jgcalderonperez

I went to several dealers in the DC area for lease quotes this is one of the dealers quote:

Mercedes Benz - C400 - White
Blind-Spot Assist
Black Ash interior
18" Wheels
Multimedia Package
Sunroof Package

MSRP: $54k
Downpayment: $0
Lease term: 36 months
Miles: 12k

Monthly Payment: $922



Why are the lease rates for the new c-class so high ? I can get an Audi S4 (same msrp) for $200 less per month.

NYC-Style

I've never leased and really don't know much about how they work...however I did spec out an Audi S4 ($54,150)...for a 36 month lease is states $605.95 per month...and $6,715.95 due at signing...I would guess that's the difference right there. Again I just thought I would check...but I'm sure someone with more experience can chime in...that was just my 2 cents...in either case good luck!!

amp512

To OP: Do you know the residual and money factor for that 922/month lease deal? I am pretty sure C400 has lower residual than C300.

Attached would be roughly for a C300 4MATIC at 36 months/15k miles with the assumption one can score 2% discount.
55910 MSRP - 2% discount + 795 acquisition fee + 975 pre-paid maintenance - 500 certificate + 7.4% sales tax.
60% residual and 0.00150 money factor, 0 down = $816.09/month
(plus reg/title and stuff of course).


Try to negotiate better cap cost.

4maticneday

I am on the same boat, i configured my car C300 4matic to 45,385 with Luxury Package, Premium Package, and rear view camera and hands free package. The dealer said the payment was for $615 with 2500 down, 36 month, 12k miles/year, My dad pays $650/month for his 2014 A5 cab and that was near 60k.

I am waiting till mid Jan or early Feb, hopefully the lease rates get lower by then.

white_raven0

Wow, that's some ridiculously crappy lease deal...

I can probably lease a BMW 550i Msport with executive package, ivory nappa leather, etc for under 800/m... for 15k miles per year, with maybe 1-2k due at signing...

I think we can all agree a BMW 550i Msport is strictly better than a C400...

For equiv comparison, I got a quote for a fully loaded 335i (Msport, premium, tech, driver assistance, 19in wheels, harmon kardon), MSRP about 57.5k this past spring for 570/m with about 2k due at signing.

I don't expect Mercedes to have leases that are as good as BMW, but 800+ for a C class is just ridiculous...

jgcalderonperez

If you do $0 down, you get this:

$750.77 / month
Amount due at signing: $1,445.77

Which is almost $200 less than the C400. The initial lease rate quote from the dealer was $967/month...

jgcalderonperez

No, I don't have the residual and money factor for that rate :-/ I'm expecting the dealer to get in touch today. For now... seems like I'll be owning an S4 soon.

ujs

On the mbusa.com configurator, the OP's config shows $840/mo with 0 down (36 mos/12Kmi/yr). For a C300 for the same $54K (with slightly different options), MB wants $732 (i.e., $108 less). The current offer (good till Sep 30) is probably even less.

For the C300, the residual is 60% and money factor is 3.55%/24 (=0.00148) [calculated with data from the configurator].

white_raven0

Are you sure you want a S4 now? It's a pretty old car and a new generation is expected to come out in about a year.

When you lease, due to leverage, any discount from MSRP has a huge effect on lease payments. I assume there is little discount on the new C but lots of discount on last-model-year (of current gen) S4. Audis traditionally lease terribly so the difference probably is due to the different discount levels right now.

You are probably also getting screwed on money factor and maybe residual on the Merc if you don't know what they are.

Overally it appears the new C is leasing horribly right now. That may change by next spring. So if you are set on Merc or Audi (e.g. you hate BMW), then maybe wait at least till next Spring when the C will likely lease better. Lease on the current S4 probably will get even better as next year goes on, especially after the next gen S4 is announced.

Obviously when the new A4 comes out, the lease will be really bad too since it ll also have little discount.

If you must have a car now, then follow your heart and the money I guess. I would expect the C numbers to get better even in just 3 months towards the end of the year if you can wait a little more...

amp512

Oh that's neat tool on mbusa.com, sales tax not included of course and you still pay acquisition fee, title/reg and stuff but would you say that mbusa.com estimate plus sales tax would be pretty accurate monthly payment? Of course that monthly lease payment is based on MSRP so negotiating better cap cost (selling price) should be the goal as long as dealer is not gouging on residual and money factor? Sorry first time leasing so trying to learn.

tweakit550

Hi, I am new to leasing. No matter how I calculate it my numbers are $100 less than what the dealer is telling me, Info below. Am I doing something wrong?

Dealer info:
$55,565 MSRP
$50,675 Sale price

.00136 Money factor
($3,418 going towards TTL) Texas
$1,095 acquisition fee

12k miles per year (TTL rolled into lease payment)
62% Residual
$727/month Payment with 727 due at signing, my calculation says it should be $630/month

caraudio_nutt

sale price + acq fee = cap cost
subtract residual of 34450.30
add rent fee (cap cost + residual then multiply by money factor)
Pre tax payment + (3418/36 months)
i get a pre tax payment of 693.30

ujs

I believe the dealer's calculation is correct. This is because the TLL and acquisition fee do not residualize. In other words, you can not apply the 62% residual on the $4513 for those (they have to be paid in full). To get the correct amount, calculate the lease payment on just the car. Then add $4513/36 to the monthly amount. (I'm assuming it's for 36 mos, you didn't specify). Also add in the tax. That should be closer to what they quoted.

-- In reply to --
Hi, I am new to leasing. No matter how I calculate it my numbers are $100 less than what the dealer is telling me, Info below. Am I doing something wrong?

Dealer info:
$55,565 MSRP
$50,675 Sale price

.00136 Money factor
($3,418 going towards TTL) Texas
$1,095 acquisition fee

12k miles per year (TTL rolled into lease payment)
62% Residual
$727/month Payment with 727 due at signing, my calculation says it should be $630/month

tweakit550

Thanks for the feedback. Do you feel this is a fair deal?