mistertonyn

Greetings,
What would be the fair price to pay for a 2013 GL 350 with package 1 out the door for Northern California?
Are the Bluetec in demand at the present time?
Thanks.

fabbrisd1

Your post is unintentionally a bit complex - yes. the GL250 BlueTec is in high demand - it's delivers a bit "peppier" seat-of-the-pants perfomance around town - and putting Cali restrictive high cost of diesel aside - even with higher Cali diesel cost the GLK250 is downright awesome from a economy standpoint.

The last day of July (Weds) is prime time to get a great deal on-the-ground in N Cal - understand 2014 GLK350's are just around the corner and nothing changes much - dealer margin on MSRP is about 7% - added margin called hold back is about 2%-3% - just for benchmark and for July maybe another $1000 back to the dealer from Mercedes.

Last day of July, with 2014's around the corner, you can expect any dealer on a GLK350 they have there on the lot to be looking to close a deal out the door.

Keep the beat !

octurbo

GL 350 BTC are in high demand, especially in CA. You pretty much have to order one to get one at this point - first ones (2014) will hopefully arrive in a couple weeks, if not sooner. There aren't much discounts being offered in southern CA. Getting a fleet deal such as Usaa, AMA, etc or Costco buying program seems to be the way to go. The Msrp on a lower optioned gl with p1 and a few other options such as keyless go will run $71k +. So you are looking at High $70's out the door by the time you add on CA tax and registration

fabbrisd1

Sorry - I meant GL 350 - and "possibly" $2500-$3K ... it will be a good day for buyers Weds..

mistertonyn

Talked to a local sales rep and he said the next best thing is to order a 2014 and wait a few months for delivery. I did not realized the 350 and 550 was on such high demand...not so much for the 450 model.
That means expect to pay full asking price????
This SUV is built in Alabama and not in Germany and so is it really worth all those pennies..

JimBarnhart

We're obviously biased on this forum.

I believe you are paying for German engineering more than you are paying for German assembly. The engine is assembled and shipped to Vance, the model is engineered in Germany. I believe American assembly workers are just as competent as German assembly workers.

Coming from an American engineer (but not in the auto design arena), that is tough to say. Buy, Mercedes does a lot right in my mind, especially when considering their focus on safety.

mistertonyn

I am sure we are just as good or better if we want to be...I do not doubt that.
In my mind if I buy an American car then it should be made here, if I buy a Japanese car it should be made in Japan. I like the Escalade but it is made in Mexico so it does kinda turn me off. No offense to Mexico.

Somehow watching the videos of the manufacturing process in the Germany plants really impressed me...have not seen a video yet for the Mercedes
plants in US.

JimBarnhart

I agree, MB has a different focus than American autos. I've actually had the opportunity to tour the Sindelfingen factory and they sold me on how they do things. I don't know about Vance, but I'm suspecting much of the knowledge transfer has happened from Germany to the US. Maybe Fabris can elaborate?