Coffee_break

Hi- new to the group with upcoming purchase...great site you have here and looking for some advice for the deal.

Looking for a well optioned car that probably will need custom build before model year ends (which I understand is couple months).

Pending deal is 6% off MSRP in the Chicago area. Is this close to invoice or is there still room for more negotiation? Dealer says that is his cost and is getting only $1000 cash back (if that’s the offer at delivery time). He will split anything over that if higher when car comes in.

I know it’s best to shop the order around to other dealers but for some reason it’s a complicated build that I couldn’t do myself on MBUSA site and neither could the salesman. They needed to mock up an open production spot to clear errors.

Thanks for any input.

Coffee_break

Bringing this back to the top to get some advice.

Trying to figure if dealer is being truthful on custom build. Does 6% off MSRP get you to dealer cost (not including any hold back)?

Thank you.

fabbrisd1

1st - any competent Sales Adviser can work up the Proposed Build Sheet for either a 2019 or a 2020 (without confirmed base price) using the NetStar Configure Tool - they do not need to "mock up a production slot"

2nd - at this moment it is Your Choice whether to have a 2019 C-Class "sooner" or a 2020 target end-August - differences short form 10.25 center screen now std, rear collision std, and probable a couple of other items now "std" that I don't recall at the moment

3rd - if you want to have max savings - let's put the "salesman's pitch" to the side for the moment - then shoot for a 2019 - join PenFed - if you're not current/former military and/or not gov employee - PenFed allows you to join a qualifying non-profit (on line membership about $35) - then join PenFed with $50 deposit - at this moment PenFed fleet discount on a 2019 I "think" will be about 12% - that fleet discount is "split" paid between dealer/MB - in this case about 6% by each side. Fleet gives you stronger discount on a C than solo dealer discount. Please understand your Sales Adviser will be kindof plead "ignorance" about this when really he has seen/handled several/or-a-lot of Fleet transactions.

4th - 2019's will be ending production June - and your window to build-want-you-want is closing like "soon" - and you don't even have your Proposed Build Sheet in hand - you need to move forward effectively now - Fleet Discount is based on month of delivery - and Fleet Discount for each month is announced at the beginning of that month - but you can reasonably assume June delivery Fleet for a 2019 will be as-good-as as April is now - and understand 2020's will not have smaller Fleet Discount at the start of that model year.

Happy hunting buddy ..

Coffee_break

Thank you @fabbrisd1 for the detailed reply. I know time is tight to get a 2019 build started. I’m focused to pull the trigger once price is resolved.

In looking at PenFed member fleet it seems for the C class sedan it is $1500 off (not 12%?) and you need to be an established member? Saw conflicting info there, but anyway can probably get fleet at same $1500 through my work with CAN number- thanks for pointing that out.

Before trotting out the fleet discount I’d like to get my best pricing established.

Is dealer cost for the C300 known? Have to be aware of this number because he is telling me 6% off MSRP is his cost. Is this true?

anmol khurana

Look at https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/2019-M...s-Price-c27555 for what is the invoice price and whats a good deal . Usually Mercedes do sell 12% off MSRP (more towards the end of the year)

fabbrisd1

Yes - you spend $85 ($35 and $50) and join PenFed - then do a TrueCar search for a C300 with comparable MSRP with your local dealer's - and YES your TrueCar will come up at/around 12% - then you take that quote on that inventory C-Class to the same dealer and say - "let's order up".. the "$1,500" CAN fleet discount cert for a C-Class is kindof a joke.

YES - going into model year end on C's "dealer invoice" is a joke-on-you - Mercedes dealer support dollars are strong ($2,500-$3,000) - but your "salesman" doesn't have a clue about that especially since that sales grunt either doesn't even have his own NetStar access - or he is not willing to put in the work..

Coffee_break

Thanks for all the advice- need to confirm closing date of 2019 manufacture.

Going back and forth between two dealers. First dealer has a modifiable slot 3rd week of June. Second dealer has a slightly better offer but claims his manufacturing slot is 2nd week of July. Is this second slot real??

bigbot45

I'd be curious about the 2nd week of July...I just ordered a 2020 a week or so ago and the approximate build time is the last 10 days of June.