Prep for a new, built (but undelivered) car

[gr1nch]

Hi folks,

If you have tips, what worked for you or do's and don'ts, please share.

This is my first Mercedes and I'm buying a new car, also for pretty much the first time. So it's an exciting process, which I've seen many members here have felt too. For me the wait is, so far, 4 months out of 5 with a 1st March pickup. Whilst that's a long time, it has given me time to think about and fit in some prep.

VIN
I asked the dealer to email my VIN when they knew and I got it 10 days before build date.

Mercedes Me
Knowing my VIN I reviewed some 3rd party VIN lookup sites but didn't much like the look of them. I don't fancy giving this info away for free (or make it any easier for crooks who can hack that data) and looked at early Mercedes Me activation. It's doable, in part. Whilst the whole process can't be completed until I go to the dealer, which I'll do at pickup, at least the car is registered to me online now. The basic info is there.

Extras
After some research, mainly here (thanks!), co-workers, friends, and some online, my list is:
* tyre insurance
* gap insurance, both dealer
* paint protection, local expert
* boot protector (for those muddy shoes!)

Vehicle Security
Research into car theft and access prevention.
* car key RF shielding pouches (to reduce risk of amplification attacks)
* electronic gear to scan key and car for vulnerabilities and test measures. This gear is inexpensive, with readily available parts and open source software, to build SDR (software defined radio) capability.
* physical steering wheel lock (to dissuade drive-bys

Ownership Logistics
* downloaded car manual and perused it
* dealer, maintenance planning
* garaging, will it fit? (we have a large, shared, secure courtyard, but it's in a cobbled one-way street and it's a tight fit getting in and out, so measured out the car and layout)
* Insurance with good European cover, possibly Saga

But mostly I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on my car! The thought of it crosses my mind most days. Every Mercedes saloon I see I'm instinctively checking if the base model is the same as mine and if it is, enjoy looking at it for those few seconds . Driving I've not seen one, but I did have a new S-Class coupé overtake me, decided to try and catch it up to admire its rear-end in my trusty Saab, but didn't manage to as it was serenely wafting away at very high speed.

 

[1chris]

what.......I just went down Robinsons handed over my money and bought one, did not worry about 99% of that

 

[Headhurts]

what.......I just went down Robinsons handed over my money and bought one, did not worry about 99% of that

Me too, other than requesting they set up MercedesMe.

Regarding GAP insurance I did not get this but I insure my car through the police scheme (Roland Smith via RSA) and they replace your car if new and written off for 2 years from new, they are also very competitive.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Peter103]

Its really simple, get in, drive, enjoy!

 

[renault12ts]

Doh, you're all missing the point...someone is buying a new car!

 

[foxy52]

Hi folks,

If you have tips, what worked for you or do's and don'ts, please share.

This is my first Mercedes and I'm buying a new car, also for pretty much the first time. So it's an exciting process, which I've seen many members here have felt too. For me the wait is, so far, 4 months out of 5 with a 1st March pickup. Whilst that's a long time, it has given me time to think about and fit in some prep.

VIN
I asked the dealer to email my VIN when they knew and I got it 10 days before build date.

Mercedes Me
Knowing my VIN I reviewed some 3rd party VIN lookup sites but didn't much like the look of them. I don't fancy giving this info away for free (or make it any easier for crooks who can hack that data) and looked at early Mercedes Me activation. It's doable, in part. Whilst the whole process can't be completed until I go to the dealer, which I'll do at pickup, at least the car is registered to me online now. The basic info is there.

Extras
After some research, mainly here (thanks!), co-workers, friends, and some online, my list is:
* tyre insurance
* gap insurance, both dealer
* paint protection, local expert
* boot protector (for those muddy shoes!)

Vehicle Security
Research into car theft and access prevention.
* car key RF shielding pouches (to reduce risk of amplification attacks)
* electronic gear to scan key and car for vulnerabilities and test measures. This gear is inexpensive, with readily available parts and open source software, to build SDR (software defined radio) capability.
* physical steering wheel lock (to dissuade drive-bys

Ownership Logistics
* downloaded car manual and perused it
* dealer, maintenance planning
* garaging, will it fit? (we have a large, shared, secure courtyard, but it's in a cobbled one-way street and it's a tight fit getting in and out, so measured out the car and layout)
* Insurance with good European cover, possibly Saga

But mostly I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on my car! The thought of it crosses my mind most days. Every Mercedes saloon I see I'm instinctively checking if the base model is the same as mine and if it is, enjoy looking at it for those few seconds . Driving I've not seen one, but I did have a new S-Class coupé overtake me, decided to try and catch it up to admire its rear-end in my trusty Saab, but didn't manage to as it was serenely wafting away at very high speed.

...re the above ..the only thing that would concern me is insurance costs... try Saga my better half got a very good deal this year.. but also try MB,s own insurers..for a new car I would think them unbeatable..oh and don't forget the most important thing a service contract with supplying dealer ??!!.....foxy52

 

[grober]

Lots of European wide Mercedes recovery facilities come as part of the warranty package iirc. New Mercedes come with a pretty comprehensive ownership package so just check you are not duplicating something you may already have as a new owner?

 

[Deleted member 126969]

I did gap and alloy insurance (not through the dealer). I object to the idea that I need to spend another £800 to protect a paint finish that should be up to the job from the factory. Ditto for the interior.

Insurance I did through MB as although they were a bit more expensive than my usual insurer, they were the only one I could find that guarantee to use MB parts and MB repairers. For me, on a new car that I purchased myself, that mattered enough to pay for it.

As for all the security issues - didn't cross my mind. If some scumbag wants it, they'll have it. Nothing legal you can do is likely to stop them.

Thankfully I only had to wait a week for the car. If I'd had months like the OP, I'd probably be a twitching, dribbling wreck by now.

I set up the online profile etc as soon as I knew the VIN, the dealer did the rest. It did take a couple of days before it worked though as I think MB had some back-office issues with the servers.

Try and enjoy it when it arrives though.....

 

[MancMike]

I can only imagine the excitement. I'd be like a kid at christmas too.

Hope the chase isn't better than the catch, but I'm sure it won't be.

Enjoy it when it arrives.

 

[developer]

Ask the dealer for the Oasis report - it's a nice to have, with all the build/ship dates - the original build spec, with options listed and costed.

One for the file/reference.

 

[flowrider]

Do not buy tyre or GAP insurance from the dealer. There are many on-line alternatives for a fraction of the cost.