Anyone picked up their MB from Stuttgart??

[The Editor]

Hi all,

I am just currently pouring over brouchures and test driving various bits of metal from numerous manufacturers but if truth be known I think I've already made up my mind !!!... It's going to have to be a new W211 - E240 Avantgarde. I will add various goodies such as Luxury climate, COMAND, Parktronic etc (and anything else my wallet can go to!!).

The question I have though is... Has anyone done the 'Pickup from MB Germany' route? I really fancy the whole factory tour and MB handover thing and then the enjoyment of driving your new pride and joy back across to blighty. Just curious to know anyones experiences with this unique option.

Thanks in advance guys/girls

Mark

 

[pascal]

If I could afford a new car, I'd seriously consider it also.

If you do, don't forget you camera, Editor.

Pascal

 

[WILBUR]

My wife and I picked up a ML 270 in April 2003.
The travel arrangements and hotel were excellent as was the factory tour.
A visit to the MB museam OK but difficult to find; from the factory
We kept off the Motorways as much as possible; routing Baden-baden-Strasbourg- The Champagne Areas Reims- Calais ( in all 4days )
Enjoy your trip ! it makes Ownership more special ! until you discover like many on this site The frequent poor service from dealerships once back in the UK.
Have fun ! Write again when you've done the trip. :

 

[blassberg]

Given that not all Benz are made in Stuttgart, can you collect any model from there regardless of build location?

picked up a ML 270 in April 2003

My 2001 ML270 was built in Graz, Austria, assume yours was as well?

So my new C Class is built in S Africa - can I collect it fom Stuttgart?

 

[telletubby]

Picking up direct

I hope you'll forgive a non MB anecdote about picking up from the factory. A friend of mine decided to pick up his new Ferrari from the factory in the early eighties. He first checked into his hotel then rang to confirm the car would be ready. Anytime after 10 tomorrow came the reply. He went to the factory at the appointed hour and was shown into a tiny windowless waiting room with no mags and no coffee offered. After an hour he enquired if his car was ready and was told the patrone had to drive it before it could be cleared and he hadn't arrived yet. He eventually arrived at 4pm and the car was released at 5pm. My friend felt it was rather a long time to spend in an airless, refreshmentless, entertainmentless room after having spent so much money.
Incidentally when he later complained that things like wipers and doorhandles fell off on a fairly regular basis - Enzio's reply (via the concessionaire) was that his engines and chassis alone were worth the money. Just because out of the goodness of his heart he provided a free body, it should not be a cause for complaint! Those were the days!

Good luck at Sindelfingen. I'm sure they'll do it better!

 

[SLinKyjoe]

the mercedes official webiste gives you info on your car collections from the various german build sites. It also says you have to pay should you wish to take a partner. the amount is exactly the delivery cost from the dealer.

when you get back to the UK you have to report to your dealer for them to change the plates to UK ones and give it a quick look over for the UK warranty activation. they give you your road fund disc at the same time. Dealers have all the info on personal collections and my local dealer was happy to sort this out. they said it really is worth doing and would recommend it. I just never got round to organising myself.

am gonna do this next time. i think it could be fun.


www.mercedes-benz.co.uk and look for personal collection page.

better still- http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/con...ome/products/personal_collection.html#mainnav

at the risk of teaching you to suck eggs. Dont forget that the Europeans havent yet got around to driving on the right side of the road like we have. they drive on the right side you see.(The right side obviously being the left side. The right side is the wrong side! Oh you know what I mean!) so if you are by yourself all the tolls and barriers mean a nice pleasent walk round the car. It doesn't make for stress free overtaking either. If you have a partner with you, you can have the fun of watching the shock on other drivers thinking a mercedes with German plates on it has now got a sleeping driver installed behind the wheel.