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Hi brothers- My new 2020 C63S arrives this weekend, woot woot.
Anyhow- I have to turn back in my 43 next week, as well.
I had AutoVin come out and do a pre-inspection.
I have to replace a tire, which I'm OK with- but they are really being kinda ticky tacky with some of the other items.
I have white leather seats- and there is a $100 charge for "stained seat" - like its a 3 year old car with white interior.. to be expected?
Lastly - there is a $300 charge for "Faded roof". (see attached)
I keep car in a garage, and it barely sits in the Florida Sun..... but like this seems like overkill?
Just wanted to hear anyone's thoughts, or if they are in same boat.
Lastly, there is a $600 turn in fee?! Wonder if they will waive that since I purchased another Benz? Cheers!
It's been a while since I leased a car. The one I turned in I just dropped off at the dealership and they did a quick walkaround and that was it. The other one I bought out at the end of the lease and kept it a few more years before trading it in. Did the leasing company send out the AutoVin rep? Quick Google search on them reveals some complaints of them being nitpicky.
Can't comment on the stained seats w/o a picture, but not surprised if there are truly stains. White interiors need a lot of care.
The roof picture is too small. Can't make out anything. Is your 43 a coupe or sedan? At least for the coupe w/ the pano roof that part is actually plastic and there have been some fading and peeling issues with that part. So far on my 2019 C63S coupe it still looks pristine. Like you, I park it in the garage out of the California sun, but it's also rarely driven, only about 4-5k miles a year and almost never in the rain. It's not just the sun that can cause the paint to fade or peel, but also pollution in the rain. More so than perhaps the sun.
Lastly, the disposition fee is standard. Seems a bit high, but usually is only waived if you lease another car from them. I'm assuming you are buying the C63S, since it's a 2020. Did you check if you have any equity in your 43? You can always trade in a lease. That way they just buy it out as-is, pay off the lease, you don't have to pay taxes or any fees as the dealership gets a preferred buyout and then you can use the equity towards your C63 or have them write you a check. Obviously if the lease is upside down, which I kinda doubt then this is a moot point. But don't just turn in the car and pay a bunch of fees and leave potential equity on the table.
Last edited by superswiss; Feb 15, 2024 at 05:21 PM.
It's been a while since I leased a car. The one I turned in I just dropped off at the dealership and they did a quick walkaround and that was it. The other one I bought out at the end of the lease and kept it a few more years before trading it in. Did the leasing company send out the AutoVin rep? Quick Google search on them reveals some complaints of them being nitpicky.
Can't comment on the stained seats w/o a picture, but not surprised if there are truly stains. White interiors need a lot of care.
The roof picture is too small. Can't make out anything. Is your 43 a coupe or sedan? At least for the coupe w/ the pano roof that part is actually plastic and there have been some fading and peeling issues with that part. So far on my 2019 C63S coupe it still looks pristine. Like you, I park it in the garage out of the California sun, but it's also rarely driven, only about 4-5k miles a year and almost never in the rain. It's not just the sun that can cause the paint to fade or peel, but also pollution in the rain. More so than perhaps the sun.
Lastly, the disposition fee is standard. Seems a bit high, but usually is only waived if you lease another car from them. I'm assuming you are buying the C63S, since it's a 2020. Did you check if you have any equity in your 43? You can always trade in a lease. That way they just buy it out as-is, pay off the lease, you don't have to pay taxes or any fees as the dealership gets a preferred buyout and then you can use the equity towards your C63 or have them write you a check. Obviously if the lease is upside down, which I kinda doubt then this is a moot point. But don't just turn in the car and pay a bunch of fees and leave potential equity on the table.
Yeah I blue booked it and the payoff is really close to the turn in value. KBB has it around 40K, and the full lease payoff is like 38.5K. Didn't think it was worth the hassle over a grand. Picky seems to be an understatement based on the report, lol. I'm going to talk to the dealer once I turn it in, and see if they can waive some of the ticky tack stuff. Bought before Covid, so I assumed I would maybe have 4-5K in some equity, but it doesn't seem the case anymore :/
It's probably worth it to get a trade in offer. The Blue Book values haven't really been reflecting the demand recently with used car prices selling at premiums. It has settled down since the pandemic, but they might offer you more than you think, especially since you are buying from them. When I bought my C63 I had my previous Audi RS5 appraised by the dealership I originally bought it from and then got it appraised at the MB dealership using the Audi offer as leverage. The Audi offer was pretty good. MB offered less initially, but then met the Audi offer. Ended up finding a private buyer and got about $2k over the trade in offer. The Audi dealership actually gave me pretty good advise on how much I should list it on Autotrader and pretty much got the asking price.
The key is I handled the trade in separate from the new car purchase. Many dealerships these days are owned by larger corporate entities such as Sonic Automotive etc. They buy used cars independent of whether you buy a new car from the same dealership.
EDIT: Also take it to CarMax, Carvana and the usual bunch to see what they offer you for it. On a lease you won't get as much, because they have to pay a higher buyout, but at least it gives you an idea.
Last edited by superswiss; Feb 15, 2024 at 06:09 PM.
It's probably worth it to get a trade in offer. The Blue Book values haven't really been reflecting the demand recently with used car prices selling at premiums. It has settled down since the pandemic, but they might offer you more than you think, especially since you are buying from them. When I bought my C63 I had my previous Audi RS5 appraised by the dealership I originally bought it from and then got it appraised at the MB dealership using the Audi offer as leverage. The Audi offer was pretty good. MB offered less initially, but then met the Audi offer. Ended up finding a private buyer and got about $2k over the trade in offer. The Audi dealership actually gave me pretty good advise on how much I should list it on Autotrader and pretty much got the asking price.
The key is I handled the trade in separate from the new car purchase. Many dealerships these days are owned by larger corporate entities such as Sonic Automotive etc. They buy used cars independent of whether you buy a new car from the same dealership.
EDIT: Also take it to CarMax, Carvana and the usual bunch to see what they offer you for it. On a lease you won't get as much, because they have to pay a higher buyout, but at least it gives you an idea.
Really appreciate it brother. I did the online quote for Carmax and Carvana- they only offered 36K unfortunately.
I did buy the C63 already, there were only like 7 available in the whole country, so waiting on it to get shipped in from NY.
I'll see what the local Benz will offer for a trade in, before I turn her in!
Wow. Just Blue Booked the trade in value- it's at 40K. Private party value is 46-48K! Might have to re-evaluate now. Just worried if I buy car outright, and put it on AutoTrader, it may sit for awhile. Decisions decisions. Ugh.
Wow. Just Blue Booked the trade in value- it's at 40K. Private party value is 46-48K! Might have to re-evaluate now. Just worried if I buy car outright, and put it on AutoTrader, it may sit for awhile. Decisions decisions. Ugh.
Just make sure you understand the tax implications. When buying out a lease, you have to pay sales tax on the buyout, unless you already paid the full sales tax upfront. Don't know how leases are handled in Florida, but in most states you only pay sales tax on the monthly lease payment, and the sales tax on the residual is only due if the lease is bought out. Some states also have sales tax credit on trade ins, so you only pay sales tax for the difference between the trade in value and the new car's cost. So for example say you buy another car for $60k, but you trade in a car that's worth $40k, then you only pay sales tax on the $20k difference. Basically part of the tax you paid on your current car is credited towards the next car. However, since you already bought the C63 that deal is done and I don't know if Florida is one of the states that gives sales tax credits.
Last edited by superswiss; Feb 15, 2024 at 07:38 PM.
Just make sure you understand the tax implications. When buying out a lease, you have to pay sales tax on the buyout, unless you already paid the full sales tax upfront. Don't know how leases are handled in Florida, but in most states you only pay sales tax on the monthly lease payment, and the sales tax on the residual is only due if the lease is bought out. Some states also have sales tax credit on trade ins, so you only pay sales tax for the difference between the trade in value and the new car's cost. So for example say you buy another car for $60k, but you trade in a car that's worth $40k, then you only pay sales tax on the $20k difference. Basically part of the tax you paid on your current car is credited towards the next car. However, since you already bought the C63 that deal is done and I don't know if Florida is one of the states that gives sales tax credits.
You are a godsend- Yep, will have to most definitely pay the buyout value tax amount, didn't even think of that. That basically wipes any positive income flow. Thanks again brother!
Do you still have warranty? My sunroof faded(Common Problem) also and is covered under warranty, but I'm too lazy to bring it in. Also are you getting your C63 from the same dealer. They may be able to waive those fees. Just a thought.
2015 CLS 550 2015 ML 400 Previous 2020 GLB 250 2019 A 220 2005 ML 350 1989 300 E 2001 SL 500
Originally Posted by superswiss
Just make sure you understand the tax implications. When buying out a lease, you have to pay sales tax on the buyout, unless you already paid the full sales tax upfront. Don't know how leases are handled in Florida, but in most states you only pay sales tax on the monthly lease payment, and the sales tax on the residual is only due if the lease is bought out. Some states also have sales tax credit on trade ins, so you only pay sales tax for the difference between the trade in value and the new car's cost. So for example say you buy another car for $60k, but you trade in a car that's worth $40k, then you only pay sales tax on the $20k difference. Basically part of the tax you paid on your current car is credited towards the next car. However, since you already bought the C63 that deal is done and I don't know if Florida is one of the states that gives sales tax credits.
There is no sales tax credit on a lease trade in since the full tax wasn't paid in the first place.
2015 CLS 550 2015 ML 400 Previous 2020 GLB 250 2019 A 220 2005 ML 350 1989 300 E 2001 SL 500
Originally Posted by seabiscuit
Wow. Just Blue Booked the trade in value- it's at 40K. Private party value is 46-48K! Might have to re-evaluate now. Just worried if I buy car outright, and put it on AutoTrader, it may sit for awhile. Decisions decisions. Ugh.
KBB is a joke. If Carmax only offered $36k that has to tell you something.
Do you still have warranty? My sunroof faded(Common Problem) also and is covered under warranty, but I'm too lazy to bring it in. Also are you getting your C63 from the same dealer. They may be able to waive those fees. Just a thought.
Man, good to know! Appreciate that wisdom- it should be under warranty as it was only a 36 mo lease! Will definitely bring that to the dealer's attn once I turn her in. I wouldn't have even noticed unless the guy told me. I would also be too lazy to bring it in for that as well. lmaooo
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