Are UK bespoke orders possible?
Discussion
Has anyone experience of being allowed to choose their individual specification, when ordering a new Mercedes ?
Presumably M-B UK must choose the detailed specifications for each model, that they want to offer potential customers, whereas we know that other different variations are available and built in Germany.
An example - I think I spotted one M-B model only offered in the UK with black interior roof linings. Popular amongst some, but that colour might be a deal breaker for others. Reviewed cars in Germany though, can be seen with light coloured roof linings. Minor variations are presumably no problem at all, for the modern M-B computerised production factories and accommodating buyer wishes must result in extra sales.
VW allow buyers to place special orders, so I would expect a 'premium' manufacturer to offer custom purchases.
Jon39 said:
Has anyone experience of being allowed to choose their individual specification, when ordering a new Mercedes ?
Presumably M-B UK must choose the detailed specifications for each model, that they want to offer potential customers, whereas we know that other different variations are available and built in Germany.
An example - I think I spotted one M-B model only offered in the UK with black interior roof linings. Popular amongst some, but that colour might be a deal breaker for others. Reviewed cars in Germany though, can be seen with light coloured roof linings. Minor variations are presumably no problem at all, for the modern M-B computerised production factories and accommodating buyer wishes must result in extra sales.
VW allow buyers to place special orders, so I would expect a 'premium' manufacturer to offer custom purchases.
No
Sorry I've not anything actually constructive to add to your query.
I think any hope of individual specification went the same way as Personal Collection from the factory. All the UK dealer network seems to be now is a way of selling finance through moving metal. I did ask the question last time I considered a merc as the german specification was far more preferable to me, it didn't generate much interest. Fortunately having a test drive solved the problem.
My thoughts on the black headliner align exactly with yours, unfortunately for the last merc I bought I didn't consider it, especially as I specced a light interior and sunroof. As it also disappointed in many other ways, I didn't end up keeping it long.
I think any hope of individual specification went the same way as Personal Collection from the factory. All the UK dealer network seems to be now is a way of selling finance through moving metal. I did ask the question last time I considered a merc as the german specification was far more preferable to me, it didn't generate much interest. Fortunately having a test drive solved the problem.
My thoughts on the black headliner align exactly with yours, unfortunately for the last merc I bought I didn't consider it, especially as I specced a light interior and sunroof. As it also disappointed in many other ways, I didn't end up keeping it long.
There is now a conclusion to my original question on this topic.
From originally wanting to buy a new W214, Exclusive Line, 3 litre petrol, macchiato interior, and being told you cannot have that spec in the UK, the story has moved on.
That exact specification is available in mainland Europe, USA, the far east and other countries.
However, M-B UK would not even allow a special order.
Out of interest, the Exclusive line (traditional front grill), is available now in the UK W214, but was not available in the UK with the previous model W213. Retrofit front bumper and slated grille, does appear possible though.
Why pay new price money, when you cannot have exactly what you want?
I therefore turned my attention to the W213 facelift model.
Now have an as-new example and probably saved £50,000.
When looking closely at the details, there are surprisingly few differences, between the W213 facelift and the current model E Class.
Some so called improvements are certainly not to my liking anyway - eg. that awful full width glass screen dashboard, with constant reflections and the 'stuck-on' speedo display screen. The previous model has very similar MBUX tech, but does retain some manual switches and has the screen fairly neatly incorporated into the dashboard.
It is strange why M-B UK restrict customer choice, but they are probably happy to sell enough black GLs with black interiors, black wheels and black chrome night packages. Makes life easier for them I suppose, but they must forfeit some sales
Edited by Jon39 on Saturday 4th May 14:27
TarquinMX5 said:
OP, I share your frustration but feel that it's nothing recent; MB-UK's approach started putting me off (and annoying me) quite a few years ago and it grates even more when I see cars with specifications in Europe that are simply not available in the UK.
Quite ironic really, because in the end I had a most satisfactory trade-off.
In exchange for M-B UK not allowing me to have a new car of my chosen spec., I now have 90% of the car that I wanted, almost new with nominal mileage and a £50,000 saving.
I suppose that I should be grateful for their intransigence.
They are all going this way. You have to buy packs and/or go for much higher trim levels to get small extras which used to cost only a modest amount such as heated rear seats on a Q7. Mind at least this is a feature on Audi whereas GLE does not give you them as an option full stop. I guess they have worked out what the average buyer wants and are prepared to lose the odd sale for the sake of ease in both the selling process and production planning.
Of course Porsche will still sell you a myriad of small options on their cars which add up to a lot once you fill two pages with them.
Of course Porsche will still sell you a myriad of small options on their cars which add up to a lot once you fill two pages with them.
Edited by EC2 on Monday 6th May 09:20
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff