M-Class (W163) Produced 1998-2005: ML 230, ML 320, ML 350, ML 400 CDI, ML 430, ML 500, ML 270 CDI

Questions about possible purchase of an '05 Special Edition ML350

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Old Jan 22, 2005 | 11:17 PM
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Questions about possible purchase of an '05 Special Edition ML350

Should I expect a substantial discount for the '05 Special Edition ML350s? Would you say that these are cars which dealers are looking to move or is the demand still pretty high that dealers can afford to keep prices high or close to MSRP?

In your experience, what's a good price below MSRP?

Also, I haven't seen any '05 special editions with fender flares; are the fender flares compatible with the special editions? I know they have the new side steps that have like body pieces at the ends, so I'm not sure if they cannot be combined with the fender flares. I'd like to put flares on it.
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Old Jan 22, 2005 | 11:57 PM
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'05 Special Edition

Originally Posted by JuBu
Should I expect a substantial discount for the '05 Special Edition ML350s? Would you say that these are cars which dealers are looking to move or is the demand still pretty high that dealers can afford to keep prices high or close to MSRP?

In your experience, what's a good price below MSRP?

Also, I haven't seen any '05 special editions with fender flares; are the fender flares compatible with the special editions? I know they have the new side steps that have like body pieces at the ends, so I'm not sure if they cannot be combined with the fender flares. I'd like to put flares on it.
Since the new W164 2006 ML is coming out in a couple months, I would expect a good discount. Since the new one is improved in every way (the new 4-valve engine is substantially better, for one thing), and will likely not be much more expensive, consider your options. If you do it, ditch the running boards and just do flares.

2006 ML

Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Jan 22, 2005 at 11:59 PM.
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Old Jan 23, 2005 | 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by JuBu
Should I expect a substantial discount for the '05 Special Edition ML350s? Would you say that these are cars which dealers are looking to move or is the demand still pretty high that dealers can afford to keep prices high or close to MSRP?

In your experience, what's a good price below MSRP?

Also, I haven't seen any '05 special editions with fender flares; are the fender flares compatible with the special editions? I know they have the new side steps that have like body pieces at the ends, so I'm not sure if they cannot be combined with the fender flares. I'd like to put flares on it.
There are some substantial discounts out there but it depends on the region becasue thre's still a reasonably high demand for the current W164. The reason is becasue a lot of customers who want to drive the ML are expecting deep discounts and the dealers know this. What you want to do is try to get something at invoice or slightly below invoice. That is probably the most you're going to get. I believe some have successfully negotiated xtended warranty deals with their purchase, so you can try that to get some more out of the dealer, or negotiate a rear roof wing. In general, you may get away with one of the dealer installed options - remember when they were giving free CD Changers with the purchase of a 350??? The W164 is hot, but so are the remaining 163s. As for the fender flares, the 350SE does not come with them. You can have them installed, but I agree with GregW that you'll have to ditch the running boards, if not for the way it'll look. The flares with the step bars are OK, but with the runing boards, that's a different issue. Bottomline, YES you can get them installed if you want.

Another option you may want to look at is the ML350/500 sport which has the flares and looks different from the regular ML with special EVOII rims. If you'd kill for the ML350 SE hood and grille, they're direct installs on a sport ML.

Good luck in deciding, but get one.

Last edited by Darkmann; Jan 23, 2005 at 11:51 AM.
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Old Jan 23, 2005 | 04:21 PM
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Thanks for the detailed response Darkmann. I'm not too familiar with the ML market as I've driven BMWs all my life so I wanted to know where I should position myself when it comes to negotiations without being ridiculous. Your suggestion of invoice or even slightly below it is nice to hear as that would be a great price to me.


Originally Posted by Darkmann
There are some substantial discounts out there but it depends on the region becasue thre's still a reasonably high demand for the current W164. The reason is becasue a lot of customers who want to drive the ML are expecting deep discounts and the dealers know this. What you want to do is try to get something at invoice or slightly below invoice. That is probably the most you're going to get. I believe some have successfully negotiated xtended warranty deals with their purchase, so you can try that to get some more out of the dealer, or negotiate a rear roof wing. In general, you may get away with one of the dealer installed options - remember when they were giving free CD Changers with the purchase of a 350??? The W164 is hot, but so are the remaining 163s. As for the fender flares, the 350SE does not come with them. You can have them installed, but I agree with GregW that you'll have to ditch the running boards, if not for the way it'll look. The flares with the step bars are OK, but with the runing boards, that's a different issue. Bottomline, YES you can get them installed if you want.

Another option you may want to look at is the ML350/500 sport which has the flares and looks different from the regular ML with special EVOII rims. If you'd kill for the ML350 SE hood and grille, they're direct installs on a sport ML.

Good luck in deciding, but get one.
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Old Jan 23, 2005 | 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by JuBu
Thanks for the detailed response Darkmann. I'm not too familiar with the ML market as I've driven BMWs all my life so I wanted to know where I should position myself when it comes to negotiations without being ridiculous. Your suggestion of invoice or even slightly below it is nice to hear as that would be a great price to me.

I thing invoice is a good place to start. There are some web sites that'll give you direct dealer cost, but I think that's a joke on a truck like the ML - unless the dealer is nuts, I can't see how they'll sell the truck for a loss. Just keep in mind - you want a decent deal and the dealer also wants a good deal. You'll never beat the dealer, so I believe invoice is a good place to start.
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Old Jan 26, 2005 | 09:20 PM
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DAMN I was just about to ask the same question my lad rover disco II lease is up this next month and wanted to change to a suv that doesnt ride as rough drove the ML3 and I love the ride but the question was wait for a new one (which i think they proly wont budge on the price to much) or get a 05 (which looks swet but to much like a Lexus to me) I think Imma go with the 05 plus with all the stuff I'd want in it Like the nav for instance are options on the 06



-JAY
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Old Jan 26, 2005 | 09:24 PM
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Invoice price given to us is rarely what the dealer paid for the car.

Their invoice and the invoice we see is usually different.

I would fax all the dealer in your state requesting invoice price and a list of everything you want and time table of when you want the last fax to be in by. You'll get an awesome deal that way.

We got one so good on our X5 in Ft. Worth, that the Houston dealer wanted their information so they could purchase more X5's for their inventory
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Old Jan 26, 2005 | 11:16 PM
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'05 vs '06

Originally Posted by Strandid00
DAMN I was just about to ask the same question my lad rover disco II lease is up this next month and wanted to change to a suv that doesnt ride as rough drove the ML3 and I love the ride but the question was wait for a new one (which i think they proly wont budge on the price to much) or get a 05 (which looks swet but to much like a Lexus to me) I think Imma go with the 05 plus with all the stuff I'd want in it Like the nav for instance are options on the 06

-JAY
The new '06 ML will have a much better ride than the '05. It is a unit body aimed at competing with BMW & Lexus for ride quality, and other areas (powertrain, safety, etc.). The outgoing one is on a ladder (truck) frame and is somewhat truckish in ride and handling (though better than many). I would (and have) go for the new one as it will be light years better.
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Old Jan 27, 2005 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon
The new '06 ML will have a much better ride than the '05. It is a unit body aimed at competing with BMW & Lexus for ride quality, and other areas (powertrain, safety, etc.). The outgoing one is on a ladder (truck) frame and is somewhat truckish in ride and handling (though better than many). I would (and have) go for the new one as it will be light years better.


Hell I'm sure anything would be better than my Land Rover disco II but also the 06 are gonna be much more exspesive right????


STRANDID
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Old Jan 28, 2005 | 11:59 PM
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'06 cost

Originally Posted by Strandid00
Hell I'm sure anything would be better than my Land Rover disco II but also the 06 are gonna be much more exspesive right????

STRANDID
I would not say MUCH more expensive than '05. I would guess it will go up a couple thou' ($39,950 base for ML350). Of course, you no longer get free maintenance and low range standard.
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