Initial Thoughts - Just took delivery of my 2016 C300 4Matic Sport Package
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Hey guys
These types of threads were super helpful for me when I was considering my next car purchase so I thought I would repay the favor and post my deal/initial thoughts/impressions as I just went to the dealership yesterday to pick up my new C300
Spec:
2016 C300 4Matic
Sport Package
Polar White
Black MB-Tex
Standard 18s
Black Ash Wood
Pano Roof
P2 Package
BSA
Heated Front Seats
Wheel Locks
Rear Spoiler
Rear-View Camera
My story:
I was looking for a Polar White on Black C300 4Matic with the Sport Package, P2, Black Ash Wood Trim, and 18s. Those were my "non-negotiables" / must-haves. Had MB-Tex in my GLK350 and I loved it, preferred the look and maintenance of the standard 18s (plus wanted the A/S tires), and had to have the LED lights/Burmester of the P2 package.
My timeframe required going with something on the lot vs. a custom-spec order, and my local dealer had something close enough but a bit higher optioned.
I wanted Park Assist but this car unfortunately didn't have it, only the rear-view camera.
The deal:
MSRP: $50,155
Discount: $7,036
Sale Price: $43,119
I wanted them to throw in the 3 year prepaid maintenance as well, but they didn't budge on that and no other local dealer had a lower priced C300 with the options I wanted so I caved in.
Did a 39 mo. lease @ 10k mi/yr, paid $4000 down, and payments were $406/mo. At the dealership my wife caved in for buying the $999 "lease protection package" where apparently they'll cover up to $7.5k in damage upon turning the car in, and our finance guy highly recommended this as he said they now outsource the car inspection process upon lease turn-in to a third party. So I'm happy with the 3 year maintenance prepaid, but I'm not sure if the lease protection was a good idea or not...
Ultimately, for our 39 mo lease we ended up at $4k down, $433/mo in payments.
Initial Thoughts:
Car has 30 miles on it after taking it home
My prior Benz history was owning a 2011 GLK 350 and a 2014 CLA 45. Weirdly enough, I LOVED my 1st-gen GLK 350, it was solidly built, no issues whatsoever, interior was nice, felt like I got a great car for the price. Later on, I ended up falling in love with the CLA 45 online, so I bought one sight unseen from an out-of-state dealer. Absolutely hated it (just my opinion). For a nearly $60k car (the CLA 45 was fully loaded), the interior felt cheap and full of plastic, the car had too much turbo lag, the backseats were too small and cramped for most of my passengers, and I actually did not like the fart-noises coming out of the engine, felt too "fast and furious" for me (I know most do). Another nitpick was that the car from a straight-on view looked so narrow, like a toothpick!! The side profile of the car is stunning, I do admit.
Anyways, I'm very happy so far with my purchase and this C300. Build quality seems great, don't want to jinx anything (at least so far, car was built 2/16). It's really stunning to me the jump Mercedes made from the last-gen C-class to this one, it seems truly night and day. I look at the new S-class compared with the last-gen, and the jump for that one seems appropriate and expected. However sitting in the cabin of this C-Class, it feels like a car that should be priced at $75k or more (center dash display and column gear-lever stalk excluded). Love the MB-Tex treatment on the dash, the Black Ash Wood trim, and even the air vents.
Very excited to take any excuse to drive this thing. It feels solid, I actually think the steering is more responsive and gives more feedback then prior generations, and the car just feels quick (at least for me).
I do wish I got the park assist package as I live in an apartment building and the parking spaces in my garage are very tight, so I have to be extremely careful pulling in to my spot not to nick anything.
I also am not a fan of the rear spoiler that was added, but because I'm leasing the car I'm not sure what my options are. I was thinking of finding a way to remove the rear spoiler then just re-attach it somehow when I turn the car in at the end of the lease...
Let me know if you guys have any questions as I'd love to help with anyone considering purchasing this awesome car. Very very happy with the purchase so far (it's been a day heh). Looking forward to driving it more today and next week.
These types of threads were super helpful for me when I was considering my next car purchase so I thought I would repay the favor and post my deal/initial thoughts/impressions as I just went to the dealership yesterday to pick up my new C300
Spec:
2016 C300 4Matic
Sport Package
Polar White
Black MB-Tex
Standard 18s
Black Ash Wood
Pano Roof
P2 Package
BSA
Heated Front Seats
Wheel Locks
Rear Spoiler
Rear-View Camera
My story:
I was looking for a Polar White on Black C300 4Matic with the Sport Package, P2, Black Ash Wood Trim, and 18s. Those were my "non-negotiables" / must-haves. Had MB-Tex in my GLK350 and I loved it, preferred the look and maintenance of the standard 18s (plus wanted the A/S tires), and had to have the LED lights/Burmester of the P2 package.
My timeframe required going with something on the lot vs. a custom-spec order, and my local dealer had something close enough but a bit higher optioned.
I wanted Park Assist but this car unfortunately didn't have it, only the rear-view camera.
The deal:
MSRP: $50,155
Discount: $7,036
Sale Price: $43,119
I wanted them to throw in the 3 year prepaid maintenance as well, but they didn't budge on that and no other local dealer had a lower priced C300 with the options I wanted so I caved in.
Did a 39 mo. lease @ 10k mi/yr, paid $4000 down, and payments were $406/mo. At the dealership my wife caved in for buying the $999 "lease protection package" where apparently they'll cover up to $7.5k in damage upon turning the car in, and our finance guy highly recommended this as he said they now outsource the car inspection process upon lease turn-in to a third party. So I'm happy with the 3 year maintenance prepaid, but I'm not sure if the lease protection was a good idea or not...
Ultimately, for our 39 mo lease we ended up at $4k down, $433/mo in payments.
Initial Thoughts:
Car has 30 miles on it after taking it home
My prior Benz history was owning a 2011 GLK 350 and a 2014 CLA 45. Weirdly enough, I LOVED my 1st-gen GLK 350, it was solidly built, no issues whatsoever, interior was nice, felt like I got a great car for the price. Later on, I ended up falling in love with the CLA 45 online, so I bought one sight unseen from an out-of-state dealer. Absolutely hated it (just my opinion). For a nearly $60k car (the CLA 45 was fully loaded), the interior felt cheap and full of plastic, the car had too much turbo lag, the backseats were too small and cramped for most of my passengers, and I actually did not like the fart-noises coming out of the engine, felt too "fast and furious" for me (I know most do). Another nitpick was that the car from a straight-on view looked so narrow, like a toothpick!! The side profile of the car is stunning, I do admit.
Anyways, I'm very happy so far with my purchase and this C300. Build quality seems great, don't want to jinx anything (at least so far, car was built 2/16). It's really stunning to me the jump Mercedes made from the last-gen C-class to this one, it seems truly night and day. I look at the new S-class compared with the last-gen, and the jump for that one seems appropriate and expected. However sitting in the cabin of this C-Class, it feels like a car that should be priced at $75k or more (center dash display and column gear-lever stalk excluded). Love the MB-Tex treatment on the dash, the Black Ash Wood trim, and even the air vents.
Very excited to take any excuse to drive this thing. It feels solid, I actually think the steering is more responsive and gives more feedback then prior generations, and the car just feels quick (at least for me).
I do wish I got the park assist package as I live in an apartment building and the parking spaces in my garage are very tight, so I have to be extremely careful pulling in to my spot not to nick anything.
I also am not a fan of the rear spoiler that was added, but because I'm leasing the car I'm not sure what my options are. I was thinking of finding a way to remove the rear spoiler then just re-attach it somehow when I turn the car in at the end of the lease...
Let me know if you guys have any questions as I'd love to help with anyone considering purchasing this awesome car. Very very happy with the purchase so far (it's been a day heh). Looking forward to driving it more today and next week.
You spent 2 hours at the dealership and they didn't walk you through all set ups (Bluetooth , etc)? WOW
Heh I usually like figuring all that stuff out on my own. The 2 hrs took too long from the finance guy having to go over every "package" and option, going through every little detail on why we needed things like Windshield Protection or 3M wrapping, I didn't have the kahunas to just tell him no and let's move on..
MBWorld Fanatic!
The F&I guy is the 2nd highest pure profit generator (service is #1). Most buyers view the F&I guy as a bank/title clerk and let their guard down thinking the negotiations are over and they just need to sign a few things and they'll be in their new car.
Virtually every "product" they sell is a crappy deal for you and a big money maker for them. I nip it in the bud when the first pitch starts and say "Thanks, but we're not doing any adds on this deal." Then I stop talking. Usually there's some really uncomfortable silence, then it's over.
My singular focus is on verifying that the loan contract accurately represents the deal we agreed on, and nothing got padded or snuck back in. I bring in my laptop with a spreadsheet and I work the numbers side-by-side with the F&I guy. I have spreadsheets for lease or purchase. Nothing gets signed until the payment amount and term line up or are within a couple dollars. I'm usually in and out within 45 minutes. My record is 15, and that just happened on the C300 lease. That poor guy surrendered really quickly. I sort of felt bad a little.
Virtually every "product" they sell is a crappy deal for you and a big money maker for them. I nip it in the bud when the first pitch starts and say "Thanks, but we're not doing any adds on this deal." Then I stop talking. Usually there's some really uncomfortable silence, then it's over.
My singular focus is on verifying that the loan contract accurately represents the deal we agreed on, and nothing got padded or snuck back in. I bring in my laptop with a spreadsheet and I work the numbers side-by-side with the F&I guy. I have spreadsheets for lease or purchase. Nothing gets signed until the payment amount and term line up or are within a couple dollars. I'm usually in and out within 45 minutes. My record is 15, and that just happened on the C300 lease. That poor guy surrendered really quickly. I sort of felt bad a little.
