Is this a good price?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 524
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore/DC area
2014 E350S4
Is this a good price?
If you've been following my saga (well, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration) on this thread, I have an update. We've decided to get a 2005 E320 4matic. I have a couple questions.
1) My mom said the salesman told her they'd sell two cars for a certain price. I checked out the price online at carsdirect.com, and it looks like it's invoice price they're offering it at. Can I do better at this point, or should I jump on this? If it's the OTD price before TT&L, it sounds pretty good to me. If they try to tack on processing fees, advertising fees, etc., it might not be.
2) Any hidden fees, like advertising, etc. that I should be aware of? I'd prefer not to pay any of those fees, especially processing fees, as I don't feel they're legit. If the dealer is absolutely forced to pay something like a regional advertising fee, that may be legit. Any insights?
3) What is the code W4? Is that 4matic? Also, what is code 167 (standard edition)?
Thanks in advance for the help!
1) My mom said the salesman told her they'd sell two cars for a certain price. I checked out the price online at carsdirect.com, and it looks like it's invoice price they're offering it at. Can I do better at this point, or should I jump on this? If it's the OTD price before TT&L, it sounds pretty good to me. If they try to tack on processing fees, advertising fees, etc., it might not be.
2) Any hidden fees, like advertising, etc. that I should be aware of? I'd prefer not to pay any of those fees, especially processing fees, as I don't feel they're legit. If the dealer is absolutely forced to pay something like a regional advertising fee, that may be legit. Any insights?
3) What is the code W4? Is that 4matic? Also, what is code 167 (standard edition)?
Thanks in advance for the help!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
If MBUSA adds an advertising fee, it'll be on the Invoice and it's called IRG Participation.
In Phoenix and LA, it's $600. Any IRG Participation fee should already be accounted for in the offer.
You won't see any administrative fees until you are ready to sign the Purchase Agreement and it'll probably be in there as a line item. Don't be surprised if it's close to $300.
Ask your salesman what other fees besides state fees the dealer will add to the offer.
In Phoenix and LA, it's $600. Any IRG Participation fee should already be accounted for in the offer.
You won't see any administrative fees until you are ready to sign the Purchase Agreement and it'll probably be in there as a line item. Don't be surprised if it's close to $300.
Ask your salesman what other fees besides state fees the dealer will add to the offer.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 524
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore/DC area
2014 E350S4
Originally Posted by BudC
If MBUSA adds an advertising fee, it'll be on the Invoice and it's called IRG Participation.
In Phoenix and LA, it's $600. Any IRG Participation fee should already be accounted for in the offer.
You won't see any administrative fees until you are ready to sign the Purchase Agreement and it'll probably be in there as a line item. Don't be surprised if it's close to $300.
Ask your salesman what other fees besides state fees the dealer will add to the offer.
In Phoenix and LA, it's $600. Any IRG Participation fee should already be accounted for in the offer.
You won't see any administrative fees until you are ready to sign the Purchase Agreement and it'll probably be in there as a line item. Don't be surprised if it's close to $300.
Ask your salesman what other fees besides state fees the dealer will add to the offer.
Think it's a good price? Ready to sign if people here say it is.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 524
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore/DC area
2014 E350S4
Originally Posted by vtec26
I too got a $600 surprise when they tried to add the advertising fee when getting an 04 e320. when i told him it was a deal breaker, he immediately agreed to remove that charge.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Incendiary
Did you pay less than invoice? I'm just wondering if I should shop around, because I didn't think it'd be so easy to get invoice price. I thought people got C-classes below invoice easily, but not E's (or at least not until near the end of the model year).
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 524
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore/DC area
2014 E350S4
Looks like we're close to a deal.
Here's the estimated price we've preliminarily negotiated on a 2005 E320 4matic with the following options:
metallic paint
sunroof pkg
6 disk cd changer
heated front seats
dvd comand navigation
throw-ins: wheel locks, all-season floor mats, and of course, the carpeted mats that they come with anyway
Add in a $295 processing fee for tags/title/registration and a $10 dealer online finding fee (rip off in my book), and it comes to a total of $51305 before taxes.
By my calculations, this still comes out to below invoice, even considering their 3% holdback from MSRP they receive from MBUSA after making the sale. Is there a catch? Seems like too good a deal to be true.
Here's the estimated price we've preliminarily negotiated on a 2005 E320 4matic with the following options:
metallic paint
sunroof pkg
6 disk cd changer
heated front seats
dvd comand navigation
throw-ins: wheel locks, all-season floor mats, and of course, the carpeted mats that they come with anyway
Add in a $295 processing fee for tags/title/registration and a $10 dealer online finding fee (rip off in my book), and it comes to a total of $51305 before taxes.
By my calculations, this still comes out to below invoice, even considering their 3% holdback from MSRP they receive from MBUSA after making the sale. Is there a catch? Seems like too good a deal to be true.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 524
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore/DC area
2014 E350S4
Well, it's done. Bought the car today. Paid ~$51300 before TT&L, and that's without the LMT $1500 coupon. Given invoice as listed on carsdirect is $52882, I think we got a fair price.
I'll post pics when I can.
I'll post pics when I can.
Last edited by Incendiary; Sep 19, 2004 at 01:00 AM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
