medman2k1

Firstly thanks for the advice in this forum.

I was on the fence for ordering a GL 550.

Today I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a 2015

I specced it as follows

Obsidian Black
Panoramic roof
Designo Black Leather interior
Rear seat entertainment

Production is the 2nd decade of Sept.

Im paying basically full MSRP. Should I proceed or hold off to find a better deal. No pressure to buy but trying to get a read on how the market is for GL 550's.

Of course its the local dealer, not super high volume. Would be my first ever MB

Thanks for reading and responding

JimBarnhart

Medman, are you perhaps a doctor? I believe there is still a AMA fleet discount, but I could be wrong.

Discounts seem to be based upon geography, more common in areas with many dealers.

medman2k1

Jim thanks...

Yeah its 2k fleet discount

I think I will try and squeeze window tinting or another 10k prepaid service out of them.

Just seems weird that these 550's can still command MSRP, just want to make sure Im not getting completely hosed(>5k above market)

fq1

You might actually be getting hosed as there appears to be significant inventory out there. Since you don't really need one, you might want to wait for a better deal.

medman2k1

Fq1,

I kinda of suspected that but Just wanted to make sure.

It's 2k OTD

1775/mo for a 3yr/36k lease that's including 6.5% sales tax.

The MSRP is 98,395.

40k prepaid maintence is ~1900

Plus the 800 dealer fee

Plus the lease ~1k Lease inception fee

Puts the gross cap cost at
~102,190
Minus 2k fleet discount

100,190

Based on std MF(.00225) and residual of 53%

Pmt is 1786(inclusive of tax)

I'm at 1775.....so I'm at 99,690 gross cap....so they gave me basically 500 off MSRP.

The only plus is they can get me the GL by end of Sept. but only 500 off sticker seems not a great a deal for a 2015...GL 550 or not.

I'm going to tell them to cancel the order.

I'm not sure what is fair but assuming a 7% markup from invoice there is a ~7k spread from invoice.

Maybe 3.5k above invoice??

So maybe I need to ask for another 3k off

That would put me at 1675....which seems where it should be at now.

JimBarnhart

I tend to agree, it sure seems like you could do better.

mist68

2014 GL550:
Designo Black
Piano Black
Active Curve
Distronic
off road
panorama sun
heated steering
trailer
heated rear seats
heated washer

$106,500

48 mo/$1,275/m0

Northeast

German Car Guy

Medman, as others have said, I think you can do better. I just ordered a 450 from the Milwaukee area for $1500 over invoice ($4300 under MSRP) with no prior history with the dealer.

Granted, it is a 450 and maybe not in your area, but there are dealers that will negotiate out there. I would shoot for $1500 over invoice and try other dealers. Good luck!

Bocahoo

As others have said, I would think you can do better than MSRP. I'd wait for a better deal.

One other point though is have you considered the iPad docking station (or just letting your kids hold the iPads) instead of the rear seat entertainment option. I've had the rear seat entertainment in my last two GL's. We got a ton of use out of the first one (2009-2012), but I can't remember the last time we fired up a movie on the new one. Both my kids have iPads which they use to watch movies and play games independently on long trips. Two iPads will run you less than half the cost of the rear seat entertainment option. I'll never get this as an option in a car again.

43221B

I think the decision to get the Rear Seat Entertainment boils down to how old your kids are. I tried IPads, portable DVD players, etc. in my last GL and found it to be a pain to deal with the headphones, wires, mounts, charging it up, broken IPads, downloading content, etc. I now have the RSE and I love it and the kids love it. I still have little kids that can't manage their own content but eventually I'll probably go back to IPads.

medman2k1

43221B and Bocahoo,

Thanks for the feedback. Like 43221B both my kids are under 4. They both have Ipad mini's and leapfrogs they still demand the monitors in the headrest with a movie playing.

My son who is closing in on 4 always is puzzled why my car has no tv's present for his and his sisters viewing pleasure. So when I order my next M5, I will be adding the RSES(which seems really stupid for an M car but...).

Bocahoo

Good point. My kids are 7 and 8 now. When we got use out of the RSE, they were much younger. I can see RSE being the more convenient option for kids under 4. But I do regret getting it on my current GL.

wally AMG

+1

cincy8

I couldn't see myself needing it having older kids, but I figured the wiring would be a good way to 'proof' my car should needs change or to attract a future buyer.

medman2k1

Im seriously considering postponing the GL 550.

No one wants to deal on these in Florida.

You cant go out of state because MB dealers think you are an exporter.

Seems childish, and for no other reason than my ego but I feel that I should get at the least a small discount on model that is now going on its 3rd year, with no substantial changes.

Im at 500 plus the 2k AMA. I wanted around 4k plus 2k AMA.

Am I overreacting over 3500 dollars??? Its really not the money, just the fact that there is no deal to be had.....

JimBarnhart

Negotiating is interesting. Some despise it because of stress, etc. Others expect some in order to know they've accomplished something. Others feed on it and go to extremes. In general the dealership is more skilled and therefore win more of the poker games.

I once walked on a car over $150. It was a $24,000 MSRP car. But the salesman gave me a bad attitude at first and I decided to make him pay. After walking away and telling them I will be buying this car at a dealership 60 miles away, I got a call from the owner of the dealership. I told him it's not about $150, it's about the way I was treated. I bought the car at my price over the phone.

I tend to be more to the 'extreme' end.

Here's my advice. Call up your salesman and tell him/her you are having second thoughts - and for one and only one reason. Tell him you think you are getting taken advantage of on price. Tell him you've been researching on the internet, through forums, websites, etc. and you are finding that most deals on GL550's are done at $1-2K over invoice plus any fleet incentive. Tell him you intend to get all your service done with them if you buy from them. Tell him you intend to be fully impressed with Mercedes and are looking to start a relationship with them and purchase more MBs in the future. Then say given the current price you just don't feel comfortable with them in a long term relationship and may have to rethink how and where you purchase this car.

Then you need to state your terms. Tell him you think you are being forced to expand your search. Tell him it looks like the most competition is further away, but that you think you too could get a deal for $1500 over invoice. That's why you said $4500 plus $2000 fleet. Tell him you are willing to expand your search, but it's a hassle and if they could come to $3500 plus $2000 it would make you feel like the dealership cares about earning my business. They will likely counter. If they don't, tell them you will have to expand your search, but will want to let the owner know why you cancelled your order.

43221B

From what I've seen, the 550's are on the lot for a week or less. So, I wouldn't be offended if I were you. I would take Jim's approach and see what happens. Also, go to a site like Edmunds.com and see what they are selling for in your area. I've found Edmunds to be fairly accurate on what you can expect to pay. If Edmunds shows the GL's are being discounted, then tell the salesperson you just want a fair deal, nothing more. One thing you have on your side, even with a vehicle that is in high demand, is that your salesperson wants to sell that GL before one of the other salespeople at the dealership do. Use some humor and remind him/her of that. Keep it light.

fabbrisd1

Frankly - I would recommend that you don't upset yourself on a "target" you set for yourself.

GL550's in the Southern Region - production for balance of the calendar year is already about 70% pre-sold.

If you have gotten a 2nd decade Sept production slot - with reasonable expectation to be driving end-of-Sept/1st-week-Oct - now that's to the good !

1) Drop the 40K maintenance plan and capitalize a 30K maintenance plan - a couple of bucks, not much - buts its the point - if you plan to drive OVER 12K per year, then structure your lease at 15K per yr - and still get the 30K - frack the last 40K service - they tacked that on for their advantage on your turn in - not for you.

2) What $800 dealer fee ? There is a Mercedes destination fee on the spec sheet - but $800 for a dealer handling fee ? Extreme dealers charge $350

3) MBFS origination fee is $895

Frankly delivery timing is spot on - since 3yrs from now you can be in another new/early-adopter - or have a pull ahead and end 4-5 months early to take advantage of end-of-model year special.

You have called around - do you think it's a conspiracy - GL550's will be sold out for the calendar year - with few select exceptions - in 3/4 weeks.

If you wait for late Spring - then your go forward timing gets whacked - since pull ahead for new/emerging Fall doesn't happen.

medman2k1

Jim and 43221B,

I really appreciate the positive feedback. Im going to wait a until after the holiday weekend and see where I get employing a mix of both your strategies.

I really do want to get this car for the wife, she more than deserves it. Just need to get it done.

francotse

When is the 2nd decade of September? 09-02-2014?

JimBarnhart

Loosely speaking 1st decade is 1st through 10th of month, 2nd decade is 11th through 20th of month, 3rd decade is 21st through 30th of month.

stephenli

I ordered GL550 diamond white early July, and will get it this weekend.
MSRP $96,290. I got $5500 off, which includes $2k fleet discount.

In July, this dealer was the 2nd one I visited. The 1st one said only fleet discount, no other negotiation. I was very surprised, since truecar.com showed, in my area, the average price was lower than MSRP about 3000, (not sure this includes fleet discount or not). The 2nd one was straight forward, saying invoice+1000 (after fleet disc). So I paid 2500 deposit. They said GL550 usually asked for 5000 deposit. Not sure if this is true.

medman2k1

stephenli thanks for providing a recent data point on sales

Im in Florida and I have had a little more difficult time.
My local dealer was only 500 off MSRP plus 2k fleet on a MSRP 98,395.

I went ahead and ordered car for late sept delivery with a 2k deposit.

I just got another dealer(45 min away) with a car on the lot with MSRP of 98,155 and is willing to do 2k off plus 2k fleet. So 1500 better than my local dealer plus I can take delivery of the car this weekend.


I will see if my local dealer really wants my business tommorrow. Basically I want 3k off plus 2k fleet. If my local dealer can do that, I will stick with my ordered car. If not I will pick up the other GL 550

swdrdave

So what ended up happening?

medman2k1

Car is still on order.

The local dealer came down a little more in price(~1500)

So Im at 1740/mo including tax for 3yr/15K lease with just the 1st payment down to drive off.

Im going to take a look at a left over 2014 GL 450 that is fairly well equiped(MSRP 81,695) but does not have the lighting package. If I like, I may just get on a 2yr lease and come back for the refreshed GL 550.

The GL 550 does not lease well at all. As a refernce my 2013 M5 that I leased 6 months into its introduction was MSRP 106K and Im at 1425/mo with zero down 10k miles/month with service included.

Some may ask why dont you just buy the darn thing? Well, I never had a good experience trading in cars like these. For example, I got supersoaked when I traded in a fully loaded(yes every single option available) 750 LI in 2011. Lost about 65k in the 2yrs and 18k miles I had the car when I traded in. I would have come out about 15k or so better had I just leased the thing. And of course the cash would have been in my hand. Lesson learned.

I will keep the thread updated once their is a conclusion.