ML Delivery Times - what you got ?

[jahewitt]

My ML280 was built at the start of January - does anyone have first hand experience of how long the shipping (from the US) will take ?

Originally the dealer said end-feb, now it is mid-march - obviously I want it asap, and before the 1st April when the price rises kick in.

Anyone got an ML on order - what build dates and delivery dates have you got ?

 

[Rory]

You surely wouldn't be expected to pay the price increase when it ought to have been delivered mid-Feb?

 

[Flash]

You surely wouldn't be expected to pay the price increase when it ought to have been delivered mid-Feb?

They are not called "Stealers" for nothing...

Yes Stealer will charge for the price increase still - its not the first time this has happened and alot fo customers were unhappy and canceleld their orders...

 

[Dieter]

Hi Rory,

Mine was built in October and arrived mid-January (and it's still great ).

At one stage cars may have been diverted via Germany for quality control checks but not now so why it takes so long beats me

Possibly on a slow boat from Alabama.

Cheers,

 

[Shude]

Surely if you have put a deposit down then you have some paperwork that states the price, didn't you shake on the price when you bought it?

I don't know how they can get away with pushing up the price when you've already given them a deposit and ordered the thing.

If it's close to the deadline then you can guarantee it will go over and you'll be made to pay more for it - if I was the salesman then you can bet I'd stuff you for an easy percentage for nothing more than delaying it by a week or two! It'd be stupid not to, money for nothing!

 

[Flash]

Surely if you have put a deposit down then you have some paperwork that states the price, didn't you shake on the price when you bought it?

I don't know how they can get away with pushing up the price when you've already given them a deposit and ordered the thing.

If it's close to the deadline then you can guarantee it will go over and you'll be made to pay more for it - if I was the salesman then you can bet I'd stuff you for an easy percentage for nothing more than delaying it by a week or two! It'd be stupid not to, money for nothing!

This is what happend couple of years back and the media were doing coverage/writeups on it in the papers and on the news. Thats why I said in my earlier post that they are NOT called "Stealers" for nothing...

 

[BTB 500]

And if you're part-exing ... you may get a lower value for your car if there's a long delay.

FWIW in 1998 I ordered a new Vauxhall that was built in America (Sintra MPV), and IIRC that took something like 6 months to be delivered! Think the dealership got Vauxhall to refund them for the lower book value of my part-ex compared to what they'd agreed with me when I placed the order.

 

[grober]

This would only work if the dealer didnt pay extra when they "bought " the car. If they bought the car in at the old price then the deal should stay as it was and you should pressurise them to hold to the original bargain. What does the wording on the contract you signed on ordering say? How does that happen by the way? Do dealers pay 1. on delivery to their premises? 2. when they order the car for the customer or stock? 3. At the start of the new registration period. Do they pay MB UK or Daimler Chrysler worldwide or who. Someone out there should know!

 

[BTB 500]

I would guess the dealer gets invoiced for the car after it's been delivered. IMO not many dealerships could afford to pay the manufacturer "up front" for every new car they placed an order for.

 

[Flash]

Stealers have a set time/deadline of 2/3 months to pay DC for the car (s) after delivery or when its been sold...

 

[DC_insider]

This would only work if the dealer didnt pay extra when they "bought " the car. If they bought the car in at the old price then the deal should stay as it was and you should pressurise them to hold to the original bargain. What does the wording on the contract you signed on ordering say?

As price rises occur regularly (every April and October for MB) contracts usually contain a clause that allows the dealer to increase the price. Dealers get a fixed percentage discount off of list price so if a dealer doesn't pass on a price rise it comes out of his pocket.

How does that happen by the way? Do dealers pay 1. on delivery to their premises? 2. when they order the car for the customer or stock? 3. At the start of the new registration period. Do they pay MB UK or Daimler Chrysler worldwide or who. Someone out there should know!

This can vary from marque to marque but in general dealers do not own the new (unregistered) stock at their premises. The stock is owned by the importer (DCUK, no such thing as MBUK these days) who buys the stock from the factory. The importer charges the dealer interest every month on the value of the car. The dealer only purchases a car when a deal has been done to sell the car to a customer or if they have had the car "on consignment" for 1 year.

 

[mw_C32]

Seems like I will get caught out with this one.

As Dieter says, about 3-4 months after start of build date. Thats what I have been quoted from the dealer.

 

[cedric]

My ML280 was due to be built in the week starting 16th Jan, is due to be shipped 15th Feb and Personal Collection have just confirmed that it will be available for Stuttgart collection from Feb 22nd and I am booked to go out on 3rd March.

 

[SL Boy]

My ML280 was built at the start of January - does anyone have first hand experience of how long the shipping (from the US) will take ?

Originally the dealer said end-feb, now it is mid-march - obviously I want it asap, and before the 1st April when the price rises kick in.

Anyone got an ML on order - what build dates and delivery dates have you got ?[/QUOTE

Regarding possible prices rise, even if you have signed a document which allows the dealer to increase the price, eyeball him now and tell him to deliver before the price rise as he originally promised.

 

[Ashley]

This is a simply case of having a appendix to the contract and this could would not be an issue. Tort law is clear on these issues and once the ink is dry you are bound by the contract.

I have this out time and time again always set out as an appendix your terms and conditions in addition to theirs, contracts are two sided and you are spending a lot of money.

 

[jahewitt]

Got the date !!!!

It arrives at the dealer on the 3rd march - so I will pick it up the following week. The UHI handset I want is on back order - which might be a problem.

Does anyone know if a luggage cover in the boot is standard ?

 

[Dieter]

Hi,

I got the luggage cover with mine but not a lot more. Had to negotiate free mats and the cargo net is now an accessory.

Cheers,

 

[akmal17]

How come the ML280 CDI is no longer on mercedes.co.uk???

 

[jahewitt]

never has been = the official launch date is April

 

[jahewitt]

Ohhh yes - it has arrived at the dealers !!!!!

Counting the days until I pick it up

Sadly no-one seems to want my E class - so just gonna trade it in.