kostas86

Just went to the dealer today and test drove the new E550 coupe. I know some CLK owners hate the new E coupe, but I thought it was real nice. I also absolutely love their matte finish paint they offer($4k option) but they had one in stock so they would give it to me for less.
I have been tossing the idea about trading in my CLK500 for the new E550 coupe. I love the new interior and the new redesigned seats are absolutely awesome. They really hug you and are more comfortable, plus they look amazing. For stock exhaust it sounds real nice and has more rumble than the CLK500/550. Also the paddle shifters feel a lot better on the new coupes.
Visibility is a lot less since windows are more narrow but not by a lot.

They also have real good incentives at the local dealer here on the new E550 coupe. They were offering me $1,000 off for being a Mercedes owner, another $1,000 off for being a Porsche owner, in addition to the $5,000 off sticker. PLUS 1.9% financing for 24-36 months or 2.9% financing for 37-66 months. I was so close to signing the papers but I wanted to think it over again.

Now the question becomes do I really want to sell my low mileage (43k miles) CLK500 and start over on car payments. But the incentives are very tempting and I really like what they did with the new E550 coupe.

So I am gonna think about it some more before pulling the trigger.

dynomite05

I don't like the exterior look of the E coupe, but the inside is awesome. That's tough getting into payments again.

Flame3g

if your already thinking about getting rid of it....its to late lol...your mind is made up you just have to make the choice...whatever one you choose enjoy you only live once

chrislis

Final sale price?
Term?

What says something about these and any other NEW mercedes purchase is this:

ALG 36 Months (3 Years): 50%
ALG 60 Months (5 Years): 33%

So if you say 5k off plus an additional 2k (7k total)

You would be looking at $49,325 plus plus plus.

$53-55000 OTD as an unpaid balance. After 5 years your car is worth $18587.50 says Mercedes Benz USA. You will have paid $59150.40 over that 5 years at 2.9x60 months having financed a total of $55k.

So there's some base numbers prior to your trade/cash equity etc. I don't know how much you paid for your car, etc to see the true investment but it's all relevant.

Mka77

Brand new 2011 model?

I would check what the 2010 models are selling for to get an idea of depreciation.

The incentives certainly don't make the decision making any easier.

Car payments are a fact of life, but by choice. If it's what you want and plan to keep it for a while I'd just do it.

Best of luck with your decision. You'll make the best one on your own.

chrislis

Sorry, I also posted for a base MSRP on a 2011 Coupe without adds.

astropat

Think it over for 3 years then buy it.

Badblackfolife

MEH!

kostas86

Yup, a few more months and my STi and Speed6 are paid off and then I am completely car payment free. It feels nice knowing no monthly payment. I hate making tough decisions.

Haha so true, it's tough getting out of the black hole when your sucked in halfway already.

Sticker on the car was around $66k with sport package, push start, panoramic sunroof, matte paint, upgraded wheels, and navigation.
But the $4k matte paint they would do half on since it was the showroom model bringing sticker down to $64k.
Depreciation definitely does suck on new Benzs, and luckily the CLK500 has reached the bottom of the depreciation curve. You definitely have to buy and hold these cars for awhile. They were offering me about $17k for trade-in and I might be able to push them towards $17.5k if I really wanted to, since my CLK is still in almost brand new condition.

There is only 1 2010 E550 coupe for sale in the area but is used w/ 9k miles for $53k, so not too big of a difference and no special financing with used ones.

Haha so true, if buying used.

I said that too when it first came out but after seeing it more and more I really started liking it and test driving it didn't help either.

elijah

First time I hear this. What's the fact that you own a Porsche have to do with Mercedes-Benz. I don't see the relation...

BTW I would take an Ecoupe over the CLK any day! Is the E63 Coupe going to happen? Now THAT...

kostas86

They told me that they have discounts if you also own a competitor car and they consider Porsche a competitor.
Haven't heard anything about a E63 coupe yet.

chrislis

its a competitor rebate. make sure the car is in your name and you need to bring the registration to the car with you also. we had these on the Genesis and Equus when I worked at Hyundai.

elijah

Ahhhh ok I see that is pretty cool. I guess it's an American thing because there is no such thing is a competitor rebate at least here in Switzerland. Gotta love the USofA

Moedy

I love both the looks and the interior of the e coupe. I really like the pano roof. If I were you I would wait till the twin turbo V8 550 comes in. Youre going to regret it if you dont wait especially paying near retail. I cant wait till tuners get their hands on these. After a simple tune you will probably be looking at the 500hp mark and thats not even the amg model!!

dragon_27

i think the e coupe looks sick! go for it if you have the dough...

elijah

All my previous cars had sunroofs and my X3 has the panoramic roof which has to be the best things ever. My CLK55 however is fully loaded without a sunroof and I just can't get over it. Thought about aftermarket sunroofs but if anything goes wrong and it starts leaking there will be no turning back so I am still debating.

kostas86

Yeah it is, so no worries. I didn't even know about the rebate until they told me.

When is the twin turbo 550 coming out?

Moedy

I think its the 2012 model

kostas86

Thanks for the heads up as that would kill resale value even faster

chrislis

and it would also give reason to hold on the MSRP.

Moedy

also if you want a smaller coupe the c class coupe will be released soon. It will be fitted with an optional turbo V6 with 306 hp to compete with the 335i. Im getting envious with all these new models!

kostas86

True

I don't think I would want anything smaller, but it doesn't hurt to test drive it when it comes out.

Badblackfolife

E550 TT WTMFW!!!! i will hop in that *****!

Kevwood

I really like the E550 coupe as well, there are a ton of them here at the dealer. If I were to get one I'd wait until post-September and pick up a 2010 on lease back, still have warranty and the brutal first 2 year drop in price has already been dealt with.

I think a matte white coupe with a bodykit and CF accents would be killer but there is still something about the front end that I'm just not a fan of...? A single fin grill would help but the 4 pot front lights are hideous! Reminds me of the mad German scientist spectacle look of the W208.

Badblackfolife

once the e550 TT comes out i will be at the dealer waiting to sign paper work... but i dont think they will make one.............. if they do it will be E coupe AMG.