karlsonofkarl

Looking like I've caught the bug again. Leased a C450AMG last year and thinking about making the move to an E43.

Just starting the early phase of my search but it seems that the inventory is basically non-existent here in the SF Bay Area. All I am able to find in stock is 1 car, which would not be my first choice of options/color. Even SoCal seems to be fairly dry for the most part.

I don't think I could stomach paying full MSRP mainly just out of principle. Based on past experiences with MBs, I am thinking a discount of $5k should be do-able.

Here are my questions, which hopefully the collective wisdom can help me with.

1. Looks like I could order one as a last resort. I have always avoided this in the past as my perception is that I won't get as good of a deal. Anyone have any experience to share on this front?
   
2. Are we just in a dead-zone right now where no more 17's are coming in and the 18's aren't GA yet? e.g. will there be a reasonable amount of these out there in 2-3 months, or is it time to look into something else?

Thanks!

guhvies

I don't live in the US but here goes. The E43 and E63 are not cars you'll find on lots a large quantities, you generally have to order what you want. At this point in time, MB have started producing the 2018 cars, so you'll have to do a nationwide search for a 17. In about 3 months, end September - October, you'll get a few. I believe your best bet if you want one is to order what you want and negotiate hard, but fairly. You're in SoCal, there are plenty of dealers, you've got to pound that pavement...

Oh, Happy BREXIT 1776!

toads

I was in the same situation as you are and decided to order a 2018. I was able to get 8% off MSRP plus a $1500 fleet discount which was better than I thought I'd get considering the lack of inventory. Build is scheduled second decade of July - can't wait!

karlsonofkarl

Thanks, guhives and toads. Congrats on ordering yours!

Looks like ordering is that way to go. Plus the 4-5 month lead time will give my current lease a bit of time to level out as well. Based on initial research, getting a trade-in ACV at my payoff is really close (within $1k - $2k), so the extra few months will help on that front.

@toads - Did I read the MY18 order guide correctly in that the Surround View is only apart of P3? Hoping thats not the case as that feature has completely spoiled me, ha ha. Living without it will be like learning to drive again.

Happy 4th guys

toads

I did order the P3 package so it is on mine. It is listed on a line under "P3" so I assume you are right but I'm not 100% sure and don't want to tell you the wrong thing. The self driving technology is pretty cool and forced me into the P3 anyway.

martinidm

I had to order mine (E43) back in March.
Got everything but the 5k sound system.
Put 5k down (drive off)
Payment is 762 a mo incl tax.

Can't tell you if If I made a good deal -- I'm new to this site & still figuring out how to search it.

Wondering if I made a good deal or not...hmmm?

But I would agree that ordering is the way to go when you're in this price range.

On my last lease (a 2014 E550) I had to order as well.

that's why I'm thinking the trend is if the car is on the more expensive side you're not gonna find an abundance of stock at any dealership.

Hope this helps!

fly121

Does anyone have access to the prices on the new model and options.
I can't find any pricing information online and my dealer says no pricing available yet for 2018 E43 Sedan.

karlsonofkarl

Based purely on napkin math, that sounds like a solid deal to me. I would love to keep this lease under $820/month. You, my friend, are keeping my hope alive.

I'm waiting for my MB sales guy to get back from vacation tomorrow, so I can get a full picture on what my options are.

martinidm

Actually I started this post https://mbworld.org/forums/automotiv...mparisons.html because I know it would have been helpful to me when I was negotiating. I did a 36mo lease 10k miles per year. Also I've never kept a 36mo Mercedes lease for more than 30-31 months. I just roll into the next lease and I don't go over the 30k miles, I usually get to 29k+ change. It's a bit of a high wire act because I've only leased Benz's that have been built, but it's worked out well. Hope this helps.
PS -- no one answered my thread. You'd think buyers would find the sharing of info useful.

karlsonofkarl

So I spoke to my go-to sales guy and it seems stock levels at this dealer are sparse. FWIW, there is one 2017 currently one car in stock in the whole SF Bay Area. To nobody's surprise they are not looking to dealer trade it.

At my dealer:

• Zero 2017s in stock
• 3 2018's incoming (All 3 were customer orders)
• 5 Backup buyers on the list for the 3 2018s

Later, I Called 3 other local dealers and found very similar situations. Was able to find one incoming 2018 that was not spoken for but the colors/options were not of interest to me. A little bummed.

Funny enough, the other night I saw an iridium silver W213 e400 Coupe in Palo Alto. It was absolutely stunning. As is often the case with cars, pictures I had seen did not do it justice.

After seeing the E43 situation, we browsed Netstar for E400 coupes. Found a car coming in late August that is exactly the colors/options I wanted. I ended up putting a deposit down.

Granted, it is a very different car from the E43. But after a streak of sedans in the last 10 years, a change might be nice. Last coupe I owned was a 2004 CLK500 and have kinda longed for a coupe ever since.

We'll see what happens in a month but right now feeling good about this option. If anything, it gives me a month or so to sleep on it.

aznevoviii

do you mind sharing your sales guy's info?
and what state the dealer was.

and i am serious!

if you know the MF and Residual, it would be helpful too!

martinidm

Answered you here https://mbworld.org/forums/automotiv...mparisons.html
By the way -- just looked at my purchase agreement. I ordered the car on Feb 23 2017. Seeing that it's arriving Tuesday, the whole process took just under 5 months.

JTSD83

Im wondering about the seeming non existent E43 inventory not only right now , but over past 6 months.

There seem to be plenty C43''s. GLC 43's - the other 43's are on lots.

Is MB deliberately holding down production- if so why?

Im planning on ordering one , my local dealer had only 1 allocation in August!!! This is the biggest volume dealer in San Diego. makes little sense to me..

for what its worth BMW has plenty of M550i's floating around

karlsonofkarl

Agreed, it's strange. Plenty of C/GLC43's but the E43s are few and far between. Searched SoCal and noticed the the dealers in SD and LA have next to nothing. Even the juggernaut Newport Beach dealer had 2.

If I had to guess, the 4-cyl only caused more buyers than anticipated to step up. I'm no expert in logistics but I would imagine there's some leeway in production planning to allow for shifting based on unexpected demand. Who knows.

c4004matic

The 63, will be very few indeed!

martinidm

Sent you a PM w/dealer info. However, in the event it's useful to someone else, I'm posting it here as well.
Made my deal with
Greg Forrest
Viti Automotive Group
Tiverton, RI
401-624-6181 x1008

Highly recommend.

toads

i ordered a 2018 e43 and it was built on July 20th. My dealer says that once it is assigned to a boat it will take 2 weeks to get here. He will contact me once it's assigned to the boat so I can track it.

Any idea how long it typically takes to get assigned to a boat? Anyone else have an e43 - how long did it take?

thx.

fly121

Toads - do you have pricing on the 2018 E43? My dealer still doesn't have pricing for mine being built in August. I can't find online any prices for vehicle and options.

Toad

Here is my MSRP sheet:

Wassaby

Takes about 5-10 days for the ship to be assigned.

ua549

My E300 rolled off the assembly line on 6 July. It arrived in the US and I should take delivery next week. This 4 week delivery is the fastest I've gotten from Mercedes. Most of my cars have taken 6 to 8 weeks from the production date.

Wassaby

Keep in mind that east cost has Baltimore VPC (2 weeks from EU) and west cost LA VPC (4 weeks from EU)

ua549

My port was Brunswick, GA (USSSI). That was the forth US port call for the ship.

Your west coast port is USLGB, not LA.

Wassaby

VPC=Vehicle Preparation Center. I was not talking about port

ua549

That is also in Long Beach, not Los Angeles.