Chrysler 300: Factory Order Experiences

jeffwoerth

I factory ordered a Magnesium 300C from a NJ dealer on Thursday 7/8. I was told that Chrysler has actually stopped production going back a few weeks to fine tune the production line and that they would resume shortly. The time frame I was given was 6-8 weeks for delivery and was also told that at this time they were unsure of whether or not I would be able to get the sunroof due to an under-estimation of consumer demand for that option. I'll follow up in a few weeks.

mikemullin6

I intentionally did NOT order a factory installed moonroof with my C and, instead, opted to have a Hollandia/Webasto 744 moonroof installed after I received the car. The basic moonroof mechanism is the same as the factory installed one: both made by Webasto and the same basic model. The big difference in the aftermarket one is the greater flexibility in controls available (more options on opening, closing, 2 pre-sets for partial openings) and, drumroll, a rain sensor option. The rain sensor option will close your open moonroof while you're in the store/on the golf course/etc. Sensor seems to be the same technology as the rain sensor windshield wipers..

You need to get on the Webasto/Hollandia web site and make sure you're dealing with a factory authorized installer. Cost for basic moonroof (installed) was $899 which is pretty close to the list factory option. The rain sensor was a couple hundred dollars more so you may not want one.

I've had aftermarket moonroofs on several recent vehicles and prefer them to factory installed.

Might speed up your delivery time.

Good luck!

trashman2

i called the 800 number today they said they will start to build the car in 10days. ordered 4/22 anybody else with april or may ordershear anything. sounds like we might be getting closer good luck the trashman.

tolenash

Remembering the saying: "a watched pot never boils" I decided to not call DCX last week at all.. Yesterday, I stopped by the dealerchip for an update and surprise...my silver C moved to D status on 7/1. Yippee. Ordered 4/23.
options: sunroof, sound 2 w/nav, and protection 2.

jeffwoerth

Thanks for the info Mike. The dealer called last night to inform me that the supplier has come through with moonroofs for when production starts back up.
I'm going to look a bit more into the aftermarket product you referred to. I love that rain sensing feature. You have no idea how many times I've woken up in the middle of the night and had to run outside in the rain because I was afraid that my wife had left the roof open.

yak54

Did they shut down first two weeks of july on the 300? I thought they had a an agreement with the unions to work through vacation.

mark_a

I ordered May 24th and mines being built right now, in framing. The plant shut down for one week (last week).

jlowe66

I'm curious about where people are ordering their cars from. Seems like some people are getting their vehicles quickly and some are taking forever. We ordered our 300 on July 5th in Tennessee. We have a VON # and are currently in BX status.

yak54

Thanks for your reply what was your von #? Mine is 13039xxx ordered 5/10 as of yesterday was in D status.

bobonos

Ordered 300C w/ Moonroof April 14 - have VIN# and build date of July 24 Saurday?) Told can't commit to delivery date, but should have by early Sept.

mark_a

My VON is 13163xxx. Some of what determines when the car gets built is the dealer allocation. Since yours is in D status, your dealer now has allocation. I went to D1 about a week after I went D status. D was 6/21, D1 was 6/29.

jeep

You may do better than that. Mine was built on May 4th and it was delivered to the dealer on May 6th.

touringtme

I was told the Sunroof and car was complete and ready for delivery June 16th, now every week told on hold and that a part had to be replaced to retro fit, told by the sales at my dealership. I have a call into them now and would like answers why I have not been delivered my car since it has been complete. I can't wait till Sept or Oct.

crispiegee

I ordered my 300C on June 11th (the only option I got was the sunroof). The car is in D1 status with a build date of July 19th.

My location in Buffalo, NY, is two hours from the Brampton assembly plant, and the rail yard is right here in West Seneca. This means that I probably won't have delays due to the rail car situation. I'm pretty excited, and it means that there is hope for all of you that ordered a car.

touringtme

Update from dealer, my car to arrive 15 July, was told on truck, (must see to believe) I asked him about status and he said it is out of KZ, which means waiting to be shipped. Will let all know. Was also told reason for delay was a reinspection on all cars caused delay for delivery.

touringtme

Car is here, now waiting for paper work and inspection. Car was ordered April 20th, 12 weeks later. Looks like cars are being released. Good Luck everyone.

yak54

My order went in on 5/10/04. Finally got to D status on 6/17. They have rescheduled the plan build date several times :7/14, 7/20/ 7/24/ 7/27, and now August 2nd. I don't understand, and customer service has no answers.
What do you think!

mark_a

I've heard of two things, one is that the Uconnect parts are backordered, and the other is that there is a need for tools to assemble the sunroof that is causing delays. Does yours have either of these options?

touringtme

Let me first tell you this car is WORTH WAITING for, (i waited 12 weeks)I only have 30 miles so far, since I picked it last night and just wonderful.
I looked on the drivers door and this car was built when the dealer said it was being built, and I do have Sunroof but not Uconnect, I have not been told back order on anything any more, I know they did have back order on sunroofs, but mine made it throught before that happened, it was held up due to re-inspection. My car drives without any drift to the right, let go of the steering and perfect. Also, in Canada manufacturing closes for the next 2 weeks. I was told this by my co-workers, I work for a Canadian company.

yak54

I have a moon roof no uconnect. I had not heard of the roof tool shortage.

mark_a

This is what I pulled off another site

Potential delays in production due to backorders or other delays:

1. UConnect. According to a very helpful person (a rarity) at the DC customer service line Uconnect is on a short backorder. They should be in very soon (i.e. next few days) and production of cars that ordered Uconnect should begin shortly afterwards.

2. Sunroofs. According to this same source there is a slight delay also for sunroofs. They are not backordered but some new tool they need to properly install them has not arrived yet. Not sure about this one, but it is possible.

The uconnect issue explains why mine went from BX back to BG status.

Why can't all Customer Service reps be this helpful?? He even expressed frustration that the database they use was so far behind. Last update on his data was the 7th.

aylagirl

We ordered our 300C, satin jade with every available option except for the engine block heater, on June 15th. On June 22nd, I called Chrysler and was told it was in BX status. On July 14 I called again and was told car is in D status with a build date of July 30th. The customer service rep. told me that the build date is the date when they expect the car to be completely built and ready to ship.

We bought our car in Virginia and our VON was 1323XXXX. We now have a VIN.

rentfree

Has anyone been successful at purchasing a 300C recently from any dealer at or near Dealer invoice? (any state-anywhere, but we are in California) Do any carmaker employees (retired) get any allowances currently?
Thanks in advance....

hardhawk

There are several dealers in the US who will sell you an ordered unit at or below invoice. One is Mark Roberts Motors in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, about 50 miles north of Tulsa. They will pick you up at the Tulsa airport when you fly in to pick up your car. They sell for invoice less about $300, as I recall.

rentfree

Thanks for the reply; I'll check them out.

I thought someone had mentioned dealers in California or Nevada before, so any more input is appreciated.

trashman2

any of you guys and gals that ordered your 300c in april or may have any update on your order. 12 weeks for me and no news. i hope you all get yours soon.

wildebeast

Ordered my cool vanilla C on April 17. Have build date of Aug. 9. All options except Sirius radio, smoker, cold weather, walnut.Hope for delivery by Sept.

carcom2

My car is now in "I" status. Was told it's built and going through inspection. Ship date 7/21/04. Hope it really happens and the car is great. Really looking forward to drive it and nervous about it getting to the dealer and them letting someone test drive it and flooring it instead of taking it easy during the break in period. I'm calling the dealer tomorrow to request no one drives it. No test drives allowed. Ordered 6/2/04 fully loaded, except wood and smoker's group. Seems like the orders from 2 months ago are being shipped. Time of order to time of arrival at dealer cycle is shortening.

yak54

I don't understand each week I call I get a later build date 5 different dates from DC. Went into D status on 6/17.

bjsohio

My order has been in D status since 7/1. I ordered it April 27th, sunroof, PGII, SGII, pedals and wood.

scorp

Is the approximate wait time for delivery consistant with all of the models? I ordered a loaded (except smoking Package) Limited last week. Should I expect it to take as long as a C? Might I have a shorter wait?

trashman2

i called my dealer today to see if he had any news about my car said still in D status he said the car didnt even have a v.i.n. yet.so i said i have one i will give you mine he wanted to know how i got it. i said call toll free to chrysler,he said he will make some calls . try to find out whats going on. 12 weeks today good luck to you trashman

bigkev7000

Someone did mention it. It was in Burlingame California up north near South San Francisco. I will try to found out the name of the dealer.

trashman2

as you probally know i have a 300c ordered since 4/22 everyday i check the chrysler dealer website i noticed today when i clicked on the window sticker, that the base price is $32,870 the old base price was $32,370 this is a $500.00 increase this is new models . you can tell which is the car are the old car by its base price i found a car just like i had ordered but $500.00 higher. any input from any dealers on this.

hardhawk

Some of the options have gone up as well. Increase was July 7th.

yak54

talked to my dealer, and I am price protected. All orders in before 7/4 are protected. Mine was in on 5/10, in D status since 6/17, latest build date is 8/3.

ssshemi

Was the protection something your dealer gave you or is it from Chrysley?

yak54

Dealer said it was policy, will call dc om=n monday.

carcom2

My dealer said I am price protected as long as I pick up the car within 5 days from when they tell me the car is ready for pickup. Not sure if that varies from state to state.

yak54

I have been in D status since 6/17, ordered 5/6. I have been given 7 build plan dates from DC each progressively further out. On friday it was 8/2 today it's 8/9. This has happened 7 times now and no one has an explaination - not the dealer and not DC. It does have a moon roof but I thought that was no longer a problem?

Help!!

pixelpusher

Same boat here man..
Ordered 5/2..
5/7 Moonroof problem BX status until..
7/6 or so went to D status, told est. build 7/26
7/22 pushed back to est. build 8/9
7/26 pushed back to est. build 8/17

I also call 2x every time i call them becuse numerous times I have gotten 2 different stories and I have learned to believe the bad one hahahah! for instance today the 1st time i called they told me it looked like the car was supposed to have been built yesterday... YEAH RIGHT!! if only...
 13wks. and counting 300c Loaded except for sat radio & cold weather group

carcom2

Thought you would like to know my car came in today and will be picking it up tomorrow evening. Ordered 7/3/04-300C with all features except wood and smokers group.

yak54

Congrad! It is hard to understand why some wait for months and others a few weeks?

dap

I ordered my cool vanilla 300 limited with luxury group on May 25 and picked it up yesterday. It's beautiful! I did have a huge problem with my dealer yesterday. They called me and said that the value on my 01 Chev Tahoe LT had dropped more than $1,500 in 2 months. I lost it! I checked the NADA and it had not changed from May 25. They told me that they us a different book. After about 4 heated conversations they agreed to my original trade price. They never give up on trying to take advantage of you. I think they thought I'd be so happy to get the car I wouldn't care. So..make sure up front that your trade price will stand. I had a buyers order with the trade listed and still had a hard time.

yak54

Did yours have a moon roof?

carcom2

Picked up my car last nite. Hadn't had time to drive it much but it's excellent. So I got it w/ sunroof within 8 months. Forget about relying on Chrysler customer service updates. Their records show that it still didn't have a rail # to track it so "maybe it's stuck in customs in Canada". The salesman called me the same day to say it came in.

trashman2

13 weeks today called the hot line today still in d status no firm date like some of you guys get. if something dont happen in august they can forget my order. which i think they have already done. any of you guys with april orders getting any closer. good luck to you,

silverc

Don't really don't understand the priorities at Chrysler, it sounds like there are orders still not received from April. I ordered on 27 April, car was built 20 May, and I took delivery on 9 Jun.
300C with all options (except cold climate pkg).
Maybe someone needs to change that little "Prority Code:" block on the order form from "99" to "01" ???

bjsohio

My C order was placed April 27th (with sunroof). Last Tuesday DCCS told me it had a scheduled build date of Aug. 17....................

yak54

Called DC today, now they say the planned build date was yesterday 7/29. That is a change for the better from 8/9.