Hi

I am now starting my purchase process for an E450 Build

so far biggest discount I have received is 6% off in Norcal

Curious what others got for their discounts?

 

About to start this myself. Wondering if it makes any significant difference if vehicle was ordered or just on the lot. I'm guessing the dealer might think I'm cornered because the ordered spec is exactly what I want.

 

Also started the ordering process for a wagon. Dealers I talked to did not want to negotiate until the car shows up. I ordered one, but don't know if I will buy it until I know the price. At least, there will be one with exactly what I want! In the meantime, I am watching to see if something interesting shows up on one of the dealers' lots but haven't found one yet.

 

That's wild to me! Every dealer I called/texted was willing to talk discounts for a wagon special order before placing it, but the discount varied wildly, from $1000 at the low end to 7% at the high end. The dealer I eventually ended up ordering with (should go into production next week!) said they don't typically discount custom orders unless you put down a nonrefundable deposit, though, lest they be left with a highly personalized build that's harder to sell. I knew I wanted the price nailed down before the order started, and I know we're going to buy it when it comes in, so we were happy to put down the deposit. Anyway, if your build is relatively unique I'd think you'd have more leverage once it arrives at the dealership, not less, as long as you're willing to walk away from your perfect car.

I mostly talked to dealers in the southeast, although I did reach out to one in Ohio. Happy to point people towards the dealers that had competitive pricing via DM if anyone is in those markets.

 

I have always leased my new cars, but I see no reason why buying would be any different: I found that the discount in the NY Metro area where I live on an ordered car is equal to or greater than on an in stock vehicle: the reason is simple: On an ordered car, the dealer knows the car is sold and there is no cost of floor planning - the cost of keeping a vehicle in stock. The car comes in and is out within a week to 10 days. Supper easy sell for the dealer.

My last car ordered in October 2018, delivered in December 2018, a 2019 E450 the discount off of MSRP was just over 10%. That was then and today the discount may not be that great: But keep in mind, most buyers want SUV's not sedans and hence there should be substantial discounting on your car, I would think between 7% and 10% off of MSRP.

Hope this helps.

 

The discounts available do seem to be much greater on the sedans than on the AT, and the lease terms are also much more favorable on the sedans with subvented money factors (0.00138 for the E450 sedan vs 0.00292 for the E450 wagon in January, a 3.6% APR difference) that make leasing a very smart way to go.

 

That is a huge difference in interest: MF of .00292 = 7%: .00138 = 3.31%.

Do you know what the residual on 3 years (36 months) 10K miles per year are? Maybe the residual on the AT is higher which might offset the tremendous difference in the money factor?

Of course if the payments are about equal you are always better off with a lower interest rate rather than a higher residual.

 

All I know is what's been posted on the Edmunds forums, but in Nov the 36/12 residual for the sedan was 53%, and in January the 36/12 for the AT was 52%, so I don't think there's anything to this other than MB wanting to move more sedans, especially the E450 (E350 rates are subvented too, just not as much).

 

From what you are saying, the monthly lease payment on a E450 may be very similar to the monthly payment on the E350.

 

Yes, very similar, under $75/mo for a similarly equipped car, whereas an E450 AT with the same MSRP as an E450 sedan will lease for about 20% more.

 

$75 per month, 36 months is an extra $2700.

The base on the E350 4matic is $64,950: on the E450 $70,850.

The residual at 53% for the E350 $34,423; the E450 is $37,550.

The difference is $3,127.

So you pay $2,700 extra on the lease which is a savings of about $427 or about $12 a month.

If you can afford the extra $75 a month on the E450 lease it makes sense.

 

Just went to MBUSA.com and found the following:

E350 4matic, MSPR of $66,100 no money down, 36 months 10K miles per year, $1170, total after 36 months $42,110

E450 4matic, MSRP of $72,000 no money down, 36 months 10K miles per year $1242, total after 36 months $44,712

This is a difference of $2,602 for a car that has base MSRP of $5,900 more.

 

finally placed my deposit. I got 9.5% off Norcal.

 

Excellent! Good job getting 9.5% off!

 

I paid cash for my E450 and only got $1k off sticker and a tint job thrown in.
I know I paid too much but I got what I want and am happy so I’m not looking back in hindsight…

 

It is easier to get a discount when you either lease or finance: both leasing and financing are profit centers for the dealership.

Discounts are variable depending on the time of the year, model, your location and your willingness to negotiate and/or shop other dealers.

 

That is why I always negotiate a price without indicating how I'm going to pay. I typically pay by check. Sometimes, I pay with actual cash. It is fun to watch their jaw drop and get nervous. Once I paid by credit card over several days due to their floor limit.

 

Watching draw drops and you pay with cash is certainly fun: but it doesn't compare to the discount you will receive when you either finance or lease: those discounts are truly draw dropping as compared to when you pay with cash!

 

That's why I negotiate a price before I disclose payment methods - lease, finance, cash. The discounts I get are in line with 8% to 10% others are getting. With a trade the cash amount is rarely more than $20-30,000.

 

With webby87's coaching (awesome, thank you!), I was able to get a 9% off MSRP commitment for a wagon order.

 

Yes, please PM me what you found.
I'm also on the gulf coast and starting the process.

 

Test drove a 2024 all-terrain today that's been sitting on the dealer's lot since summer I wager. I've bought a few cars from them before, so they offered me 14% off, but unfortunately 2024 E450 all-terrains have lost lease support.

For those looking for any deals the 2024 E350 and E450 sedans lose lease support end of February 2025.

It's too early for me to purchase but I wonder if that car will still be there in a few months. Car drove great though!