Talbot

Since there is no '06 E320 CDI on a dealer lot with my desired options:
(Obdisian Black, Ash leather upholstry, Premium Package, Lighting Package,
Split folding seats, Keyless Go, Wood/leather steering wheel)...

I'm considering ordering an '07 to get exactly what I want. I've never ordered an MB before... and what I'd like to know is will I still have any negotiating power on the price - or will I be in a position where I'll have to pay full sticker?

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

TPAbnz

European delivery, if you want, is a minimum of 7% off, plus whatever further discount you negotiate with the dealer. The $750 delivery fee is deleted too.

Talbot

We were thinking about European delivery, too, but our only availability to travel this year is in August - which is pushing the timeline pretty hard considering our idiot dealer has NO details about the '07s.

It is an interesting point though. I assumed with the EDP, there wouldn't be any further discounting.

I realize I can't get pricing on an 07 like I could with (now leftover '06 models), but I'd like to get SOME idea of what a dealer might be willing to negotiate on an order - whether it is a normal order OR an EDP order.

Thanks for your reply.

TPAbnz

Do a search for ED or European Delivery to learn much about the very positive experience other posters experienced.

Enter into a contract with the dealer for an additional 3% off sticker for the ED car. Considering that the delivery fee is deleted, your effective discount is about 10.5% to 11% for a very desirable (and somewhat depreciation resistant) luxury car.

Talbot

That does sound like a great deal. We were pretty high on the European Delivery (read:LBlack Forest!), but then we found some stuff about how people had been targeted based on having the temp license plate. Still, I'm all for it, I just worry about the possibility of August working out. My wife's a professor, so timing on trips like that can be tricky.

Thanks again for your input,
Talbot

mon-004o

I live here in Stuttgart, with "USA" plates - I have NEVER had any problems. You're statement is complete BS. Come over, take ED, and enjoy driving here, it's a great place.

Talbot

Well, MY statement isn't complete BS, since I'm just recounting what I've read. Now, maybe what I've read is BS, but that's another story. Regardless, thank you for your input.

Talbot

Hey Mon-004o,

What's the weather like there in late December?

jimbo1mcm

I have picked up a few cars in Germany. It is great. We drove all around, down into Bavaria, Austria and back up through Belgium and finally we dropped the car in Amsterdam. It is such a wonderful feeling to drive as fast as you want, and not be doing anything wrong. It is an experience you must have. Be sure to tighten the lug nuts after the distance they say. The initial run in sets the steel and it has to be retorqued. After that it is fine. I did it in a hotel parking lot at night with my car jack and they needed it. If you want to drive at 130-150, do it. At night, get a secure parking area, like in a hotel lot. Do not take the car into Italy. You can negotiate more than the 7%.Since you are considering a 07 CDI you might not see it until the fall here in the US because of the ULSD fuel requirement. Not sure when they will deliver it here to you in the states. And finally......whenever you see a sign that says," BAKERIE", stop the car, go in and just point!!!! Good luck.

TPAbnz

To be honest, I feel more safe in Germany than many parts of the US. The Bavarian peoples, in particular, were very friendly and helpful.

BTW, the posts you referred to on tourist plates, I believe, were for countries outside Germany. You will not be disappointed with Stuttgarters hospitality nor that of Germany.

edspider

If you do a euro delivery. How do you get your car sent over the pond? Does MB help with that arrangement? When it hits port, isn't there some kind of inspection and then how do you get it from port to your city?

I like the idea, but I fear the details.

mon-004o

Late December in and around Stuttgart is alot like the Virginia/MD/Pa area. It is normally above freezing, with little snow. Having said that, if you go south into Bavaria, well, then there is more snow. If your coming over that time of year, I would highly recommed you order your car with snow tires (now required in the winter for those who live here) or bring them over with you.

jimbo1mcm

It is very simple. You drop the car at a designated location. They sign for it and you are on your way. You pick it up at the dealer in 2-3 months. No hassle. No charge, it's included.

DavidNJ

I don't think you can order with snow tires. Many of the places you would drive would really need snow tires. Any even a drive to Italy or Spain would require driving though areas that needed snow tires. Hannibal Barca took a similar route (from Spain to Italy).

Also, I found the H-rated standard tires to be a handful at autobahn speeds. Didn't like them here any better.

In Europe, the garages are very tight. I would definitely recommend Parktronic.

khaug

Here's another vote for Euro delivery - it's an unbelieveably nice program.

When we did ours in the fall of '04, MB provided seemingly endless perks as part of the package. They arranged low-cost airfare and hotel reservations for us, gave us a day in a five-star hotel in Stuttgart, gave us taxi vouchers, dinner at the MB customer center, chocolates, a nice bottle of German wine, a plant tour, etc., etc.. The cost savings ran to a net 8%. It took only six weeks for our car to make it home to our dealer, who than detailed the car and filled the fuel tank a second time. I've never been treated so lavishly. And I agree with TPABenz that the southern German people are wonderful!

By contrast, I'm currently in the process of trying to buy a new Porsche GT3 and was shocked to find that Porsche has the gall to charge $2250 just to deliver the car in Europe and ship it home. Bah, humbug!

TPAbnz

Also, I found the H-rated standard tires to be a handful at autobahn speeds. Didn't like them here any better.


We set the cruise at 110 -125 mph, of course, two hands on the wheel. Despite the fact that S-Class and 7 Series BMW with business suit attired drivers flew by, we had no problem with the tires, car, etc. What speeds are you talking about? Probably too lofty for me and my wife!

Talbot

Snow? What's that? I live in Alabama, and I've never heard of it.

jimbo1mcm

Tell your wife to get the "flu" for about 10-11 days. You can combine a long weekend with sick days. Life is too short. The fall in Germany is beautiful. Hope you do it. You will love the CDI.

mon-004o

[QUOTE=DavidNJ}

Also, I found the H-rated standard tires to be a handful at autobahn speeds. Didn't like them here any better.[/QUOTE]

Unless you order an AMG, all US spec MB's come from the factory with limited to 130mph (210kph) and thus have tires rated the same. Because I live here, I had the factory leave off the limiter.

I couldnt agree more, I'm pretty sure that the garages/streets here are why PDC was invented.

mon-004o

Just something for everyone who ever plans on coming over here to Germany. From the beginning of Nov - somewhere near April/May you can fly from the east coast of the US to Stuttgart for ~300 USD round trip. The prices go up in the summer (of course) to $900 - ~$1200 (per person.

DavidNJ

About the same. It is not H-rating (Michelin AS2 snow tires are H-rated and fine), it is the junk, trash, etc MXV4 tires which should never be used on anything faster than a UMOG.

We now have the new Firestone Firehawk Wide Ovals (V-rated) tire on, and they seem to be a great sedan tire. Quiet, smooth, and good handling. I don't think I'd like them on a sports car, but for a sedan they are very good.

P.S.
Delivering the GT3 in Germany would be my first choice. However, it is a lot of car to start playing with...stopping from 180 for traffic can be interesting. There are a lot of wrecked high performance cars in Germany. And the obligatory trip to Nurburgring provides yet another opportunity not to leave Germany with a working car.