e350 question
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e350 question
what do people think of leather inserts versus leather seats?
what is the "target" price. I have heard 94-95% of msrp with options/shipping. how do you negotiate for a car that may have to be special ordered and is not on the lot?
how is the dvd navi system?
what is the "target" price. I have heard 94-95% of msrp with options/shipping. how do you negotiate for a car that may have to be special ordered and is not on the lot?
how is the dvd navi system?
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Originally Posted by apancho
what do people think of leather inserts versus leather seats?
Leather and synthetic seem to wear equally well on wear points like the seat side bolsters, but leather probably requires more care to stay new-looking.
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From: Cambridge, UK
2005 W169 A150
Originally Posted by apancho
what do people think of leather inserts versus leather seats?
what is the "target" price. I have heard 94-95% of msrp with options/shipping. how do you negotiate for a car that may have to be special ordered and is not on the lot?
how is the dvd navi system?
what is the "target" price. I have heard 94-95% of msrp with options/shipping. how do you negotiate for a car that may have to be special ordered and is not on the lot?
how is the dvd navi system?
My DVD nav is excellent, although as I'm in the UK mine may be different to US models. See here for a comparison of US/Euro W211 COMAND in general:
http://www.mbenznl.com/products/w211comands.shtml
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I just bought a 350 with leather insets - this was largely because the dealer and everyone else I spoke with thought the concept of paying for full leather was insane. There is no resale benefit to full leather and, for my $, no rationalization for it.
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From: NC
'03 Mercedes E320
The biggest visual difference is the treatment of the door interior. The full leather is a nice looking loose-fit leather while the leatherette is a very plain flat piece. If that bothers you, get it, otherwise little reason for the $. One poster has indicated he actually disliked the full leather door trim because it robbed some elbow room. The seats themselves appear almost identical, but I believe they now substitute MBTex on the entire rear seat area, while prior W211 models had the leather inserts on both front and rear.
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From: Cambridge, UK
2005 W169 A150
Originally Posted by billycwhatup
There is no resale benefit to full leather and, for my $, no rationalization for it.
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Is full leather still an option on the E350? The MBUSA web site doesn't seem to show it as an option, either separately or as part of a package. I'm pretty sure it used to be an option, or at least an option on the E320. Also, interestingly, the interior pictures of the E350 on the MBUSA web site show the "gathered" or "puckered" effect on the door panels associated with leather, not the "flat" leatherette look - and they don't say that the illustrated cars include a full-leather option.
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From: Cambridge, UK
2005 W169 A150
Originally Posted by DWP
Is full leather still an option on the E350?
Leather twin optional for Classic & Elegance.
Part leather (outer seat cushions) standard on Avantgarde.
Full leather optional, standard on E500.
Nappa leather optional on Elegance and Avantgarde
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Right you are. I looked at the "Models/Sedans/E350 Sedan/Features and Specs/Options & Packages" path. The "Premium Leather" and Airmatic are part of the $3,950 "Appearance Package", but you have to click "details" to see them listed. I don't see a separate option allowing selection of just full leather for $1,500 as indicated by the "Build Your Own" function, though.
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From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Originally Posted by calum
Interesting; the dealers here will claim that full leather does have an effect on resale, but then again, they would, wouldn't they?
Another major consideration is the differing buying patterns. We (UK) members will tell the dealer the specifications\colour\power train of the vehicle we wish to buy, we then order that specific vehicle. In the US I believe buyers select a vehicle from the dealers current stock?
To expect a dealer to order expensive options and tie their money up on a car that might not sell straight away is not going to be a popular choice. The dealer makes money in selling cars as quickly, and as profitably as possible. How many options do we have on our vehicles that are simply not seen in the US?
My very own personal opinion is that an E-class 'deserves' full leather (with a nice fan to call the posterior
), but I suppose it is very much down to what YOU like.John
A cool misty morning in Torquay
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From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Originally Posted by calum
Interesting; the dealers here will claim that full leather does have an effect on resale, but then again, they would, wouldn't they?
Second attempt.
I firmly believe that this does effect resale values.
I say this because when we go to part exchange our cars one of the very first questions we are asked is has the vehicle got full leather!
In all fairness though the buying habits might be different between the US and other countries. We tend to go to the dealer and list the options\colour and power train of the vehicle we wish to buy. The dealer will then order that specific vehicle. In the US however a large proportion of customers go to the dealer and buy a vehicle that is actually on the 'lot'
The dealer will not pay for expensive options and 'hope' that someone 'might' like them. The dealer is in the business of making money out of selling cars and they will try to make as much profit as possible out of each model.
Just my personal observations though.
Regards,
John
A cool misty morning in Torquay
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,917
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From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Originally Posted by calum
Interesting; the dealers here will claim that full leather does have an effect on resale, but then again, they would, wouldn't they?
Originally Posted by calum
Interesting; the dealers here will claim that full leather does have an effect on resale, but then again, they would, wouldn't they?
Third attempt.
I firmly believe that this does effect resale values.
I say this because when we go to part exchange our cars one of the very first questions we are asked is has the vehicle got full leather!
In all fairness though the buying habits might be different between the US and other countries. We tend to go to the dealer and list the options\colour and power train of the vehicle we wish to buy. The dealer will then order that specific vehicle. In the US however a large proportion of customers go to the dealer and buy a vehicle that is actually on the 'lot'
The dealer will not pay for expensive options and 'hope' that someone 'might' like them. The dealer is in the business of making money out of selling cars and they will try to make as much profit as possible out of each model.
Just my personal observations though.
Regards,
John
A cool misty morning in Torquay
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 14
From: Torquay, England
E-class E300e Estate, Sprinter (stretched limo)
Originally Posted by calum
Interesting; the dealers here will claim that full leather does have an effect on resale, but then again, they would, wouldn't they?
Originally Posted by calum
Interesting; the dealers here will claim that full leather does have an effect on resale, but then again, they would, wouldn't they?
Third attempt.
I firmly believe that this does effect resale values.
I say this because when we go to part exchange our cars one of the very first questions we are asked is has the vehicle got full leather!
In all fairness though the buying habits might be different between the US and other countries. We tend to go to the dealer and list the options\colour and power train of the vehicle we wish to buy. The dealer will then order that specific vehicle. In the US however a large proportion of customers go to the dealer and buy a vehicle that is actually on the 'lot'
The dealer will not pay for expensive options and 'hope' that someone 'might' like them. The dealer is in the business of making money out of selling cars and they will try to make as much profit as possible out of each model.
Just my personal observations though.
Regards,
John
A cool misty morning in Torquay
