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Mercedes Benz E-Class Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1988 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2013 at 10:47 AM

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

Messages Page 127 of 200

#1257 of 1988 New to Mercedes: pricing advice by erinhrvp

Dec 09, 2011 (8:44 am)

Hi all - very helpful info on this forum! I have just promoted with my company to the level at which they give us a Mercedes cash allowance for a white Mercedes, any model. I have chosen the E-350, and am just starting to negotiate...could use insights on the following:
 
What is the difference between the Luxury 4Matic Sedan and the Sport 4Matic Sedan as listed on this site for price calculating? I don't see any differences listed.
 
I know I want the 4Matic with nav, rear airbags and natural beige leather...
 
1. Is the leather that much better than the leatherette standard? This is my first luxury car and my existing vehicles are all leather-like interiors
 
2. Should I go in with the maintenance package included in my negotiating price or add that on top of where we end up?
 
3. I see on here many comments about a shortage of 2012 vehicles...is the 2012 so much different than 2011? I'd be happy w/a 2011 unless there's some can't-live-without improvements on the 2012.
 
4. Any idea of the price of the nav system outside of the P1 package?
 
5. Any "must have" options that I'm missing?
 
6. It appears the base invoice is $49,281 and Mercedes will give me $2000 through the Employee Allowance Bonus Program, taking the price to $47,281. I've also been advised by a number of friends who've negotiated w/MB that I should include MB's employee 8-12% discount to get to my bottom line. So I am thinking of starting at 12%, taking the price to $41,607 (without the options I outlined above). Does this sound feasible?
 
7. We will qualify for the 1.9%, which I see in many threads can be negotiated down, so where should I start with that - offer 1%?
 
8. I can put 10% down but would rather not...can that be done?
 
Thanks for your insights!!
 
Erin

#1258 of 1988 Re: New to Mercedes: pricing advice [erinhrvp] by abacomike

Dec 09, 2011 (10:26 am)

Replying to: erinhrvp (Dec 09, 2011 8:44 am)
The sport model has a special sport suspension, different grille work, different body-side panels, and a sport instrument panel. The luxury has a softer suspension. Also, the tires are larger on the sport than the luxury (17" vs. 18")
 
Yes, inventory is much lower at dealers this year than last. I don't know why and my dealer tells me that production is reduced over last year.
 
The 2012 has a new engine (268 hp on 2011, 302 on 2012) with better fuel economy (20 city, 30 hway - and I am getting 33 mpg on the highway on trips over 40 miles). Since you are getting a 4-matic, fuel economy will be a little less for obvious reasons. There is also a newer and more efficient transmission.
 
You can only get the NAV with premium package 1 or 2. But remember, you also get rear sunshade, Harman Kardin 610 sterro with 14 speakers (12 speakers on the 2011). You also get heated seats and several other options.
 
You do not have to put anything down, so long as your credit is excellent.
 
As for leather vs. MBtex, I've had both and I prefer MBtex because is cleans up better than leather.
 
I currently have leather because I wanted the ventilated seats (heated as well as aircooled in summer, as I live in Florida). I also have the dynamic driver's seat, but I do not think I would get that again.
 
I got the premium 2 because I wanted the Xenon lights, cornering lamps, curve illumination and adaptive high beam system. I also like the Keyless Go, automatic trunk closer and others.
 
It's all a matter of choice.
 
As for negotiations, dealers are tied to a preset arrangement with Mercedes Corporate - in other words, there is a set price for which they will sell the vehicle, no more, no less. You can't bundle existing incentives with such offers, usually.
 
What I would do is go to three dealers. Get their best prices, which should be almost identical.
 
Your 1.9% finance rate can be negotiated down to .9%, if the dealer is willing to give up all profit on the deal, which most are not. But I was able to get 1.65 since I buy alot of vehicles from the same dealer.
 
For a more detailed explanation of packages and options, go to mbusa.com and go through the info on the E350 4-matic.

#1259 of 1988 response to questions by ghstudio

Dec 09, 2011 (12:59 pm)

1. Is the leather that much better than the leatherette standard? This is my first luxury car and my existing vehicles are all leather-like interiors. THE REALITY IS THAT THEY ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME, BUT SINCE THIS IS YOUR FIRST LUXURY CAR, GO FOR LEATHER, YOU'LL FEEL BETTER.
  
 2. Should I go in with the maintenance package included in my negotiating price or add that on top of where we end up? IF YOU LEASE, THEN YES, OTHERWISE, NO
  
 3. I see on here many comments about a shortage of 2012 vehicles...is the 2012 so much different than 2011? I'd be happy w/a 2011 unless there's some can't-live-without improvements on the 2012. YES, THE ENGINE IN THE 2012'S IS SIGNFICANTLY STRONGER
 
  
 4. Any idea of the price of the nav system outside of the P1 package? CAN'T GET IT...ONLY WITH p1 OR P2
  
 5. Any "must have" options that I'm missing? PREMIUM 2 PACKAGE
  
 6. It appears the base invoice is $49,281 and Mercedes will give me $2000 through the Employee Allowance Bonus Program, taking the price to $47,281. I've also been advised by a number of friends who've negotiated w/MB that I should include MB's employee 8-12% discount to get to my bottom line. So I am thinking of starting at 12%, taking the price to $41,607 (without the options I outlined above). Does this sound feasible?NO IDEA...
  
 7. We will qualify for the 1.9%, which I see in many threads can be negotiated down, so where should I start with that - offer 1%? ANSWERED BEFORE
  
 8. I can put 10% down but would rather not...can that be done? NO IDEA ON PURCHASE. NO MONEY DOWN ON LEASES.

#1260 of 1988 Just got a great deal on a 2012 e350 by bzjam

Dec 10, 2011 (5:40 pm)

I've been researching this car for a few months and talking to a couple dealers. I went in earlier this week to one dealer because they told me they would give me $6k off a 2012 e350 with p1. Everything was great until we got to financing. My credit is ok but not great. They offered 9.5%. I laughed and left. I called the dealership closer to me and spoke with the general sales manager. He said to fax my app to him and he'd get the deal done. An hour later his sales person calls and has the deal done for $7.3k off and 1.9%. I had to wait 2 days for the car to come. Went in signed papers no problems no fuss.

#1261 of 1988 Re: Just got a great deal on a 2012 e350 [bzjam] by e350fan

Dec 10, 2011 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: bzjam (Dec 10, 2011 5:40 pm)
bzjam,
 
Congrats!
 
Can you post more details (price paid on the car) on your deal? I am in the market too, also can you include dealership name?

#1262 of 1988 Re: Just got a great deal on a 2012 e350 [bzjam] by kevinc5

Dec 10, 2011 (7:18 pm)

Replying to: bzjam (Dec 10, 2011 5:40 pm)
If you don't mine, where are you and who was the dealer? Sounds like a stand-up guy and I'm sure he'd appreciate a plug. Thanks.

#1263 of 1988 Re: Just got a great deal on a 2012 e350 [bzjam] by abacomike

Dec 11, 2011 (5:39 am)

Replying to: bzjam (Dec 10, 2011 5:40 pm)
Would be interested in knowing what incentives were included in deal. I am going to assume you had incentives because you purchased the car for well under what the dealer paid for the car.
 
*Currently there is a 2000.00 conquest incentive on the 2012
*Currently, there is a 2000.00 MB Financial incentive to those who currently have a MB lease or an MB loan - which could not be bundled with the conquest incentive since it is a "conquest", or taking a customer who owns a luxury car, but not a Mercedes, and bringing them into the fray, so to speak
 
There is also a special incentive available to dealers for loyalty. The amount I believe is 2000.00. This incentive may be able to be bundled with the MB financial incentive.
 
USAA provides a pricing level for members of 500.00 over invoice LESS 2000.00. That cannot be combined with most other incentives - but the MB financial incentive CAN be combined with it.
 
You got a great deal, even assuming incentives.
 
As an example, in October, my 62,325 E350 sport was sold to me for $55,300, and included MB maintenance for 3 years, a 1000.00 or so value.
 
But that included USAA incentive and MB Financial Incentive of 1500 (which is what the incentive was in October). Invoice on the car was $58275.00, so I bought the car for about 3000 under invoice.
 
Enjoy your car - I've never had an E class sedan that handled, acceleratred and provided fuel economy like this new 2012.

#1264 of 1988 Re: Just got a great deal on a 2012 e350 [abacomike] by bzjam

Dec 11, 2011 (6:31 am)

Replying to: abacomike (Dec 11, 2011 5:39 am)
I didn't qualify for any incentives. When they were offering the $4000 conquest I had considered buying an old Cadillac for $1000 just to qualify but I didn't. I was told the special pricing was part of the "Winter Sales Event" they are having. I think it also has something to do with me being in constant contact with them over the past few months waiting for the right deal. I rented the 2011 e350 last week in Miami and thought it was great. When I got my 2012 e350 I thought wow they fixed all of the little things I didn't like about the 2011 such as the location of the iPhone connector, the extra hp and gas mileage, the improved graphics on the instrument panel, and the sd card slot instead of the PCMCIA slot. I think the reverse camera is slightly better too although I have to say the one on my Ford Expedition was much better then both.

#1265 of 1988 Re: Just got a great deal on a 2012 e350 [bzjam] by abacomike

Dec 11, 2011 (4:04 pm)

Replying to: bzjam (Dec 11, 2011 6:31 am)
Personally, after speaking with my best friend, who interestingly enough is the general sales manager of the dealership where I buy all my Mercedes Benz vehicles, he cannot understand how you could buy a new E350 sedan with P1 for 7,000 dollars + under MSRP without incentives. If what you state is correct, and you did not qualify for any incentives, the dealer sold you the car at a loss to him of over $3000.00.
 
Let's assume the car MSRP'd at 57125. Subtract 875 shipping and then multiply by .93 (his invoice factor), then add back the shipping cost of 875.00. Thus, his invoice is 53187.50. In addition to this, there is about 2% holdback or $1000, give or take a few bucks. Thus, his actual, dead cost for the vehicle is about 52,000.00. But you paid over 7,000 below MSRP. My best friend told me that he has never, ever heard of anyone getting that much off MSRP, with no incentives from USAA or Mercedes Benz, or Mercedes Benz Financial. He also added that not even he could purchase a vehicle for that price, and he is the GM.
 
His guess is that you qualified for at least $3500 in incentives in order to buy the car for what your purchased it for.
 
I sure would like to know how you were able to get a car for what you paid for it with no incentives. He also would like to know that. He said he would love to purchase cars for his inventory from your dealer, if you could let us know who the dealer was. He said he would call him up and buy as many as he would let him have.

#1266 of 1988 Re: Just got a great deal on a 2012 e350 [abacomike] by bzjam

Dec 11, 2011 (5:47 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Dec 11, 2011 4:04 pm)
Maybe it has something to do with the end of the year and taxes, maybe its the holiday season and he was in the giving mood, but I don't think it would be a $3000 loss especially when other dealerships are willing to do $6000 off with no incentives also. Merry Christmas to all (me especially I guess!) and good luck with your deals.

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