Grrrrrr! New E Class Estate delayed

[gregd]

Having sold my Impreza for a tidy sum a lot more quickly and easily than I thought I would, I've just got to wait to 1st March for My new W211 E320cdi Avantgarde Estate..or so I thought. Called the dealer this afternoon to check all was OK as I hadn't heard anything from them for a while. The salesman I dealt with has left the business, apparently. Lady I spoke to says from the system I've got an early March build slot (ie likely delivery mid March at the earliest I'm guessing)! The Salesman I was dealing with told me I had a December build slot and that 1st March delivery was therefore no problem..I ordered back in October so they've had forever to get this sorted. I'm now seriously p*ssed off...especially as we're having to rely on one car now the Scooby's been sold (a rattly Clio), and my wife is about to give birth to baby number 2, which will mean she's going to need sole use of the Clio to get around with 2 little 'uns.

They are calling me back tomorrow to confirm a delivery date so I'll reign in my anger till I hear for sure but I'm thinking they better do something to appease me..ie a non-crappy courtesy car till the new one arrives / a few extra quid off the price / one or two options I would have liked at cost or as freebies (Sat Nav or at least a cd changer would be nice!). Anyone else had similar problems? I suppose I'm not in that strong a position as the guy I dealt with has left and they could probably sell the car straight away if I can get my deposit back and walk away..which means I'd be probably be waiting for a car from anywhere else anyway..

The mardy child in me has started looking at what else I could get instead already..Base model Cayenne (thirst alert!)...New 7 Series Touring (Looooonng wait)... 2nd hand 996 911 and an Octavia estate if we ditch the Clio too ... I'm sure I'll hang on for another couple of weeks (at least I'll get the fancy new Clearcoat paint I guess) but it does give me some food for thought..

 

[vito113]

ah, somethings never change

Ah, somethings never change! Its good to see that Mercedes are keeping to their tradition of kissing your a**e when they want your business, then treating you as per your experience when you've placed the order. Had the same problem 6 years ago when I orderd mine!!! Trouble is a lot of their new sales are to business users, so their not too worried if the odd private buyer gets the hump.

Give them a bit longer, and hassle them for freebies. I got them to waive the delivery charge for keeping me waiting.

Andy

 

[Kinky]

.... 2nd hand 996 911 and an Octavia estate ....

Erm ..... no brainer .... if they don't/won't/can't come up with the goods.

Especially if you get the RS estate

K

 

[Guy]

The salesman I dealt with has left the business, apparently. Lady I spoke to says from the system I've got an early March build slot (ie likely delivery mid March at the earliest I'm guessing)! The Salesman I was dealing with told me I had a December build slot and that 1st March delivery was therefore no problem..I ordered back in October so they've had forever to get this sorted. .

Your story is very similar to what happened to me. When they cocked up the order for my C32 I drafted an e-mail setting out the car I wanted and sent it to about 30 MB dealers - took the replies (not all that encouraging in truth) to the sales manager and played hell about having relied on his salesman's promises...got exactly what you have said, offer of a loaner (no guarantee it would be the same car throughout the period, just whatever they'd got) or a discount, and I took the discount....

Good luck

 

[gregd]

Thanks for the replies chaps. Good advice Guy, I'll see what some other dealers come up with if my lot aren't forthcoming today.

LOL at Kinky..I was thinking about the RS Estate too.. Should be able to get a new one for about £13K (especially now there is a new model coming soon), which would leave me about £30K to spend on a 911 My Wife just won't go for it though..not sure what she'd be more p*ssed about..her having to drive round in a Skoda with 2 kids in the back (she just can't shake off the negative nature of their old image), or me out and about in a 911..she says I'm thinking of no. 1 and having a midlife crisis Women eh? Can't live with 'em, can't live with 'em!

 

[Satch]

Sounds familiar. I put an order in for exactly the same motor (the estate is an S211 btw) just after the UK launch July 2003 and was offered an Feb. 2004 build date!

A bit of shouting to MB UK over some dealer **** ups resulted in a late October 2003 delivery, but even then my car was only the 69th to have been put into the UK.

Keep pushing: it is worth it. To give you some idea of the demand, the day before my vehicle was delivered a got a call from the dealer sales manager who asked if I would care to part with it for a "negotiable" premium

 

[gregd]

Cheers Satch. Dealership just called me back..Looks like it's being built between 1st and 10th March now. Apparently I originally had a Feb build slot (not December as the Sales Person told me) but Mercedes have "moved it back for no reason". They better not move it again! Mid March I can just about live with, any later and I'm seriously tempted to walk away from the deal. I asked what were the dealer prepared to do about it but I'm not holding my breath for anything as there's such a demand on the car anyway I doubt they'd have much trouble shifting it.

How do you find the E Class Estate? Are you pleased with it? What colour / options did you go for?

 

[Satch]

How do you find the E Class Estate? Are you pleased with it? What colour / options did you go for?

I dithered around for a bit deciding between a 270Cdi with lots of toys or a more "basic" 320Cdi. In the end I went for a 320 Cdi Avantgarde in Tealite Blue with full (black) leather, Parktronic & phone pre wiring only since it cost me only £25 to upgrade my existing mobile to a Nokia 6310i. From what I have learnt since many E class problems seem to circulate around extra electronics so not too sad to have missed out on COMMAND etc

However, I screwed up in that I forgot to order the CD multichanger.

Overall, very, very pleased indeed but these cars should come with a note which says something like "Approach this vehicle on its own terms and do not make too many direct comparisons"

Felt a bit odd at first because the brakes & steering are not as "direct" as some modern cars but there is nothing wrong with them at all. Car is heavy and really built as an Autobahn/A road cruiser, not for chucking around B roads. Have to respect that and drive accordingly, because if you go into a tight corner a bit fast you may at first get the distinct impression it is going to come unstuck! It does not of course, but I can see how some people could get initially a bit worried about "poor" handling.

Same does for the brakes: claimed by some to have poor feel and be spongy, but they work differently to most thanks to the SBC system. Again, very efficient but may not feel like it at first! The abilty to drive in traffic on the gas pedal alone is a hoot.

But when it comes to peformance, fuel economy, fit, finiish and general feelgood factor it is without doubt one of the best vehicles to be had at any price. As one Jeremy Clarkson shares that opinion also then I rest my case.

A must have are mudflaps front and rear. Back window gets really mucky otherwise and overall keeps the bodywork a lot cleaner. Despite what the fitting instructions say you can put the fronts on just by turning wheels to full lock but the back ones do need the wheels taken off to get on properly.
Cost about £55 but be warned: the MB accessories booklet is printed up wrong and whilst the front flaps for a W211 and an S211 are the same, the rears are not.

Only one regret: could not justify splashing out on an E55 AMG.

 

[gregd]

Thanks Satch

Sounds like you had the same options vs engine size dilemma as me. I drove the E270cdi estate and was impressed, but the reviews of the E320cdi (especially Clarkson) convinced me to sacrifice a few toys and get the bigger engine. I'm wishing I'd gone for a cd changer too, although I'm hoping to buy an Ipod and connect that somehow..don't know if there is an Aux input to the standard stereo in the glovebox or somewhere?

I went for sports suspension and 17 inch wheels but I'm still expecting it to feel much less assured than the Scooby in the twisty stuff. COMAND sounds great but I don't think I'd use it that often..unless I got it chipped so it would play DVD's at all speeds. I've gone for Parktronic and black leather too.

You seem pretty pleased anyway so I'm sure I'll be happy with it when the flippin' thing finally turns up.

 

[Satch]

One thing I should have mentioned is that it goes a lot better when run on BP Ultimate Diesel. Big difference over bog standard fuel.

 

[marcos]

I tried the BP Ultimate diesel and to be honest I have found it no better.
Satch, how would you say the BP Ultimate is better over the standard stuff, I'm only on the first tankfull and I'm not sure if it's worth sticking with.

 

[Satch]

I tried the BP Ultimate diesel and to be honest I have found it no better.
Satch, how would you say the BP Ultimate is better over the standard stuff, I'm only on the first tankfull and I'm not sure if it's worth sticking with.

No doubt about it: engine is a lot smoother at tickover and mid range response better. Had to fill up with normal diesel once and even my wife (who is normally completely indifferent to such matters) noticed the difference

 

[marcos]

I'm gonna stick with it for a few more fills and see if it improves then.

 

[RichardM]

I've been using BP Ultimate for the last few thousand miles and I didn't think there was a difference, then I went back to 'standard diesel' for a couple of tank fulls and did notice the car was more sluggish, so I'm back to Ultimate now.

 

[Kinky]

..... LOL at Kinky ..... My Wife just won't go for it though.. her having to drive round in a Skoda with 2 kids in the back (she just can't shake off the negative nature of their old image) .....

Stick some VW badges on it.

Won't notice the difference :bannana:

911'sVille here we COME ....

 

[vito113]

Better still…

Stick some VW badges on it.

Won't notice the difference :bannana:

911'sVille here we COME ....

Buy the Skodia Octavia RS… tell her its just an Audi S4 for not much money.

Andy

 

[Satch]

I've been using BP Ultimate for the last few thousand miles and I didn't think there was a difference, then I went back to 'standard diesel' for a couple of tank fulls and did notice the car was more sluggish, so I'm back to Ultimate now.

Yes, that sounds right. Switching from ordinary diesel to BP Ultimate takes a little while to have a positive effect and you do not notice it so much. But switching back has an immediate negative effect!

 

[gregd]

There's not a BP garage near me..bummer! Had the same problem with the Scooby and Optimax (which also has a noticeable improvement over regular SUL)..no Shell garages near us either. Do any other Petrol companies have a "performance diesel" fuel?


On another note I'm still mulling over whether to add a cd changer to my E Class order if it's not too late. I was going to buy an Ipod instead but it doesn't look like there's an easy way to connect it to the standard stereo on the new E (other than the slightly illegal/crackly FM adaptor route). Can any new E owners confirm there is no Aux input (in the glovebox or anywhere) on the car?

G.

 

[Satch]

On another note I'm still mulling over whether to add a cd changer to my E Class order if it's not too late.


Do it now! I am having real trouble even sourcing the proper multichanger as it is design to fit under the motorised panel below the radio/cd

 

[gregd]

I'll give them a call. I think I'll regret it if I don't at least try and order one. Do you know the answer to the Aux input question satch?