[espressomac]

The Black Label Specialist at the Lincoln dealer where we ordered our MKC emailed me today to let us know there is a tentative production date:

"I also checked the order status on the MKC and it shows as of October 19th that Lincoln is scheduling your MKC for production the week of November 16th. I know that sounds farther away however I'll check again on Monday the 26th just to make sure, I say this because the asterisk by the scheduled production date said that is tentative & will be updated again on the 26th."

I was hoping it would be a bit quicker than that, but hey, at least we have a date now. And who knows, maybe it will be sooner.

 

[mmoretti]

Wow, you and your wife have been waiting a long time it seems since you ordered. They're not even scheduling the production for another month? Well at least you know it's getting on the schedule. It must be hard waiting especially anticipating your trip!

Do you know if ordering/production of a BL vehicle is longer than other orders? I would expect some added time I guess with the custom materials. Do you know anything about the build/production process of the black labels? is there anything special about it?

Hoping nothing gets delayed for you and more importantly that they build your car perfectly!

 

[espressomac]

I did send and email asking about the production scheduling, just out of curiosity. Ford Motor Company brought just-in-time manufacturing the US, so it stands to reason that if they want to keep manufacturing inventories low, they probably schedule Black Labels to be produced at the same time, as in the same week. Things like the black grille sf the Sync 3 with a custom startup screen to the themed interiors and the wheels are all different, so I can't imagine they want to keep those there for any long period of time.

But unless I get an answer from Lincoln, it's just speculation.

 

[espressomac]

Black Labels built at same time as other MKCs

Well, it looks like my speculations were wrong. I heard from the Black Label Specialist at Crest Lincoln and she wrote "...there is not a set schedule for the build process on the MKC's. Usually the Black Label models and the regular models are built at the same time."

 

[mmoretti]

Meant to ask you..since you are buying the Black Label from a dealer you obviously cannot go to for the other service perks are you able to transfer that to another local dealer? How is that going to work for you? I would assume a regular dealer could do the service and send out for the annual detail..

Were you able to get a confirm on whether they started production of it on October 19th as they tentatively scheduled?

 

[espressomac]

Both Lincoln and Crest Lincoln let me know that the 'perks' are totally transferrable. It doesn't matter what dealer you buy the car from. They will drop off a loaner and pick up your car, etc. etc. It would be silly if they didn't. People move all the time. Besides, probably helps keeping the dealers on their toes.

BTW, it's not Oct. 19th, it's the week of November 16th that our MKC is scheduled for production. That remains unchanged as of yesterday.

 

[mmoretti]

Wow, they're not starting until November 16th? When did you actually place the order? When is your approximate eta (if you have one) You must be excited to plan your trip too.

Yeah that's right, I guess people move, they would have to allow for that. How many black label dealers are there in your area? Wonder what happens after the four years, I guess back to regular service/maintenance?

As it stands now you get 4 years of the my Lincoln remote service stuff then beyond that they mention a "charge" but they have no idea how much it will be . Guess they can't give a number until it gets closer to the 4 year mark as prices/costs may go up. Mercedes gives 5 year free of the basic services/app with upgrades for another $20-$199/ month.

 

[espressomac]

We placed our order on Sept. 23, but we don't have an estimated delivery date, just production week. I wonder how long production to delivery takes.

Although we are still looking forward to our trip, it seems like it's going to be much colder than we had planned. For us Miami folk, Michigan in late November is rather cold. I hope Thanksgiving doesn't get in the way.

We've got two Black Label dealers within 50 miles, one at 7.2 miles and very much on my way to work, and there is another that is 42 miles away (34 miles from work).

Speaking of what happens after the 4 years, I wonder if they let you buy an extended warranty like Audi does. Before your original warranty runs out, you can have them check your car, and if it passes their inspection you can opt to buy that extended warranty. We did and now our Q5 is under warranty until 100,000 miles. And it's transferrable, so when we sell it, the new owner will be getting a car under warranty.

In four years we'll cross that bridge...

 

[mmoretti]

Well I hope it's ready soon for you. It will be quite cold up there in Michigan, especially if you are used to Miami weather

 

[espressomac]

Well, our MKC arrived at the dealer just hours ago. We have reservations to fly up to Detroit from Miami on Dec. 9 which is when we pick it up. it's going to be sooooo much colder up there....

 

[mmoretti]

How are you possibly waiting until December 9th . Good luck. Safe travels.

 

[espressomac]

It really came down to a few 'travel windows' that we had given Thanksgiving and December. Good news is that around Dec. 9 no one seems to want to travel one-way from Miami to Detroit, so we got non-stop tickets on American Airlines for $49. Yes, that's forty nine dollars. Amazing.

 

[mmoretti]

$49?!? Wow!
It must be hard knowing its (your car) at the dealer now. You got a 2016 notorious/indulgence right? Yours is coming with the black grille right? Definitely post pictures. Think you will be first on here with an MKC with a black grille.

How long are you taking to get back to Miami from Detroit? Did you ever set up your black label dining experience?

 

[espressomac]

The dealer texted me a couple of pics just after the MKC was unloaded from the truck. For some reason it seems to have been the only vehicle on the truck. And you have good memory -- 2016 Notorious with Indulgence theme and the standard black grille.

We pick up the car on the 9th in the afternoon and we have to be back in Miami by the evening of the 13th, so we don't have that much time. Somehow we will still manage to squeeze in two National Parks on the way down so my wife can check them off her list.

Black Label dining will not happen in Detroit since we just don't have time. We hit the road the minute we leave the dealer. Crossing our fingers...

 

[mmoretti]

Oooooh nice. Do you know if grille is gloss black or flat? Hard to tell in the pictures.
Too bad you didn't have more time, hope the weather is good for your trip. Overall it's been mostly mild so except for the mountain regions you should be good. Enjoy!