E-Class buy back
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 926
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From: VA
03 E320, sport package, moon roof, sound upgrade, brilliant silver, charcoal leather, heated seats..
Originally posted by rayscar
Drb, looks like I purchased from the wrong dealer in Northern VA! There is NO way HBL is going to throw in a free wheel. That's a business decision they have to make but in my case it will cost them future business. IMO they are a penny wise and pound-foolish.
Anyway congrats on getting a good deal. BTW, what color did you change to? I'm thinking about changing my stone interior because it is hard to maintain with two small children.
Drb, looks like I purchased from the wrong dealer in Northern VA! There is NO way HBL is going to throw in a free wheel. That's a business decision they have to make but in my case it will cost them future business. IMO they are a penny wise and pound-foolish.
Anyway congrats on getting a good deal. BTW, what color did you change to? I'm thinking about changing my stone interior because it is hard to maintain with two small children.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 468
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From: Houston. TX
2013 S550
Well, MB of Greenway here in Houston has for the most part got its act together. I heard from them just now and they were going to order my replacement when I got off the phone. I didn't really want to change anything; I like the car I have just fine. They would allow additional options to be purchased; deletion of any current options would not result in any type of credit.
Unresolved issues:
1. LoJack
2. Extended warrenty (I purchased a 3-year)
3. Wood Wheel (I purchased - full retail - while waiting on delivery)
He said he would have to research it and get back with me on the unresolved issues. I'm the first one at the dealership that prepaid for navigation, so they had not thought through these issues...
Unresolved issues:
1. LoJack
2. Extended warrenty (I purchased a 3-year)
3. Wood Wheel (I purchased - full retail - while waiting on delivery)
He said he would have to research it and get back with me on the unresolved issues. I'm the first one at the dealership that prepaid for navigation, so they had not thought through these issues...
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 133
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Oh, drb,
Now you've got my curiousity... I also like the Plat blue with Charc interior combo... I have to talk to my salesguy this week since I'll be putting in a new order, but I am now WAY curious about this...
I am assuming that your original car has a factory-deemed interior/exterior color combo and did not have their infamous "Special Order Charge" of $1150 on your original order... now that you've picked a Plat Blue/Charcoal, which would trigger that SOC, I am assuming that your dealer had the good taste to not ask you to pony up the SOC... Is this correct?
I've always felt this SOC was a pure bogus way to add another $1150 to the profit... like the painting robots give a damn what color the interior is...
I can understand if you order a custom mixed color... or change the wood trim type... but color combo's??? What a rip.
-NavNut
Now you've got my curiousity... I also like the Plat blue with Charc interior combo... I have to talk to my salesguy this week since I'll be putting in a new order, but I am now WAY curious about this...
I am assuming that your original car has a factory-deemed interior/exterior color combo and did not have their infamous "Special Order Charge" of $1150 on your original order... now that you've picked a Plat Blue/Charcoal, which would trigger that SOC, I am assuming that your dealer had the good taste to not ask you to pony up the SOC... Is this correct?
I've always felt this SOC was a pure bogus way to add another $1150 to the profit... like the painting robots give a damn what color the interior is...
I can understand if you order a custom mixed color... or change the wood trim type... but color combo's??? What a rip.
-NavNut
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 287
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From: Lahore | Manama | Seattle
Here is my update
By the way, rays, you did order from the wrong dealer but not because you did not order from ASC in NoVA. As I have mentioned in the past, ASC is really no better than HBL. drb has been good in his negotiations, or perhaps he had a caring salesperson.
My car is from ASC, the other branch, and today my salesman called me said, 'Hey man I got this done for ya'. And I questioned him on what 'this' was.
He responded by saying, I got your interior changed to charcoal. I said, what about the keyless go, and he said, that would be a no go and that he doesn't know if 'they' (Evil Empire TM) will let him do it. Hahaha...He made it look like he had really come through for me and as if I really should be grateful at that one concession.
So, at best I have been able to get the interior changed from the bland gray to charcoal. My E is brilliant silver.
While I have no plans on keeping the car when it arrives, I have been thinking of may be trying to change the exterior color. Just in case. Anyone have any ideas?
Don't know if 'they' will let me do it, though.
My car is from ASC, the other branch, and today my salesman called me said, 'Hey man I got this done for ya'. And I questioned him on what 'this' was.
He responded by saying, I got your interior changed to charcoal. I said, what about the keyless go, and he said, that would be a no go and that he doesn't know if 'they' (Evil Empire TM) will let him do it. Hahaha...He made it look like he had really come through for me and as if I really should be grateful at that one concession.
So, at best I have been able to get the interior changed from the bland gray to charcoal. My E is brilliant silver.
While I have no plans on keeping the car when it arrives, I have been thinking of may be trying to change the exterior color. Just in case. Anyone have any ideas?
Don't know if 'they' will let me do it, though.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 926
Likes: 0
From: VA
03 E320, sport package, moon roof, sound upgrade, brilliant silver, charcoal leather, heated seats..
Originally posted by NavNut
Oh, drb,
Now you've got my curiousity... I also like the Plat blue with Charc interior combo... I have to talk to my salesguy this week since I'll be putting in a new order, but I am now WAY curious about this...
I am assuming that your original car has a factory-deemed interior/exterior color combo and did not have their infamous "Special Order Charge" of $1150 on your original order... now that you've picked a Plat Blue/Charcoal, which would trigger that SOC, I am assuming that your dealer had the good taste to not ask you to pony up the SOC... Is this correct?
I've always felt this SOC was a pure bogus way to add another $1150 to the profit... like the painting robots give a damn what color the interior is...
I can understand if you order a custom mixed color... or change the wood trim type... but color combo's??? What a rip.
-NavNut
Oh, drb,
Now you've got my curiousity... I also like the Plat blue with Charc interior combo... I have to talk to my salesguy this week since I'll be putting in a new order, but I am now WAY curious about this...
I am assuming that your original car has a factory-deemed interior/exterior color combo and did not have their infamous "Special Order Charge" of $1150 on your original order... now that you've picked a Plat Blue/Charcoal, which would trigger that SOC, I am assuming that your dealer had the good taste to not ask you to pony up the SOC... Is this correct?
I've always felt this SOC was a pure bogus way to add another $1150 to the profit... like the painting robots give a damn what color the interior is...
I can understand if you order a custom mixed color... or change the wood trim type... but color combo's??? What a rip.
-NavNut
Last edited by drb; May 6, 2003 at 07:21 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 926
Likes: 0
From: VA
03 E320, sport package, moon roof, sound upgrade, brilliant silver, charcoal leather, heated seats..
Re: Here is my update
Originally posted by monakh
My car is from ASC, the other branch, and today my salesman called me said, 'Hey man I got this done for ya'. And I questioned him on what 'this' was.
While I have no plans on keeping the car when it arrives, I have been thinking of may be trying to change the exterior color. Just in case. Anyone have any ideas?
Don't know if 'they' will let me do it, though.
My car is from ASC, the other branch, and today my salesman called me said, 'Hey man I got this done for ya'. And I questioned him on what 'this' was.
While I have no plans on keeping the car when it arrives, I have been thinking of may be trying to change the exterior color. Just in case. Anyone have any ideas?
Don't know if 'they' will let me do it, though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,110
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
MB
alright.......we talked to our sales manager, and sales person today. they told us the thee options, 2000 back, which we didnt want....awap for a new 03, what we might be considering, or option 3, 3250 towards a new 04 purchase. so is option three basically saying that we get to trade in our car, get back what we paid for it, and wait for a 04, and basially get 3250 off? or are they going to pay us the value of the car, like 5, or 6 grand depreciation? does anyone know? thanks
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 926
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From: VA
03 E320, sport package, moon roof, sound upgrade, brilliant silver, charcoal leather, heated seats..
Originally posted by bmms8
alright.......we talked to our sales manager, and sales person today. they told us the thee options, 2000 back, which we didnt want....awap for a new 03, what we might be considering, or option 3, 3250 towards a new 04 purchase. so is option three basically saying that we get to trade in our car, get back what we paid for it, and wait for a 04, and basially get 3250 off? or are they going to pay us the value of the car, like 5, or 6 grand depreciation? does anyone know? thanks
alright.......we talked to our sales manager, and sales person today. they told us the thee options, 2000 back, which we didnt want....awap for a new 03, what we might be considering, or option 3, 3250 towards a new 04 purchase. so is option three basically saying that we get to trade in our car, get back what we paid for it, and wait for a 04, and basially get 3250 off? or are they going to pay us the value of the car, like 5, or 6 grand depreciation? does anyone know? thanks
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 113
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From: Milwaukee, WI
1992 Ford Taurus with 13" rims
Drb,
Did you pre-pay for your Nav? The sales manager at my dealer said only those who didn't pre-pay were offered the $3,250 voucher.
I thought the voucher was an option for me..but I was mistaken.
Did you pre-pay for your Nav? The sales manager at my dealer said only those who didn't pre-pay were offered the $3,250 voucher.
I thought the voucher was an option for me..but I was mistaken.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
E500
drb, make sure you wont be charged the SOC. I too have silver/charcoal and am thinking about plat. blue. If I go to the MBUSA site and build one and choose plat blue, it adds SOC if I select charcoal but removes it if I choose ash, stone or pacific blue. The salesman even confirmed this. Ultimately the order guide should answer this.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
E500
My Dealer Experience
I'm in central PA. I'm leasing and the nav is included. I never received a letter. Called the owner and told him everything I had read on the web. Then the salesman contacted me last Friday and said their rep would be in Tuesday 5/6. He called me back today and said everything was as I had read. Even swap w/no cost whatsoever to me. If I want I can change colors. I can add options if I pay. I told him I wanted to add the panorama roof and wanted only to pay dealer cost for all the hastles with the delay. Plus I don't think they should profit from this trade.
Since I have the sport package and MBUSA says it comes w/"high performance" W rated tires, I will also want them to swap tires if the new one comes with the Conti Touring H rated tires. I have those now and they suck.
Since I have the sport package and MBUSA says it comes w/"high performance" W rated tires, I will also want them to swap tires if the new one comes with the Conti Touring H rated tires. I have those now and they suck.
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 133
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That's what I'm saying... in the brochure or on the website or on other sites which do automatic pricing (msnauto.com, kbb.com), Silver with charcoal interior is a factory standard color combo, but Plat. Blue and Charcoal is not. It is claimed to be a special order combo, and a special order charge of an additional $1150 kicks in... this is annoying...
-NavNut
-NavNut
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Lahore | Manama | Seattle
Originally posted by NavNut
That's what I'm saying... in the brochure or on the website or on other sites which do automatic pricing (msnauto.com, kbb.com), Silver with charcoal interior is a factory standard color combo, but Plat. Blue and Charcoal is not. It is claimed to be a special order combo, and a special order charge of an additional $1150 kicks in... this is annoying...
-NavNut
That's what I'm saying... in the brochure or on the website or on other sites which do automatic pricing (msnauto.com, kbb.com), Silver with charcoal interior is a factory standard color combo, but Plat. Blue and Charcoal is not. It is claimed to be a special order combo, and a special order charge of an additional $1150 kicks in... this is annoying...
-NavNut
Us suckers with the sport package get plenty of choices, as long as they come in black (burlwood or whatever it is). I don't think we get many options there.
p.s. Yeah the Contis SUCK! I have those too, I think the dealers are all ripping us off there, I realized it too late to have them swap the tires out.
Last edited by monakh; May 6, 2003 at 10:54 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 926
Likes: 0
From: VA
03 E320, sport package, moon roof, sound upgrade, brilliant silver, charcoal leather, heated seats..
Originally posted by e500
drb, make sure you wont be charged the SOC. I too have silver/charcoal and am thinking about plat. blue. If I go to the MBUSA site and build one and choose plat blue, it adds SOC if I select charcoal but removes it if I choose ash, stone or pacific blue. The salesman even confirmed this. Ultimately the order guide should answer this.
drb, make sure you wont be charged the SOC. I too have silver/charcoal and am thinking about plat. blue. If I go to the MBUSA site and build one and choose plat blue, it adds SOC if I select charcoal but removes it if I choose ash, stone or pacific blue. The salesman even confirmed this. Ultimately the order guide should answer this.
:p unsure if I'm happy or sad about it. I like the silver, but wanted a change of pace. Paying to change the color now if I end up trading the car in October is a waste of money. Thanks for the tip.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 112
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From: New Jersey
E500
drb, why don't you do what I'm doing. Mine now is silver/charcoal and I have a moon roof. I'm going with ash either in silver or platinum blue metallic and adding the panorama roof. With the roof and ash it should be much brighter inside and a different experience. If you have the HK Logic7 the retail price difference is only $650 and my dealer OK'd the add on @ cost.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 468
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From: Houston. TX
2013 S550
Panorama Roof
I haven't seen anyone on the board comment about how the panorama roof holds up in tropical climates. I briefly thought about it when I placed my order, but since I'm the only one ever in the car (except when taking folks to lunch), I didn't think I'd get much benefit. I asked my salesperson about the option, and she replied that people were complaining that the car just gets too hot with it. Of course, when it's already hitting the low 90s at the beginning of May, the car's gonna get pretty hot regardless of the type of roof. Anyway, it's not for me, at least not now and not here, but I thought I'd pass the observation along...
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 926
Likes: 0
From: VA
03 E320, sport package, moon roof, sound upgrade, brilliant silver, charcoal leather, heated seats..
Originally posted by e500
drb, why don't you do what I'm doing. Mine now is silver/charcoal and I have a moon roof. I'm going with ash either in silver or platinum blue metallic and adding the panorama roof. With the roof and ash it should be much brighter inside and a different experience. If you have the HK Logic7 the retail price difference is only $650 and my dealer OK'd the add on @ cost.
drb, why don't you do what I'm doing. Mine now is silver/charcoal and I have a moon roof. I'm going with ash either in silver or platinum blue metallic and adding the panorama roof. With the roof and ash it should be much brighter inside and a different experience. If you have the HK Logic7 the retail price difference is only $650 and my dealer OK'd the add on @ cost.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: NY
14 'E550
Originally posted by drb
Thanks for the idea. Charcoal leather hides lots of mistakes, and I need that. Tectite gray and charcoal do not have an SOC, and is probably better than pewter which the saleman advised avoiding. Perhaps tectite is the way to go. What do you think?
Thanks for the idea. Charcoal leather hides lots of mistakes, and I need that. Tectite gray and charcoal do not have an SOC, and is probably better than pewter which the saleman advised avoiding. Perhaps tectite is the way to go. What do you think?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 926
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From: VA
03 E320, sport package, moon roof, sound upgrade, brilliant silver, charcoal leather, heated seats..
Originally posted by Beltfed
Why did the salesman say to avoid pewter?
Why did the salesman say to avoid pewter?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: NY
14 'E550
Originally posted by drb
I went with yet another silver car. I saw pewter on the lot a few days ago, and it seemed dull. Tectite might workout, but it is not grabbing me.
I went with yet another silver car. I saw pewter on the lot a few days ago, and it seemed dull. Tectite might workout, but it is not grabbing me.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18
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re: Contis
Never too late to swap tires! The car is supposed to come with "W" rated tires. Mine were swapped at 6000 miles with no questions asked. I brought it in for service to fix all the same annoyances that everyone else has (engine mounts, front struts, drifting to the right, etc.) and mentioned that the sales brochure and website state high performance "W" rated tires. The service department contacted the MB regional manager for parts and service who looked into the issued and concluded that the E500 sport should come with "W" rated tires and the one he was driving also had the wrong tires. My dealer has replaced the tires on the three affected cars in their inventory and where working with MB on how to deal with the cars already sold. (some of which are being swapped for cars command anyway).
I have Tectite with ash, and I am thinking of switching to Charcoal because the ash is hard to keep clean with three kids. Since I bought the car off the lot this is a great opportunity for me to add the options I really wanted like keyless go, parktronic, tire pressure monitor and wood wheel. I hope the dealer understands that a happy customer is a repeat customer and works with me on pricing.
Any thoughs on charcoal over ash would be apprciated. I am just worried that the charcoal may make the interior too dark.
I have Tectite with ash, and I am thinking of switching to Charcoal because the ash is hard to keep clean with three kids. Since I bought the car off the lot this is a great opportunity for me to add the options I really wanted like keyless go, parktronic, tire pressure monitor and wood wheel. I hope the dealer understands that a happy customer is a repeat customer and works with me on pricing.
Any thoughs on charcoal over ash would be apprciated. I am just worried that the charcoal may make the interior too dark.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: NY
14 'E550
Re: re: Contis
Originally posted by craign
Any thoughs on charcoal over ash would be apprciated. I am just worried that the charcoal may make the interior too dark.
Any thoughs on charcoal over ash would be apprciated. I am just worried that the charcoal may make the interior too dark.
I have seen a Tectite/Charcoal E500 at the dealer (Non-Sport) and it looked very good. With regard to the interior though, you're going from one spectrum to another (Ash to Charcoal)....so be prepared for that.
If I had 3 kids, I would have a Charcoal interior.
Last edited by Beltfed; May 8, 2003 at 12:06 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 468
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From: Houston. TX
2013 S550
Re: re: Contis
Originally posted by craign
[snip] Since I bought the car off the lot this is a great opportunity for me to add the options I really wanted like keyless go, parktronic, tire pressure monitor and wood wheel.[snip]
[snip] Since I bought the car off the lot this is a great opportunity for me to add the options I really wanted like keyless go, parktronic, tire pressure monitor and wood wheel.[snip]
