CEB

Just want to get a reality check. Is invoice minus loyalty/conquest ($2k) a good price, bad price or an OK price?

Phillie freshhh

I paid $51,600 for a window sticker of $59,225

CEB

On a 2012 E class? I know the pricing goal for the 2011's was about $10k off, but I hadn't heard that about the 12's

CEB

No thoughts? What have people been paying for the 2012's?

CEB

C'mon guys, give me a little help here.

Mr Snappy

You are actually asking a VERY difficult question. If you were talking about the 2011's since that car is at the end of the model year, and the replacement 2012 has a better engine and other upgrades, you could realistically expect to get around $10K off of sticker....I did.

BUT, you are asking about a car that has only been out for about two weeks (or less) and dealers have standing orders for.

Other questions that come into the equation:

• What is your trade? Is it easy to move (regardless of its value)
• What is the local MB competition? Do they have a local monopoly?
• What is the economy of your area like? Are luxury cars moving?
• Financing? Are you giving that business to the dealership?
• Service plan? You buying that? If so, the price for the car might get better.

All those things considered, I think I would hit them with the invoice price and the conquest bonus (which was $4K on the 2011's by the way). If they won't give that, start the email game with other dealers, even ones further away then your normal area of consideration.

CEB

All very good points. DC Metro has lots of dealers so lots of competition but the economy is stable. Right now MB has the best financing (1.65% with direct deposit and that includes 1% for the dealer)

The year end deals on 2011 are simple - roughly $10k off MSRP, but people have bought 2012's so I'm just trying for a ballpark number. I'd hate to be the guy that didn't know about the "additional $5k discount if you come in wearing a green and pink tie."

ZAG and Consumer Reports are about $1500 over the USAA price.

Although I was thinking of buying because I run up miles, I wonder if leasing (and buying miles a half year or so before lease end) makes sense. Are the current lease deals any good?

Phillie freshhh

Yes I paid $51,600 about $7,600 off the MSRP. And YES it is a 2012. I did not add Any service plan or other such add-ons. The only additional money off included in that is $2,000 loyalty money for coming out of a 2009 C-class. I am on Long Island. Did a lot of shopping at 6 local Mercedes Benz dealers. As always go to as many as possible and no better time then the end of the month to pull the trigger.

ghstudio

If you would consider a bluetec, the 24 mo leasing deal is incredibly good due to the very high residual value.

CEB

Thanks. That sounds like an extremely good deal.

CedarZ4

Just special ordered my 2012 E350....


MSRP $67,000. Got it for $62,000 (which is invoice) - 2k conquest....

I thought I got a good deal (INVOICE right?!) but now I'm having my doubts....Especially after Phillie's almost 10k discount!

paulkchoi

I picked up my first ever mercedes nov. 16th. A 2012 E350 sedan, P1, Panny roof for $49,000 MSRP $56,455. I did not talk to anyone in finance. I talked to an car advisor in Newport Beach 1 hour before I ended up purchasing the car, who mentioned a $2000 USAA discount, so when I was negotiating at the Long Beach dealership, I asked him to give me his best price, wondering if he would offer the USAA discount, he didn't. So I dropped it on him, he talked to his boss and came back with 49k. At first I told them that I thought they could do better (bad info from edmunds) later I realized they are probably taking a loss to hit their monthly sales goal. I went on the 29th. I have purchased 3 new cars in the last two years, car salesman no longer intimidate me. By the way I love this car, it drives superb and is beautiful. Stare at a hyundai elantra and man is it ugly.
Forever mercedes benz.

MCF

$67,000 for an E350?! Why not get an E550 at that price?? And yet, at $67000 you should be approaching $10,000 off sticker.

WEBSRFR

I too was thinking the same... But I am sure it was pretty well optioned. But my loaded E550 with P2 and pano roof and some other goodies was 70K so only $3K more... So if nothing else you get a better resale value but I don't want to count other people's money but I guess I agree in pointing out that that's almost the cost of a loaded E550.

CedarZ4

Because in the end, the 550 will ALWAYS be 6-7K more expensive than the 350 (since 4Matic is a must, and the 550 is actually 10k more expensive base but comes with 4Matic) Sure, I could get into a 550 but the options wouldn't be as great. I got P1/P2, Driver's Assist, PARKtronic, Multicontour, Panaramic, Heated Wheel. I think that's it, but can't remember off the top of my head.

If I wanted my options to be the same, then we're running up the price to about $75,000. I don't know if 10k is worth it for a larger and less fuel efficient engine. Not to mention because I'm 60+ and will NOT be pushing my car. Even got the luxury model for the softer suspension. On top of that, if I wanted to go fast, I got the Porsche, albeit a SUV, but a pretty darn fast one at that!

And damn, $10,000k off sticker? Is that a reasonable goal to go for? The car is being manufactured so I haven't put anything down yet...
Not to mention, aren't the invoice for options pretty much the MSRP. That is, dealers don't get much more from a well equipped car than from a moderately equipped one? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I definitely would NOT mind with a price starting a digit lower. Keep in mind, though, I also have 2k Conquest so it would be $60,000 for a $67 so it'd be 7k.

Edit: Off topic but I'm thinking about calling the dealer tomorrow to add the 115V outlet to the car. Not a bad $100 investment in my opinion. Now this makes me wonder... worth throwing in an extra $500 for rear side airbags, or is the default 9 (I believe) airbags sufficiently safe.

MCF

Understood. Did u get leather and AMG sport package? Musts for me if I was doing it again. We got the multi contour seats and would probably not do that again. Would def get blind spot assist as these cars do have blind spots regardless of how well u adjust the side mirrors. And yes typically higher MSRP equals more of a discount. Same percentage perhaps as a lower priced car which equals more off of a higher priced car.

MCF

Oh. One more thing. U may want together some opinions about that pan roof. It is cool, but some say it reduces stiffness if car and it can creak and rattle and looks like something is broken on car when it is open due to one piece of glass sliding on top of another. Lastly I don't think u get solid covers with the pan roof u get mesh letting in more sunlight and heat. It is a cool feature and I don't know what I would do if I was doing it again, but some things to think about I guess.

CedarZ4

No leather or AMG package. Opted on MB-Text intentionally because of the durability. The Cayenne has leather and only after 30k miles and 2years, it is starting to look really wrinkly. And, I'm no leather guru anyway and can't tell the difference if they didn't tell me it was "fake leather"

As for the Pano. Had a W211 and had the Pano on it. It was only a 26 month lease so I guess it didn't get old enough for it to start rattling and creaking. Also, I actually like the mesh, because that way you get automatic retraction. I always questioned why even the S class had a manual sliding cover...

Main reason I got it is because it's "cool" and because I'll feel claustrophobic with the low roof. Thanks for the heads-up on the roof. Wasn't aware of that problem. Now I guess I'll have to go read some forums!

Edit: Also forgot to ask. Never had the multicontour before, why wouldn't you get it again? Massage sounds pretty sweet, and inflatable bolsters around turns isn't that bad...

MCF

Cool!! It sounds like you have thought everything out and more importantly getting what you want!!! I opted for leather because I am one that believes every MB should have leather, but honestly, but a huge difference from mbtex and if I found another car that had EVERY option I wanted except leather, I would be cool with that (as long as it had cooled seats cuz MBTEX can get hot in Houston summers I believe). You MAY want to look at the new stock wheels - asymmetrical 5 spoke wheels. AMG wheels for $760 is a steel considering the wheels are $4000 after purchase.

K-A

As for the rear-side Airbags. M-B skimped out on this, which should raise some questions (everybody provides rear-side Airbags these days, regardless of price point), however, fact is that they designed a safety cell and body that is so stiff and strong, I'm sure they judged that rear-side Airbags would be useless and pointless costs.

I'd say that if you have people back there normally, especially kids, definitely get the Airbags, as you can never be safe enough, and they can only help I'd think (well, maybe they could hurt more than help, just depends on the severity of the impact). If not, then I feel comfortable without them back there.

ttoE550

I like multicontour seats. I like being able to change the feel of the seat on long drives. The turn feature does not suit me because it can only react to a turn, not anticipate. It always seems a bit slow to me so I keep it off.

MBNUT1

He got $7600 off not 10K you only left $600 on the table..

CedarZ4

Misread.

Thought he meant he got $7600 off plus the $2k Conquest.

Seems like I'm not getting a bad deal after all... Maybe the dealer will throw in the 115V outlet on his dime Just e-mailed him about adding that to my build.

Hopefully there are some good lease programs going on in January... Looks like my car won't be delivered until after new years

YYZ-E55

The rear side airbags are optional because of concerns with the airbags in conjunction with child seats. While full side curtain airbags are very common for most every manufacturer (and standard on every current Benz), rear side airbags are not.

CEB

What company provides rear air bags as standard? No German auto maker supplies them as standard and I can't think of an Asian or American manufacturer that supplies them as standard. Perhaps you are thinking of side curtain airbags - which are standard on most cars.