landshark1977

Hi,

Great forum! I'm starting my due diligence towards a purchase of a 2015 C300 RWD base model, with some options, in the South Florida area (I will drive within a couple of hours for a deal though). Not planning on ordering, just find what I'm looking for on the lot.

I was hoping someone could give me an idea of a good $ to start negotiation wise, maybe what percentage off msrp should I expect to pay. And whats the story with all the "fees", do people usually negotiate them as well?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank

miketc

First read thru this Thread on people's discounts:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...challenge.html


Go to your local dealers to test drive as many cars as you can to determine what car and options you want. Then I highly recommend using MBUSA.com and build your car so you know exactly how much each options cost as well as the MSRP. Once you're ready to buy and know what car and options, go to Edmunds.com and use their Price Promise feature and throw the car you want into the ring and see what the dealers around you have to offer. Don't accept anything less than 10% off MSRP for custom build and 12% off for cars on the dealer's lot; mine is about 12.5% off MSRP for a custom build. Work the phone and email with the sales persons; I finally met my sales person when I went to pickup my car. Always give the dealer you test drive with the chance to meet or beat the final offer; mine would not go that low even when I offer to pay an extra $1K than the best offer.


There really no fees for purchase that could be negotiated so keep that off the negotiation table, just negotiate the amount off the MSRP. Fees may be applies for lease but I don't think you want to lease.

Good luck and have fun.

gocal73

Here's how I got $9000 (20%) off MSRP on my 2015 C300 4 matic. Of course there were additional factory incentives during the holidays, so that helped.

I went to Edmunds.com, entered the car I wanted to buy and my zip code. I did just the same for you just now using a Miami zip code. According to Edmunds the best deal in Miami right now is $5799 of MSRP. You then give them your email address and within minutes you will have five offers including the one at $5799. Then the fun begins. You use the $5799 off MSRP as your starting point. You know that deal is in the bag, so take the time to contact the INTERNET Manager at all dealers in the area you are willing to communte to pickup your car. DO NOT talk to a regular sales person.
In my case, I checked the whole state of California and the guys who offered me the lowest starting discount on Edmunds actually won my business by giving me the best final discount and they had the car I wanted. Turns out the dealer was less than 20 miles from my house. However, it doesn't always end up that way. I had to travel 60 miles for my Infiniti.
There are many systems for purchasing a car, and I've tried many, but this one always works for me.
BTW, since the RWD C300 is not yet on dealers lots and there are lots of 4matics out there, you might get a better deal on a 4matic. The 4matic system is valuable for more than just snow. Works good for rain and avoiding roving alligators, which I hear happens once in awhile in South Florida.
Good luck!

miketc

gocal73, what is the % off MSRP to get to the $9K discount? I think % off MSRP is a good gauge.


Edited:
gocal, 20% off is a great discount. Way to go...

landshark1977

Thanks for the great tips, I will definetly put them to good use. I started with the MB dealer closest to me and they have a handfull of rwd already, he offered $35,774 for a 2015 C300 rwd msrp of $40,290, but I think that one is pretty much basic.

miketc

That's little over 11%; I personally will start with 15% off and see if they bite. Yes, $40,290 has $1890 for option.

ddeliber

Note: the fees in FL are pretty much out of control and completely unregulated. Plus they vary sometimes significantly (I have seen them as high as $900 processing/documentation. Whether they negotiate on them is debatable, but they obviously do matter in the bottom line of any deal. Simply focusing on %off MSRP basically ignores them you should find out what they are and make sure that you use them when comparing deals.

gocal73

The only "fees" in the MSRP is shipping which is standard for any C300. Which state you live in makes no difference. Dealers try to tack on fees by adding a bunch of crap add on's. Stay with the Window sticker that comes with the car. This has the MSRP.
Also, I found that when the dealer told me $7000 off this "special car", once I made it clear I'm not an idiot, the $7000 discount suddenly applied to any C300. So, don't let them talk you into a car you don't want.
Also, use online tools like Edmund's to find your starting price. This is a great advantage. You are much less likely to leave cash on the table that way.

gocal73

I was looking for a very specific car with not many options and I found it. However, I was offered $9000 off any C300. I wanted silver with black interior, 4Matic, NO pano roof, Premium package, Backup camera, 18" Wheels, Heated seats, Garmin SD card. That's it. The MSRP was $45455 plus $600 for SD Garmin Map Pilot. It would have been a little more but MBUSA was doing a promotion that discounted the 18" wheels by $250. The dealer discounted the SD card by $100. So, the sales price for car and Garmin was $45955. I got $9000 off. So, the price of car ended up at $36955 plus T&L. That's a 20% discount off MSRP.

ddeliber

Dealer fees are NOT included in the MSRP and are not displayed on the window sticker. Things like tax and registration should be standard and the same everywhere but I have seen dealers also add on registration processing costs. The state absolutely matters. In NY documentation fees are capped at something like $75, CA I believe is $80. Here in MA they are not capped and most dealers charge $299. FL on the other hand for some reason charge a "dealer fee" or "processing" fee and some also include a documentation fee in addition to the "dealer" fee. As I said I have seen them as high as $900. This is pure profit and needs to be included in the comparison. They won't tell you what they are until you are in the FI office unless you ask. These magical fees along with some unscrupulous dealers are the reason many Florida buyers drive to GA to buy cars. I am not telling the OP to do this or anything, I am just suggesting that they ask for an out the door price when negotiating.

landshark1977

So I went to my local mb dealer this morning on the way to work. I was reminded of what a pita it can be trying to get these "gentlemen" to negotiate, fairly.
They had a base c300 with upgraded wheels 18", burl wood. Sticker on car was $40,290, his best price out the door was $39,040. I obviously told him thank you but I'll keep looking, and mentioned I'd need to be closer to $35,000 otd to make it happen.
He said it was basically impossible thinking I'd get 15% off msrp.
I'm sure a deal is out there.

huyuci

don't ever walk in. It's like bringing 2 empty hands to a gun fight. Use your email first, then work the phone. Only come in when you get the best offer, and even then, you can still get some $ off. I paid $36k for a $44.5k MSRP, and should have negotiated more.

landshark1977

I think your right, walking in is pointless. If I find a deal like the one you picked up that would be amazingly impressive.

miketc

Grasshopper, read my first post above again. Once you know the cost for each options and the car you wanted, go to Edmund.com and see who will bite; they all will btw. You would only go in when you get a price you wanted over the phone or email. Like I said earlier, I never saw my sales person in person until I went in to pick up my car. If it's an existing car, then tell them you want 15% off MSRP or you are not interested because you are already in talk with a couple dealers already. Back off 3% if custom build. Have fun!!

socal400

Same here, go in and test drive, listen to the salesperson give you 3% off msrp than leave. Send out a generic email blast asking for 15%-20% off to all dealers within 50miles or more, one will bite. Make sure you look thru their inventory and negotiate on a specific vehicle. They may lose money on you but will make it up on another. You are 110% in control... happy hunting, make it fun!

rakaye47

15% off MSRP is a good deal. Anything less than 10% off is a rip off.

landshark1977

ok, here are my numbers so far

2015 C300 base $39,925 out the door $36,100

2015 C300 base $40,110 - $7009 discount= $33,101 car price

2015 C300 base $41,190 -$7009 discount=$34,181 car price

None really move me though. The third option is the closest but I'm wanting a dark interior.

huyuci

Maybe it's personal preference, but don't ever go for a base model, man. It doesn't look really good, especially with those hideous wheels and headlights. You'd regret it later. Trust me. My first BMW, I went for a base model + nav. Then I regretted I didn't get the sport package and keyless entry (comfort access) and the wheels. So, when I was shopping for C300, I made sure I got the sport + wheels. But I overlooked the lights and keyless go. Now I just wish I could do it all over again. So, while you still have a chance, think carefully. Having the sport pk, the wheels, and lights make the car look a LOT nicer.

landshark1977

I'm thinking 18" wheels, linden interior, premium...and maybe back up camera.

Any opinions on linden vs open poor ash? Looks like the linden is sealed and the ash might be more prone to absorbing oils from hands or whatever. I am a boat captain so my hands are usually on "stuff" more so than maybe an office employee.

Mr Enigma

I read that as base price rather than base car?

landshark1977

The car for $36100 otd would include 18" wheels, linden interior and backup camera.
Sorry I should have included what options they each have, but none of the 3 are just base models w/o options.

Mr Enigma

Thought so. Good luck with the purchase.

directcj

landshark-
odd that the lowest priced car gets the least discount. Or you didn't put the out the door for the latter two cars?

I'm trying to find a car with just rearview camera. Hard to find unless it comes with other options.
Here in socal - they most likely will have a sunroof. Getting about $6k off or ~15% off.

BenzC400

Any price comparison or percent off MSRP really only applies to cash deals where you can truly see what you are paying. If you are financing or trading another car, the dealer will try to get back anything that he gave you on the price of the car by lowballing the trade or convincing you to finance through the dealership. A dealer can easily make up several thousand dollars with your trade-in or a bad financing deal.

miketc

I think you mean leasing not financing. It's pretty hard to pad a normal load with cost if you do your homework and know the rates.