TangoRed

That time has not passed. You can still do anything you want- money talks. Check out this man from Seattle's E63 wagon, which he picked up in Germany at the MB headquarters:

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yup, just during another advisory board with mb few months back, mb commented how they don't advertise but if customers want, they can really do any paint or features. yup, all just money

now try that on lexus

mmarshall

And, if he is bring it back to Seattle, we'll assume it was built to American specs, unless he is going to go through the headaches of a waiver and getting it processed as a gray-market import (which can be a real hassle.)

rominl

iTrader: (4)

not sure how disconnected you are, but both bmw and mb offer pretty good european delivery programs. it's pretty widely known and so many people have done that and considering how much this guy has spent on a customized e63 wagon, i won't be surprised that's what he did

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/european_delivery_program
http://www.bmwusa.com/europeandelivery

mmarshall

I'm aware of those programs (I've known people who used them). They don't always apply to all of the company's models, though...just those that can be built to American specs. Perhaps the earlier point about money talking is taken..........enough cash can sometimes either bend the rules a little or bend the means necessary to meet those rules.

Actually, on one issue, I may have spoke too soon. I didn't remember the E63 S Wagon being available in the American market before, built to American specs, but now, according to the MBusa website, it is now an option. That, of course, would explain why he was able to order it here and pick it up in Europe.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i think it has always been an option, e55 (w211), e63 (w211), and e63 (w212). i have seen all of them, just rare.

TangoRed

You can't do European delivery for a vehicle that isn't currently offered in the U.S., period. That's the easiest way to think of it. Now, there's an additional restriction for European Delivery that comes into effect when you buy a Mercedes not built in Germany. You can spot what's missing here: http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/enthus...ivery/vehicles

mmarshall

Yes, I understand that. They don't have their factories set up to produce something, even for Euro-delivery, that is not DOT/EPA-approved.

Where I was off the mark is that I didn't know that the E63 wagon could now be ordered that way in the U.S. Like I told Henry (rominl), I should have checked the latest mb-usa website before I questioned it.

Toys4RJill

Agreed, luxury car definitions have changed over time. I do think that there is more overlap in what constitutes a luxury car today, cars like the IS, CT, HS are not luxury cars IMO, they are premium cars IMO with a luxury badge.

Buick is not much of a luxury car and neither is the Toyota Avalon. They are both premium cars with a standard badge.

Also, back in the day, luxury car companies promoted "lifestyle" more than what they promote today "experience".

All of that said, I like the current slate of luxury cars.