Is anyone aware of any dealers who are offering good deals on these new models?

Many have reported getting $1k - 2k off list, though many are paying MSRP. You just need to shop around. It helps if you are willing to buy out of your area.

We got 1500 euros off our ML 320 CDI plus half the price of the particule filter (the guy made a mistake and didn't put in the option list in the first order when it's required to get the french registration).

From what we have heard, it was the max you can get.

You may have read this in another thread, but the first dealership that I talked to offered me 8k off sticker with the trade of my Acura MDX with 130,000 miles. A dealer 50 miles away offered me 14k off sticker. So they must have some negotiating room.

The problem with the French market is that you don't have enough W164 to fulfill the demand so don't bother in negociation. This is due to the fact that the US market is the priority in delay and quantity.

That's certainly why you can get a much better deal in the US

George, did you figure out what your car is worth? The discount they are giving you is probably for the Acura, not the Mercedes.

George

That does not make any sense, there is only 2800-$3000 of profit in the ml 350 and $3500-$4000 in the ml 500. So you must be confused, because they are not going to give you $8000 or $14000 off sticker, they are screwing you on your trade in and making it look like they are giving you a discount. Ask them how much discount they will give you if you had no trade in? I guaruntee its no where near $8000 off sticker. stockinv you have mail.

I'm surprised by the low profit on each model. It's approx 6% if I'm not mistaken. I was expecting more than 10%

Dealers make 25 - 30% on accessories in the US, though.

I'm not sure this is true. Can anyone enlighten us on this?

The markup for most mercedes benz models is 7% and 6% for the ml including options. The markup for accessories could be correct, check the prices for amg wheels from and dealership and check tire rack, a huge delta.

I don't know how much it is in France but I wouldn't be surprised if the accessory margin was correct.

Well duh! The bluebook on my MDX was $13,800. I guess it shows how much the dealer who offered me $8000 wanted to make on the deal.

You can see some of the figures in the dealer accessory training manual.

W164 immediate profit margin is 7%. There is an additional 6% dealer holdback paid quarterly.

They give the example that a dealer can achieve 53% of the immediate profit by selling the following 4 accessories:

Wheels - $535 profit oin $1,796 (29.8%) + $45 labor
Nav - $428 profit on $1,563 (27.4%) + $90 labor
RSES - $413 profit on $1,649 (25.0%) + $180 labor
Side Step Bars - $193 profit on $779 (24.8%) + $180 labor

Total - $1,569 profit on $5,787 (27.1%)

What's the difference between an option and an accessory? Is an accessory something not offered at the factory?

Yes, options are configured when the vehicle is built, vs. accessories which are purchased from and can be installed by the dealer. Not to say you can't retroift many items included in the options later.

Speaking about the accessory, how much do you think the 19' AMG wheels will cost (rimw+wheels+installation)?