Hola folks! So the thread title is self-explanatory. I'm currently leasing a 2015 M4, which will be expiring soon, so the new car search has begun. Currently at the top of the list is the C63s coupe. The 2018 M5 looks amazing, but it's not even out yet, so who knows. Same goes for the the new RS5; could be a contender, but I still can't even tell if it's coming to the US - much less when, if it even is. Then there's the Alfa dealership near me. They're clearly desperate to move cars, and have promised me the world if I just buy one of their Giulia Quatrofolios. Even with what they agreed to discount it (which is a lot), I'm weary. On paper it's great and it drives amazingly, but who knows about reliability. Not to mention, the fit and finish is years behind the competitors.

So the Merc is currently at the top of the list.

There are several Mercedes dealerships that are local to me, but none of them have the 100% ideal car with the exact options I want. One or two are close enough to seriously consider though; MSRP is around 90k, give or take. That said, here are my questions:

1) I've been offered 12% off MSRP on any of the c63s' at one of the local dealerships. That discount honestly sounds pretty good to me, but want to confirm. They have a couple in stock, all ranging from about $87-90+k. The manager said I could take my pick and knock 12% off any of them.
2) Two options I don't want (but most cars I've found seem to have) are the AMG Performance Seats and Driver Assistance Package. The $2,500 seats seem silly since I don't plan on tracking the car, and the regular seats are ventilated, which is a huge plus in South Florida. As for the Driver Assistance Package, I hate all those electronic nannies. Same goes for the stupid self-parking feature. Not sure why most cars come with these options installed, but if anyone can sing the virtues of any of them and convince me that they're must-haves, I'm all ears. Otherwise they seem like a waste of money. All/most of the other options I definitely want though.
3) 2017 vs. 2018 - seems there's no real difference other than how the options are packaged. I've found a couple very low-mileage 2017s (4,000 miles or less) for around $80ish or about $12 less than original MSRP. Since a local dealer already offered me about that same discount on a new car, what percentage off of original MSRP is realistic on a CPO '17 or '18?

That's all I can think of for now. If anyone has any other tips or things I should keep in mind, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

12% off msrp?

Unless the Florida market is that soft..........run, and don’t walk....to the dealership that is.

Best,

 

 

The real question is whether you can tolerate the seats for the period of the lease. If the answer is yes, go for it. The DAP is a none issue in my view as you don't have to use them and can probably turn them off. I'd negotiate the price down on the seats since you don't like/want them. The only other question is whether there are options missing that you really want? If yes, can you go without them?

 

I think part of the reason for the massive discount is possibly the new C class facelift will be out towards the end of the year. Some of the expected features are the new facelifted S class with digital gauges and infotainment screen across the dashboard and better trackpad vs the current model. You may prefer the analogue speedo though. There are also expected to be better driver assistance aids (i know you're not a fan of those though!). The facelift affects regular C classes more as they get better engines than the current generation. There is also expected to be better damping etc on the regular C class. In terms of the AMG, one of the complaints from some was the firm ride even in comfort mode, i'm not sure if AMG will rework the suspension or not, seems unlikely to me. The C63 itself might receive new turbochargers but whether or not you'll notice any difference is another matter. There may be subtle changes to the exterior too of the C class generally and they may tweak the interior somewhat.

In the UK i ordered a C63s estate last year. I was very close to hitting pause and waiting for the facelift, spoke to my dealer etc. The only catch is the AMG may not have been available till early 2019 and ofcourse will not attract the sort of discount the pre-facelift will. To give you an indication, the on-road price of my car was £80k. It has all the options apart from carbon ceramic brakes, carbon body kits and amg drivers package (which i regret now as there is a whole track day included for only £765 which is a no brainer). The price including discount is £67k which is a cool 16%. why such a great discount though? well, its because the facelift is around the corner. Now driving a car out of the dealership in the UK will straight away hit you with a 20% VAT hit on the sale price which 16% doesnt cover but also there is likely to be a bit more depreciation due to the facelift coming out, but, it's not about the money, it's about possibly some of the last great affordable V8s coming out of germany before emissions legislation downgrades the cylinder count to 6 on the c class soon with electric motors. One thing i do know is AMG puts the most effort into the sound of the car, so their inline 6 will sound good, but, it's no V8.

In terms of the driver assistance package:
a. Distronic plus: useful for cruising on the highway it seems. It is better than standard cruise control as it actively keeps a certain distance with traffic ahead.
b. steering assist: could be useful again on the highway
c. blindspot assist: i always watch over my blind spots but another pair of "eyes" couldnt hurt. my current car doesnt have this.
d. cross traffic assist: sounds gimmicky to me but again, may be useful in preventing a collision where a muppet decides to lose control and drive into you.
e. lane keep assist: steering vibrates if you leave your lane without indicating. Possibly helps when you're drink driving lol.

all the above could be gimmicky, but, the one time you lose control, maybe, just maybe the above may save you. The facelift will bring E class quality driver assistance systems which are superior to the above.

 

I can't comment on the pricing part of this, but I'll chime in on the Driver Assistance options.

I, just like you, never really saw the need for most of these options and always thought they were just extra nannies that would either annoy me or end up breaking and need to be fixed. After two and a half years of having and using all these features, I don't think I'd ever want a car without them. The Distronic Plus and Steering Assist alone are worth it. I drive on the highway quite a bit in the early morning (I'm an avid cyclist and usually have to drive a fair bit to get to our early morning team rides), and having the car steer itself when I'm half awake is absolutely amazing. It feels very weird the first few times you use it, but once you get comfortable you'll never look back.

 

I test drove a car with the performance seats and they were way too firm for me. I ordered my car with the regular seats and I simply love them. They are extremely comfortable and the seat ventilation is great.

 

Ok well I went ahead and decided to have a car built so I could get exactly what I wanted. Went back and forth on the driver assist package, but in the end opted to skip it. Currently have a March allocation for mid-May delivery, and agreed on 10% off MSRP. Final spec is below. Looking forward to it!

 

congrats on the new order! that's awesome! quick question, the pic you've got there has the black rimmed alloys, do they come as standard for you in the US on the coupe?

They cost £2k here as an option in the uk which i find a little bit steep.

 

Congrats! The Driver assist package is awesome though, distronic is so much better on this car than it was in my 2014 E63.

 

Agree with you on the Distronic.
In slow moving traffic, I do not even get the prompt to hold the wheel
so it is just a tap on the accelerator from standstill.

 

It makes long drives and traffic painless.