I am debating weather to go for this c230k 2004 lease deal MBusa has going on now (3400$ at signing, 329$ a month), or wait a few months and get a 2005.

With the 2005's just around the corner I would think getting a 2004.5 at a good price wouldn't be too difficult. This is a definite plus. However I do like the new 2005 interior and AMG body kit. The HK audio on the 2005 also is a plus for me.

Not to mention the 2004 will have free maintenance.

Anyone have feedback? Comments? Suggestions?

 

I personally think the changes for 2005 will be worth waiting for. If you really like the 2005, just wait. While the lease deal is nice right now, you still have to put a good bit of cash down up front, which isn't the best idea with a lease. Also, while MB may not offer sweet deals on a new 2005 with a particular lease program, your residual will likely be higher on a fresh 2005. If you are a good negotiator, I bet you can get a deal in that ballpark from a third party on a 2005, if not from MB. MB may be dealing on the 2005 anyway -- it isn't a brand new model after all, and it's not like MB can't keep c230s in stock. I had no problems negotiating a good deal off sticker on my brand new 2004.5, and that was before any had even arrived on the lot.

However you need to factor in the free maint. and the likely price increase the 2005 model will have. Not sure what it is, (others on this board may know), but you can be sure it will cost more than the 2004.5.

 

I would hold out for the 2005. The Free Maintenance is not that big a deal. For MB, this amounts to oil changes every 10k-13k miles, Oil Filter, Air Filter and Cabin Filter. Don't let this be your deciding factor.

For me, the HK sound alone would drive me to wait for the 2005. The other point to consider, but not as important if you are leasing is, the 2004 becomes one model year old as soon as the 2005 is released. That comes into play at resale time. If you are going to lease anyway, it's no big deal, since you need to hold onto the car through the term of the lease, or you get really screwed.

I bought a 2003 in July last year, about 3 weeks before I heard the 2004 was being released. That means for me, my car will be 2 model years old in less than one year. MB math is very strange.

 

Very good points guys, thanksw! I think I will wait on a 2005... Give me some time to figure out what I really want rather than rushing into a purchase.