AJ4Value

I actually have two questions.

First is what are people getting for deals today on loaded E550s? (I'm buying in the LA area if that makes a difference)

The second is that I think that I may have to order from the factory to get all the options I'm looking for -- does this limit my chances of getting a good deal?

This is my first MB and I have to do the deal from overseas so it is a little harder to shop around.

Thanks.

Blk04cobra1

Im not sure how it works over in LA as far as discounts, but plan on working from a 6% margin. Most are at least willing to split it with you, but again, not sure how it works in LA.

DKN

I have on order an E550 4Matic and am using the USAA buying program. The guaranteed price is about 1k below invoice.

220S

If you want a W212 now the deals are not super great. If you're not in a hurry, you might consider waiting until some really major incentives come up (and they will.) If you want to save big money, and the model doesn't matter that much, then consider a new leftover W211 (30k+ off, etc..)

You should get a better deal by taking what's on the dealer's floor. There is a bit more incentive for the dealer. But ordering a car doesn't preclude you from trying to get the best deal from any dealer on that specific car.

Since you're dealing long distance, you might want to consider this: get a quote from one dealer and then use that quote to get another quote from another dealer, and go on down the line (and back to the first and then do it again, etc..) It'll take a little bit of effort on your side, but you should be able play the quotes off of each dealer. It'll also give you an idea of what they are truly selling for in SoCal. There are enough dealers in the LA metro area (including OC) to be able to do this successfully.

But don't forget time is money. It's ironic sometimes to watch people work so hard to save a few bucks by putting so much time and effort into it. The savings end up being nothing compared to their cost in time, etc.. Keep an eye on your time/effort and savings ratio.

mcdohl

In the Los Angeles the following is true. USAA negotiated price in the LA area for E-Class Sedan is $2k under invoice with the fleet discount. AAA and Costco negotiated price is straight invoice.

I have had friends get $1k under invoice in the Los Angeles area even because their are so many dealers and you can simply play each dealer against the other dealers.

Also as far as incentives their is currently a $2k factory loyalty discount for current MBF customer. Also their is a 39 month lease special currently which uses the same MF and residual as the 36 month lease which in effect saves you like $100-125 a month. So between getting the car at invoice, factory loyalty discount and 39 month lease specially allows customers to get the lease down to around $750 in the Los Angeles after tax with about $2200 in drive off and if you happen to be USAA and MBF customer can get lease down to under $700 after tax with about $2200 in drive off.

Not sure how much cheaper you will be able to get into a lease in 1 year unless sales fall off a cliff. If you buying the car that is another question as their really are not any great car purchase incentives considering 60 money finance rate is currently 4.9% and BOA is offering 3.2% in Los Angeles so in effect MBF is not subsidizing car loans at all. On purchases $2-4k below invoice honestly is not bad but as 220S MB is not putting $10k factory incentives like they did on E-Class or CLK before the new E-Class came out and I doubt you will see those types of incentives for years as this is new model.

KYHaynes

Just joined MDWorld today! I am looking also looking to buy a 2010 E550 by this weekend. (Dumping my BMW X5)

I have been working with dealers from KY to MD. So far, the best offer was $62,500 before taxes and title for a 10' E550 4Matic Sport w/P2, Pano, Parktronic, Dynamic seat and rear spoiler)

madraddoc

I got identical deal for nearly exact same configuration (no spoiler for me) here in Boston about 4 weeks ago. Used USAA buying program. Mine is Sport Iridium Silver over black leather/black ash. I absolutely love it. IMHO its a 4/5 scale S.

chairman

My local dealer in MD was quoting some terrible lease rates on an E 350. I am looking for a 4matic P2 Sport. This seemed simple, but when it came time to talk about leasing the rates were so steep that I will have to wait. Apparently during June and July there are some factory programs, I am guessing to get rid of the 2010's and make room for the 11's.

I usually do not put any cash down and get 12k miles. At least that is what happened on 2 previous E's for me.

Txhurdle

USAA Program expires in June. Be sure and get yours before then.

sunnySD

Is the USAA program ending May 31st or June 30th? Sounds like I need to print out a voucher right before it's over. I think they last for 3 months? I bought last summer and have to wait a year before being able to use it again.

Do we all get the same USAA price? I just checked on E350 and E550 and it's showing as a bit over $4K below invoice.

DKN

I think the program is set to expire at the end of May. It could be extended again.

When you fill out the online form, be sure to check several zip codes. here in San Diego you will get different prices depending on dealers. Try LA also, it could be a better deal...

I had already ordered my car before I found out about the USAA program (should be delivered 19th or 20th) but the dealer agreed to accept the better price.

AJ4Value

I put the deposit down on my first M-B on Friday -- It needs to be built and shipped and I should be driving it in July. Thanks all for you advise and info. I'm looking forward to my new ride!

aeggroup

Congrats , but Wow....almost 4 months to build this damn car ?

volfan615

I was going to put an order in next month but last week i noticed the dealer had a new 550 that came in that had everything I would have ordered plus the multi-contour seat. I test drove it on Friday and they offered to put some numbers together that would buy me out of my 335i lease that still has 6 months remaining.

Well to make a long story short it looks like I may pick it up tomorrow after work. They are giving me what I think is a hell of a deal.

aeggroup

Congrats ..and make sure you'll buy tire and wheel insurance for your wheels. I just got mine fixed using this insurance and it totally worth it.

mcdohl

If you are buying it you might want to considering asking the dealer to order you a 2011 as those cars go into production in the beginning of June and more than likely the car you are ordering is one of the last 2010 models. Their is basically no difference in the 2 cars except when you goto to sell the car say in 30 months you will be selling a 3 year old vs a 2 year old and will end up taking an extra year of depreciation as you bought your car 1 month before next model year comes out.

If you are leasing you might be able to get a slightly better deal on a 2010 vs 2011 depending if MB extends the loyalty discount or not, but considering you are not a current MB customer you do not qualify for that $2000 anyways. And more than likely MB is not going to raise the Money Factor on E-Class Sedans anyways as they have been lowering them every 2-3 months as it is now because even at 0.00250 MB is 6% interest and MB is sub 4% on all models except AMG and E-Class. The only difference in the lease program could be that MB stops offering 39 months at the same terms of the 36 months lease. Which will affect your payment by $50-60 a month.

You will be able to get either car at invoice pretty easy via Costco or AAA buying programs. I do not see MB putting any huge incentives on the 2010 when the 2011 comes out either. The 2011 normally come out mid aug do depending when your car is supposed to arrive we are talking about 4-6 weeks later is when the 2011 comes out.

Just something to think about if you buying the car.

cashking

what is the usaa discount? how much does it cost for a membership? seems like they are giving huge discounts.

thanks

madraddoc

Read the post. You'll find the answer there for discount $.

USAA membership only for active and retired military.