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Mercedes Benz C-Class Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1295 messages,  Last post on Nov 25, 2012 at 7:37 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 84 of 130

#830 of 1295 2005 C240 Used Car Buying Experience by MA_Driver

Jan 19, 2009 (2:09 pm)

I wanted to share a recent experience in trying to buy a used Mercedes C-class, and am also interested what other reader experiences have been. In December 2008, I started actively looking for a 2005 MB C240 4Matic. I got financing through my bank and started to visit used car dealerships in the Boston area. Being the end of the year (was after Xmas), I assumed dealers may be in a negotiating mood. I was surprised at the lack of willingness to negotiate from the dealers. I seemed to have miscalculated many assumptions, which are listed below.
 
1. End of the year shopping - dealers didn't seem motivated to sell their cars before the end of the year. Even on cars that have been in their inventory since June 2008.
 
2. The economy - I assumed there would be fewer buyers looking to purchase a car in this economy, therefore, dealers would be more willing to negotiate with customers. In fact, they gave very little room in negotiations. I couldn't get many dealerships to even get back to me when I called/e-mailed for more information on a car.
 
On average, I have been offering 10% less than their asking price. Is this unreasonable? What is an average markup/profit on a used Mercedes? What is a reasonable starting point for negotiations? 90%? 85%? 95%?
 
I found an interesting trend on eBay. I searched for 2005 C240's and many are listed. The asking prices are similar to what I am finding at dealerships. When I searched for only auctions that ended, I found that approx. 3 out of 100 cars were actually selling. The cars that have sold were much closer to the prices I have been trying to negotiate, other listings seemed very high.
 
I'm wondering if anyone else has a similar experience, or a different one. Is the economy not as bad as I am reading about in the news? What sort of deals are actually being had out there? Thanks!

#831 of 1295 Re: 2005 C240 Used Car Buying Experience [MA_Driver] by gotgt3

Jan 19, 2009 (2:27 pm)

Replying to: MA_Driver (Jan 19, 2009 2:09 pm)
RE: 2. The economy - I assumed there would be fewer buyers looking to purchase a car in this economy, therefore, dealers would be more willing to negotiate with customers. In fact, they gave very little room in negotiations. I couldn't get many dealerships to even get back to me when I called/e-mailed for more information on a car.
 
I've had the same. I wasnt getting any responses - 2 weeks after a RFQ no numbers and the audacity for 1 dealership to say noone is available everytime I called. Asked them point blank if they wanted to sell a car or not? Still no numbers. It's ridiculous. Im even considering other brands now, even though I don't want to, because of the rudeness and lack of service provided by most of the benz dealers in my vicinity. 1 in particular refuses to talk anything but MSRP. What planet are they from?

#832 of 1295 several qusetions about 2006 C280 by shued

Jan 19, 2009 (6:35 pm)

Hi, Guys:
I just bought a used 2006 C280 sedan from dealer. I have questions and hope to ask from you guys:
1): My C280 has cell-phone prewired package. Dealer will charge about $1,700
to make it work. Does anyone hear about third-party solution? such as extra part, procedure.
2): There has exterior lamp switch. When it turns left one stop or two stop, according to the user manual, it supposes to turn on left or right standing lamp.
But I do not observe the light. Does anyone know how it work?
3): How to open the cover of air filter? Does it is very difficult or need special tool?
I find that that there have two parts above the engine. The front part is easy to remove and just pull/lift it, which let you to access the oil filter. But the back part on air filter/duct looks difficult. In the User Manual, it DOES Not provide such info.
Thanks.
 
Thanks.

#833 of 1295 Re: 2005 C240 Used Car Buying Experience [gotgt3] by MA_Driver

Jan 20, 2009 (8:26 am)

Replying to: gotgt3 (Jan 19, 2009 2:27 pm)
gotgt3- A possible explanation might be that used luxury car sales may actually be increasing in this economy. A person who is used to leasing (or buying) brand new vehicles every couple years might decide it's more economical to buy a used luxury car and hold on to it for a while. Perhaps new car sales are down, but used car sales are up? If this theory is true, it could explain a dealerships lack of service, and an invalid negotiating point. I don't have any data to back up this theory, just a thought.
 
Another note on pricing is that many dealers are claiming to be "upside down" on their cars, therefore not able to sell below their asking price (which I feel is still high). They bought the cars many months ago before the economy got really bad and wanting to at least break even, which I can understand. It's interesting because I view cars as a perishable, losing value every month, especially on cars that still have an existing warranty. At a certain point, a dealer may have to face the reality of the market and take a loss on a car. That is my hope at least... I'm a patient buyer so I will see what happens in the coming months.

#834 of 1295 Is it a good deal? by sesame75

Jan 20, 2009 (1:11 pm)

Mercedes C300 sport 4matic 2009
P1 package
Multimedia
Ipod
Wood trim
MSRP 42890 quoted 39500 (500$ below invoice)
MF 0.002
Lease for 39 months/12000 K
Payment: 471$/month, Upfront = 3350 downpayment + 795 Acquisition + First month payment + Tax. Residual value = 55 % at 39 months

#835 of 1295 C300 Luxury P1 - Great Deal! by jgura

Jan 22, 2009 (9:13 am)

I think I did some serious damage on this one and I wanted to post here after lurking enough around the forum.
 
2009 C300 Luxury 4MATIC with P1
MSRP - 39850
39 Mo Lease
12,000 Mi/yr
$2480 Down at Closing
$439/mo INCL NJ Taxes
 
!!!!!!!! I think this was way below invoice.Go get em this month guys as I think Feb may change the residuals lower.....

#836 of 1295 Ready to pull on C350 by dannnv

Jan 22, 2009 (8:29 pm)

I am looking to pull the trigger in a new 2009 C350 with P02, MultiM, Leather, AMG wheels. I see lots of confusing prices with people talking about leases but I am buying. I think I should be able to get a pretty good deal on this since I have heard many people opt for the C300.
Can anybody confirm they paid below invoice and about how far below? I am not looking to hammer this dealer I just want to get a good deal. I got about 10% off my current 1999 C280 when I bought it. Can I get about the same now on the 2009???
Thanks

#837 of 1295 Re: Ready to pull on C350 [dannnv] by liche90

Jan 22, 2009 (9:18 pm)

Replying to: dannnv (Jan 22, 2009 8:29 pm)
yea you can probably get 10% off.

#838 of 1295 Re: Ready to pull on C350 [liche90] by dannnv

Jan 23, 2009 (6:53 am)

Replying to: liche90 (Jan 22, 2009 9:18 pm)
Thanks. What are you basing this on? Anybody else buy a C350 and get in this range? Is this really pushing ? I just think MB has to be giving incentives to sell below the so-called 7% invoice price with the market down.

#839 of 1295 Re: Ready to pull on C350 [dannnv] by georgiaguy1

Jan 26, 2009 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: dannnv (Jan 22, 2009 8:29 pm)
I took delivery of my C350 last month. Similar configuration, also with the Pan. roof and ipod connection and was able to get a 10% discount
here in GA. Hope this info. helps. BTW, I leased for 39 mos.

Messages Page 84 of 130

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