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22203 messages,  Last post on May 15, 2013 at 12:39 PM

You are in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Porsche, Jaguar, Audi, Maserati, Maybach, Car Comparisons, Coupe, Convertible, Sedan

Messages Page 2218 of 2221

#22163 of 22203 Re: A7 [tlong] by plekto

Apr 09, 2011 (1:25 am)

Replying to: tlong (Apr 08, 2011 10:13 pm)
Actually, yes. There are a number of changes that you can get via European delivery that aren't on the web sites and so on. I've heard of custom colors, upgraded leather, and all sorts of other things as well for some extra money. As well as things like being able to delete a sunroof, get cloth seats, and even sometimes get a manual that's not normally available (or often simply not ordered by dealers in the U.S., even though it is technically offered somewhere in their forms.)
 
Plus, the interesting this in most European delivery programs are almost the same price as buying it locally and you get to be pampered for a day, tour the factory, and see Europe for a few days or longer. They're hoping to get a bit of kickback from the tourist packages the agencies they have deals with, of course.

#22164 of 22203 Re: A7 [tlong] by james27

Apr 09, 2011 (3:32 pm)

Replying to: tlong (Apr 08, 2011 10:13 pm)
Unless you may be in-country when you order and purchase the car (diplomatic sales), you are buying the car from the US arm, even though you are picking it up in Germany. There are certain options (with BMW at least) that you can only order on the car (i.e., the dealer can't order them that way for their stock - they have to be assigned to an actual end user customer), but after multiple requests, the US arm of BMW refuses to sell a vehicle with 'deleted' standard equipment (as defined by the US arm). I know, I've tried. IOW, they will NOT sell the GT without a sunroof in the US.
 
I wrote a letter to Mercedes and had the local dealer ask on an E-class, and no they would not build one for US certification without a sunroof. Also had the AUdi dealer check, and (at least on the models I was interested in, no). On that car, at least in the current models, the difference in headroom is huge, nearly 4" with and without the sunroof. I'd easily fit in that car without a sunroof, but with it, I'd not want to own it.
 
Now, maybe if you're talking like something in the Bently, RR, Aston, etc., yes, they'll bend over backwards, but not on the commodity vehicles (and no, I don't wish to spend anywhere near that much money on one of those). Got enough money, and all sorts of things can be done.
 
In Germany, for home market consumption, almost everything is a la cart. But, once it goes through one of their other country sales offices, they and the factory decide what is available. For example, the BMW UK branch treats the GT the same way as the US...the sunroof is standard equipment, but they have other things that are standard that are optional here (if even available). So, it is a country by country thing.
 
Without lots of work and extra money, with the EPA and safety requirments to bring a car into the US, it is not practical for the average person to buy a Euopean spec vehicle and expect to register and drive it in the US. Plus, the US branch won't honor the warranty of a grey market car, even if you could get it past the Feds.
 
It needs to be clear...when doing a European delivery, you are NOT buying it direct through the factory, you are still buying it through a US dealer, and it must meet the US arm's set of requirements. And, while there is a little more flexibility, it isn't really all that much. Maybe in the past, but not now.

#22165 of 22203 Re: A7 [james27] by plekto

Apr 09, 2011 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: james27 (Apr 09, 2011 3:32 pm)
Well, that's unfortunate. I know it is different for specific manufacturers, though, and Audi/Porsche seem to be a bit more open to that sort of thing. (custom paint/custom leather/etc) The A7 may be high enough in price that a letter or two to the right people might get them to make a fairly reasonable change as that - ie - "I can't physically fit in the car but I want one - could you please make me one without a sunroof?" If it's non-functional or non-safety related, (ie - EPA won't care about the change) it should be possible.
 
You'd have to likely get the ball rolling in Germany first, though, since the U.S. branch of most manufacturers is more like a franchise and really has no options or say in things. They U.S. side will likely have a fit and get their shorts in a wad, but it should be possible. (my guess is that the corporate pencil-heads don't want to alter the paperwork to include a custom option or recalculate the price). Myself, I hate sunroofs so much that I'd pay FOR the sunroof to not have it installed.

#22166 of 22203 Re: A7 [plekto] by james27

Apr 09, 2011 (6:26 pm)

Replying to: plekto (Apr 09, 2011 6:05 pm)
I'll make my thoughts clear to the person I talk to when I pick up the car, but I doubt it will make much difference. Another simple thing, I'd like the homelink, self-dimming mirror, but it is part of a big package with other things I really don't want. It's available as a separate item in Germany. I like the feel of the sport steering wheel, but it's part of the sport package which has things in it I don't want - available as a separate option in Germany. Really expensive to have changed out here, as the airbags are different, so you have to buy that as well. The dealer can do it, but it is a $200 option in Germany to swap upon order processing, but in the order of $1400 here to have a dealer replace it (the airbag is expensive, and then they have a nearly new, but not, airbag and steering wheel you probably wouldn't get any credit for).
 
There are advantages to being tall, but it can be a major challenge in everyday life as well. The world is made for average people, tall or short are an afterthought. Every once in awhile, someone quite tall gets into a decision making position, and there's some exceptions on what's available, but the bean counters usually nix it.

#22167 of 22203 Leather or MB tex by blckislandguy

Apr 15, 2011 (7:06 pm)

I'm seeing a fair number of otherwise optioned up E Class Mercedes in showrooms without leather but M B Tex. There must be a problem with MB's leather vendor. I can't see a luxury car mfg passing up the opportunity to gaffe the cusomter with an expensive option.
 
The interesting thing is that the MB Tex is standard and not an extra cost option, looks better, and lasts longer. This could be the start of something. I wish I had MB Tex on my Silverado. The General's leather is already cracking and wearing thin after only 3 years. (In contrast the leather on my 05 Cayenne looks hardly sat-in.)

#22168 of 22203 Re: Leather or MB tex [blckislandguy] by plekto

Apr 15, 2011 (9:08 pm)

Replying to: blckislandguy (Apr 15, 2011 7:06 pm)
All leathers for automobile use except for the highest-end full grain leathers are manufactured these days. Mercedes is at least honest about theirs not being real leather. Also, being that they were the first to make the stuff back in the 60s, (!), they ARE the standard by which the others try to (mostly unsuccessfully) copy.

#22169 of 22203 Re: Leather or MB tex [blckislandguy] by carnaught

Apr 16, 2011 (9:44 am)

Replying to: blckislandguy (Apr 15, 2011 7:06 pm)
The General's leather is "ap-cray" as is Acura's.
 
MB Tex wears very well but their extra-cost leather's aromatic smell is almost itself worth the price of admission.

#22170 of 22203 Re: Leather or MB tex [carnaught] by plekto

Apr 16, 2011 (10:39 am)

Replying to: carnaught (Apr 16, 2011 9:44 am)
Yeah, MB "Leather" is the real deal and is the same stuff that you find only in the top 1-2 vehicles at most other manufacturers. No fiber/cloth backing, no texturing, no crumbling apart at 3-4 years. Then again, you do have to maintain it.
 
Here's the deal - many major Mercedes dealers will retrofit your seats in your car to leather as an aftermarket service. It's only a little more cost than the leather package (since it's only the seats) and you can get the same leather as you get in the S class. The net result is a better grade seat than the OEM leather upgrade. Note - I live in Los Angeles, so there are a couple of dealers who do this if you want - ymmv in smaller cities, of course)
 
Most people don't know about it and don't bother with the extra 3K or so. I certainly would if I was buying something that cost 40-50K like most Mercedes do these days.

Messages Page 2218 of 2221

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