Snipe656

What is the downside to having the auto pay? I assume some downside exists since you mention to just cancel it after a few payments.

Vic55

No downside really. I just like to pay bills when I want via bill pay. I have never been a big fan of auto debits.

blue997s

The way it was explained to me is that all of the promotions (USAA discount, conquest cash, etc.) are updated each month. For an ordered MB, the availability and amount of these discounts depends on the date of the purchase (ie when the car is delivered.)

You may want to check out the west coast dealers (ie autotrader seems to show a bunch of E63 wagons in stock, mostly in SoCal). This month, I believe the discount is running $3k vs $2k in previous months, which may nearly cover the cost to ship the car to you on the east coast.

AMG12

Yeah I may address that with dealer once we can arrive on a price. I am not looking for a wagon, but will check it out. Especially if 3k vs. 2k conquest cash. I have only seen 2k for Feb. Still don't know why this is such a big secret. Should be posted right on Mercedes Web Site. Glad I did some searching or I would not have found out about the Conquest at all. Don't think dealer was going to bring it up.

wheelsloose

Does this Conquest cash discount apply if I pay cash for the vehicle or only for leasing? I also have USAA and the pricing on that right now at my dealer is $1,500 over MSRP but it sounds like I could possibly do better than that if I were to negotiate say 4 or 5K off MSRP and then have conquest cash as well of $3k to throw on top of that? I currently have a BMW X6.

How do I go about getting this conquest cash? Do I have to ask my sales guy about it or is it published on a website somewhere?

Thanks.

blue997s

As I understand it, you can't combine any of these, ie USAA or conquest cash or MB loyalty discount. The discount program for a given month are listed on the internal mercedes dealer communications network (forgot what it was called, it was an email-like system). I haven't found a way that a normal person can find that info directly. A good dealer will help you with all of this. The USAA deal is interesting. If you go through USAA they route you through the car buying service, **but** you don't need to use the car buying service. You can directly negotiate the price with any MB dealer and then you can use the USAA discount directly on top of that. I tried going through the USAA discount buying service and their pricing sucked (at least on an ordered E63 wagon - after a week of back and forth they couldn't do the deal at the price they first had agreed to.) Worked out fine in the end, I found a great dealer to work with directly instead.

Conquest cash is for owners of non-mercedes cars, ie you need to show proof of registration for one of the approved brands for this program. I believe the conquest cash is for purchase or lease, but I can't say for sure. I have only been looking at purchase.

Snipe656

Conquest is at least something that they advertise from time to time, until this thread though I did not realize they did it on AMGs. I thought I saw someone claim they were able to stack Conquest and Loyalty(they owned an MB already) but offhand that is the only time I have seen someone claim to be able to stack the MB incentives. A friend of mine wanted to try and stack Conquest, Executive(?) and do an ED last fall but then discovered you can't combine all of those and actually if doing an ED that is all you can use.

Vic55

The conquest program is no more visible to the public than MBFS residuals, lease factors, etc... now if a dealer wishes to advertise the program they can to maybe lure in more clients.

Google is your friend- posted by a participating dealer. And yes you can use Conquest if you just pay cash- Conquest comes from MBUSA and not MBFS.

AMG12

Wish I lived in an area where some cars were in stock because the way to get the best deal is to go in on the last day of the month armed with all the right info. Ordering costs at least 2k probably more on a deal IMO..

Snipe656

True but only applies if the car in stock is exactly or near what you want. It could just as easily have $2k or more in options you may not even want.

wheelsloose

I was actually wrong. Pricing right now is actually $500 below invoice for the CLS63 using USAA pricing. I hope that they do not change it in April when my CLS is supposed to arrive. That seems like a pretty fair deal to me. I was going to get a new M5 but I know there is no way in hell I am going to get pricing that even comes close to invoice. Most will be going for MSRP or 1-2k below for at least 3-6 months around here

AMG12

Yeah exactly if you can settle is the key. Actually in my general area they are under equipped. Mainly lacking PP and LSD...

Snipe656

For me I could care less about the LSD(if I regret that care then easy enough to add after the fact) and I am not so sure if the PP is a requirement for me or not. Kind of torn on the PP actually, think it greatly depends on if I'd keep myself in check and just leave the car stock or not. But then most cars in stock tend to have a few options I don't really care to pay for but would not complain if I had. I have a strong feeling financially speaking I'd be better off just ordering a car over settling for what is in inventory.

AMG12

With regard to conquest cash what is the likelihood that program will go away in the next few months?

wheelsloose

That is exactly why I ordered. I have to have carbon fiber interior and LSD and those were two hard options to find together without getting the performance package as well and I plan on adding tune so did not car to spend 7500 extra for that. I know it also has a few other options as well but I may also add suspension later as well.

AMG12

LSD is an option that I definitely want with all that power and don't want to do anything aftermarket especially on a lease. The PP ends up costing $85 more a month and I figure it's worth it. More than just power it is upgraded suspension too. I def agree with getting what you want and not settling.

Wheelsloose I agree with you on the M5, pricing is going to be high especially in my area and on a lease much higher. I think a good % of E63/CLS63 guys didn't want to wait especially to pay a premium. Especially considering 63 can hang with M5 and I'm sure it will be tight in the head to head testing.

Snipe656

I am looking to buy and not lease so that might very well be the difference in perspectives. As far as LSD though, I have had the power(and more) in a number of other vehicles that lacked LSD and never was an issue to me. I noticed in the C63 forum on here debates about the LSD and many saying the factory piece is not all that and a better aftermarket piece installed is not going to be tons more than the factory option. But I suppose if I were leasing I'd just toss it in there with the other options since not a ton more money per month and I agree I'd not go and mod(well tune maybe) a leased car.

It is actually the suspension with the PP that makes me debate getting it. Getting a tune on a non PP car to get more power is well within the realm of things I'd do. Doing any suspension work on a brand new car is something I generally will not do.

AMG12

What's the story with the $1200 pre-paid maintenance?

Thanks

Vic55

Sorry havent read the entire recent trails---- what are you exactly referring to? Your own deal? You dont have to opt for it if they are loading you up with it.

AMG12

Yes my deal and I figured I didn't have to add, just checking. Is there an area where I can find service schedule and rough pricing? Seems like the $1200 only covered a portion of the service too.

Vic55

That would be denoted in the agreement. You dont want or need the agreement- waste of money on a new Benz IMHO. Change the oil every 5k miles and do the LSD diff fluid change at 1875 miles and you are gold. There are enough private techs that do great service and half the dealer price. And you are leasing so you wont even keep the car that long.

AMG12

I agree have never done it. Also premium 1 and 2 pkgs are standard correct?

Vic55

Not sure about any p1 and p2 packages, you can check the mbusa build site. My wagon's interior upgrade was 801 aka premium leather- Im sure the nav and all the other stuff is standard. Make sure you get the better leather.

Here are my wagon specs:


E63S $91,500
650 Arctic White
801 Black Premium Leather $1,370
H73 Carbon Fiber Trim $2,850
P30 P30 AMG Performance Package: Red Brake $6,550
923 : Additional Horse Power
281 : AMG Performance Steering Wheel
251 : Delimitation of top speed to 186 mph
P30 : AMG Performance Package
P34 Exclusive Leather Package
SPC Special Order $250
U70 Red Brake Calipers
052 Factory Code - Intermediate
070 Chrome Door Handle Inserts $90
088 Identification code
120 AMG Illuminated Door Sills $850
298 Rear Side Airbags $420
471 Limited Slip Differential $2,030
527 COMAND w/Navigation and Voice Control CR $400
61U Alcantara Headliner - Black
796 18" AMG 10-Spoke Alloy Wheel (Special Or
997 997 Driver Assistance Package: DISTRONI $2,950
238 : Active Lane Keeping Assist
237 : Active Blind Spot Assist
233 : Distronic Plus w/PRE-SAFE Brake
23P : Driver Assistance Package

SUBTOTAL $108,460
DESTINATION & DELIVERY $875
TOTAL $109,335

Snipe656

P1 and P2 are standard on the 2012 E63, not even sure you could get a car without them although saw someone who ordered a CLS550 without so guess anything is possible.

AMG12

Okay thanks thought so just wanted to make sure.