Realster

Hi guys, just wonder how much are we paying for our new ML.

I've heard all kinds of different deals out there kinda makes me wonder whether or not i paid little bit too much.

Let's find out which dealer has the best deal in Northern California and nationwide

I got mine for $53,000 out the door @ Smythe European on Stevenscreek Blvd. San Jose.

Here are some specs.

2006 ML350
Obsidian Black Metallic / Charcoal interior

322 - Appearance package
323 - Air suspension package
317 - Comfort package
324 - Sunroof package
530 - DVD Navigation system
320 - Entertainment system
319 - Lighting package
873 - Heated front seats
536 - Sirius Satellite Radio
293 - Rear side airbags

Thanks for your input guys!

Chi500

I paid MSRP, is that what you paid?

Realster

Here is the price on the window sticker $52,725 (included a $720 destination charge)

Curious George

My 500 listed at about 54k. However there was a difference of 6k on what two dealers 50 miles apart, allowed on my trade in.

Enigma869

WHOA...$53K for an ML and it's not even a 500??? That's some serious cash!!!! I purchased my 2003 ML500 brand new for less money than that right off of the showroom floor, and it had all of the same options (minus the satellite radio). That said, my ML500 turned out to be a disaster of an automobile, so heres hoping the new ML works out better for you. I'm just really stunned that the 350 is selling for that much money. I test drove the new ML and actually like it, but I wouldn't even consider paying that much for it.

John from Boston

AutoSaurus

Due to my delays, etc. I'm at $500 over invoice versus $750-1000 originally planned for. I normally pay $500 over in past purchases but in this case I had to expect to pay a little more due to high demand and early build date. I'm very pleased.

Merczilla

Realster, are you for reals!?!?!? I'm currently shopping around for a new 2006 ML350 and also went to Smythe European and didn't even get close to what you got. (although our options are slightly different) Your price is way below invoice if you take off the taxes, doc, reg, etc. $53K out the door is an awesome deal!! Who's your salesman????

sosh

Do not believe all you hear on these boards about pricing. FYI, invoice is MSRP less 7 percent and above that there is a "holdback" that the dealer receives from MB. Believe the holdback is another 3 percent. Dealers are in business to earn money on sales why on earth would they elect not to do that. They are not a charity.

Realster

-------

Hey Merczilla, you make me feel better.... i mean, 90% people out there said i got screwed. The salesman is Alen Levin, i think he's the internet sale department guy (pretty nice guy actually), i would give him a 5 for CSI

According to Edmunds invoice price, i got it for $1500 under invoice (i did not check with dealer's invoice) i hope they're not way off.

I think you can do better, try to go to edmunds.com, price your car with the options. Start with $2000 (or whatever amount you feel comfortable with) below invoice and work your way up. Make sure you throw in some accessory like Mudflaps, drunk mat, etc.... dealer get those pretty cheap they dont care if they have to throw in one or two. But when i go back and try to buy them, i got freaked out.

The way i negociated is find out the invoice price on Edmunds.com with all the options. Add appx 10% for taxes and fees. Then negociate for the out the door price that i want.

Good luck man! hope these tips help. I had a good bargaining chip because i got the deposit slip at Beshoff for ordering my car. Shop with Beshoff 1st, and Clairidge' in Fremont, then come to Smythe, because they have s#1t load of MLs on the lot. Make sure you come in with all the internet pricing print out... don't go empty handed.

Make sure you get the entertainment package because the 6-CD changer can play MP3 CDs, plus you'll get 10 speakers and a Sub.

Get the lighting package please, the only way to tell a luxury car in the dark is the Xenon light. Wazzup with a Benz with no HID.

Hightly recomend "air suspension" package. It's way better than the old ML. I thought i didn't need it, but for $1500 more, i rather get it to have a luxury ride.

I also recomend to get the Extended Warranty, it's fully refundable if you dont use the service. But keep in mind this is a new model and German cars don't have Japanese reliability. Read about the problems on this new ML.

Thinking

You say you got it for $1500 under INVOICE -- I have a hard time believing that. Or did you mean $1500 under MSRP?? What I seem to be finding is best deal I can see if around $1000 over Invoice.

Also, did anyone have a dealer throw in cost for Marketing/advertising fee -- they say Mercedes charges all dealers and it amounts to about $400. Is this a scam by the dealer who mentioned it to me?? Edmunds makes no mention of extra costs like this.

Realster

--------------

Now that you mentioned about $1000 under invoice, i went back and re-read the contract. I'm wish i could kick myself in the butt.

I salesman showed me the price of $48,000 before taxes and fee. That's why i agreed to purchase the car and signed that darn paper. But on the contract it's $48560..... that makes it $1000 under invoice then. You're right Thinking. I gotta go back to him about this.

Thinking

Must be a California thing --- here in Ohio the best I can find is $1000 OVER invoice.

Anyone out there negotiate to not pay the advertising fee??

blkc230k

my familiy is thinking buyin' a 06 ML 350, w/ basic options... wondering if getting MSRP from windows for OUT TO DOOR price is good?!

Paul Le Corre

We paid our ML 320 CDI with:

-Luxury pack
-Metallic paint
-Sunroof
-Towing system
-Particule filter

57000 euros.

DCdriver

We just closed the deal last week on an 06 ML350 with pretty much everything:

Metallic Paint
Appearance pkg
Comfort pkg
Lighting pkg
subroof
Air Suspension
Sirius
DVD Navigation system
Entertainment pkg
heated front seats

MRSP on ours was 52725
Invoice was 49587 (per dealer's paper netstar invoice -- this included a 500 IRG participation fee for advertising etc);

We purchased the car for 47250 after several rounds of back and forth. We were able to get a great quote from another dealership nearby (via edmunds internet price request) and then the dealer we liked who was also closer to us matched their price (low 48k) but when their financing couldn't match the other dealer, they reduced the price further to get our payment to be the same as the other dealership.

We got it before the end of the month and whether there was an end of month push here or some other hidden incentive going on, I don't know. It seemed like SUVs were not moving rapidly with gas prices etc. That said, considering this was the new model, I didn't know what to expect. But I was very pleased with where we ended up.

GregW / Oregon

That's a very good deal. There is a 7% holdback the dealer gets at the end of each quarter you don't see on the invoice.

My dealer was not going below MSRP at all, though they did end up giving me $500 off for pain and suffering of having to wait an extra month. Then there's the $500 gas card from MBUSA, of course.

tormod@confuto.

Hi!

You are so lucky! I live in Norway and we have to pay approximately $ 150,000 for a new W164 ML350. I have ordered a ML 320 CDI for $ 140,000 with hopefully August delivery. This includes Sport Package, Air Suspension and Sun Roof.

MyFirstML

firstmbml350

I got mine for $48,000 out the door , following are the specs.

2006 ML350
322 - Appearance package
324 - Sunroof package
530 - DVD Navigation system
320 - Entertainment system
873 - Heated front seats
IPod Integration
Perma Plate
+
Free :All weather mats, 2 MB Keychains

One more thing to add, We are just loving the new ML, its just great....

Thanks

Flipsonic

I went through a broker here in the San Francisco area after a couple of visits to the local dealer. The name of the broker is Cartelligent (Sausalito,CA). Website is www.cartelligent.com. Anyway, I never had to negotiate on the price. They got me my ML350 for invoice $44,296.00.
Appearance Package
Heated Seats
Sunroof
Irridium Silver
Entertainment Package
Chrome 19" Wheels (for free - I'll tell you later)

I told my broker how much I want to pay and what options I wanted. He found it while the local dealers couldn't even trade for it. It was hard to find this car since it didn't have a lot of options in it. I got it within a week from my first contact with him. The best part, the dealer he got it from had chrome wheels on it. He didn't want to give it to me because he gave me invoice price. Well, it would've taken him 3 days to order and receive the non-chrome wheels and the truck was already there to pick it up. He was offering me the chrome wheels for $300. I didn't budge and threatened to walk away from the deal. He ended up giving it to me for free. That's a $1500 cost he ate. Overall, I got the car for about $4000 under MSRP. What a deal!!!

P.S.
Ask for Lee Smith if you plan to use Cartelligent. He will tell you about my experience. This is my second car from them and both experiences where superb.

ffejalink

I negotiated $62,000 (I think MSRP is $62,965). My dealer offered the Costco price (about $700 off), so I offered $62,000 to make it even. That's a deal for my dealer. Paid MSRP for my 02 ML, and $500 off MSRP for my C (plus $1,000 coupon offered at the time).

mercedesml

Can you explain what you mean by the "costco price". Is there a MB discount for Costco members?.

ffejalink

The discount is acually offered through the Costco Auto Program - it's not necessary an MB discount for Costco members (if that makes sense). If your dealer is designated as an official Costco Auto Program member, they have established pricing specifically for Costco members. My dealer offered it up without having to go through Costco. Ask your dealer for the price or request a price quote from the Costco Auto Program. You'll save over MSRP (if that's what your dealer is charging), but depending on your market you may be able to negotiate a better price. There aren't many dealers in my area and the mains ones rarely budget from MSRP, but I also receive excellent service from my dealer so I feel it's worth the money. Good luck with your purchase!

Cairorex

Ok I have my local dealer down to invoice or a couple hundred bucks over so far. Can I really expect to get one for less than invoice?

Flipsonic

I've heard some people got it for a little less than invoice. As for me, I got it for invoice and got free chrome wheels because the dealer didn't act fast enough. I guess you can say that's under invoice. But you must be one good negotiator to get it for less than invoice.

Nevada Jack

If you have your dealer down to invoice...listen to Lee Iococa in the Chrysler ads. "If you can find a better deal, buy it." I think you have found the better deal...:-)