stlcity

Hi all. New to the forum.

My wife presently a drives a GL450. Lease will end in June 2017. Looking to upgrade to the 550. The dealer has one I like in stock. MSRP 100K. They offered 5.5k off Msrp. Looking at 36m 12k lease. RV was 54% and MF 0.00230.

I don't need to upgrade this minute and can wait until next year. Was wondering if any of you can comment on the deal I was offered and if I can do better.

Thanks in advance.

gixxer

I'm just curious why get the GLS550? On the new motor trend January 2017 issue the acceleration is almost the same. I guess that new 9sp making up the hp different thru gearing.

GLS550 0-60 5.6 sec 1/4 mile 14.2@97.6mph
GLS450 0-60 5.8 sec 1/4 mile 14.4@96.6mph

bonboon

I see you doing some math on the possibilities. Two tips for you.

Discount to msrp I think you can do a shade better but 5.5k is pretty good.

Your money factor equates to borrowing money at 5.5%. That's a near subprime rate of lending (not uncommon for a lease quote). So if you have excellent credit I'd consider getting financing from say B of A or Chase. You can prob borrow from them at 2.5-3%. When it's time to part with your car after 36 months, you can sell private party on your own (provided you are comfortable doing so) at a price better than the quoted residual

As for 450 vs 550, drive both. Numbers don't tell the whole story. The 550 engine is a monster and cosmetically there are some differences you might find appealing

lease vs buy aside, if you'd prefer to go the leasing route look into putting down multiple security deposits down to get the MF down to a more reasonable rate of borrowing

stlcity

Thanks for the advice. Think I'm going to end up leasing specially since new model should be out 18/19...also won't have to go thru the hassle of selling it.. 😀

450 vs ​​​​550...i agree that the numbers don't say the whole story. Drove both before I made the decision to go with the 550. The drive seemed significantly better in 550...also like the aggressive styling that's standard in the 550.

bonboon

congratulations, you will be a happy man. and very sound logic with your decision.

if you are willing, maybe shop around for a slightly better MF? i think you'll be able to find one reasonably easy provided your credit is solid

stlcity

Thank you..


​​​​​​​That's what I'm thinking also, with respect to the MF...

gixxer

Like on my other thread. Max security deposit with direct deposit brings it down Hugh with 3 year lease. Also note buying prepaid maintenance is discounted since you don't own the car.

rominl

driven both, the 550 is a lot more powerful than 450, not even a close comparison

gixxer

From a stand still it's about the same speed probably due to the 9 speed tranny on the 450. The 550 is probably way faster from a roll if it catches a good gear. Overall I can see it being more drivable but is it worth the extra $$ on a lease?

Personally I'd probably go cheap or AMG unless you are getting a deal on the 550 which the OP's MF doesn't seem all that great.

rominl

i can't comment on the motortrend results. looking on the web i see this

http://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicle...-60-mph-times/

2017 Mercedes GLS550 4MATIC Compare Car 0-60 mph 4.8
2017 Mercedes GLS450 4MATIC Compare Car 0-60 mph 5.7 | Quarter mile 14.2

i didn't bring a stop watch for my test drive but personally it's hard for me to believe that the 450 has almost identical 0-60 and 1/4 mile results. i drove the two cars back to back and i am an aggressive driver. the 450 is underpowered, the engine struggles a lot and the car wasn't as fast as the 550 in any circumstances.

the 550 has a higher MSRP but it has a lot of options come standard (and some features that aren't even available on the 450). i looked at it before and apple to apple (similarly optioned), a 550 is less than 10k more than the 450 which to me is worth the money.

but for OP, i agree your numbers aren't super great. 550 almost always carry a higher money factor than 450 but 0.0023 is really high. i got the 2016 with huge discount and also a much lower money factor so i basically leased the 550 for the price of 450. i think you can play more on the price and money factor to get yourself a better deal

stlcity

I agree with @romini on the 450 vs 550. It's not all about numbers. And a fully optioned 450 won't be a lot cheaper than the 550(Grand scheme of things). Like the feel and the aggressive looks of the 550. She has had the 450 for 6 yrs now (2 lease cycles). Did not think the Gl63 was worth the price for the weight and size in spite of the higher HP.

Dealer told me the MF on the 550 is higher than the 450. I will shop around... But as a ballpark or reference for me : what is the number(MF) I am shooting for?

Thanks again for all the help.

rominl

you can always check on edmunds forums under particular model on what is the current residuals and rates. but for the 2017 GLS550, i think the MF is around 0.0020 to 0.0022. it's pretty high (basically the same MF as AMGs). MB does that to make their V8 cars more "exclusive" (one big exception is the s class).

i really don't know if you can negotiate much on the MF. standard 0.0020-0.0022 is already the bottom line that MBFS set. dealer can add to that but they can't go lower, so it's still going to be on the high side.

FWIW, we got our 2016 GL550 last month and since they were getting rid of the remaining stock, they dropped the MF to 0.00133 which is a lot more respectable. i didn't do MSD to jack down the MF any further but of course that will help

also as a general rule (at least for me), i never do down payment / cap cost reduction on my leases. always just do first month and drive off. down payment can be dangerous because if anything happens to your car 5 mins after you drive it off the lot and it's total lost, down payment is gone.

stlcity

Thanks again..

Talked to a couple of local dealers.. Best I got was 0.00230, 6% off msrp. I think I'll wait for little.. C what I can up with by end of the year...

nova99

Another data point as of yesterday: I am (was) looking to lease a GLS550 as well. No interest in a 6 banger or the styling of the 450. I have the deal sheet from the dealer and this GLS550 has been sitting on lot for almost 3 months so the hype and high demand the dealers are trying to spin is not real in my market. They also have a couple black 550's sitting as well in their stock.
MSRP: $100,735
Selling Price: $94,690 (Discount 6.1%)
MF: .00230 (5.52% Holy ****, who pays that kind of interest on anything these days!) Credit Tier 1
Residual: 54% (36M/12K Annually)
No MSD
Never a down payment to reduce selling price. Just first payment and drive.
Deal is good through end of calendar year.

MB residual and MF are awful. Looks like I will not be hanging in the forum much longer. Good Luck with the search!

rominl

mb residual is always on the low side across all models, that's polar opposite of bmw where they jack up the residual to lower the payments. in general mb has higher payments than similar bmw because of the residual.

MF, what can i say? that's their way to make their V8 cars more exclusive to those who are willing to pay. i hate that too and i don't see myself paying that kind of interest as well. that's big reason why i went with 2016, i am ok with not getting the latest styling and interior changes in exchange to a much better MF, more or less the same residual as 2017, and most importantly a very significant discount off msrp.

with the above numbers, it sounds like leasing the gls550 would be in the 1700-1800 range? (just off the top of my head)

nova99

$1567. I think your logic on the MY16 is sound. BMW has V8 machines as well and <3% interest. Enjoy your MB.

stlcity

Think part of my problem, is that I need a 7 seater... Q7 is an option, but the third row feels crammed... X5 is not in same class.. She did not like the Infiniti. So its either the 450 or 550, lol

gixxer

We would have gotten the Q7 but the wife doesn't want to mimic the in-law. Heard the Volvo XC90 is good also.

Just get a 2017 GLS450. I'm paying under $900/mo on a 3 year lease on a low option MSRP 81k car.

Just maximize security deposit, direct deposit discount, and negotiate a great price.


I'm guessing benz wants less people to buy the 550 due to café requirement jacking up lease #'s. If going 550 maybe cheaper to buy outright?

rominl

Ah sorry I was off on my math. Yes BMW v8 are discounted similarly as their 6 cylinders. MB definitely has something else in mind.

We dont need 7 seaters but we like big cars. You are right Q7 3rd row is not impressive at all. X5 is a joke. Honestly outside of price the GL/GLS is really outshining all others. Imho the LX570 next but still there is a gap

stlcity

So I priced out a fully loaded 450...just for kicks ..monthly payments are 500$ less... Decisions lol... 1100 for 450 & 1600 for 550...MF on 450:. 00105, 550:0.00230..😖

mustbebenz

Seems like wife currently in 450 should be happy saving you $500 per month to get new version of her current car, this appears to be one of the types of decision complication I sometimes create for myself where in the end the outcome turned out sort of predetermined. Just like the logic leading to the GLS having best third row of the competitors you listed, sort of obvious again after you go through process to struggle with the details.

Also, option up all active safety features not otherwise standard on 450, IMHO lane keep, smart cruise control and full autonomous braking plus 360 view camera are items that potentially beneficially help avoid wrecks, and use winter tires in season.

Chris D

Very odd that MF would be more than double on the GLS. That's probably the lion's share of your $500/mo. If you really prefer the 550, maybe look into financing at close to 1% from your bank and take the residual value risk yourself.

stlcity

Leaning towards the 450...Can't get myself to pay 5.5% interest. As much as I would like to get the 550, the interest on it and the fact that she may not appreciate the power or the aggressive looks of it, is making me more inclined to the 450..

rominl

yeah it's hard to swallow the difference. but honestly you are also getting a lot more car. after having the 550 for over a month i just think it's a noticeably better car than the 450 in multiple aspects.

but of course, i admit i am paying 1100 for the 550 so it's easier for me to say

nova99

Been monitoring this out of curiosity. Month #4 and the GLS50 I almost signed up is STILL sitting collecting snow at the dealership, having to be moved around and cleaned off by salespeople to salt the parking lot and remove snow, and still sitting alongside the two black units. What Demand??? They must have great floor planning financing from MB; too bad it does not trickle down to the customer. Seems the 5.5% interest rate (MF) and ~6% discount has been verified by several in this thread. I wish MBFS was more aggressive with the 550. MBUSA - Are You Reading This? Another year of chasing BMW is coming to an end. LOL!