GLK-Class (X204) Produced 2008-2014

Fletcher Jones Newport Beach

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Aug 27, 2010 | 01:02 PM
  #1  
boltsfan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
2021 GLE 350
Fletcher Jones Newport Beach

I know this dealership has been discussed many times here (yes I did a search).

Been offered a too good to be true lease deal on a new 2011 GLK 350 (and we all know what that means). Sales guy will not give me any numbers over the phone or email so it makes me very skeptical. Claims he cannot reveal any numbers via email or phone due to agreement with MB and it must be done in person. I have no problem walking in and then walking away if they pull something shady but just do not want to waste driving 60 miles (one way) to find out.

I usually deal with local MB dealer but their stock (and all other local dealers) is very low and they have been very unresponsive as well.

He is claiming a ZERO down (zero cap cost and fees) and he claims monthly payment will in the $450 ballpark which seems way to low to me. Even at a fleet rate this seems way too low.

Anyone have any recent interaction with their Internet sales team?
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2010 | 01:11 PM
  #2  
rmfnla's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
Sounds fishy since the 2011s just came out.

I would tell him you are writing down his name and everything he says (record it?) and will come down, but the second he deviates from his offer you will walk and file a complaint with the BBB and MB USA.

If he still wants you to come in then go for it.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2010 | 01:29 PM
  #3  
MilesBFree's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
GLK
I am not that familiar with leases, but almost all the lease deals I have seen in writing require some sort of initial upfront payment of around a few grand. This is probably to cover some of the depreciation, mileage, wear and tear, etc. for people that return the car before the lease term is up (e.g.- due to job loss).

The dealers almost always charge for taxes, paperwork, title, registration, and other fees, which would also be part of the down payment.

The first month lease payment is also often required in the down payment.

If he won't give you any numbers over the phone, how do you know it is a great deal? Just curious...

Also, have you been waiting for a good deal to get a GLK, or is your interest piqued by the good deal? If you have been dreaming of one for a while, it might be worth the 60 minute drive to find out. (How far is that in the LA area? 0.5 miles? )

I would be very skeptical. If he is willing to drop his shorts, find out why.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2010 | 02:15 PM
  #4  
boltsfan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
2021 GLE 350
I never put $ down to lower cap cost. I usually roll all "fees" into lease as well including the first payment so I walk out with new car with literally ZERO out of pocket.

On my 2009 C300 Sport (18" AMG and iPod kit) I paid ZERO out of pocket for 48\15k lease and payment is $499 per month.

The drive is 60 miles... not 60 minutes.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2010 | 07:57 PM
  #5  
rmfnla's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
Originally Posted by MilesBFree
I am not that familiar with leases, but almost all the lease deals I have seen in writing require some sort of initial upfront payment of around a few grand. This is probably to cover some of the depreciation, mileage, wear and tear, etc. for people that return the car before the lease term is up (e.g.- due to job loss).

The dealers almost always charge for taxes, paperwork, title, registration, and other fees, which would also be part of the down payment.

The first month lease payment is also often required in the down payment.

If he won't give you any numbers over the phone, how do you know it is a great deal? Just curious...

Also, have you been waiting for a good deal to get a GLK, or is your interest piqued by the good deal? If you have been dreaming of one for a while, it might be worth the 60 minute drive to find out. (How far is that in the LA area? 0.5 miles? )

I would be very skeptical. If he is willing to drop his shorts, find out why.
FYI, a dealer can write a lease pretty much any way they want.

There are numerous "no drive-off" leases where all you do is sign the paperwork and away you go; no payment of any kind required.

You cannot just turn in a leased car early; the lease is a closed-end contract, just like a car loan, and you are liable for the full value of the contract.

As for depreciation, this is what the lease payment covers. The residual value when you turn the car in is what remains of the car's value after depreciation.

Wear and tear is included in depreciation, although you may be billed for excessive W&T at lease termination.

Taxes on a lease are charged for each payment, not the whole thing up front like a purchase. This is one of the biggest advantages of a lease; substantailly less sales tax.

Leases offer many advantages over a pourchase although they are not for everyone. More importantly, an unscrupulous dealer can screw you over if you are not careful, regardless of a lease or purchase.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2010 | 08:05 PM
  #6  
MKenM's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 887
Likes: 6
From: Northern New Jersey
2010 GLK Black, Premium 1, Lighting, Multimedia, Appearance and Media Pkg, 2012 Corvette Grand Sport
Once he gets you in the showroom it may be all over. Is there that much difference that you want a new one or is it more curiosity
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2010 | 01:03 AM
  #7  
3Stars's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
S600,GLK350,528i,G35,X3,C320,330i
We've bought cars from different dealers. We always got the final quotes by internet sales department (somehow they always have lower quotes than walk-in showroom's offers) and came in just to pay off or sign papers.
Do not waste your time to drive to dealer after dealer hunting for deals. This is 21st century, they can do it over phone/internet. There are always other dealers to choose from. You may fair better with small town dealers (Riverside/West Covina/Long Beach ...ect.) who need more business.
If dealer can not be straight with you on the phone/email, would they be when you come in their showrooms?
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2010 | 10:19 AM
  #8  
boltsfan's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
2021 GLE 350
I always negotiate all of my lease deals via email first to avoid haggling in person... who has time to spend 6 hours at a dealership anymore?

Again... too good to be true then it always is. Almost curious to go to FJ just to see what they have to say but I know he is lying when he claims he can get a 2011 GLK for $450 per month with ZERO out of pocket. He would have to sell me a GLK at $4-5k below invoice to get that payment on a 48\15k lease. Just not sure I want to waste time and drive 120 miles (round trip) to find out he is a liar.

Local dealer has offered GLK at invoice ($38800) and payment will be $630 (including tax) with only the first payment out of pocket. Another dealer in Orange County (not FJ) said they could not beat it.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 29, 2010 | 08:36 PM
  #9  
Shak59's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
GLK350
I'm in TX and I snagged my 2011 2WD with lighting package and step rails for $37k. 0 down, 60 months, 2.99%, 662 monthly payments with gap insurance. (I did have to put 500 down as a deposit to order the car, 37k was final price, 367xx was loan amount with GAP insurance).

Seemed like a good deal to me. I did have EAB (executive allowance bonus) discount. That is similar to a fleet discount.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 07:45 AM
  #10  
MilesBFree's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
GLK
Originally Posted by boltsfan
Just not sure I want to waste time and drive 120 miles (round trip) to find out he is a liar.
Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it - drive up there this weekend and talk to them.

But I would tend to agree - if it sounds too good to be true... And it looks like you have done the math.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 10:16 AM
  #11  
balticgreen's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 361
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
2014 GLK250 BlueTEC, 2012 BMW 335is Conv.
Originally Posted by MilesBFree
I am not that familiar with leases, but almost all the lease deals I have seen in writing require some sort of initial upfront payment of around a few grand. This is probably to cover some of the depreciation, mileage, wear and tear, etc. for people that return the car before the lease term is up (e.g.- due to job loss).
You never need to make a cap cost reduction (aka down payment). You can easily drive away with nothing more than the first month's payment paid out of pocket and sometimes you don't even need to pay that upfront. All a cap cost reduction (aka down payment) does is reduce your monthly payment. Manufacturers advertise lease deals on TV with large cap cost reductions because it pulls the monthly payment down to a number that generates interest. "I can drive a brand new Mercedes for $300/month??? I'm going to stop by the dealership tomorrow!" It's just a numbers game. You can drive a Mercedes for $1/month if you put enough money down.

However, you really should never make a cap cost reduction on a lease. If something happens to the car before the end of the lease term (i.e., it's totaled) waive goodbye to however much you put down.

Originally Posted by rmfnla
Taxes on a lease are charged for each payment, not the whole thing up front like a purchase. This is one of the biggest advantages of a lease; substantailly less sales tax.
Actually that varies by state. Some states do in fact charge sales tax upfront on the full purchase price of the car.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 10:25 AM
  #12  
rmfnla's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
Well said.

Bottom line is the car has a certain amount of cost and it must be paid one way or another.

Leases have one more caveat: because the payments are lower than a purchase there is more room for the dealer to pad the payment without the customer realizing it.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 03:33 PM
  #13  
Blk04cobra1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
2002 S430, 2004 Cobra, 2004 Tahoe
To my knowledge, MB does not offer a $0 down lease deal, you at least have to put down your 1st payment. As for the $450/mo on a 2011 GLK350, they are full of it. The lease special on the 2010 is still $459/mo with $4500 due at signing (and this doesnt include your taxes and fee's).
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2010 | 06:10 PM
  #14  
rmfnla's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
In CA the tax would be on the payment so it would be about $50, but the DMV would be another $500 or so easily.

I can't see any dealership eating that $4500 down, though, especially on a 2011.

Last edited by rmfnla; Sep 1, 2010 at 12:20 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2010 | 08:47 PM
  #15  
451/443=EW's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver
C350 4Matic
Originally Posted by boltsfan

The drive is 60 miles... not 60 minutes.

At 60 miles an hour its 60 minutes
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2010 | 12:22 PM
  #16  
rmfnla's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe; 2011 GLK 350 w/ Premium 1, Multimedia & Sport Appearance; I LOVE IT!
That's true, but in SoCal one never assumes 60 mph unless one is driving at 3:00 am, and not always even then!
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:08 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE