When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Lovely choice. There must be dealer financial incentives that I don’t understand where a dealer would rather renege on one sale and also not sell a car sitting on the lot for a year.
Lovely choice. There must be dealer financial incentives that I don’t understand where a dealer would rather renege on one sale and also not sell a car sitting on the lot for a year.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
That M8 is just gorgeous, with the added benefit of not having to deal with the pompous MB dealers. Wishing you many thousands of safe, happy miles.
I posted this link in the R232 section, but it seems to be so apropos to this discussion. Out of over 170 vehicles selected, Car & Driver chose only 5 MB’s, while selecting way more BMW & Porsche models, not to mention other brands: https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ans-and-wagons
That M8 is just gorgeous, with the added benefit of not having to deal with the pompous MB dealers. Wishing you many thousands of safe, happy miles.
I posted this link in the R232 section, but it seems to be so apropos to this discussion. Out of over 170 vehicles selected, Car & Driver chose only 5 MB’s, while selecting way more BMW & Porsche models, not to mention other brands: https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...ans-and-wagons
You were cross shopping a $70k MB with a $140k BMW ?
Come on.
The 53 was FULLY spec’d out so it was probably $100k lol. So idk what you’re waffling about.
Also he clearly said he got a deal on the M8. Let’s say 12% off as I’ve seen people getting, it’s close to $120k. That’s not far off from the 53 relative to the caliber the M8 is as. Plus he also looked at a GT.
Seems like his budget is pretty wide and mainly concerned about getting a deal.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
My last EIGHT new cars (out of 61 total) were higher end MB’s and MBUSA bought back the last THREE S Class sedans I had. So, I moved to BMW as well and currently drive a new I7. The overall attitude and customer experience at BMW is so refreshing these days.
The MB dealers got used to the gravy train during the virus fiasco, selling defective vehicles for WAY over MSRP. Somebody needs to splash them with cold water so they wake up and understand that the vehicles bearing the 3-Pointed Star are not as special as they once were and the virus mess has been pretty much over for years now, as I don’t think they got the word. The OP splashed lots of water when he walked out on them. Great move!
Read the reports on the W223 S Class and R232 SL Class forums and see the absolutely outrageous problems customers with these very expensive cars have been experiencing. AND, read about the ridiculous, pompous responses they have received from the MB Service Departments.
The OP made a great move. Not only did he end up with a much more substantial car, he is now dealing with a much better company, at least in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I truly hope MB gets their act back together, but I’m not holding my breath.
Last edited by Streamliner; Feb 3, 2025 at 11:36 AM.
Hmm. I had zero issues with my MB dealer. Very professional and made a deal that was fair and not an insult. In fact I walked out on a deal with a BMW M4 I ordered. They were trying to rip me off on my trade.
Well the MB dealer's GM did not honor what their sales director told me they would do re the lease money factor and refused to give an update on the malfunctioning massage seat without agreeing to their new proposal! The sales director apologized (he's a decent guy) and said if it were up to him the deal would have been done. We also made an offer on a new 24 GT63 Coupe that's been at their dealership for almost a year, and once again the GM killed the deal where their SD said he'd do it with no hesitation if it were solely up to him.
Sooo today we bought a new 2025 M8 Completion Coupe Saphire Black/Silverstone full leather which should at the dealer in about ~10 days (we got an excellent deal with no issues) This is one of the last M8Comp coupes BMW will make as only the 4-door GC and Conv will continue through this year and then also end, making way for a possible hybrid and a smaller vehicle as a new 6 series. My wife is thrilled as she loved our M850. I've driven M8 comps previously and they are absolute monsters and gorgeous. Here's some virtual pics from BMW they sent me of the vehicle we purchased. What do you all think?
way better car and gorgeous one at that - drive it in good health, congrats, see ya Mercedes!!
Some additional thoughts on our experience, and the cars involved:
The new CLE is a fine automobile, it drove very well, has plenty of power, a smooth ride, smooth quick shifting trans, and from what I noticed on our two test drives solid build quality. Was it disconcerting that the driver's massage seat lower function was broken right out of the gate? Sure, but all brands can have this happen, although I've personally never experienced something not functioning that early and have owned countless new euro vehicles over the decades. Nonetheless it wasn't serious, and we were willing to have them fix it. The CLE was supposed to be the wifey's but no doubt I'd enjoy driving it .
The GT63 coupe is a monster and is quite the looker especially in the right colors. When we went for our test drive stopped at a light, a gentleman in his ~50's jumped off his motorcycle behind us and ran up to the car (we didn't know what to expect) but he said the GT was one of the nicest cars he's seen, and his unbridled enthusiasm sure made it seem genuine. My wife and I looked at each other and smiled from ear to ear. We thanked him and answered a few questions before the light changed and he hurried back to his bike. The GT also drove exceptionally well albeit quite firm (this was our second test of one), shifted smoothly and crisply like the CLE and its build quality also seemed quite good. Here's a pic of both after our test drives while we were waiting to consummate the deals which as most of you now know unfortunately didn't happen.
The M8 was a vehicle we've been considering adding to the household for some time now and I’ve driven, but having an M850 made me second guess myself as it being too close to what we already had. Once we found out BMW wasn't making the coupe any longer, I couldn't get it out of my head, but thinking we'd do a GT made it less likely and we really liked the recent redesign of the GT, then the deal fiasco occurred. The MSRP of the M8 is $147k and change (GT $190k), the M8 deal was quite substantial, and because it's a car in transport and not having sat at the dealership made it even more juicy and enticing for us, even though the color combo wasn't our first choice. Some friends have asked what's the difference in driving the GT63 and M8? Well, they are both exceptional HP lux GTs, but the GT was more of a handler than the M8 (both in C-mode), the M8 more of the acceleration champ especially as the mph builds (more/better upper end power) and the M8 more of a vehicle to live with day to day not being so low to the ground that you almost have to drop into. The interior of the GT seemed more up to date but the M8's a bit more sumptuous. The GT is definitely over-priced by $40k+ comp'd to the M8. So, in the end both are awesome vehicles but the M8 msrp to msrp is the better deal for me/what you want it for, and we're quite blessed to shop for, let alone own these kinds of vehicles. Our M8 won't be here until the end of the month, as hits the US port in about two weeks, not the dealership (BMW's tracker can be a bit misleading).
Here are some pics of our day at the dealership and although the CLE is a looker and no slouch, the GT is so much more so. FYI, the CLE was not left in the disabled spot but in the open space between them for the walkway into the dealership.
Some additional thoughts on our experience, and the cars involved:
The new CLE is a fine automobile, it drove very well, has plenty of power, a smooth ride, smooth quick shifting trans, and from what I noticed on our two test drives solid build quality. Was it disconcerting that the driver's massage seat lower function was broken right out of the gate? Sure, but all brands can have this happen, although I've personally never experienced something not functioning that early and have owned countless new euro vehicles over the decades. Nonetheless it wasn't serious, and we were willing to have them fix it. The CLE was supposed to be the wifey's but no doubt I'd enjoy driving it .
The GT63 coupe is a monster and is quite the looker especially in the right colors. When we went for our test drive stopped at a light, a gentleman in his ~50's jumped off his motorcycle behind us and ran up to the car (we didn't know what to expect) but he said the GT was one of the nicest cars he's seen, and his unbridled enthusiasm sure made it seem genuine. My wife and I looked at each other and smiled from ear to ear. We thanked him and answered a few questions before the light changed and he hurried back to his bike. The GT also drove exceptionally well albeit quite firm (this was our second test of one), shifted smoothly and crisply like the CLE and its build quality also seemed quite good. Here's a pic of both after our test drives while we were waiting to consummate the deals which as most of you now know unfortunately didn't happen.
The M8 was a vehicle we've been considering adding to the household for some time now and I’ve driven, but having an M850 made me second guess myself as it being too close to what we already had. Once we found out BMW wasn't making the coupe any longer, I couldn't get it out of my head, but thinking we'd do a GT made it less likely and we really liked the recent redesign of the GT, then the deal fiasco occurred. The MSRP of the M8 is $147k and change (GT $190k), the M8 deal was quite substantial, and because it's a car in transport and not having sat at the dealership made it even more juicy and enticing for us, even though the color combo wasn't our first choice. Some friends have asked what's the difference in driving the GT63 and M8? Well, they are both exceptional HP lux GTs, but the GT was more of a handler than the M8 (both in C-mode), the M8 more of the acceleration champ especially as the mph builds (more/better upper end power) and the M8 more of a vehicle to live with day to day not being so low to the ground that you almost have to drop into. The interior of the GT seemed more up to date but the M8's a bit more sumptuous. The GT is definitely over-priced by $40k+ comp'd to the M8. So, in the end both are awesome vehicles but the M8 msrp to msrp is the better deal for me/what you want it for, and we're quite blessed to shop for, let alone own these kinds of vehicles. Our M8 won't be here until the end of the month, as hits the US port in about two weeks, not the dealership (BMW's tracker can be a bit misleading).
Here are some pics of our day at the dealership and although the CLE is a looker and no slouch, the GT is so much more so. FYI, the CLE was not left in the disabled spot but in the open space between them for the walkway into the dealership.
Great looking cars,booth of them... Enjoy your new M8 in good health...
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
.
