jimm

Was just wondering what the difference between leasing
an ’07 and an ’08 is.

For example, if both cars have a selling price of 58,000.
And the initial payment and term are the same for both.

From history, would you expect the monthly payment to
be the same for both? Or, would you expect that the ‘07
would have lower monthly payments, to get rid of older
models?

Or would that be controverted because the ‘08 would of
course, have a higher residual?

So, old time lease guys - what is the answer? Are lease
payments on the first ‘08s going to be higher than ‘07s?

jimm

==========

On Order: 08 E350 Sport, P2, Black/black,
Parktronic, Voice, Bluetooth, Burl Walnut,
Split rear seat, Rear mud flaps

AndrewAZ

You will get a lower payment with the 08.. Basically a lease you are paying the difference between the selling price of the car and the used selling price of the car aka residual value.

Think of it this way, if you are buying a car one car says its an 07 and ones and 08 both have 0 miles the 07 has been on the lot for 2 months the 08 for 2 days. In 3 or 4 years with both cars having the same milage and being in the same condition which one will have the higher resale value? The 08 will. Usually they do throw in incentives to get cars off the lot but again when I went to lease my car I could get a better deal on an 07 vs an 06 both brand new because of the residual values.


But then again MB might change the lease rates who knows. So many factors come into play. I would wait for the 08's and if the rate does go up wait until november when the special winter lease rates come out. But a general rule of thumb for leasing is get the newest model and year since it has the highest residual value.

pmb600

Leasing is very complicated...generally the new model year should have a lower lease price for the reason Andrew said (higher residuals). But other factors come into play: money factor rates are often rediculously low on outgoing model years (I think I heard that C-Classes had money factor rates that are equivalent to like 1 or 2%.) A new model year will probably have higher money factor. Also you can probably get a larger discount off of MSRP on an 07 meaning that the amount you are "leasing" (cap cost - residual) will be lower. There is no easy answer, just shop around, and I'm sure you'll get a great deal on whichever year you choose.

Btw, did you order the no cost sport package on the 08 or the upgraded one with AMG styling?

jimm

I’m getting the no cost sport package. When I ordered, several weeks ago,
the salesman never mentioned the AMG package. Wish he had as I wanted
about all the options I could get.

However, I’m STILL not exactly sure what the AMG package includes but, I
think one thing is the shift paddles on the steering wheel which I definitely
wanted. (LOVE those on my vette.)

Will you repeat what else that option includes, and also which of the items
can be dealer installed? I might add what I can.

By the way, I note that under “Build Your Own” the AMG package still isn’t
listed as an option. (Of course that’s for ‘07 I guess.)

jimm

==========

On Order: 08 E350 Sport, P2, Black/black,
Parktronic, Voice, Bluetooth, Burl Walnut,
Split rear seat, Rear mud flaps

jsimon77

In a perfect world if the selling price was the same the lease should be better on the '08. But since the dealers are trying to get rid of the '07's the selling price might be low enough to make the lease payment lower then the '08's.

pmb600

As far as I know the AMG sport package includes AMG wheels, AMG body work, and paddle shifters. I would change your order to include this. The body kit cannot be added (well it can, but that is a huge pain) wheels are easy but expensive, and paddle shifters I'm not sure about. I would not recommend retrofitting this stuff, just get it from the factory. It will save a lot of headaches. If your dealership gives you any difficulty on changing your order, tell them that this wouldn't be happening if their salesman went through the options properly.

emilner

Almost always, outgoing vehicles are cheaper than the incoming ones. How on earth could a dealer move stock if the new ones cost less. The only way I could see it happening is to have Bangle design the new one

jimm

That’s what I would think.

By the way, it’s too late for me to change my
order as I believe my ’08 was built this week.
(Maybe they could run it back through again.)

jimm

==========

On Order: 08 E350 Sport, P2, Black/black,
Parktronic, Voice, Bluetooth, Burl Walnut,
Split rear seat, Rear mud flaps

Justin T

jimm - MB has a special program right now for leasing. 33 month program with a solid (58% for my e550 w/ 12k a year) residual and a MF of 0.0009. I believe MB is also throwing $2,000 in cash to the dealer for leasing customers. I had to fly to SoCal to get mine, but it was worth it. Saved over $160 a month than what I would have paid here in PHX where the dealers don't deal. Hope that helps. I think now is the time to lease an 07...

Justin T

It depends...sometimes the manufacturers subsidize the hell out of cars to help move them. That is where the customer wins. My last two leases were way late in the year and both had special programs with good residuals (high 60s resid % for my Z4 w/ 30 month term and 58% for my e550 with 33 months (which ain't great overall, but is reall good for MB Financial)).

I think I have learned to wait a bit and watch the market before I decide to do anything. If the market is hot, then it does not matter; either way, you are not going to get a great deal. If the market is tepid, then you might be able to get a steal if you wait a bit and go with the leftovers.

pmb600

So what did the payment work out to? and what were the terms/money down etc?

pmb600

Well if you would be willing to wait for them to build another car, then make them order you another one. Like I said above, they effed up by not telling you this option was available and they can just deal with it. Besides what you ordered (black/black) E350 sport will be very easy to move.

Vik888

... and you can legally walk away from any "ordered" car and get your deposit back.

jimm

Yes. I know fellas. But, it’s the “wait” that’s the killer.

At my age, I eat desert first.

jimm

AndrewAZ

I really dont get why people order cars other than doing EU delivery. They have so many cars in stock and coming in all the time, from my experience you get screwed in deals when you order a car vs just dropping by the dealer and having the freedom to go to a few others that day and have them match and beat each others prices.

I bet you right now in Arizona alone they have at least 75-100 E classes on the lot probably more around 150 and they always get new ones in every few weeks.

Dema

Because some want to get really new car, like 1-2 miles on odometer.

jimm

There’s a lot to be said for that. In fact that’s how I've always done it.
But, when I was ready to buy, it was getting so close to the 08s and I
had hopes that the 08 would have newer electronics (mainly the Nav)
so I decided to order.

Must admit, ordering has been frustrating for me. And, delivery is still
a month away! The wait is draining, and my AH salesman never keeps
me informed about anything. I‘d NEVER refer Anyone to the West Palm
Beach Dealership.

Since my car was to have been built this past week, I called yesterday
to inquire about my vin number. He was to have called back within the
hour. Haven’t heard from him since! And, I had never bugged him once
since I ordered.

I had a bad experience with this arrogant dealership 20 years ago, and
swore I’d never buy there again. I made a mistake.

I’m extremely knowledgeable in marketing and customer relationships.
Therefore, I am highly sensitive to arrogance and - I am within an inch
of getting my deposit back and telling WPB dealership to go to hell!

Then, I’ll go out and buy SOME car someplace else! I certainly wouldn’t
recommend this dealership to anyone! You won’t be important to them.

jimm

==========

On Order: 08 E350 Sport, P2, Black/black,
Parktronic, Voice, Bluetooth, Burl Walnut,
Split rear seat, Rear mud flaps

Barry45RPM

With all due respect, could it be that you might be just a wee bit over anxious? You ordered it, its being built, you'll get it. A month later. birds will be ****ting on it.

I too waited for my car. I traded in my car & ordered the E 550 on Oct 20, 06, & the new car was delivered Feb 28, 07. Its unreasonable on your part to expect your dealership personnel to keep you abreast each time a computer somewhere in the MB Network updates your car's status.

You have to try to disengage a little bit. I remember, constantly refiguring when the car should hit the USA, then hit the dealership, then be delivered. Its agonizing... Go shopping for other cars to reinforce your decision on the Benz, go Bowling... do anything but try to forget the ordered car for now. You are inducing your own agony. You have to try.

cyclerider

You ordered your car less than 7 weeks ago. If you get it one month from now, you will have waited considerably less time than Barry (4 months and 1 week) or I did (3 days less than 4 months). I suggest you get the Harley out and go for a ride.

DerekACS

[QUOTE=Barry45RPM;2274169
You have to try to disengage a little bit. I remember, constantly refiguring when the car should hit the USA, then hit the dealership, then be delivered. Its agonizing... Go shopping for other cars to reinforce your decision on the Benz, go Bowling... do anything but try to forget the ordered car for now. You are inducing your own agony. You have to try.
[/QUOTE]

Barry, Excellent advice !
Nevertheless, the waiting isn't easy !
I also like Cyclerider's idea about riding the "Harley", but I will have to be content with riding my mountain bike and driving my Chevy Cobalt rental (yuke !) for another month.
But, in addition to the Harley, lucky Jimm has a C6 to ride in too !

Barry45RPM

Hey, for the whole 4 months I was without a Benz, I drove a 1996 Chevy Corsica with 105K on the clock... No power windows, no cd, no tape, and no worthwhile FM stations in the NY Metro area. The AM band was riddled with blower motor static whine, and the car had a leak which left the carpeting on the floor soaked after a rain or snow. (Its my airport beater)

...so I know what its like to wait... but the time does pass if you try

jimm

You are all right, of course, saying that I should “cool down,
the wait is normal, etc. etc.” And the reserved diplomacy in
your advice was appreciated.

By the strangest coincidence ..

Two minutes ago my elusive salesman finally called me. My
car was given a vin on May 31. It was shipped on June 7. It
has an ETA at the Jacksonville Port of June 21.

The boat name is “Hoegh Asia.”

But, he said it “may” be held a few days at the Jacksonville
Port to delay release of 08‘s. Says that NO dealer can know
how long MB will hold them in Port after their arrival.

Says everything dealers are doing now is to get rid of 07‘s.

(The above info was somewhat uplifting.)

Your pal, Jim

pmb600

jimm, given that you want the AMG package, and you don't like the dealership I think that is all the more reason to cancel the order and get another from a different dealer. I'm not sure what you do with your cars (lease/buy) or how long you keep them, but you should be 100% satisfied with your car and not disappointed when you see all the new 2008s with the awesome AMG package. Take it from my experience, I miss the options I couldn't find.

Andrew, people order cars because it is very difficult to find exactly the options you want with the color combos you want. It is becoming easier since Mercedes made the tiered "Premium package I, II, III etc." But most of these cars have so many available features that it is near impossible to find one with the options and colors you want.

jimm

Thanks pmb for your thought. But, I'm too far down the road to cancel now.
Hearing that it will arrive at the Jax port .. next Thursday was a nice boost.

I think it will be very good looking - and satisfying. Likely will keep it 1 - 2
years. I know I'm not going to like the outdated Nav after seeing the Lexus
Nav, or even my GM Navs. But, it’ll do, I guess.

jimm

==========

On Order: 08 E350 Sport, P2, Black/black,
Parktronic, Voice, Bluetooth, Burl Walnut,
Split rear seat, Rear mud flaps

Nickelmania-Dal

Barry, the good thing about driving your old Chevy for awhile is, it really makes you appreciate your 07 E. I am like you. I drive an 04 Ford Crown Vic beater with 210K miles on it as my business car traveling the state of Texas. When I get back to the E Saks, on the weekends, it makes the E feel special. I never get tired of it.

Jim-Nickel