They had several, brand new, 2022 GLE models on the showroom floor and in the lot. Look what the sticker in the window said.

I should also note that they had MANY 2020 & 2021 CPO GLE’s on the lot. It seemed like an inordinate number. Lots of unhappy V167 customers???

 

It's funny, Streamliner, there are a lot of very nice low miles 2020 and 2021 GLEs around here and not all of them service loaners. I traded my 2020 GLE after a year only because of the opportunity to get back into a nicely equipped E wagon - but it does seem like a lot of them around for sure.

 

Lots around because lots are sold. I would not pay more than MSRP.

 

I’m right there with you on those magnificent E Wagons! Here’s ours:

 

They are probably on an aggressive buying program, probably buying all across the Western US, if not country wide.
They're likely hooked up with nada, consumer reports, Edmonds, or some other "get a quote for your car" online services.

Got to stay alive and support your 200 employees!

 

I have a client that owns 5 MB dealers. He was telling me in an effort to keep some inventory to sell they have been agressively purchasing peoples lease out with a premium added. Basically they have a network of vehicles that are leased through MB financial and they are making offers to purchase the remaining leases out with very attractive offers. The dealers further incentivized to market Certified Pre Owned vehicles which is a further revenue stream.

Overall 2021 was good for most dealer he is telling me. With cars selling at and way over MSRP they are making up profits in sales in lieu of volume. Rough time for consumers unless you don't mind dropping the cash....

 

The new and approved …. Market adjustment…. What an embarrassment, this is what our society has become and I’m not just pointing fingers at Mercedes because I’m sure all auto manufacturers are doing this, I would never pay this !!!! Side note, I was at my chicken store looking to pick up wings and cutlets and I always paid $30.00 a box for cutlets but now the price was $55.00 and this women which I’ve known for 15 years as she apologizes, says the owners are charging whatever they want to make up for the last 2 years of lost revenue…I’ll just take the wings thanks.

 

Many years ago I went to buy a new 1981 Toyota Tercel, it was the first year the 4 door model was made. I wanted a stick shift, not much equipment to put in these cars, total price was $6000.00. This was a dealer in Brooklyn NY, who in later years expanded and opened several dealerships in Staten Island NY as well. At that time, the demand was greater than the supply. Although I felt that I had negotiated a good deal, it was meaningless, the next car in went to the person who had paid the highest price. I waited and waited, however, no car was being allocated to me. I finally went in to the dealership and spoke to the owner. He was a heavy set man, sitting in his office with his shirt unbuttoned halfway down, wearing more gold chains around his neck than I had ever seen. At the time I thought the weight of all that gold around his neck may be interfering with his ability to ambulate. I pleaded my case and he must have felt sorry for me and promised me the next 4 door Tercel that came in. I was wearing no gold chains. In a week or two I finally got the car of my dreams, a 4 door Tercel , in orange, not my first choice, however, beggars can’t be choosers. I really enjoyed my car for 3 years and sold it for $4700.
It taught me a very valuable lesson, I vowed to never let a car salesman/dealership rip me off. When they are in the proverbial driver’s seat, most dealers will forget about loyalty and building customer relationships and squeeze you for the most they can get out of you. This has been happening at a MB dealership near me, long-standing customers who had purchased numerous vehicles were shown absolutely no gratitude and were being charged MSRP plus a hefty premium. Several people I know purchased their cars off the lease.
When I see that MB dealer in the earlier post asking 15k above sticker I truly hope that his customers will learn a lesson . When there is an over supply of vehicles , which there will be , they walk away from the dealer asking even $100 more and show their loyalty to their wallet. I must say that I have a wonderful salesman and dealership, however, he knows that he must ALSO the most competitively priced at all times, and he is.

 

Probably combination of aggressive dealers buying used vehicles for inventory and owners turning in problem vehicles. The V167 is one of the most failed launches by MB, many lemon buybacks.

 

Nope

 

The launch was less than impressive to be sure but non of those cars on dealer lots have branded titles. I know that our dealer is eager to grab ours and we could make money on it but who cares if there is nothing else interesting to move to right now...

 

And we’re also getting better prices for our trades or selling to people like Carvana. Hardly anyone mentions that when complaining about ADM’s on new cars, plus wait for a little while and see what happens to MSRP on new vehicles. Anything between 5-10% is likely, IKEA just announced a 9% increase across all their products globally. LVMH has been steadily increasing prices for months now…it goes on.

 

Rather than MSRP going drastically higher, rebates and incentives will become a thing of the past. Or if MSRP does go significantly higher rebates and incentives will increase.There is still fierce competition between manufacturers to buy their vehicles and saving money is about the best way to get you in their showroom. I do believe that once the chip shortage ends, prices are not going to come down that quickly. Dealerships are experiencing a huge increase in profit per transaction, and when inventory just begins to increase they will try to hold onto that profit for as long as possible. I’m not saying that there is going to be collusion between car dealers, that is illegal, however, with more vehicles available they will not want the party to end.
On an unrelated topic, I’ve read some posts talking about the launch of the GLE, people seem to say that it was unimpressive or even worse, a disaster. Not sure if I understand the reason for that if in fact that is completely accurate. Although I didn’t shop for mine until the earlier part of 2021, the dealer inventories were not that large, and this is just prior to chip shortages reaching the mainstream media. The GLE appeared to be selling fairly well. Is it referring to the numerous issues with the quality control, software problems, and the 48v battery of the 450? Did the GLE experience a much greater amount of overall quality issues than other completely redesigned new vehicles? Thanks

 

Look in the AMG forums. Some are asking 50k, even one was listed at $75k over MSRP. Don't even ask about the G-wagon.

While there may be a lack of inventory, dealers are making it up in the markups. I feel bad for anyone who currently "needs" a car right now, due to a lease return or accident or major breakdown.

 

I would never pay this ridiculous markups. I'd rather just buy a Lexus ( at least i only see $650 markups at my local Lexus dealer).

 

Here in Newport Beach where I live and where Fletcher Jones is located, there are people who have made unimaginable amounts of money over the past few years. Sadly to say, I am not one of them, but that’s another story. These folks pay $100K to $150K premiums for a new G Wagen, as they are considered fashion statements and they are more common here than Jeep Renegades. I’ve never seen the attraction to the vehicle, but then I also wear a 30 year old Seiko watch.

 

Fashion statement-bragging rights-ego trip…IMO, it’s just an expensive Hummer with no other useful purpose.

 

Have you spent a considerable amount of time driving one? I have driven many including the new gen. They are special. Easy to disparage what you can't/don't have. I'd happily own one but that is impractical in the current market.

 

Fletcher Jones’ market is one where the average home price is probably above $5 million. Also, many of their customers are entrepreneurs or professionals who lease these cars and write them off as a business expense. Nobody is dipping into their savings to buy a car at these prices, and this underlines the fact that Fletcher Jones is still the largest volume Mercedes dealer in North America.

 

I test drove a loaded 2019 for several hours…not much to like for my taste except for the power. I can afford pretty much any vehicle I want but I couldn’t get past the looks, ride and handling. I’m not alone, my wife and “car nut” friend felt the same way.

 

The people who buy these cars don’t buy them for utility. They buy them for the prestige that it offers, just like they don’t buy a Range Rover for its reliability. In Beverly Hills, they are all over the place. If you’re ever in Orange County where I used to live, drive down PCH in Newport Beach and you’ll see every exotic car that is being routinely reviewed in all the car magazines, driven by people who have no interest other than the nameplate and the write-off.

 

I don't agree on the G wagons. They are cool - l always and they hold their value. None of us with a GLE have even remotely close the same resale residual.

 

They are, but not for everyone though. It's a bold vehicle not for the timid or practical minded. It's an emotional experience, nothing else feels like it.

 

Wouldn’t you think the new Hummer, EV aside, is the next iteration of the G-Wagen experience?

 

No I don't, they are both different enough. The Hummer will also however provide an unparalleled experience unique to itself, from what I've seen it look like a very cool vehicle and expect it to do well. Although IMO still not as cool looking as a G.