paperwork, but it got resolved eventually.
OK guys... car was supposed to be on a ship leaving Bremerhaven 4/24, that got cancelled and now they are saying a vessel departing mid May. IF I do ever actually get this car, I don't think I will ever sell it.
OK guys... car was supposed to be on a ship leaving Bremerhaven 4/24, that got cancelled and now they are saying a vessel departing mid May. IF I do ever actually get this car, I don't think I will ever sell it.
Its the longest wait ever. I import stuff from Europe and am amazed how quickly a container can get to Miami from Spain. The shipment of my car seemed like an eternity. Amazing you were able to pick the car up there, though. A friend has to cancel the pickup of his BMW. They just shipped it to him.
Good luck and enjoy the car when it arrives. I love my wagon more and more each day.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
