Carsdirect.com
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 177
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From: sf bay area
'03 C320 coupe-manual, '07 530i
Carsdirect.com
Anyone used carsdirect.com to buy their coupe? If so, which way did you go; their guarenteed price, or selected dealers?
How hard is it to get the exact car you want?
Savings? Pros and cons?
Thanks
How hard is it to get the exact car you want?
Savings? Pros and cons?
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,891
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From: SoCal
2002 C230 : 2007 C230
I know 2 people that have used Carsdirect.com and got exactly what they wanted. Not a single problem in the transaction. Both took the Carsdirect price because they felt the price was very good for a no hassle deal.
I used priceline.com to buy my 325i and got just what I was looking for.
I used priceline.com to buy my 325i and got just what I was looking for.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 112
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From: LA Area
2002 C230K Sports Coupe
Re: Carsdirect.com
Originally posted by Wheens
Anyone used carsdirect.com to buy their coupe? If so, which way did you go; their guarenteed price, or selected dealers?
How hard is it to get the exact car you want?
Savings? Pros and cons?
Thanks
Anyone used carsdirect.com to buy their coupe? If so, which way did you go; their guarenteed price, or selected dealers?
How hard is it to get the exact car you want?
Savings? Pros and cons?
Thanks
Good luck!
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Originally posted by CitronC230K_03
its too late for me, but for my config i had to order my car. when going thru carsdirect.com, do they order cars, or do they just take whats being delivered?
its too late for me, but for my config i had to order my car. when going thru carsdirect.com, do they order cars, or do they just take whats being delivered?
I told the gentleman over the phone what I needed. He did a search, and it was not available. He custom ordered it from Germany for me. I had to wait a couple of months for them to build it, but the whole process was perfect. He also was a funny guy, and took a lighthearted approach to the whole thing. Answers the phone immediately.
I gave a couple of salesmen a chance, but they were not on top of it like the guy at carsdirect.com.
$1500 under invoice for a 2003 C230 with the wheel package, Xenons, 6 disc Cd changer, auto (for the wife to drive; I like stick shift
), and the sunroof is cool. Charcoal leather, etc. I highly recommend carsdirect.com.
If you want the name of a trustworthy carsdirect.com person, I will give you the name of mine if you send me a PM.
Last edited by spankdoggie; Dec 23, 2002 at 08:40 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,737
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
Originally posted by spankdoggie
I had a completely trouble free purchase through carsdirect.com.
I told the gentleman over the phone what I needed. He did a search, and it was not available. He custom ordered it from Germany for me. I had to wait a couple of months for them to build it, but the whole process was perfect. He also was a funny guy, and took a lighthearted approach to the whole thing. Answers the phone immediately.
I gave a couple of salesmen a chance, but they were not on top of it like the guy at carsdirect.com.
$1500 under invoice for a 2003 C230 with the wheel package, Xenons, 6 disc Cd changer, auto (for the wife to drive; I like stick shift ), and the sunroof is cool. Charcoal leather, etc.
I had a completely trouble free purchase through carsdirect.com.
I told the gentleman over the phone what I needed. He did a search, and it was not available. He custom ordered it from Germany for me. I had to wait a couple of months for them to build it, but the whole process was perfect. He also was a funny guy, and took a lighthearted approach to the whole thing. Answers the phone immediately.
I gave a couple of salesmen a chance, but they were not on top of it like the guy at carsdirect.com.
$1500 under invoice for a 2003 C230 with the wheel package, Xenons, 6 disc Cd changer, auto (for the wife to drive; I like stick shift
), and the sunroof is cool. Charcoal leather, etc.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 224
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From: San Francisco
2002 CLK320
I used carsdirect.com to price my 2002 CLK320. Then I printed out the price and brought it to the dealership. They agreed to match it, but we told them to knock off another $1000 off it which brought the price to a measely $500 over invoice.
They actually have carsdirect's website bookmarked on their computers because so many people are using carsdirect.com as a benchmark pricing. The salesman at MB San Francisco informed us that carsdirect.com usually buys from them at roughly $500 less than what they quote online, so if you print their ad and bring it into the dealership, you can talk the salesman down another $500+ from carsdirect's low price.
Beware also that carsdirect.com's prices do fluctuate very often based of supply/demand. We priced our CLK at roughly $1500 over invoice when we bought the car in July, but a week later it was priced at $3000 over invoice, closer to MSRP.
It also depends on where you are located also. In San Francisco, the ML320 and C320s are being priced over $500 below invoice!
They actually have carsdirect's website bookmarked on their computers because so many people are using carsdirect.com as a benchmark pricing. The salesman at MB San Francisco informed us that carsdirect.com usually buys from them at roughly $500 less than what they quote online, so if you print their ad and bring it into the dealership, you can talk the salesman down another $500+ from carsdirect's low price.
Beware also that carsdirect.com's prices do fluctuate very often based of supply/demand. We priced our CLK at roughly $1500 over invoice when we bought the car in July, but a week later it was priced at $3000 over invoice, closer to MSRP.
It also depends on where you are located also. In San Francisco, the ML320 and C320s are being priced over $500 below invoice!
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 193
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From: San Francisco, CA
Originally posted by CitronC230K_03
WOW!!!! i got $1500 under MSRP and they are installing my illuminated door sills for free. i bought them, but the installation is free. i thought that was good. not a steal, but i felt i got a fair deal. but $1500 under invoice, thats awesome. you have pretty much the same options as i do. i have the special order charge and power seats, but no auto though. next time i think ill give them a try!!!
WOW!!!! i got $1500 under MSRP and they are installing my illuminated door sills for free. i bought them, but the installation is free. i thought that was good. not a steal, but i felt i got a fair deal. but $1500 under invoice, thats awesome. you have pretty much the same options as i do. i have the special order charge and power seats, but no auto though. next time i think ill give them a try!!!
Right now their website says about 1100 under invoice. I will have to check my receipts, but I did not get a steal. I got a good deal, probably the same as you citron. Whatever it said on the website, at the time of purchase was the exact price I got it for. They did not deviate from that.
I am happy with it.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 461
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
I think there is some confusion over "under invoice" and "under MSRP". 1500.00 under invoice would mean that cars direct gets their cars cheaper than a MB franchised dealer. I doubt that is the case.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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I agree with you, speedfrk... We need to be sure we are using the same, correct terms. $1500 under MSRP makes sense... under "invoice" does not. MBUSA's dealership network will not stand for an internet provider getting the cars for less than they can get them (invoice=dealer wholesale).
Also, be aware that Carsdirect.com is not licensed to conduct business in all states in the US. In such cases, Carsdirect.com quotes MSRP only.
Also, be aware that Carsdirect.com is not licensed to conduct business in all states in the US. In such cases, Carsdirect.com quotes MSRP only.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 193
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From: San Francisco, CA
I found this price at their site with the link provided below, for a C230 w/ no options in my city...
"CarsDirect Price: $23,315
MSRP Price: $25,615
Invoice Price : $24,469"
How would this be explained? Thanks.
C230 quote from carsdirect. May be expired link now, though...
"CarsDirect Price: $23,315
MSRP Price: $25,615
Invoice Price : $24,469"
How would this be explained? Thanks.
C230 quote from carsdirect. May be expired link now, though...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Many cars, specially MBs are sold below invoice because the dealers have incentives and the incentives may have accelarators. For example, a C230 may have a $2,000 distributor to dealer incentive for each they sell in a certain month. Then if they sell over a certain quantity they give them $3,000. All carsdirect.com does is be the middle-man between you and a dealer that prearranged a certain price. So this is why they can easily sell a car for below costs. Then some manufactures offer manufacturer to salesman incentive call spifs and carsdirect may accept this spif as their fee. The more popular incentive is the Manufacturer to cutomer incentive called rebates but that's beneath high end companies so they do it differently.
On top of all these incentives they have holdbacks which can be a few percent of the car and these typically have accellerators for exceeding a certain quantity. A dealer may be near a certain level and give deeper discounts to make that level. That's why it's better to buy a car the last weekend of the month and in the winter when incentives are best. Actually this weekend is the best of the whole year as they try to compete for the a higher holdback and close out the year with the best possible sales numbers so the managers get their bonuses.
On top of all these incentives they have holdbacks which can be a few percent of the car and these typically have accellerators for exceeding a certain quantity. A dealer may be near a certain level and give deeper discounts to make that level. That's why it's better to buy a car the last weekend of the month and in the winter when incentives are best. Actually this weekend is the best of the whole year as they try to compete for the a higher holdback and close out the year with the best possible sales numbers so the managers get their bonuses.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 461
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
So I guess there are incentives on the C230's right now? Anyone know what they are for certain? If so, that may explain why trade-in on my car is so low. Plus, I might try to work a deal on a new car without the transmission problems mine has.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 154
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c240
Wow, now I know I got a good deal. I got my car w/ the c2 pkg and metallic paint for 29,600, bout 5000 below MSRP. 2-3k below carsdirect. Best time to buy a car is in august-sept. Dealers recieve more incentives and have to clear out for the new year. I bought my car in Aug. Emailed a few dealers and had them compete w/ each other. Printed out lowest price email and took it to my local dealer. Finished the transaction within two hours. Worked perfectly without any hassle.
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From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Originally posted by spankdoggie
I found this price at their site with the link provided below, for a C230 w/ no options in my city...
"CarsDirect Price: $23,315
MSRP Price: $25,615
Invoice Price : $24,469"
How would this be explained? Thanks.
I found this price at their site with the link provided below, for a C230 w/ no options in my city...
"CarsDirect Price: $23,315
MSRP Price: $25,615
Invoice Price : $24,469"
How would this be explained? Thanks.
Carsdirect:
25615 - 24469 = 1146 = ~ 4.5%
25615 - 23315 = 2300 = ~ 9%
MB:
7% of 25615 = 1793 > invoice = 23822
3% of 25615 = 768 holdback > cost to dealers less unknown incentives: 23822 - 768 = 23054
Figures don't lie but liars can figure. :p
Now at 23315 that would be a good price if you wanted a plain jane model. But I understand that in CA cars can be had cheaper, especially what appears to be a loss leader like this. You might even be able to do better this time of year, very slow sales for dealers, since bonuses, volume pads, etc. come into play.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 15,769
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From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Originally posted by yeloaw
Wow, now I know I got a good deal. I got my car w/ the c2 pkg and metallic paint for 29,600, bout 5000 below MSRP. 2-3k below carsdirect. Best time to buy a car is in august-sept. Dealers recieve more incentives and have to clear out for the new year. I bought my car in Aug. Emailed a few dealers and had them compete w/ each other. Printed out lowest price email and took it to my local dealer. Finished the transaction within two hours. Worked perfectly without any hassle.
Wow, now I know I got a good deal. I got my car w/ the c2 pkg and metallic paint for 29,600, bout 5000 below MSRP. 2-3k below carsdirect. Best time to buy a car is in august-sept. Dealers recieve more incentives and have to clear out for the new year. I bought my car in Aug. Emailed a few dealers and had them compete w/ each other. Printed out lowest price email and took it to my local dealer. Finished the transaction within two hours. Worked perfectly without any hassle.
Just looking at the numbers you presented it doesn't make any sense; too high for a C230K and C240 and too low for a C320.
At least with the listing of the options and discount you presented. There has got to be some info missing.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
Originally posted by MB-BOB
Also, be aware that Carsdirect.com is not licensed to conduct business in all states in the US. In such cases, Carsdirect.com quotes MSRP only.
Also, be aware that Carsdirect.com is not licensed to conduct business in all states in the US. In such cases, Carsdirect.com quotes MSRP only.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 875
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From: Los Angeles
2002 c230k
I got my 2002 C230k for carsdirect in Sept 2001 and it was the first one that they had sold. I paid list price but I got the car I wanted which no one else could do for me at that time. With tax, title, and all that crap the car came to $29970 total. That is with metallic paint and C2 option. I think it was a great time saver and they got a car I could not find.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 145
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From: Illinois
2002 C230, 1996 Pontiac Trans Am WS6
So how does this work? Do you build your car through Carsdirect.com, then they deliver it to your closest local dealer? Can you have a trade in, and if so, how does a trade-in work? I am asking because my local dealership is notorious for giving very low trade-in values.
This sounds like it might be the way to go on my next car.
This sounds like it might be the way to go on my next car.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 177
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From: sf bay area
'03 C320 coupe-manual, '07 530i
Originally posted by MsMercedes
So how does this work? Do you build your car through Carsdirect.com, then they deliver it to your closest local dealer? Can you have a trade in, and if so, how does a trade-in work? I am asking because my local dealership is notorious for giving very low trade-in values.
So how does this work? Do you build your car through Carsdirect.com, then they deliver it to your closest local dealer? Can you have a trade in, and if so, how does a trade-in work? I am asking because my local dealership is notorious for giving very low trade-in values.
In essence, they work as a broker, utilizing a network of dealers. For instance, there are 4 dealers in the SF Bay Area they work thru. They will first try to find your car (or close to it) stateside. If they can't, then they will order it for you at their guaranteed price thru one of their nearby dealers.
They have a mechanism to handle tradeins (see info on website) and can arrange financing if you desire.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 177
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From: sf bay area
'03 C320 coupe-manual, '07 530i
Well I did it today.
I ordered, thru carsdirect, a manual C230 in Pewter,; with C1, C5, C7, CD, Comand, Brown Poplar Trim. Build in Jan, delivery scheduled for early April.
The final price was exactly what the carsdirect website produced.; $2300 under MSRP, $576 under "invoice" for my area (SF Bay). Carsdirect is working with Smythe in San Jose. Easily done, no hassle.
BTW, my nearest dealer wouldn't budge off MSRP and made no attempt to even get close to carsdirect.
I ordered, thru carsdirect, a manual C230 in Pewter,; with C1, C5, C7, CD, Comand, Brown Poplar Trim. Build in Jan, delivery scheduled for early April.
The final price was exactly what the carsdirect website produced.; $2300 under MSRP, $576 under "invoice" for my area (SF Bay). Carsdirect is working with Smythe in San Jose. Easily done, no hassle.
BTW, my nearest dealer wouldn't budge off MSRP and made no attempt to even get close to carsdirect.
