W203/CL203 Car Buyer's Guide - All you want to know and consider
#801
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by ceindusa
Just a little insight on this subject... When a dealership offers a vehicle at invoice there is still plenty of profit in the vehicle. Most people assume that when a dealer prints out their invoice on that car that is mocked up or padded, that may be true at some of the sly or cut-throat dealers out there, but for the most part it is not. If they are going to sell it at invoice, a lot of time they will hold back the rebates. When they give the rebates to the customer the still have Marketing Support (usually towards the end of a model year). This can be from $250 - $20,000 depending on that vehicles expected depreciation and gap between invoice and MSRP. For example the MB CL, S & SL class has $15,000 marketing support for 2005 models. The SL600 has a base MSRP of $130,900 & an invoice of $121,737. So for the dealer to move a high end, 1 year old model like this (who's book value is only $115,300)... They are going to have to give one helluva price break on it. What I'm saying here is someone could walk into a MB dealership with a '05 SL600 on the floor and buy it for a little under $107,000 +TTL. So while they are still making money on the new models of the cars, the manufacturer is the one taking the hit.
The dealer has to pay insurance, detailing, gas, commission (which is usually 20-25% of front-end gross) etc… for every vehicle on their lot so, they have to realize a certain profit each month based on units sold. Outside of MSRP markup, addendum markup, and support from manufacturer, dealers make a helluva lot of money in finance (back-end profit). Finance guys are nothing more than salesman. Their biggest money maker is the “extended warranties” and “service plans”. There is usually about a 40% markup in those (even more on new cars than pre-owned). Most dealers will even markup your interest rate by 1-2% (I don’t know if they are still allowed to do this). There is also that wonderful $399 doc fee (it varies) that is nothing more than an extra $400 into the dealerships pocket. The salesman will usually give you a pitch on it like “Oh that’s to cover the costs of paying the employees to file and process the deal” (at least that’s what I used). If you think about it, that $400 added to the 200 deals a month the dealership is doing, that is an extra $960,000 they have made. If you don’t want to stop there, they also have all those nice factory extras to rip you on. Bottom line is, dealers will 99.99% of the time never loose money on a new vehicle. The only one that takes a hit is the manufacturer, and the hit is usually on the higher-end (overpriced) models. The part where the salesman gets screwed is he only get commission based on the front-end gross of the vehicle, so if the car is blown out and there is only a $500 front-end profit, they will only get a “mini” or “flat” (usually $100-$250 depending on the dealership). I hope this isn’t to off subject (not trying to hi-jack the thread), just wanted to give a little knowledge from my own experience.
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
The dealer has to pay insurance, detailing, gas, commission (which is usually 20-25% of front-end gross) etc… for every vehicle on their lot so, they have to realize a certain profit each month based on units sold. Outside of MSRP markup, addendum markup, and support from manufacturer, dealers make a helluva lot of money in finance (back-end profit). Finance guys are nothing more than salesman. Their biggest money maker is the “extended warranties” and “service plans”. There is usually about a 40% markup in those (even more on new cars than pre-owned). Most dealers will even markup your interest rate by 1-2% (I don’t know if they are still allowed to do this). There is also that wonderful $399 doc fee (it varies) that is nothing more than an extra $400 into the dealerships pocket. The salesman will usually give you a pitch on it like “Oh that’s to cover the costs of paying the employees to file and process the deal” (at least that’s what I used). If you think about it, that $400 added to the 200 deals a month the dealership is doing, that is an extra $960,000 they have made. If you don’t want to stop there, they also have all those nice factory extras to rip you on. Bottom line is, dealers will 99.99% of the time never loose money on a new vehicle. The only one that takes a hit is the manufacturer, and the hit is usually on the higher-end (overpriced) models. The part where the salesman gets screwed is he only get commission based on the front-end gross of the vehicle, so if the car is blown out and there is only a $500 front-end profit, they will only get a “mini” or “flat” (usually $100-$250 depending on the dealership). I hope this isn’t to off subject (not trying to hi-jack the thread), just wanted to give a little knowledge from my own experience.
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
Seriously, we should get into the car dealership business! They must be making a fortune. Especially consider that most Mercedes Benz vehicles are either financed or leased (I hear they make the most money on these cars rather than selling them for cash).
Anybody in the SF Bay area want to buy out Beshoff Motor Cars? I hear it's for sale.
I call sales manager position and I want the upstairs corner office!
#802
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by mick1
hehe. see the benefit of the keyless entry thingie ? Had Cruise got that option on his Bugatti, that door would just open. There would be no need for Katie to unlock the door for him.
Then again, Bugatti isn't making any money on this car. Too much money went into R&D, production of such limited quantities isn't going to help them either, and although they're charging $1.3 million a piece for them, they say that it will cost the factory on average about 5 million Pounds Sterling each (according to BBC Top Gear).
#803
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by anonymouse
I dunno know about being miles ahead - drive them back to back and you might be surprised, especially a 6 speed vs an A/T (which most of the 320s in my area are). I have yet to have a 320 pull on me (including my friend who has an 04 non sport)
I like both of them, and I like how the transmission shifted much more smoothly in the 06 than in my 05. However, in terms of speed and acceleration, they're about the same. The 06 is also quieter than the 05. Still, either way, I think they're about the same. I actually prefer the 5 speed automatic transmission better because in the top gear of the 05 model, you can actually get very good acceleration; this you don't find in the 06 model with the 7 speed transmission.
#804
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2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Originally Posted by patrick_y
I've driven the 05 and the 06 C230s back to back. I came to the dealership in my 05, saw the 06, went for a drive, and left the dealership in my 05. Now both of these were in automatic.
I like both of them, and I like how the transmission shifted much more smoothly in the 06 than in my 05. However, in terms of speed and acceleration, they're about the same. The 06 is also quieter than the 05. Still, either way, I think they're about the same. I actually prefer the 5 speed automatic transmission better because in the top gear of the 05 model, you can actually get very good acceleration; this you don't find in the 06 model with the 7 speed transmission.
I like both of them, and I like how the transmission shifted much more smoothly in the 06 than in my 05. However, in terms of speed and acceleration, they're about the same. The 06 is also quieter than the 05. Still, either way, I think they're about the same. I actually prefer the 5 speed automatic transmission better because in the top gear of the 05 model, you can actually get very good acceleration; this you don't find in the 06 model with the 7 speed transmission.
Anyway, getting a manual makes the car liveable. I'd take the 05 any day. Faster, lighter, better on gas.
#806
getting ready to purchase.... 2006 c230
paperwork is in for financing.. I THINK i found a great deal.. here are the specs
2006 MB C230 7spd auto
Xenon Lights
Sunroof package
Seat Memory Package
Upgraded sound system, 6cd changer with XM
and all other options avail except for navigation
price 29,000 btw.. its used with 8k miles and drives AWESOME!!!
2006 MB C230 7spd auto
Xenon Lights
Sunroof package
Seat Memory Package
Upgraded sound system, 6cd changer with XM
and all other options avail except for navigation
price 29,000 btw.. its used with 8k miles and drives AWESOME!!!
#807
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2006 C230 2.5 V6
Nice buy. I bought my 2006 C230 new and paid $32,700 w/o Full power seats, Xenons or XM. Those are nice features. How do you find the low end power when turning a corner it seems it only downshifts to 3rd. gear? I only have 2,500 miles does yours pull a little better now tht it has 8,000 miles?
#808
Originally Posted by Gentlemanjim
Nice buy. I bought my 2006 C230 new and paid $32,700 w/o Full power seats, Xenons or XM. Those are nice features. How do you find the low end power when turning a corner it seems it only downshifts to 3rd. gear? I only have 2,500 miles does yours pull a little better now tht it has 8,000 miles?
i only took it for a test drive on the highway.. it was great.. i should be expecting delivery sometime this week. the only thing i hate is that the windows are tinted... so i might have that removed before i take delivery. I was about to buy it new, but couldnt resist this one.. hell this model brand new with all the options was upwards of 36,500...
power is O.K. i gues.. but then I am coming from a 480rwhp mustang cobra.. so 200 at the flywheel isnt really impressive.. I didnt buy this car because of it's massive horsepower though...
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Last edited by mikec230; 06-06-2006 at 07:16 AM.
#815
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by e1000
if that is indeed the car - it does not have the power/memory seat option
Weird, I know. I didn't get it for my car since I thought that I would be the only driver of my car.
#816
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a quarter mile at a time
Originally Posted by patrick_y
Actually, the memory power seat option on the C Class is only for one side of the car. It's only for the driver's seat. The passenger seat doesn't have it.
Weird, I know. I didn't get it for my car since I thought that I would be the only driver of my car.
Weird, I know. I didn't get it for my car since I thought that I would be the only driver of my car.
#818
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2007 C280 4matic
Originally Posted by e1000
huh? I don't think so. it's for both seats.
#820
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2007 C280 4matic
Originally Posted by e1000
is this for the C230? my C350 has it on both seats
Last edited by moose1021; 06-07-2006 at 01:19 PM.
#822
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a quarter mile at a time
Originally Posted by timsam
Yeah...my 05 C230 only has power/memory seats on the Driver's Side.
#824
Super Member
Originally Posted by mikec230
yup the car is in my possession sp? now... and I am a proud owner of a 2006 MB C230
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)