E320 Pricing
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 82
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From: Portland, OR
E320 Pricing
Hi,
I am new to the forum and earlier this summer placed an order for an E320 (E1,E2, heated seats). In reading posts on this forum over the last couple months I have noticed that the market price for cars varies significantly with geographic location.
At this point in time I am no longer sure whether I have made the correct decision to opt for a 2003 model vs. a 2004 model. In reading posts that claim certain California dealerships are selling 2003 E320 cars below dealer invoice makes me think that I am paying too much (especially given that 2004 models will start showing up in September). The Portland, OR dealership I ordered the car through offered a Costco discount of $1300 below MSRP.
I have the option to cancel my order and get my deposit back. I would then either wait for the 2004 model or negotiate for a 2003 model that exists in dealer inventory.
Am I simply paying a premium on my current order because I am not selecting something from dealer inventory?
What are forum members who reside in the Northwest typically paying for E320’s?
I simply want to make sure that I am paying fair market for the car.
BWL
I am new to the forum and earlier this summer placed an order for an E320 (E1,E2, heated seats). In reading posts on this forum over the last couple months I have noticed that the market price for cars varies significantly with geographic location.
At this point in time I am no longer sure whether I have made the correct decision to opt for a 2003 model vs. a 2004 model. In reading posts that claim certain California dealerships are selling 2003 E320 cars below dealer invoice makes me think that I am paying too much (especially given that 2004 models will start showing up in September). The Portland, OR dealership I ordered the car through offered a Costco discount of $1300 below MSRP.
I have the option to cancel my order and get my deposit back. I would then either wait for the 2004 model or negotiate for a 2003 model that exists in dealer inventory.
Am I simply paying a premium on my current order because I am not selecting something from dealer inventory?
What are forum members who reside in the Northwest typically paying for E320’s?
I simply want to make sure that I am paying fair market for the car.
BWL
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,632
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Purchase:
I purchased in February 2003 @ $1100 below invoice. Sent an email to every MB dealer nation wide, presented the lowest email quote (respect warrants non disclosure) to local dealers and the last dealer matched it. First dealer (Costco member) claimed the quote was ridiculously low – need I say more? The second verbally promised to match the offer however when I returned with my wife to finalize the deal they backed down. The owner (family owned) claimed that the new E class was just too hot to sell below MSRP – right! Thanks for the latte but I gotta go! Took a ride over to third and last dealer where I was immediately greeted by the sales manager because all his salesmen were busy with prospects. He handled the sale. Long story short, he did his thing and I did my thing. Thirty minutes into our each “working the room” there was still a $500 divide. I signaled to my wife (who by now has sat in every vehicle in the showroom) and moved my checkbook back into my research binder. Noticing this, he asks me to wait for a minute or two while he talks to the general manager. Gimmick or not, he returns literally with sweat on his brow and tells me we have a deal matching the quote presented.
I purchased in February 2003 @ $1100 below invoice. Sent an email to every MB dealer nation wide, presented the lowest email quote (respect warrants non disclosure) to local dealers and the last dealer matched it. First dealer (Costco member) claimed the quote was ridiculously low – need I say more? The second verbally promised to match the offer however when I returned with my wife to finalize the deal they backed down. The owner (family owned) claimed that the new E class was just too hot to sell below MSRP – right! Thanks for the latte but I gotta go! Took a ride over to third and last dealer where I was immediately greeted by the sales manager because all his salesmen were busy with prospects. He handled the sale. Long story short, he did his thing and I did my thing. Thirty minutes into our each “working the room” there was still a $500 divide. I signaled to my wife (who by now has sat in every vehicle in the showroom) and moved my checkbook back into my research binder. Noticing this, he asks me to wait for a minute or two while he talks to the general manager. Gimmick or not, he returns literally with sweat on his brow and tells me we have a deal matching the quote presented.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,095
Likes: 0
From: Southern California, USA
03 White on Stone E320
Purchased 03 E320 Sport model for approximately $1000 under invoice. It was off the dealer lot in Southern California where apparently under invoice is the norm. No special discount program used.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,384
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From: House of Imports, MBZ (So. Cali.)
'06 ML500 w/Apperance pkg & '07 SL550 w/AMG pkg
BWL,
I think that pricing does vary greatly due to the region that you reside. I have some family members who live in Rogue River, OR and the market is no where near as aggressive as in So. Cal. I think the reasoning behind it is due to competition. In the Los Angeles area alone there are roughly 20 dealers within a 100 mile radius. This breeds a lot of competition and since MBUSA has gone to a "turn & earn" method of allocation, every deal is precious and equals another car in its place. Just my .02 cents!!
MB
I think that pricing does vary greatly due to the region that you reside. I have some family members who live in Rogue River, OR and the market is no where near as aggressive as in So. Cal. I think the reasoning behind it is due to competition. In the Los Angeles area alone there are roughly 20 dealers within a 100 mile radius. This breeds a lot of competition and since MBUSA has gone to a "turn & earn" method of allocation, every deal is precious and equals another car in its place. Just my .02 cents!!
MB
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Thanks for the responses.
I've gone ahead and canceled the order for the E320 I originally had and opted for something in existing dealer inventory. Living in Oregon I've come to the conclusion that average selling price is higher than in California or Washington and that it is largely a function of competition (or lack there of).
The other thing I learned is that dealing with a MB dealer that has an arrangement with Costco has "zero" buying advantage. In general the Costco price is quite a bit higher than what most other dealers are selling for.
The vehicle I have agreed to purchase is an E320 silver/ash with E2, E3 and CD player.
BWL
I've gone ahead and canceled the order for the E320 I originally had and opted for something in existing dealer inventory. Living in Oregon I've come to the conclusion that average selling price is higher than in California or Washington and that it is largely a function of competition (or lack there of).
The other thing I learned is that dealing with a MB dealer that has an arrangement with Costco has "zero" buying advantage. In general the Costco price is quite a bit higher than what most other dealers are selling for.
The vehicle I have agreed to purchase is an E320 silver/ash with E2, E3 and CD player.
BWL
