I haven't been here in a long time. My E350 lease is ending and I decided to purchase this time. I ordered a C300W4 last year and it has arrived. I am due to go to the dealer Monday to negotiate a price.

I ordered:

P1
Panorama Sunroof
Distronic Plus
Multimedia
Heated Front seats
Hands Free Access package

I have to say that the defects I read about here are giving me some pause. I have had zero problems with my E350W4. Literally zero.

I plan to buy prepaid maintenance and the 7/75 warranty. I understand MB now offers some sort of coating for the paint. Is it worth it? What is a reasonable price for it?

Anything I should watch out for?

I was tempted to get another E but I wanted to spend less and the current E seems like old technology compared with the new C. The 4 cylinder engine had plenty of power for me.

 

Congrats! You'll enjoy the interface as it is much more intuitive and on par with the S class. Cabin space may be an issue along with lack of spare tire but aside from "bleeding" seats owners still love their cars and so will you

 

Make sure it's produced after 1/5/2015 to stay away from MB-Tex bleeding issues.

If you didn't already negotiated the price, good luck with that as it's going to be tough to get a good price while at the dealer. Look for at least 12% off MSRP; I would offer 18% off MSRP and work back from there.

I would also wait to buy the prepaid maintencance and extended warranty since you could buy them within 30days after delivery. You could get 7/75K for about $1,600 from a MB dealer mentioned in this forum, if they could match that then get it; if not there is always another source waiting.

 

Why does this topic title say 'arrived' when its not arrived, its only ordered? Or did I miss something?

 

It arrived at OP's dealer, it didn't arrived at his home or driveway yet.

 

Ah the fact he's negotiating a price after its arrived threw me. Its the other way around in the UK if you order a car.

 

That's troubling to me too without a negotiated price on an order and I'm in the state. If the dealer believed the car with ordered options are easy to get rid of, they will order it for you without even a down payment. Of course, the buyer could just walk away if the price does not suit him at time of arrival but that's a tall order when you already waited 3-4 months for it to 'arrived'. The dealer knows that they have the upper hands hence they will ordered for you.

 

It threw everyone ... it's normally not done that way anywhere.

 

Good luck! I would also suggest waiting on the extended warranty. After talking to my buddy who works at the Mercedes dealership, he suggested saving the cash now and waiting since you already have it for 4 years. It may be slightly more expensive later but by that time you may want to sell your csr for a newer model . Who knows but I was about to buy it but after talking with him, decided to wait.

Good luck again!

 

Keep in mind that the extended warranty is fully refundable if you cancelled the extended warranty during the new car warranty period and prorated during the extended period.

 

Well that's not true. I am expecting my ordered car next month, and my salesperson said I would get a better price if I waited to negotiate until it got here. The reason I had to order is that I wanted a combination of options that no one else wanted (no cars in the whole country on any lots). So I doubt they could easily sell it to someone else. I guess I will find out soon...

 

If your dealer said YOU would get a better price by waiting to negotiate until the car arrived, that almost certainly means HE will get the better price by waiting until the car arrives If your dealer is like almost every dealer, he wants to create a scenario where he has the most leverage.

 

The "dealer" is not exactly the same as the salesman I spent considerable time with working up this order. In any case, I have no problems walking away from the deal - I won't be the one stuck with an unsaleable car (because of my configuration) There are lots of other cars (brands) I could buy. The buyer almost always has the advantage, unless he relinquishes it...

 

But wouldn't it be easier for both the dealer and you to agree on a price before ordering the car? What's the advantage of doing the other way around?

 

Not easier for the dealer; there are certain incentives that may or may not be available when the car arrived in 2-3 months so it's a risk for the dealer to agreed on a price based on their availablity. These incentives are usually month to month and the dealer really don't know what next month's incentives are, even less 3 months later. One of the reason why a better deal is usually offered for cars off the lot then custom order because the dealer know exactly what their profits or losses will be.

 

I did get the car. I don't think the dealer was concerned at all if I chose not to buy the car because they could have sold it to someone else.

I like the car a lot. It is quiet and the tech is impressive.

The buying experience was awful. I had to negotiate every little thing. I think I did ok but not great. I actually was more concerned about the process than the price but the process was one I don't want to repeat.

This may be my last MB. My friends who buy Lexus don't report an experience like I had.

 

Chuck it up to experience . Pictures please

 

Whether the purchase experience is satisfactory depends on the dealer, not the manufacturer. I had an unsatisfactory experience with a D.C.-area Lexus dealer a few years ago (a bit of bait and switch on the car and the price). A relative in another state had a similar issue with a Lexus dealer. My MB purchase was very satisfactory.

 

That's interesting. I always hear great stories about Lexus.

 

Sorry about your experience but I think it has a lot to do with the apporach in buying a car, any car not just MB. Custom order any car even a Lexus without a pre-negotiated price is looking for trouble to say the least. I leave no chance for the dealer to deviate on the price when my car arrived because I have a signed contract with all the options and purchase price listed. My buying experience was super and the price was great. BTW, your dealer is a dirt bag for putting you thru this.

In addition, your dealer is not going to let you know they can't get rid of this car for negotiation purpose.

 

Here it is getting its first car wash:






2015 C300 coming out of its first car wash.

 

Nice, is that black?

 

Yep. Just plain black.

 

Classic. I like the stock wheels as much or better than some of the "upgrades."

 

Black is my fav car color but I got white instead because all my previous cars were black and I thought a change is needed. White is nice looking but if I have to do it over again, fav is the way to go...


I also have the stock wheels and like them even though I love the AMG wheels but it was not a $2K more type of love. I settled.