W203/CL203 Car Buyer's Guide - All you want to know and consider
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
Likes: 41
From: ST. Louis, MO
'16 SL550, '18 Porsche Macan GTS
Where did you find a C230 with all of those options?????? All of the dealer stock within hundreds of miles from here have auto, sunroof and maybe heated seats. I'm looking for a Sliver/Ash with power drivers seat, heated seats, sunroof, auto, split folding rear seats, cd changer and Bi-Xenon. I may have to special order to get it.
Dealers here will sell a C230 on the lot for invoice or slightly under right now, so your's is in the ball park. Also depends on where you live.
Dealers here will sell a C230 on the lot for invoice or slightly under right now, so your's is in the ball park. Also depends on where you live.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 12
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Originally Posted by SteveL1
Where did you find a C230 with all of those options?????? All of the dealer stock within hundreds of miles from here have auto, sunroof and maybe heated seats. I'm looking for a Sliver/Ash with power drivers seat, heated seats, sunroof, auto, split folding rear seats, cd changer and Bi-Xenon. I may have to special order to get it.
Dealers here will sell a C230 on the lot for invoice or slightly under right now, so your's is in the ball park. Also depends on where you live.
Dealers here will sell a C230 on the lot for invoice or slightly under right now, so your's is in the ball park. Also depends on where you live.
They have simmiliar options with Silver color.
I was dealing with them to get 34K but no-go.
What do you think?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
Likes: 41
From: ST. Louis, MO
'16 SL550, '18 Porsche Macan GTS
If you can take the chance that it might be gone, you'll have a better chance at your price toward the end of the month. Tell them that it's your final offer and hand them a business card and say to call if they change their mind. They will call you on a day or two and try to split the difference if they are motivated to move it. Your call.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
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From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
Use edmunds.com to calculate the invoice price. Subtract the destination charge, and 3% of invoice. That is your offer. They can make a small profit, and increase their allocation of in demand models this way. Talk to a manager at House of Imports and Downtown LA Motors. I put the price at 34,210.
Last edited by Moviela; Feb 6, 2006 at 02:38 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Moviela
Use edmunds.com to calculate the invoice price. Subtract the destination charge, and 3% of invoice. That is your offer. They can make a small profit, and increase their allocation of in demand models this way. Talk to a manager at House of Imports and Downtown LA Motors. I put the price at 34,210.
I test drove it yesterday and it's smoother than 05 model.
Let's see what i can get for the deal.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 469
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From: Jersey
2004.5 C 230
You should break it down a little,
ex. What are they charging you for the Nav System?, etc
And as Roupin said, start from the invoice price and work up,
not down from the MSRP.
Good Luck
ex. What are they charging you for the Nav System?, etc
And as Roupin said, start from the invoice price and work up,
not down from the MSRP.
Good Luck
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,848
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From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
Oh my gosh, never work up from invoice!!!!! Invoice is the price the factory charges every dealer for the car. DaimlerChrysler, like most auto makers has a hold back amount. Money the factory gives the dealer when the unit sells. In the case of most Mercedes cars it is 3%. There is an additional 2% paid to the dealer if he gets an excellent customer rating. The destination charge is money the dealer can put in his pocket. The delivery from the German factory is included in the price of the car. This destination charge can be waived by the dealer because he only really insists on it for high demand vehicles, or people who think it is a mandatory charge like tax and license.
So, If you can get the car for 3% under invoice, destination charge waived, you did well, the dealer makes 2%, and rings a sale toward incentive goals like trips, cars, and increased allocation of rare models. At this time there are no cash to dealer incentives on C class cars, but if there are, you should have all of that too. Right now there is 5K on R class, so you would deduct an extra five grand from your calculation if you are in the market for one of those. That would be around 20% from MSRP, not bad, eh?
Interestingly, only about one or two people in the dealer really knows how much a car costs, because of flooring refunds, sales incentives, and other perks that are not revealed to the sales staff or management. Invoice is just a starting point.
So, If you can get the car for 3% under invoice, destination charge waived, you did well, the dealer makes 2%, and rings a sale toward incentive goals like trips, cars, and increased allocation of rare models. At this time there are no cash to dealer incentives on C class cars, but if there are, you should have all of that too. Right now there is 5K on R class, so you would deduct an extra five grand from your calculation if you are in the market for one of those. That would be around 20% from MSRP, not bad, eh?
Interestingly, only about one or two people in the dealer really knows how much a car costs, because of flooring refunds, sales incentives, and other perks that are not revealed to the sales staff or management. Invoice is just a starting point.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2002
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From: The blue white rock, third out.
2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by Moviela
Right now there is 5K on R class, so you would deduct an extra five grand from your calculation if you are in the market for one of those. That would be around 20% from MSRP, not bad, eh?
.
.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
Likes: 41
From: ST. Louis, MO
'16 SL550, '18 Porsche Macan GTS
Well....................did they except your offer????? I'm going in tomorrow afternoon and trying it on an '06 C230. Invoice comes to $34 something. Trying to get it at $33k or less. We'll see what happens. If it does not work out, I have a line on an '05 C320 for around $30k.
I've seen that '06 C230's are already selling at auctions for $27-28k. '05's are down around $24-25k. Sad!
I've seen that '06 C230's are already selling at auctions for $27-28k. '05's are down around $24-25k. Sad!
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 86
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From: Pacific Northwest
2006 MB C230, Black on Black
Don't worry about ....
buying way under invoice. I mean get the deal you want but if you try to steal the Benz and have worked every dealer this side of the Rio Grande none of them will deal with you. If you can get the car for $3K off of MSRP your getting a decent deal and giving them about $7-950 in total profit for the deal incl. holdback, thats a good deal for you when someone invests $33K+ in a business deal! I bought mine for $2500 off MSRP but it did not have as many options as your does and options are the most gross profit they have in all cars.
Good luck...
Good luck...
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 277
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From: Maryland
Dia Blk '06 C230 w/3 pedals
Originally Posted by SteveL1
Well....................did they except your offer????? I'm going in tomorrow afternoon and trying it on an '06 C230. Invoice comes to $34 something. Trying to get it at $33k or less. We'll see what happens. If it does not work out, I have a line on an '05 C320 for around $30k.
I've seen that '06 C230's are already selling at auctions for $27-28k. '05's are down around $24-25k. Sad!
I've seen that '06 C230's are already selling at auctions for $27-28k. '05's are down around $24-25k. Sad!
Well those prices are gonna drop quicker than a $2.00 hooker's draws if the new W204 looks like a mini CLS
Last edited by anonymouse; Feb 9, 2006 at 12:02 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 284
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From: CT
Need advice on C230K coupe purchase
Hello!!! I'm looking at C230 Kompressor coupes for my mom, 2002 or 2003, with about 40K miles.
Aside from a CD changer or single-disc player being mysteriously absent from many used C230 coupes, what other not-so-obvious annoyances can we expect? Any problem areas that we should check out? I know this car hasnt been out there that long, but does anyone know what tends to go from 40K miles onward?
After a decade of driving big, dumb, SUVs, she wants something cute, economical, and zippy. I would greatly appreciate any help you guys, and gals, can offer. Thanks!!!
P.S. - The closest M-B dealer, Carriage House of New London, CT, despite an almost complete lack of local sales and a very non-corporate showroom, (which, I ***** you not, may have been a funeral home since its built exactly like one), has a McMerc SLR in their showroom. This in a town of 40,000 people thats 2 hours away from Boston or NYC, and where 20% of the population is below the poverty line. Something is wrong with this picture....
Aside from a CD changer or single-disc player being mysteriously absent from many used C230 coupes, what other not-so-obvious annoyances can we expect? Any problem areas that we should check out? I know this car hasnt been out there that long, but does anyone know what tends to go from 40K miles onward?
After a decade of driving big, dumb, SUVs, she wants something cute, economical, and zippy. I would greatly appreciate any help you guys, and gals, can offer. Thanks!!!
P.S. - The closest M-B dealer, Carriage House of New London, CT, despite an almost complete lack of local sales and a very non-corporate showroom, (which, I ***** you not, may have been a funeral home since its built exactly like one), has a McMerc SLR in their showroom. This in a town of 40,000 people thats 2 hours away from Boston or NYC, and where 20% of the population is below the poverty line. Something is wrong with this picture....
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 70
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From: Boston, MA, USA
1995 Infiniti G20tA
W203 buying advice
I looked around and searched, but couldn't seem to find anything like a buyer FAQ/what to look for when buying a W203. So I guess I will ask now...what should I look for when looking at a W203? Are 2001 models not a good idea due to their being the first year?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 846
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From: Tampa, FL
'14 CLA 45
generally the first year models usually have little flaws that are being worked out over time. so if you have the choice between a 2001 and 2002 you should rather go with the 2002.
what you should look out for: the extended warranty ... because everyone knows, that MB isnt the most reliable car and when it comes to dealer cost after the expiration of the warranty it could get expensive.
other than that you should drive it, look at its appearance and of course ... try to get a bargain by critizising everything that could lower the price
what you should look out for: the extended warranty ... because everyone knows, that MB isnt the most reliable car and when it comes to dealer cost after the expiration of the warranty it could get expensive.
other than that you should drive it, look at its appearance and of course ... try to get a bargain by critizising everything that could lower the price
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Buying used is always a crap shoot. I had many of the new model bugs in my '01 but they were fixed. Although it had a lot of service it never left me stranded and almost everything was fixed under warranty ( I bought extended warranty). I agree that having warranty remaining is highly desireable with the C class.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 70
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From: Boston, MA, USA
1995 Infiniti G20tA
Yes I definately will need a warranty. Are there any good ones which will pay the dealer directly and basically act like a factory warranty? A lot of the aftermarket ones I've seen require you to submit a claim and have the car inspected by them or something before repairs begin.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: NYC.:NY:.
Looking at buying used '03 C230K SS - need opinions
Looking at 2003 C230 Kompressor SS, 6-speed with 44,000 miles. Wish it was less miles, but it seems to be in excellent condition.
I've owned an E430 before, but never this motor... anything to watch for with this? Any typical problems? Anyone recommend an aftermarket extended warranty?
I figure the 6-speed will help with making it more fun to drive even though the hp is down. How does everyone like theirs? Any glaring complaints? What are the typical mods ppl are doing? My E-class had a full Carlsson kit, Carlsson 19's, Carlsson exhaust and H&R's.
Thanks...
PS Just out of curiousity, how is the MPG?
I've owned an E430 before, but never this motor... anything to watch for with this? Any typical problems? Anyone recommend an aftermarket extended warranty?
I figure the 6-speed will help with making it more fun to drive even though the hp is down. How does everyone like theirs? Any glaring complaints? What are the typical mods ppl are doing? My E-class had a full Carlsson kit, Carlsson 19's, Carlsson exhaust and H&R's.
Thanks...
PS Just out of curiousity, how is the MPG?
Last edited by lmsc0; Apr 3, 2006 at 09:49 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,665
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From: Boston
2004 C32 ///AMG
you should definitely buy it
c230 ss's are fun and have a perfect amount of power.
it has 44k, and the warranty is 4yrs/50k, so you should definitely get an extended warranty before it expires. it will be worth it.
c230 ss's are fun and have a perfect amount of power.
it has 44k, and the warranty is 4yrs/50k, so you should definitely get an extended warranty before it expires. it will be worth it.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: NYC.:NY:.
Any more opinions would be greatly appreciated.
If this car had mileage in the high 20's, I wouldn't think twice, but with putting close to 20k a year on it - it will be no time before I am approaching 100k.
What are the common problems with these cars with the higher mileage?
Also, how bad is the resale.... it seems you can pick these up at rather good prices now... which is good for buying, but terrible when you want to sell.
Thanks.
If this car had mileage in the high 20's, I wouldn't think twice, but with putting close to 20k a year on it - it will be no time before I am approaching 100k.
What are the common problems with these cars with the higher mileage?
Also, how bad is the resale.... it seems you can pick these up at rather good prices now... which is good for buying, but terrible when you want to sell.
Thanks.
