medman2k1

Hi all.

Im a newbie to the MB world.

Im strongly considering a 2014 GL 550 for the wife versus going for a 2015. I was trying to figure out when was the latest I could order one.


Thanks in advance

fabbrisd1

Frankly - that would be quite quickly with a dealer that has a open 1st decade June or 3rd decade June allocated GL550 production order.

With end-of-model-year production units have been allocated - and factory has "locked down" production orders thru end-May.

Please note on 3rd decade June production - there is a risk factor that "some" of those orders could "flip" to MY15 production 3rd decade July/1st decade.

Keep the beat !

medman2k1

Thanks fabbrisd!

I will get working on finalizing my configuration and reach out to a few dealers and see if I can snag a early decade June slot.

Im assuming that I will have stronger negotiating capacity on a 2014 vs the 2015. So that is an additional motivator as well.

JimBarnhart

Since you are new, there is a significant difference between a 2014 and 2015 GL450. The 2014 will have a V8, the 2015 will have a turbo V6.

medman2k1

Jim,

I was planning for the GL 550. That will still retain the V8 correct?

Plus Im shooting for a 2014.

As a side note, this will be my wife's primary vehicle(kid hauler 1,3 & 5 yrs old ).Im only getting the 550 because I will be stuck driving it on occasion and I can't enjoy driving underpowered vehicles.

Dalema

Curious as to why you prefer the 14 over the 15? Is it just the pricing - would there be a big enough price difference (or would you lose out on resale down the line)?

Just curious.

medman2k1

Im planning on leasing so not really concerned about resale value per se.

Im guessing that a oredered 2014 will have a touch more wiggle room on pricing vs a 2015. If Im wrong, someone who is knowledgeable please correct me?

I checked autotrader and there are ~617 2014 GL 550's on dealer lots across the country. I would love to go after one of those BUT I have learned that no deal is worth it unless a car is configured the way I want it. Most of the cars on dealer lots do not have active curve, which is a option I want. I will autotrader check from time to time but I doubt something will magically appear to my specific taste.

I have not read of any significant changes to the 2015 GL 550 to persuade me to hold off. Start/stop(absolutely useless plus the fact that it cannot be permantly disabled is annoying)

Im both the best and worst car shopper. Im educated, not scared to spend more if I really like something, rarely keep cars more than 3 years, lease routinely. However, I like getting a fair deal, and despise dealers who attempt to treat me as ignorant.

Dalema

Agree with you on configuration - our one was off the lot but would order my next one (although I have a 450 so now unsure what I'll do next given the V6).

You may want to be careful on the residuals that are probably set at time of delivery, in case they significantly reduce for the 2014. I've seen this on other brands - not sure if MB is the same. Having said that, if you can get a super deal it may offset this! As you said, you're educated so you can run the numbers.

medman2k1

Dalema,

You raise a point that I have not fully considered with regards to decreasing residuals.

Im a BMW guy, and typically what happens with BMW leasing is that the lease deals get better as you get closer to the end of the year. Even if residuals drop, then it's made up with better pricing and mfg cash to dealers. Im assuming that MBFS acts the same way as they assist dealers in disposing of their old inventory.
However, once the end of the year rolls over, leasing support is extinguished and it becomes better to purchase/finance than lease.

My experience with leasing BMW's has been very favorable. I have found that exiting out of 1-3 yr old 90k+ plus cars is sobering financially. Whether you paid cash, or financed it. You never get anywhere close to fair value on the trade(even from Carmax), private party selling is difficult for me time wise and the hassle of dealing with strangers.

I've been down the paying all cash for 100k cars before and because Im itching for the next thing in a 1yr or 2 I get "burned".
So I like locking my cost in on the front end and not trying to figure it out on the back end.

It's all excess and not needed BUT I love cars and new toys so Im willing to pay to play!

medman2k1

So I found a few dealers that still have a 2014 allocation. My desired 2014 Build is as follows

Obsidian Black Metallic
Designo Black Leather
Brown Satin Ash wood trim
Heated steering wheel
Drivers assistance package
Active Curve system
Rear Seat Entertainment
Panorama sunroof
Rear Side Window shades
Splitview


Im being quoted about 6k off MSRP, standard money factor and whatever mfg incentives are available at time of delivery. Is this a fair deal?

Interestingly every dealer that I asked for a quote was very suspicious that I was an exporter!

Is the demand that strong overseas?

JimBarnhart

lighting package is a must.

Dalema

Tow package

medman2k1

Thanks for the suggestions.

Is there an additional lighting pkg for the GL 550?

Tow hitch. If I was purchasing I would definetly do. But this will be a lease and Im going to skip it. I tow absolutely nothing.

Is the 6k discount fair? MSRP ~105k.

Dalema

I always go from invoice price - how does it compare to that?

I've been out of the market for a while so can't help too much with market data. Others on here may have recent data. If you're leasing you should see what the residuals are (locked by MB) and what price differential is for 14 and 15. You could google edmunds lease rate and look on the edmunds forums as people often post what the are getting.

Fab has posted before that the tow package provides extra rear protection for a small fee (particularly if leasing).

Also, ask about including maintenance in the lease as I think you can residualize that too.

JimBarnhart

I missed that it was a 550 - lighting pkg is standard on the 550.

jcbutta

+1

Dalema

http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion...ease-questions

medman2k1

Thanks Dalema!

Will hold off for now and shoot for a late 2015 or the refreshed 2016.

Thanks everyone for the help, great forum!

Dalema

What numbers did you get on the 550 - did it not work out for you? The discount seemed decent?

I think you can order a 2015 presently.

medman2k1

Dalema,

I got MSRP 103500 with a sales price of 97,500. Dealer fee 650 Lease acq of 1095.

I would also be able to apply 2k AMA fleet. So the final sales price would have been 95,500.

Its a fair price I believe for 2014, though Im sure the pricing will continue to improve the end of december.

Will wait because I was unsure if this is the best vehicle for my wife at this time. Whenever Im unsure, best to pull back, regroup and proceed from their. To be honest, I thought I would have until the late may before I had to make a choice for 2014. When fabrisd urged me to move forward if I wanted a 2014, I did just that.

No worries, Im pretty sure I will get a 2014/2015 or 2016 at some point!

Dalema

Agree if you're not sure on the vehicle - that's the most important part.

For what it's worth my wife loves hers.