manbeing

I decided not to buy a GLE 350 because I didn't think it was worth nearly $70,000 for a 4-cylinder engine car. Instead, I'm considering the new GLE 450, which has a base MSRP of $66,000. However, most 450s come with around $20,000 ioptions, so I plan to wait a few months to custom build a 2024 450. I'm curious whether negotiating the price will still be an option if I decide to build the car, or if I'll have to pay the full MSRP ( I never bought a custom build car, so no experience in it.)

HWU05

I just built the same thing with one of my local dealers and was told it will be MSRP w/o any discount. Called another dealer prior that and was told the same thing. Considering MY2024 is MCA facelift and there is no inventory on the market, I would guess it will be difficult to find any discount at this point. But good luck!

manbeing

The one you just built will be a 2024 model? I was told by three dealers that the custom build orders cannot be submitted to MB system until July.
One dealer told me they can gave me $1,000 dealer discount and any fleet discount (if available) when delivery.

HWU05

Yeah, they told me similar thing, said if there is any incentive at the time of delivery they will honor it, but I just doubt if there will be anything available to the public. So I took that as a no. But the fleet one is a good point. I may ask them as well. It is 2024MY btw. They showed me their system and they already have couple 350's in the queue waiting to go thru the pipeline in Apr, for those they told me the estimated delivery will late May/early June.

manbeing

What is the base MSRP for a 2024 450? The option/pkg prices have been released, just don't know the base price.

CincyMBGuy

MSRP has not been released yet for the GLE 350, GLE 450, or the GLE 450e.

HWU05

You are right, it hasn't been released yet, probably not until close to SOP date. Dealer told me to expect 2-3% increase based on 2023 model. So I don't have that base MSRP on my paperwork either, was told they will add that once it is announced.

tinlydia

Thanks for the tip, meanwhile I’m still waiting for my custom build order since January.

manbeing

I guess you might get a 2024 model if your order hasn't been fulfilled at this moment. BTW, did you negotiate the price? or paid at MSRP?

tinlydia

My sales told me yesterday my 350 are on schedule and being produced. But still haven’t got an update date when will be finish and release to transport. I didn’t negotiate the price, I just paid the deposit. I guess I can do that once the vehicle arrive. As well as extended warranty

manbeing

this will be my first time to build a car, so people usually negotiate the price after the custom build car is delivered? I thought price is finalized before the order is submitted, so the bottom line is if the negotiation falls apart, customer will lose the deposit then go away?

PLINYELDER

When I negotiated my 23 450, I used the new version as leverage. After a lot of discussion and negotiation, I told the manager I learned a new version was coming out and I may like to look at that. They downplayed the 24’s but gave me my 23 at invoice. But it did take some work. Certainly not like 5 years ago with bargain pricing easy to get. But it was fun and I got the price I wanted. Good luck!!

mikapen

I would feel quite vulnerable if I ordered a car and left a deposit without a legal description of the transaction.
Something like "MSRP minus $500, less any incentives, rebates or fleet discounts at the time of delivery." You're still vulnerable with any packages, such as PPM, Extended Warranty of PPF.
IMO ALL those things should be in writing, with changes only justified by demonstrable changes in dealer costs to provide them.

Everybody should be protected.

ddeliber

I am pretty sure that there is a law stating deposits like this are refundable unless there is custom work involved that requires pre-payment. Picking options from a list of normal available stuff doesn't qualify as custom, but "Desegno" options do. Apart from horrible business practice, what would prevent dealers from demanding huge "market adjustments" upon delivery, holding deposits hostage.

MBguy013

Getting a deposit refunded may fall under state guidelines. I think my deposit was non-refundable if I chose to not accept delivery. As far as pricing, I initially was quoted 500 off and that was because I had just purchased a GLC and I asked if there was a loyalty discount. I ended to getting more off, 5% I think, as I asked around at other dealers and my local dealer matched the offer.

GregW / Oregon

If you are not in already you should join the MBCA to take advantage of the Member Rebate Program for $500 toward a GLE. You only have to be a member for 30 days to get a control number. This rebate is beyond and other deal or incentive.

https://www.mbca.org/mbusa-incentives

manbeing

how i can check the invoice price with the specific pkg/options?

tinlydia

This is my first time also, I usually have the sales send me what they have then I pick what I want but this time just don’t have what exactly I want so I need to built one. I’m sure you can still negotiate but there is not a lot. Order submitted doesn’t mean you have to take it coz you didn’t pay full amount and sign the deal. And you can still shop around. I’m sure you can get deposit back if you don’t like what you order. But you are looking for 24 GLE probably there won’t be any negotiation plus the price increase.

manbeing

I just asked one local dealer about the 450 order. $2,000 deposit. After car is delivered and no issue with the car, deposit is non-refundable even though I don't want the car.

manbeing

Thank you!

tinlydia

I only paid $500

Hammer212

Purchasing build-to-order cars as in life, he who holds the money holds the cards. Once it leaves your hands, your leverage drops to near zero. Unless you have the resources and constitution to absorb cost and other surprises, you should have your order completely buttoned up before surrendering $0.01.

If you ever get to the point of needing to rely on "state law" and on "state guidelines," you're already in too deep for those to help you.

BlueYonder

Lots of reports of cars coming in missing options. Will they refund your deposit if that happens?

mikapen

​​​​​​I believe the opposite is true.
​​​​​​A deposit seals the deal, with whatever else is on the written docs.
Refundable? Non-refundable? Trade guidelines? Discount/premium?
You write the check, they accept it (and deposit it) and THEY have to perform.

"Offer and acceptance, exchange of something of value" is the standard for a legal "Contract."

No deposit - no claim to anything, even if the allocation and build are assigned to you.

mikapen

Get it in writing!
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