[audi4t]

Hi

I'm in the US and plan on ordering the AMG for European delivery (ED) around June 2014.

I'm fortunate enough to have enough frequent flier miles to use for the air travel from the US to Stuttgart.

The final details and prices for the AMG are not yet available here in the US but I do know ED will be offered for the AMG.

I am wondering what sequence of events should take place - (1) lock in the flight and then order the car or (2) order the car and try and book a flight which may not be available for the delivery date time frame.

I would prefer to schedule a flight sometime in late May or early June and then order the car for a delivery date to coincide with arrival in Stuttgart.

Anyone know if an order can be placed that will allow a future "delivery date window"?

Also have to decide on the vehicle specs once option availability and pricing is finalized.

TIA

Kevin

 

[DavidR]

That's a tough one and there is no perfect answer. I suggest you check with your airline to determine their change policy for FF tickets. Some airlines don't charge change fees for FF tickets so that would allow you to put a stake in the ground. I believe that I would place the CLA order first, see if I could get a locked-in delivery date then try to book the flights. Booking flights using FF miles is always a challenge getting the exact dates and preferable routes and the longer you wait the tougher it is. When I travel to Germany, I usually fly to the Frankfurt (FRA) airport and then ride the ICE (InterCity Express) from there. The train station is in the airport. Train transportation is Germany is fast, easy and very convenient. So if you consider flights to Stuttgart (STR) or Frankfurt (FRA) then you might have better luck finding a good flight schedule. There are plenty of awesome tourist attractions in the area if you need to fly a couple days before the car is ready. The castles and medieval villages along the Rhine River valley between Mainz and Koblenz is one of my top favorite places in the world. The castle at Heidelberg is very scenic and a fun tour. And many others... Once you get your car, touring through some of the roads in the Black Forest area would be incredible. Search on the term "Uhrenstrasse" (German Clock Route) for some route and destination ideas.

 

[audi4t]

That's a tough one and there is no perfect answer. I suggest you check with your airline to determine their change policy for FF tickets. Some airlines don't charge change fees for FF tickets so that would allow you to put a stake in the ground. I believe that I would place the CLA order first, see if I could get a locked-in delivery date then try to book the flights. Booking flights using FF miles is always a challenge getting the exact dates and preferable routes and the longer you wait the tougher it is. When I travel to Germany, I usually fly to the Frankfurt (FRA) airport and then ride the ICE (InterCity Express) from there. The train station is in the airport. Train transportation is Germany is fast, easy and very convenient. So if you consider flights to Stuttgart (STR) or Frankfurt (FRA) then you might have better luck finding a good flight schedule. There are plenty of awesome tourist attractions in the area if you need to fly a couple days before the car is ready. The castles and medieval villages along the Rhine River valley between Mainz and Koblenz is one of my top favorite places in the world. The castle at Heidelberg is very scenic and a fun tour. And many others... Once you get your car, touring through some of the roads in the Black Forest area would be incredible. Search on the term "Uhrenstrasse" (German Clock Route) for some route and destination ideas.

Thanks for the suggestions I will call Delta and find out what their FF policy is.
:big smile:

 

[DavidR]

Before you fly to Germany and begin your incredible adventure, do yourself a big favor. Study up on German rules of the road and driving etiquette. They have low tolerance for drivers that do not follow the expected behavior. Failure to follow the proper lane etiquette on the autobahn will get you involved in a serious accident where drivers in the fast lane are traveling at extremely high rates of speed. Sharing a middle finger salute with a fellow motorist can get you an all expenses paid visit to the local jail. Many small towns use speed cameras to enforce local limits but there is a special sign to notify you of camera enforcement ahead.. Not trying to scare you, just study up on the rules and it will reward you with double the pleasure.

 

[audi4t]

Before you fly to Germany and begin your incredible adventure, do yourself a big favor. Study up on German rules of the road and driving etiquette. They have low tolerance for drivers that do not follow the expected behavior. Failure to follow the proper lane etiquette on the autobahn will get you involved in a serious accident where drivers in the fast lane are traveling at extremely high rates of speed. Sharing a middle finger salute with a fellow motorist can get you an all expenses paid visit to the local jail. Many small towns use speed cameras to enforce local limits but there is a special sign to notify you of camera enforcement ahead.. Not trying to scare you, just study up on the rules and it will reward you with double the pleasure.

Thanks for the advice - I'm originally from the UK and am pretty familiar with driving in Europe.

But you are correct a lot of US drivers would end up in jail if they ever drove in Europe.

Obtaining a drivers license here in the US is far easier than the test skills required in most of Europe and particularly Germany.

I'm always amazed at the general lack of courtesy and lane discipline by drivers here in the US.

 

[DavidR]

Sorry for the lecture, I didn't pick up on your

accent in your posts. But I did notice the Madison CT home location so I presumed American.
You mentioned "courtesy" and "lane discipline", I'm not familiar with those terms, can you please explain? In which cupholder are those typically located? :haha:

 

[dougm]

I had considered doing the same until I found out that shipping, clearing customs, and transfer to a local dealer could take 6-8 weeks after dropping it off in Germany. During that time, I'm without the car and it's still depreciating in value. Instead, my car is scheduled for production August 3 and I'll pick it up from the dealer in New Hampshire in September as soon as it arrives. Then, next spring we'll vacation in Greece and leave the car at home.

 

[audi4t]

Yes that's a disadvantage. But the MSRP is 7% lower with ED and I plan on leasing so lower lease payments.

Where r u in NH I'm up there all the time.

I have a time share in Attitash.

 

[dougm]

I actually live in Vermont but couldn't make a deal with the only Mercedes dealer here. My sister lives in Manchester, NH, so while visiting her I went in to the dealer there. I got a guaranteed trade figure for my 2005 Jaguar based on the April figures in Kelly Blue Book (no other dealer, even in Boston, was willing to do that); plus I managed to get another $2,000 discount on the price (no other dealer, even in the Boston area, would think of giving a discount and wanted full sticker price).

 

[audi4t]

Talked with dealer i am using who is very knowledgeable about ED and then booked the flights. My dealer will then coordinate placing the order and car delivery with my arrival in Stuttgart. No urgency for placing order since AMG's not yet configurable and I am not taking delivery until next spring. Hardest part now is picking color and options. I plan on trying to keep options minimal - don't want to turn a $50 k car into a $70 k car (Porsche syndrome :crazy