Custom Build Pricing
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Joined: Mar 2017
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Custom Build Pricing
I hope this is in the right place. I'm wanting to do a custom build on a C300 to make sure I get all of the exact specs that I want. Checking around with several dealers, it sounds like there isn't much in discounts offered on custom builds. Maybe a couple percent off MSRP. Does that sound right? I would think if I was spending the extra money to add specific features that it should be easy to cut me a break there, but I've tried multiple dealers and none of them budge at all. If I still end up doing this and go to sign the paperwork with the dealer, are there any other things I could ask for that I'd have a decent shot at getting like free pre-paid maintenance or something? Sorry for being so noob at this. It's my first time. 
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Joined: Mar 2017
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Wow I'm surprised you found this 2 year old post. I guess it's good I have email notifications turned on. I ended up custom ordering a car from the Mercedes dealer in Plano, TX. He gave me something like 4% off MSRP and that's it, but it's more than any other dealer would offer me. Also, I can't remember what I paid but I remember feeling like I got a good deal on 4 years of pre-paid maintenance, but I can't say that I wouldn't have gotten the same deal if I had been buying an in-stock vehicle. Ultimately, I think it's the same argument people make for buying new vs slightly used. I probably paid way too much, but I also can say I got every last detail 100% what I wanted with no compromises, and thankfully I was financially able to afford that at the time.
Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 153
Likes: 9
From: Arkansas
2003 CLK 320 convertible
This is what I've been told. If MB dealers are like most other dealers they have a ton of money tied up in inventory and the longer that inventory stays on the lot the more it costs them. Plus dealers get holdback money and dealer cash from the manufacturer when they sell a car off of their lot. I don't know if they get that on a special order. For those reasons they would rather sell you a car off of their lot than order one for you.
A potentially useful article:
https://www.cbtnews.com/dealers-expe...-cost-erosion/
A potentially useful article:
https://www.cbtnews.com/dealers-expe...-cost-erosion/
Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 134
Likes: 39
2020 GLC 300
This is what I've been told. If MB dealers are like most other dealers they have a ton of money tied up in inventory and the longer that inventory stays on the lot the more it costs them. Plus dealers get holdback money and dealer cash from the manufacturer when they sell a car off of their lot. I don't know if they get that on a special order. For those reasons they would rather sell you a car off of their lot than order one for you.
A potentially useful article:
https://www.cbtnews.com/dealers-expe...-cost-erosion/
A potentially useful article:
https://www.cbtnews.com/dealers-expe...-cost-erosion/
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
335i
This is what I've been told. If MB dealers are like most other dealers they have a ton of money tied up in inventory and the longer that inventory stays on the lot the more it costs them. Plus dealers get holdback money and dealer cash from the manufacturer when they sell a car off of their lot. I don't know if they get that on a special order. For those reasons they would rather sell you a car off of their lot than order one for you.
A potentially useful article:
https://www.cbtnews.com/dealers-expe...-cost-erosion/
A potentially useful article:
https://www.cbtnews.com/dealers-expe...-cost-erosion/
