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Bremen beauty

1972 Views 18 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  aquascape
6
Thought it would be of interest to some others to hear how I got on so here goes:
Don't know if there are any direct flights, the flight from LHR is a bit long winded because it goes via Frankfurt. Still, its business class if you fly Lufthansa so the business lounge is available. The transfer from the business lounge to the gate in Frankfurt on my flight was longer than expected, took ages, it was miles away and I hadnt left long.
Then arrived at Bremen to be met by the taxi driver holding my name on a card...except he wasnt there, and 10 minutes later he still wasnt there, everyone from my flight had gone and I was feeling deserted and shocked, I knew where I had to go but did not expect to be in this situation. The helpful woman on the information desk called the taxi company up and he was there 5 minutes later. From this point it just got better... with one more exception. I asked but they would not change my KM readout to outside temp, they said it was illegal to do so in Germany but dealer could do it. Cant see my dealer bothering but I will ask.
The factory tour was well worth it, the C class assembly uses hundreds of robots and the human intervention seems geared to setting things up so the robots can keep going. The SL line uses just in time production and the bits arrive when they are need to be fitted manually at each stage. The SLK line is apparently the same, the only robot assembly is fitting the windscreen!
The basic chassis is done in another building, turns up, and the car rolls through various stages and out the other side as a complete car to be tested on a track and then delivered to us. So we have what is basically a hand assembled car.
By the time the tour was done my time for handover had nearly arrived, and I was soooo excited, 10 months waiting but more than that I have always loved great cars and this is my first new car, and then right on time it was driven in. I was holding back tears.
The handover was great. It was 1C, and the roof was down for maybe 50 miles. Being tall the top of my head got a bit chilly, fine with a hat on up to 70 mph, bit blustery at 90, so the top went up after that.
I expected the car to perform well, it was comfortable on my sports suspension and I have plenty of acceleration up to 4000 rpm, it will cruise at 100mph and be about 3700. It was quiet enough, though there was some wind noise with the roof up, more than I expected.
Comand was clear and took away all worry about working out where to go, and the map was great...how far to go, how far have we gone, where is the petrol station, plus where is a restaurant and more stuff can be shown like cinemas etc. In a traffic jam or waiting for my girlfriend? watch a DVD. Normally waiting and getting lost are major sress points for me. Attach a couple of pics of the C class assembly line and my car, they wont allow pics on the SL assembly line, no idea why.
A long wait is finally over. Beauty!

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Never mind you...hats off to your wife/girlfriend for going down the highway at that speed with the top down at that temperature![:0]Just looking at the pictures makes me cold!! I am also impressed that you learned to operate the navigation so quickly, obviously with no time to read the manual.

Great looking car and pics. Wish I had had the time to go to Bremen for pickup...maybe next time[;)]
malibuite - 3/4/2005 8:26 PM

Never mind you...hats off to your wife/girlfriend for going down the highway at that speed with the top down at that temperature![:0]Just looking at the pictures makes me cold!! I am also impressed that you learned to operate the navigation so quickly, obviously with no time to read the manual.

Great looking car and pics. Wish I had had the time to go to Bremen for pickup...maybe next time[;)]
Hi again Malibuite, - he had my command manual!!! - boned up on it before he went!!!!

Joyfulheart - plsd u had a good trip back - someone said in a previous post 'I don't wanna put 900 miles on the wheels before I drive it''. I picked mine up at Bremen and drove it back to the poor impoverished NE of England and only put 270 miles on it. The factory tour is WWEELL worth doing - especially if you get the mad half Irish/Gereman guy taking you around - on my trip - no probs taking pic's.
Congrats, Joyfulheart!!! It is a Beauty!! Enjoy!!!

Roberta[:)]
I read your post with interest as I will be collecting my SLK350 in Bremen on Friday....

One thing I want to have done is the Kmh to temp... you say they refused?! I will ask my dealer if they can do it back here, if they can't I may be quite insistant. Although I know nothing about German law, I presume they will not be breaking the law by changing it, it will be me when I drive off.

Do you think I will stand a good chance of pursuading them or will i be wasting my time...? Perhaps if I get mad and really can't do it they will compensate me by activating the auto wipe!
joyfulheart:
thanks for the Great post!!! It brought back memories of my Euro delivery (although all US Euros are in Sindelfingen near Stuttgart). Enjoy your car and I look forward to more great posts and hearing about your progress with your new SLK....[:D][8D][:D][8D][:D]
I asked for the Temp readout at the registration, the handover guy came over, said "yes, ok" anything else you want? at which point auto wipe came to mind, I already regret not ordering that, but I cant imagine they would do that...who would pay for it on their order if they did it free on pick up? Anyway, 10 minutes later he came back to tell me he couldn't do the temp change. I dont think being insistent would have changed it, but you can try of course.

As for SatNav, it was programmed to Bruges and home by the guy at handover, I had looked at Wooolys manual but still am yet to master it, takes time to work out but looks intuitive and user friendly.
1) how to turn the radio off, thought at one point we could not have Nav without music from radio, CD or DVD. Answer: in Audio, without Cd/DVD, select CD or Aux.
2) at one point Sat Nag Hags voice went quiet, which was a pain because I needed to hear her and couldn't, but then I pressed the current prompt button and then turned up the volume, and that adjusts her rather than the music volume.

Wifey was fine with the top down, my head sticks up because I am tall, even with the seat at the lowest point, but she is more midget sized and loves the heated seat, airscarf etc. and was quite comfortable at 70mph
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So its all been worth it in the end, join the club.

Put your name down for the R172 now.

gary
Joyfulheart, congratulation and thank you for the detailed report, did you visit the shop also??
enjoy the car, regards EDD11Y
RE: UK Display

From an old thread - ianx from the uk had his temp display changed, perhaps they have changed their policy, or it depends who is working.

RE: UK Display

quote:Woolly - 12/30/2004 2:18 PM

Thanks SLiK350 - its only us brits who have this problem. No one else does - perhaps somneone with a Star Pooter would be able to sort it out.


IanxManchester replied
Yep, a Star Diagnostic 'pooter can sort it out, if you can find a willing dealer!

Mine has! with no ill effect!
(I had them do it in Bremen when i collected it, they didn't have a problem with doing it!)
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Congratulations, Joyfulheart!

"Bremen Beauty" is far more subtle than "Nude Pics", and your beauty appears to be Tellurite too - a brilliant choice! I wish you years of carefree motoring with it.

Re changing Kph to some other readout (other than mph), I was discussing it this very morning with a friend who owns a TVR (not essential info - just showing I've got mates!)

Apparently, in Spain at least - and one would assume throughout Europe therefore - it is illegal not to display your speedo. If I've understood the comments correctly then this might be the reason why the factory won't make the changes themselves.

For anyone thinking of making this specific change it might be advisable to check the law in your neck of the woods before going ahead. Hope this helps.

Scott.
I'm confused. As far as displaying speed is concerned, isn't that what the speedometer needle does? [;)]

Gary
garycourtland - 3/6/2005 10:04 PM

I'm confused. As far as displaying speed is concerned, isn't that what the speedometer needle does? [;)]

Gary
Sounds like the Europeans might have a digital speedometer. I really miss that on this car.
We brits get MPH on the speedo, and a digital KPH readout, but who wants digital KPH readout in the UK. Fine when I am in Europe, but most of the time I am in England. I am getting my english number plates this morning, lets see what the dealer says.
And yes it is Tellurite, with Alpacac Grey.
As for the shop in Bremen I didnt spend long there, after the factory tour there was one thing I was not going to miss and that was my baby being driven in to the handover area, so I waited and watched the cars coming in until mine appeared.
malibuite - 3/7/2005 2:21 AM

garycourtland - 3/6/2005 10:04 PM

I'm confused. As far as displaying speed is concerned, isn't that what the speedometer needle does? [;)]

Gary
Sounds like the Europeans might have a digital speedometer. I really miss that on this car.
You have a choice of two digital displays yourself. If you cycle the main menu to the mileage then you can sub cycle to speed. You can also change the lower display to show your speed instead of the outside temperature. This feature is locked to the speed setting on the British models and will not show outside temperature.
Awesome looking colour combination - and sounds like you had a fantastic pick-up experience (aside from the small taxi hitch!!!) [:D]

Shame the weather hadn't been a bit better for you, but at least you managed to get the top down!!! [8D]

Let us know how you got on with your dealer, changing the KPH readout to the temperature. [:)]
The dealer would not change it, also claimed it was illegal (not sure we are required to show kph but anyway) Oh well.

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Glad you enjoyed yourself on the collection. I too had to chase up my cab (he couldn't find anywhere to park apparently) as I was somewhat tired after the less than direct flight.

Judging by your cold weather gear and photos, I think I was more fortunate with the weather last September as it was roof off antics all the way down to the Swiss border, so if you have a R171 on order and you're thinking of doing personal collection, do it then.
My Bremen collection went well except for the taxi's as well. No taxi at the airport and the taxi from the hotel to the factory came a day early and then never came back!
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