Ormond2004

I have an end-of-lease looming this fall. My lease (27 month) is up in November. I have a 2015 S550 with an MSRP of $126,000. I am guessing that the car will have approximately 15,500 miles at lease end. My option price is about $76,000.

My income will be lower next year. It would be stupid for me to lease another S550. However, I like my reliable S550. Should I buy it at lease end? I will have the funds.

• I don't depreciate the car for work.
• I typically buy a car and keep it for 2 years at the max.
• I like large, safe cars with luxury features.
• I have paid for the maintenance and a tire and wheel policy.

Other cars that I like include the new 7-series and A8. I could take the $76,000 and buy a new Cadillac CT6 or an E-class. However, I really would prefer a large car. The CT6 is large enough, but it's a new model. I could be disappointed.

Any thoughts? What else should I consider? Can I re-negotiate the option price at lease end?

Thank you!

Wolfman

MBFS doesn't want the car, just like the dealer.
So you can always negotiate the price and MB Financial is usually quite flexible. This flexibility of course may only begin days before the turn-in

Ormond2004

Thank you for the good advice.

WEBSRFR

If I were you, I'd negotiate the price down a bit more, buy the car outright and own it for another 3-4 years. The next 4 years will cost you in depreciation what the last 2 years did. The only thing I'd add is possibly an extended warranty.

Good advice from Wolfman about negotiating a few days prior to when your car is due.

jenz

I had zero luck getting MBFS to change the buyout offer all the way to the last minute at the dealership for final drop off

Streamliner

I've had it both ways. Once or twice, they really sharpened their pencils, once or twice they wouldn't budge.

To the OP, I suggest you buy the car, but make sure that you get the best and longest extended warranty that you can. It protects you while you have the car and is quite valuable when you go to sell it.

Best of luck!

Wolfman

It really depends on the person and what their internal conversion goals are. Just like sale people, they have % targets.

On our SL600, we spoke to several people and they didn't budge a bit, then just just before, I told them we had already lined up another car just before turn-in, they dropped the price.

Better yet, they dropped the price more than I had expected; something like $17k...

beckerkumm

I would guess it depends on how the dealer assesses the market for the specific vehicle. An S550 in the right color and with the right options is much less likely to be discounted in FL than in WI. An S600 is barely saleable here so I would expect it to be discounted up here. The real question is whether you believe you can find a car with better options and taken better care of for the same price. $76K is below the market in general and while the economics of owning an S class are never good, they are much better after two years than new. Dave

Steinhart

I worked with my local dealer over the phone. I negotiated the buyout price with them, they in turn negotiated and purchased the car from MBFS. So it was a win for me and the dealer. Was all done over the phone. Buyout was 90k, I purchased it from the dealer for 69k.

Nice Ride

The CT6 is no comparison to the S550. Take a test drive and don't forget if you want your rear shades up, you have to roll them up by yourself.... Just say'n...

If you are happy with your car and the options, take out the longest warrantee, lots of big ticket items should something go wrong.

Enjoy your ride for a few more years... Who knows what 2018 will bring...

anothercar

CPO 2015's are currently priced in high $70's to high $80's from what I've seen lately. So at $76k, you are in range, even in a few months.
Economics are better than buying new and you CANNOT compare the S class to a Caddy!

theboogers

Negotiate w the dealer to land the car at his dealership and sell it to you used. The residual buyout from mbfs is nit the price you will pay you shoukd get the car close to wholesale thru the used car dept at the dealer. Call another dealer and double check the price. Residual on a s class i had was 70 k from mbfs and the dealer would of sold it to me for 40k if i wanted it.

Nice Ride

See if they will CPO the vehicle (unlimited millage) and purchase the 2 additional years for continued unlimited Millage.

Price seems fair, but depends on what options you have. I was able to pick up a Loaded 2014 S550 Every Option except rear fridge for 72K on AutoTrader, 30K on car, still under B2B. Sticker was 146K

Ormond2004

I am taking my car in for its 24 month service tomorrow, and I may speak to the used car manager. I bought it from another dealership, but I am sure that it doesn't matter.

I will see how my service goes tomorrow. Maybe I should ask for a S-class Coupe loaner. I only have 15,000 miles on my S550.

I really appreciate all the great suggestions!

jumpman726

The refinement between the Cadillac and Mercedes is night and day. Don't consider the Cadillac just based on pictures or technical specs.

Streamliner

1bad540

I bet mbfs doesnt budge but call the dealer your using and ask what they will sell you the car for, I bet they will also cpo the car if you ask. Im guessing a 60-65k buyout fro your selling dealer could be had cpo too!... I was going to buy out a friends s550 and his buyout was way higher than my dealer quoted me for the car.

Ariesfamous

This.. Cadillac..... ick.