JTK44

Just received notice from Costco: Any purchased or leased 2020 E Class from April 1 - June 30,2020:

Costco member is entitled to a $1,000 incentive.

see: https://www.costcoauto.com/save/Bran...keid=26&cmpc=1

Turbocharged

This $1,000 incentive seems to be in addition to the "regular" Costco discount.

JTK44

Yes:

I have used Costco buying service and they were the second best price I was able to get, so I highly recommend them - my present dealer wanted me to continue with them and their price was the only price better than the Costco price.

For those who do not have the time or inclination to negotiate with multiple dealers, Costco is an excellent alternative. You call the Costco Mercedes dealer tell them what you want and the price is then given to you - no tricks, add on's etc.

The Costco service is good for cars in stock or special orders which is what I did.

Dealers must agree to Costco standards and Costco follows up with their customers to make sure that the dealer complies with those standards.

Extremely transparent.

Needless to say I LOVE Costco!

Hundens

How does the Costco price compare to the USAA price? I had a dealer tell me the USAA price was lower.

rraisley

I called Costco, and they told me that their service was only good on cars in stock at the dealers.

Turbocharged

Maybe that's the official line from Costco. However, in May 2019 I special ordered a 2020 E450 and my local M-B dealership honored the Costco price quote, which was an 8.9% discount.

JTK44

So that there is no confusion:

• The $1,000 incentive is valid for cars bought or leased between April 1 - June 30. I doubt you can place an special order today, considering the manufacturing slowdown/shutdown and shipping delays, caused by Covid 19, and expect to take delivery by June 30. In any event special orders for 2021 will go into effect in a few weeks.
• The normal Costco buying service is good for in stock and special orders. see Turbrocharged above and my own experience where I special ordered my 2019 E450.

TPAbnz

Of the two times I ordered a car, the least expensive route was the European Delivery program. The dealer reduced that already discounted price in addition to the fact that there is no $900 delivery fee. If I recall, the total discount off list was 11.5% or 12%. On one occasion, I flew to Stuttgart, did the factory tour, had a great weekend at the Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin hotel (paid for by MB), and returned home. That car was on restricted allocation and was selling locally over list so the ED program made sense.

Of course, something on the dealer lot, end of model year, etc., could have a steeper discount.

rraisley

Oh, I'm happy with the deal I ended up with. Factory order, all the bells and whistles, and 12% off the MSRP, from the dealer's manager.

Hundens

The only thing that is important is are you satisfied with the deal. There is no way for a consumer to know what the real dealer economics are. The manufacturers have more ways to get money to dealers than we can count.
So pick a benchmark, like the Costco or USAA price, and if you equal or exceed it be happy.

One time I got a brand new car for 35% off list because the dealer had won the car in a contest and his cost basis was the tax on the imputed income.

Now, having said that it seems to me that there should be more information on the relative quality of the multiple buying programs. Someone like CU should say XYZ has the best program and generates W% discount. But after some searching I never found such a comparison.