W205C43PFL

Another one for us North Americans to drool about

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

More walk arounds:

Dragula

So I got my VIN today. My SA says the car is built and waiting to get shipped. Not sure of ETA until it gets in a ship....

Is there a way to track the car using the VIN?

Dmj958

I know when I ordered my CLA I got my VIN and my SA gave me the vessel it would be on. Ask for the vessel name it’ll be on and then use a tracker online to track the vessel until it gets to the port. That’s what I did.

W205C43PFL

Kinematic

I know this has been discussed on here a few times, but how the hell have they not even formally announced the pricing / build options on the website by now? I've never dealt with a new launch vehicle from Mercedes before, but honestly the communication / expectations have been.... terrible to say the least. Especially since we know they have started to already hit the US ports...

Is this typical for a new model launch?

BenjaminKohl

Unfortunately this is typical. The lack of a formal base price announcememnt is frustrating but it's been essentially confirmed at $59,500 plus $1,150 destiantion now, and official option pricing has been available via the order guide for quite a while. However, mbusa's website team has always been low effort and well behind, oftem naking mistakes and being very very slow with rollout. The 2021 S Class build your own was'nt available until well after the cars began delivery, and modes like the 2020 GLE had numerous issues/fallacies on the build your own that mislead customers. mbusa just doesn't put enough effort or priority into the build your own, and most customers have come to realize that using an official ordering guide or working with a salesperson on netstar is the proper way to get info about a cars options and restrictions. I would say it may not be until this February or March when the BYO for 2023 C300s and C43s will be available on mbusa.com. Maybe months after the cars start actual customer deliveries.

Kinematic

Thanks for the reply. That's too bad. I had a great experience ordering a BMW from factory, albeit it was not an upcoming model. That being said, a friend of mine ordered his m3 for launch and still was able to track it properly...

Glad I ended up going through directly, but for all of the tech Merc likes to push in their products, you'd think they would look to cater to people who also seemingly appreciate it...

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

Totally normal for MB USA, unfortunately. They are usually months behind on the configurator. Same thing for the last 10 years, from my experience.

I have not seen a single Cirrus or Lunar car so far. Lunar I expected to be unique but not cirrus ( I do see a silver wagon inbound to EU). Every other color has been represented at least once.

VIN decoder shows this on EU cars.
961 Exhaust system with OPF, generation 2.0
and
RZY AMG double-spoke wheels 20" with mixed tires

garyharbon

great videos !

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

this is a weird spec: https://www.mobile.de/es/Veh%C3%ADcu...355544979.html
18's with aero and magno paint. Also has full silver diamond trim if you want to see better pictures of that. Looks good.

SADDLEE

I have some basic questions since c43 would be my first Mercedes.

I usually like to change cars every 3-4 years. So I have been leasing my previous cars. However , many ppl say it is not a good time to lease it.
​​​​​What would be the best payment options currently or maybe when cars are ready to be delivered in 1Q 2023)?
1. Lease
2. Finance
3. Cash

One more question. What are the mercedes- AMG's warranty policy? I assume AMG's maintenance cost after the warranty is very high. Would you still take the cars to dealership for maintenance such as oil change after the warranty?

What are your opinions?

Dima

The best course of action would probably be to wait for official lease numbers to come out. We are living in unusual times so things are sort of hard to predict.
To make a decision you need to approximate the future rate of inflation, interest rates and market value of the car in N years. Then you can do a break even analysis and go from there.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

Financing looks like it's going to be expensive with the rates recently. 6 to 7 percent? Can't see myself financing at that rate. Right now I plan to lease but it all depends on the numbers.

I buy the prepaid maintenance, my dealer offers concierge service. They will literally deliver a loaner to me and come pick my car up. I do not plan to keep the car after warranty but would go to a reputable shop for maintenance if you're not buying prepaid maintenance or out of warranty. Any mechanical issues I'd probably still bring to the dealer out of warranty (as long as they aren't simple things).

Prepaid maintenance is more expensive than an independent shop but it is worth the convenience for me.

Kinematic

Quick question about this - i did the prepaid maintenance plan for my last car (BMW) and felt it was a total scam with what it covered/did not cover. I am struggling to see the benefit of doing it as I did not do it for my current merc if they are just deducting from a balance essentially. Curious if I am missing something? I'd rather just pay as I need to with maintenance.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

In the Merc world you can prepay for 3 or 4 services (maybe more or less but that is what is applicable to me so that's what I recall).

Those service intervals are completely covered at the fixed cost previously agreed upon which is about 50% less if you were to pay for each individual service as standalone (at the dealer). For instance, if you purchased those services at the dealer as you accrued mileage it might cost a total of $2500 as opposed to if you paid upfront at $1250. If you are leasing, the prepaid maintenance is also residualized - saving that much more if you go for it.

It does not act like a pool that you spend from - the service intervals are completely covered for the number that you pre purchase. Now, many things offered at each service interval could be argued as either redundant or unnecessary - but this is comparing a direct apples to apples full service.

Kinematic

Ah, thanks. Maybe I will look into it further this time around (I purchase, won't be leasing). I don't put a ton of miles on my car these days so I typically end up doing every 12 months service, buy my wife ('22 GLB) puts more miles on hers. Was looking into a local well known Merc service place for her service B coming up in the Spring, but will definitely think about that with the c43.

Side note, there are a couple of those initial builds already listed on my dealer's website (NJ) - New Mercedes-Benz C Class For Sale in Edison NJ | Ray Catena Edison
I should be hearing some updates soon from my SA but was curious to see them showing up on the site with pricing already.

W205C43PFL

Good find, I am wondering if those are in transit?

Kinematic

When I last spoke with my SA, he mentioned they were 'at the dock', so I do assume they are still sitting there. I hope to have an update soon, as I'd like to see the graphite one in person once they get it (and see if I can sneak a test drive).

Dima

BMW is a bit different: it provides free scheduled maintenance for 3 / 36k. MB - nothing.

Kinematic

Yeah, this was supposed to cover brake replacement and those types of maintenance jobs. When it came down to needing some work done like that, there was a fine print of stuff it did not cover so it seemed wasted. Good point though.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

Mercedes dealers will post cars that are anywhere from just receiving a PO to in delivery - I wouldn't get excited about that.

I remember looking at "inventory" last year and calling around and none of the cars listed were actually onsite (back when I was interested in a CLA).

​​​​​​​

Dima

The wheel / tire insurance might be a good idea though as 20' are 260/30 - pretty low profile for US roads.

W205C43PFL

Thanks for your reply and please do share with us when you see it.

SADDLEE

You think wheel tire insurance are needed for 19' as well?