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Hey there!

Found this forum while searching for more information on the 2008 C-Class.

The dealer told me that I should take the C-Class he has coming in because they have "introductory" pricing on them, and that if I order one, it will take a while to get it and there is a price increase coming on these cars within the next month or two.

I'm looking at the 6 speed Manual C300 Sport Sedan, 2008. The one coming in has the NAVI which I really do not want at all period.

Is he feeding me BS or has anyone else heard this? He's saying because its a 6 speed manual they are rare, and they are going up on these models by the time I get this order it will be 3-4 months...

Savage c-300

im not sure in your area, but the dealership i bought my car at in Newport Beach, CA didnt have any manuals period. so i assume its "rare" but i dont think they'll charge more, you can always bargin down. they're not going to let you walk off the lot just because you wont pay their high markups. i call BS!

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Well they will discount the car, and they are not marking it over sticker, but they are saying Mercedes themselves, the company, is raising prices on the C-Classes in the near future on all their C-Class because they have intro prices on them now being a new car.

Savage c-300

i think thats BS. i never heard anything about intro prices while i was buying the car. you would think they would advertise it or something to get people to come in, besides, everyone knows that cars are usually the most expensive when they are first launched becasuse they're "hot"

amdeutsch

The only reason a pricing change from MB might happen is because of the weak $ when compared to the EURO.

oblu

Euro price increase won't happen for a long time. Large corps buy ... and here's where my bro-in-law the financial guy lost me ... "money" in large chunks at current market rates. From what he was describing it sounded like options, or futures? I was pretty toasted when were talking over the holiday (gotta be when you're at the in-laws right?).

But the gist of it was, they buy USD in large chunks to lock in exchange rates so that they don't have fluctuating profits as the exchange rate changes daily/monthly.

It'll come at some point, and it could be a good marketing excuse to up prices, but they're not loosing profits on cars sold right now just because the USD is weak.

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Exactly what his reasoning is

chilledbenz

His reasoning for you to take the car coming in and not ordering one? If thats your question its pretty simple really. The car coming in is already counted as part of the dealers inventory and they would like to move product thats already theirs. If you order a car, that means the dealer isnt moving inventory he already has and losing money on. He also runs a risk of you backing out on the deal and then he has yet another car added to his inventory. In your case your wanting to order a car thats not as easily moved (manual trans), so they may make you put down a deposit of two grand thats non refundable if you decide to order the car, that way they can try to recoop any money lost from you not taking the car and by the time they do sell it.

stephensong

Why not go to another dealer and leave the BS behind?

PoweredByRICE

I know the whole thing about ordering, they want to sell whats in-stock, etc. Too bad this guy doesn't realise I used to be a salesman in college before I graduated and went into computers

I live in Maine, so..there is one dealer 10 mins away from me and the next one 3 hours...lol..thats why I'm dealing with these dudes

Krytech

I call BS as well for all the above mentioned reasons. You may want to at least call the other dealer to what they say about what you're hearing. I never heard anything about a price increase, but I do know that it sounds like the ordering timeline is stretching out. When was at the dealer the other day he told me the current wait on ordering is 3-4 mo.

Good luck!

Txhurdle

Sorry to say, but a price increase just hit today, across the board. Gotta love inflation....

Krytech

Wow, your right! I just checked MBUSA.com and the 350 was 36500 + 775 destination = 37275, and now it's 36900 + 825 for destination = 37725.

$450 price increase, little over 1% hike.

Stick Girl

Unbelievable! The base price is now $32,425!

sou98

--------------------
Not sure what the problem are.... we in Toronto, Ontario have quite a few manual transmission C300 and the price still the same. The waiting list for new order is 4 - 6 weeks.
The problem is that in Canada the list price started as 41K instead of 31K in the states given the Canadian currency is at par with US since Last Nov 2007.

mbparaguay

totally BS

chilledbenz

Also just noticed prices went up on other classes as well.

ni2mi2

I just re-configured my car's specs on MBUSA website and see there is a MSRP increase of 450 USD - I know it is not a lot of money but my $450 question is - "will this be reflected on the delivery of the car this week??". We sealed the deal back in November when there was a different MSRP - what would happen to that now?

PoweredByRICE

I'm telling you what these salesman give me a headache. They try and do wholesale on my trade and retail on the other end..they cry the no profit game. There is 3 percent total MSRP in holdback on these cars and plenty of markup to invoice ($2500 ish usually).

Anyone else getting tight deals on these cars because they are a new model?

Also, awesome, $450 increase on the same model from last night!

PoweredByRICE

My Dad ordered a vehicle from GM once and he said the price increased from when he ordered it, until it came in, and he had to pay the higher price..thats why they always say "prices subject to change"..

ni2mi2

That SUCKS man!!

But I don't think I would let $450 come between myself and this sweet ride!!

MBTex

If you put a deposit down when you ordered any respectable dealer would honor the old price. If you didn't they'd probably still honor it if you stood firm.

$450 isn't the end of the worth for an MB buyer...it is even less for an MB dealer.

ni2mi2

I did put in a deposit - so lets see how that works out. Shall keep everyone posted on how the delivery goes!! As I said again, I would not lose the ride for the extra $450 - though if the dealer waives it, I would be happy!!

Krytech

Usually the 'walk out' move will make them deal if they are willing to. I attempted to walk out a couple times before I got them to lower the price. I wanted $2K off MSRP on the 350 and settled for $1K & 4 winter tires mounted on there when I pick it up. I valued the tires & labor at about $800.

Seems like most people are able to get $1500-2000 off MSRP.

Baron Samedi

Actually dealers don't start paying for their inventory until it lands on their lot. That isn't to say that you're right in that the dealer won't want to order another (relatively) undesireable manual transmission car when he already has an incoming similar unit. You sure you don't want the MM? It's pretty slick.

Also not surprising is the price increase. With the dollar as weak as it is, I'm surprised MB didn't announce a price increase earlier. It happens ALL the time with German cars.