Tiagblur

Can you share your experience with the negotiations on 2016 vs 2017? What are the differences in price?

RA112623

can't be much help, but:
1. i was very satisfied with my pricing on a factory ordered 2016 in November
2. it's fairly well known that buying a car already on floor plan gives you the biggest leverage in price, but you give up specific options (2016 already around vs 2017 on the way)
3. same for buying the '16 on floor plan vs. the '17 that may be on floor plan.

but, everything is negotiable so you may have even better experiences. good luck, ron

DarrenK

I agree 100%. Was offered almost 13% off (including my fleet incentive) a 2016 GLE. It just was not optioned the way I wanted, and the colors were not what I wanted. Same dealer offered me about 9.84% off (before my fleet incentive which is much lower on the 2017) to order the 2017. Of course the options added 5K to the price, partly because of the way options were bundled into packages in 2017. I went with the 2017. Not as good a deal, but it will be exactly what I wanted.

Tiagblur

Thanks for the response.
For a 2016 with msrp of $58k. I was offered ~$5500 off (~9.5%). If it were 13%, I would definitely pull the trigger. I have more work to do, any suggestions. How did you get the 13% offer?

What is fleet incentive?

DarrenK

I actually did not do anything special. It is my understanding that this dealership just makes great offers and moves cars. They do a huge volume. Keep in mind, it was the end of the model year. Mercedes was having a "Summer Clearance Event" which was dropping the price a little. However, it was not combinable with my fleet discount, which was 2K, so the greater 2K discount would apply. At that point, the 17s were not out yet. I think now you should be able to get an even better deal.


Fleet discounts are pre-negotiated discounts available to members of certain organizations. For example, USAA and the ABA have fleet discounts (which always appear to be the same). If you belong to USAA, you can still get a 2K discount on any 2016 GLE (not the coupe, that is a 1K discount)

ranchu88

Was told MSRP on all custom orders for all 2017 GLEs down here in socal. How true is this?

DarrenK

Did just one dealer tell you that? I'd find another dealer, quick. There is no universal policy. Dealers set the sales price. MSRP stands for "Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price". Note the word "suggested". They can sell if for whatever price they want. There is a local BMW dealer near me who takes the "we don't discount" cars attitude. And they sell to a lot of old money folks who I think take pride in paying full price, and who think negotiating is beneath them. Not me. I like a deal.

RA112623

x2. maybe msrp, possibly plus, on the hot low production volume cars (the highend not many gonna be made kind). but i would move on if a sales rep told me no discount on standard stuff. did it twice with nearly identical "no one discounts these cars" (RX7 and 300e 4matic). NOT!

tiagblur, price out thru kbb or edmunds. you should get a good feel for the tissue on the car. go from there. good luck, ron

DarrenK

Well, I am not a fan of Edmunds, or any company that uses TrueCar to figure out prices. There was recently an excellent article about how TrueCar is NOT consumer oriented, but instead how they were forced by the dealers to reflect higher prices. I am sure if you google it you can find the article. Very eye opening. And as an exampple, TrueCar estimated my savings on my 2017 GLE (on order now) at $255 below MSRP. My actual agreed price is about 9.5% off MSRP (which is about 2200 below invoice) prior to my fleet discount.

Also, check out Costco's car buying service. Not always the best price, but a good starting point for an idea about prices, usually invoice or less, depending on the car.

DarrenK

Found the article about TrueCar:

http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/the-tr...ngs-1559397086

Basically they were forced to stop giving good deals by the manufacturers and dealers.

RA112623

no, i'm just talking about the tissue (invoice) cost. they used to give holdback also, but i can't seem to find it anymore. dealers I've been involved with won't touch holdback anyway. MB runs incentive also, so timing may help. ron

DarrenK

I think Dealers must dip into holdback, because many folks (including myself) get offered vehicles below the incentive amounts. It really depends on the dealer's motivation, and if you are in the area, they will make money on service and ancilliary stuff. They also make money on the back end by financinf, as well as selling warranties, etc. Some dealers will take a loss on the front end and make up some or all (or even a profit) on the back end.

ranchu88

Just one. I figured if anything, telling a potential buyer, MSRP only, will cause many to not even come in for a negotiation, which is what they want in the first place. Weird. You'd also figure Mercedes sells cars in volumes in Socal, but getting an online quote is nearly impossilble.

davezaristo

I usually try to go very close to or below dealer cost (meaning minus invoice, holdback, etc.) t at the timing where they need to sell that extra car in order attain that extra bonus from the manufacturer. For that to happen, timing is critical and you must have some kind of insider working at the dealership to tell you when to go in and negotiate for that deal. People usually thinks that toward the end of the month is the best timing for a good deal but that's not necessary the case if the dealer has already hit their monthly goal say on the 20th of the month. That's how I got more than $10k off on my 16 GLE400 in Nov 2015.

jayband

Just picked up a new 17 W166 for my wife. Originally was thinking about the Cayenne but the GLE350 was also on her radar since she like my W205

Passed by the dealer and she saw the eye catching cardinal red color and I saw the smile from her face, I knew we are going to get another MB in 2 years. The price turned out to be 12.5% off MSRP and immediately she was sold. PM me if you need the sales info from Stevens Creek MB. Not pushy sales tactics and they gave us the highest price for the mini-van trade in (FINALLY, I can go to Tahoe without worrying about snow!!!)

I think the 17 is worth it because of the LTE modem alone. My wife is paying extra $40 a month of the unlimited data so I figure if getting the Mbrace entertain ($18 a month) + required Mbrace Secure ($199), yearly cost of $415 is still cheaper than $480

I wish I can just get the Mbrace entertain alone of $18, let's see in 6 months when the Secure expire... But based on my W205, by the end of the 6 months trail, when you want to cancel it, the operator will give you "extra" discount

soslow748

PM you my email. Can you send me the sales info? Thanks

JOHNBEST2017GLE

Socal: 13% off msrp 62000 on a P2 GLE350 2017

david ngo

Hello, can you post the sale contact? Thank.

david ngo

I am still decision between gle350 or glc 300. One option 4matic i am sure not worth it. Regarless it will our first luxury car.