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Mercedes Benz E-Class Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1934 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 10:05 AM

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

Messages Page 150 of 194

#1486 of 1934 Re: Buying a New 2012 E350 [abacomike] by damandamif

Jan 12, 2012 (8:51 am)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 11, 2012 8:42 pm)
You know what's funny is I don't even know the kind of discount they used. I did tell them we had an Acura. I'm a former Marine and think I joined USAA but the dealer told me their discount would be even better. They tried to get me to finance the warranty and maintenance program but I opted to add the warranty when the dealers was expiring and pay for maintenance as needed. They offered a 15% discount but to me it didn't make sense to finance something I couldn't use until either 4 years or 50k miles.
 
You made out like a bandit with the price and your maintenance deal! Question, to avoid repair costs it sounds like it makes sense to buy a new Benz every 4 years or 100k miles and get the maintenance package, what do you think? Thanks.

#1487 of 1934 Re: Buying a New 2012 E350 [damandamif] by abacomike

Jan 12, 2012 (9:49 am)

Replying to: damandamif (Jan 12, 2012 8:51 am)
I believe your salesperson was correct because the USAA pricing is actually $1500 below invoice. You did get the conquest discount of $2000, which you cannot get if you use USAA pricing. The only incentive that can be used with USAA pricing is the MB Financial and you have to have a current lease or active loan with them to qualify for it.
 
In my estimation, you paid invoice for the vehicle less $2000, which was the conquest discount/incentive - and that is an excellent price - $2000 below invoice is exceptional. The only reason I got $4000 under invoice was due to the USAA coupled with the MB Financial + the 3 year maintenance policy with MBUSA.
 
I remember purchasing my 2011 for $4000 under invoice because of a special promotion Mercedes had with USAA - PLUS 2000 incentive with MB Financial - or a total of $6000 under invoice. Sure wish I could have gotten that on my 2012. Only reason I bought a 2012 was because of the new engine and transmission - better fuel economy (30+ mpg on highway) and 34 more horsepower (268 to 302) which was sorely needed in the E350.
 
If you you are going to keep a car for 3 or 4 years, then the maintenance policy saves you about $500 on a 3 year, and a little more on a 4 year. But remember, a 4 year contract only covers A services and B services which are every 10,000 miles. Thus, you are covered for only 50,000 miles (a service at 10K, 20K, 30K and 40K which takes you to the 50,000 miles). If you drive more than that, you will have to pay for services at 50K, 60K, etc. Those services range in price from 325.00 to 450.00, depending upon the service interval.
 
Over the past 10 years, I have purchased a new car every year. But, with this 2012, I plan to keep it for at least 3 years. I drive about 9000 miles per year, which is very low mileage.
 
If drive 15,000 miles per year, 3 years is optimum for keeping a car, although, on a Mercedes, you could easily keep a car for 100,000 miles so long as you service it properly and change tires when needed.
 
I have found in my experience that brakes are one of the first things that need to be replaced on German cars (Audi, BMW and Mercedes). I believe it has something to do with the "softer" pads that are used for better friction against the rotors, which wear out faster. That is one of the great selling points for BMW, which covers brakes, belts and hoses. Mercedes does not cover those items. Even with extended warranties, those "wear and tear" items are not covered. Not even with the maintenance policies. Maintenance policies only cover regularly scheduled maintenance - A and/or B services - like oil changes, tire rotation (which you can't use if you have a sport with different sized tires front and back), fluid drain and replacement, fuel and oil filters, to name a few. But that's all that is covered.
 
I hope I've answered you question.

#1488 of 1934 Re: Buying a New 2012 E350 [abacomike] by damandamif

Jan 12, 2012 (11:45 am)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 12, 2012 9:49 am)
Yes, you laid it out quite well. Synthetic oil every 10k miles. We've got a Acura MDX I'll use for running around town errands. The E can be for road trips. From what I understand the new E-class has reduced friction in the engine by 30%. Hopefully the new E will show improvement over its predecessor. They next step will be for Mercedes to reduce the need for service visits. I'm confident Mercedes got this one right. I appreciate all the information you've provided. Now I want to get a vintage Benz and start tinkering. Thanks again.
 
Oh yeah, I did pick up the ding protection and wheel protection coverage. Between parking lots and bad roads in Jersey I thought it made sense. Take care.

#1489 of 1934 Re: Buying a New 2012 E350 [damandamif] by abacomike

Jan 12, 2012 (12:11 pm)

Replying to: damandamif (Jan 12, 2012 11:45 am)
The wheel protection coverage is really a must with the AMG wheel package. I live in south Florida, so I don't get the wheel protection package because our roads are quite good. But in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, I would imagine the roads are like the surface of the moon in certain areas. When I lived in New York, pot holes were expected with the snow, ice, sleet and salt used during the winter.
 
If you are looking for an older Benz to tinker with and enjoy, I always enjoyed the 280E from the 1970's. What an automobile. If you could find one that still runs, they are truly gems.

#1490 of 1934 Re: Buying a New 2012 E350 [abacomike] by damandamif

Jan 12, 2012 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 12, 2012 12:11 pm)
280E Hah? Thanks I'll check into that suggestion.

#1491 of 1934 lease ? by drjmak

Jan 12, 2012 (9:26 pm)

What does everybody think of a lease of $586 a month( tax is included in lease payment) for 2012 E350 sport 4matic 10k/yr for 33 months with P1 pkg, rear spoiler, comfort box split folding rear...MSRP 58,495. That price is with nothing down except for nl inception fees . 626 for 24 months

#1492 of 1934 Re: lease ? [drjmak] by abacomike

Jan 13, 2012 (2:44 am)

Replying to: drjmak (Jan 12, 2012 9:26 pm)
What are the inception costs? You state there is nothing "down". What is the .626 for 24 months? Certainly not the money factor on a different lease?
 
In other words, your info does not provide enough to give you adequate feedback.
 
Is the lease for 33 months or 24 months?
 
What does the ".626 for 24 mean"?
 
What are the exact inceptions and please break the inception fees down?

#1493 of 1934 Side view mirrors on new E350 by lawcar

Jan 13, 2012 (9:16 am)

The new E350 doesn't have electric folding side view mirrors. This is handy if parking on a narrow street, or driving through a narrow 2-way street. You can manually fold them in, but if you need to do quickly, there is a problem. With all of the electronic features they have, I was surprised they don't have this. The owners manual said that Canadian models have this feature though. Wonder why. That said, it's a great car.

#1494 of 1934 Re: Side view mirrors on new E350 [lawcar] by abacomike

Jan 13, 2012 (11:17 am)

Replying to: lawcar (Jan 13, 2012 9:16 am)
Yes, I agree completely with your criticism. BMW has had this feature on their 5 series cars since 2007 - I had a 2006 and when I got my 2007, it had become a standard feature on the 535i.
 
The only time I miss that feature is when I have to take the Mercedes in for a car wash at a carwash. That is a rarity since my Mercedes dealer in Delray Beach provides me with complimentary car washes once a week. But it is definitely an important feature, especially in tight-fitting parking spaces in malls or in bank parking lots.
 
I can't explain the rationale for Canadian models having it and US models devoid of the power side-view mirrors. They are not even available as an extra-cost option. I am going to bet that it will be added to the P1 and/or P2 package in the next year or two. Think of it in the same way you do "optional" leather interiors. Why leather seats are not standard on the E350 has been a sore point with E350 owners. 98% of all luxury automobiles in the $57,000 and up category have leather as a standard feature. BMW does not have leather seats standard on their 5 series cars either, but is added when the premium package is ordered. On the E350, it is only available as a stand-alone extra cost option and is not part of the P1 or P2 package, which it should be.
 
BMW has changed their add-on options from an a-la-carte approach to a "package" approach. When I ordered my BMW's from the factory, which was rare, to get a the premium audio system or a rear sunshade or leather seats or xenon lights or navigation, etc., these were available as stand-alone options only. Now, BMW makes these available in several package offerings.
 
This is just a flaw in Mercedes Benz's marketing strategy. If they sampled prospective Mercedes Benz owners, they would find out that we want leather and power-retractable side-view mirrors, etc., as standard features.
 
Excellent observation about side mirrors.

#1495 of 1934 Re: Buying a New 2012 E350 [abacomike] by hpatel79

Jan 14, 2012 (8:24 am)

Replying to: abacomike (Jan 10, 2012 6:08 pm)
Hi again,
I visited the dealer Euromotorcars and this is what he offered me for e350 sport with p1, and some other stuff..
Negotiated price $52392 includes conquest rebate of $2000
Sticker was $58500
MB prepaid Maintenance 1560
Wheel n tire protect 1995
Acquisition fee 795
Sales tax (MD) full taxes 3155
License 340
Doc fee 199
33 month lease 12k miles per yr
Monthly payment 803.95
Down payment 5293
 
Let me know what you think.
Thanks.

Messages Page 150 of 194

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