Part 2
Forgot to mention other trip reports posted previously include:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...leage-run.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...-sakura-f.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...ga-pixels.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...dventures.html
Breakfast at the hotel was very good and service excellent. The breakfast room was not all that busy at that time.
Breakfast at the hotel
We planned to be at the MB Kunden Center by 09:30. We used one of the 2 taxi vouchers for this trip that took about 30 minutes. I hear that folks picking BMWs get their ride to the BMW Welt in a 7-Series sedan! I guess Mercedes needs to step up its game a notch to compete, ha ha.
For more details of the MB European Delivery Program, use link below:
https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/europ...livery_program
Here we are, at the Kunden Center, you can't possibly miss the huge round MB logo everywhere around the massive factory campus in Sindelfingen.
At the Kunder Center - Main entrance
An aerial view of the MB factory campus (Credit Google Maps)
The taxi driver seemed to know what he was doing. He pulled up in front of the main entrance, where a porter was already waiting there to handle our luggage and backpacks.
We checked in at the front counter. Presented all needed documents, passports etc... All was in good order. We were asked to wait for a lady who would process our paper work. The paper work was finished in less than 25 minutes. There was some time to spare before our scheduled Factory Tour (English version is at 10:30). We were invited to please enjoy some cappuccino and cake! Cool. We also browsed around the floor and checked out some antique vehicles and some 2017 models.
Vehicles on the show room floor
Factory Tour - A short introductory video was shown in MB Theater. Then hopped on a bus and there we went (with goggles and headset in place)
The tour was very impressive & interesting, it lasted about 2 hours. First we saw the robots welding of the entire frame of some S-Class & E-Class vehicles. Next we saw the final assembly of the same vehicle model classes (S & E). Here we witnessed the "wedding" (the words used by the tour guide), whereby the entire dash-board was put into the finished frame by a robot (through the front driver door). Pretty cool!
When we returned to the Center, it was time for lunch. We used the "lunch voucher, a €75 certificate, and dined in the Daimler Restaurant. Service was first class. Food was excellent as well. Note the dessert plate with the MB logo made of sugar powder. A tradition, I was told! Even if you never eat dessert, you should order one just for photo-op!
We savored the delicious lunch and dessert at a leisurely pace. Finally, we asked for the bill. It was less than €75. We thought we just left it at that, and also left a gratuity in cash. But wait! They gave us a bunch of chocolate bars to make up for the balance. How nice!
Shortly after lunch, we were escorted to another area, outside the reception hall where the vehicles were waiting for their respective new owners.
We were met by a tech specialist and he introduced himself and took us to our car. Here came the big moment.
Big moment arrives
Inspecting the exterior of SUV
The tech carefully explained everything to us and helped program the GPS with all the destinations that I handed to him. Yes, I planned the road trip in great details before we arrived at Stuttgart.
When we are all set, the porter came out with our bags and loaded them into the car. DW slowly drove the car out of the center and did a “victory lap” outside before we disappeared from the MB campus.
Next 2 nights, we stayed at the Marriott Hotel in Sindelfingen, not far from the MB plant. We were treated well as Elite Platinum. This hotel however, needs an update badly. The service was fine though. Besides the location, I liked the fact that they have an underground garage for guest parking. The breakfast, though crowded (it appeared some company had a meeting/function), was quite acceptable.
Next up: A relaxing day to tour Stuttgart
Stuttgart
