Hello Everyone,
It is my first time here. I've ordered 2007 R500 and it is on a train and should be arriving in 2 weeks. It is ordered in Black Obsidian ($700) and has PO2 ($8,625), 289 Wood/Lether wheel - ($540), 218 Trim Pachage ($1,750), 319 Lighting Package ($900), 353 Air Suspension Package ($1,200), 575 2nd Row Center Console ($400), Keyless Go ($1,100). Subtotal $65,715, Destination & Delivery $775, Total $66,490;. I asked the dealer "What is your invoice" and was given a print out with the number of $62,490; With everyone's comment about slow sales and how bad R500 is, how should I (If I do decide to buy R500) negotiate the price? Several months ago I wanted to buy 2006 model but they could not find one with all of the things I wanted, so I've ordered 2007 and been waiting for it for about 3 months. Obviously, I do not want to be taken and I have never bought a new car before. I would appreciate any comments. I did drive GL today and I was impressed. It seems a lot of car for the money (compare to R500) - it does not handle as R500 but it is MUCH quieter (if it is a word) inside. I'm looking to buy something that handles like a car and not like a truck and I have 3 kids. So, occasionally I'll be taking all of them, but still my wife is taking them around (in our 2003 Navigator) all the time. We probably will end up buying new 2007 Navigator, so I do not really need another huge "truck" but the dealer told me that he could sell me GL500 actually for $2,000 less (and he said he will give me an extra $1,500 off GL500) then R500 I ordered!! With options VERY close to the ones I'm getting on R500. I'm not sure, may be the dealer is going to get more commission if he sells me GL? (I'm in sales, so I know sometimes how sales people work). He seems to be very sincere in his dislike of R500 actually :-) . Anyway, I would really appreciate any and all imput I can get. Thanks.
xsoviet

 

I personally like the GL better than the R if the price different is little with the same equipment.

From you and another post from a different MB forum, it looks like MB has reduced the based price for $5,000+ for both R's. However, I am unsure it will reverse the trend of the slow sales since there has been a $5000 discount since beginning of the this year and the sale is still very slow. If I guess correctly, you should be able to get the dealer to sell you at invoice or less for 2007 since I doubt it will be a rush of buyers to pump up the demand of the 07 R.


Btw, do you know have their offer new colors or have any change to the exterior and interior for the 07?

 

Thanks for the advice. I know from my previous visit to the dealership that they sold R class (and other models) to some customers for $800 under invoice. I wanted to see if anyone knows any "detailed" suggestions as to negotiating the price. Maybe someone knows where to look for it on internet?

As far as the changes in color and exterior/interior goes, I do not know. The sales people I'm dealing with do not know much about their cars (believe it or not). When I first went into their office and asked for R calsss brochure they told me that MB did not come up with it yet!! Well, I already had one but left it at home when I came to tehir dealership!! I just wanted to look up some options. In my further investigation I realized that they do not know much about R class at all. It sounds like I'm putting them down, but I'm NOT. It is a MERCEDES BENZ after all!!! and not a Zhaporozhetz or Moskvich!! Anyway, I would appreciate any feedback for the price negotiation. xsoviet

 

http://www.carsdirect.com/home

 

xsoviet...where are you located?

 

San Diego, CA. ????

 

Oh alright...well I suggest you get the GL, I just think its nicer and more spacious and much more intimidating car

 

I saw this posted elsewhere, but it must be true then:

MSRP for the R350 is now $43,775 and the MSRP for the R500 is now $52,275.

Interesting prices and with the packages being set up the way they are, the R should show some type of sales increase for August/Sept depending on when most dealers get their 07's in.

M

 

From MBUSA


R350 $43,775

R500 $51,2775

These prices different from last years?

 

Yeah, both are exactly 5K less than last year's.

M

 

Just played around with building a R500, still coming out to about 68K with most of the good options. The P2 package is a must, as is the Air Suspension package and you may as well get leather is such an expensive vehicle.

They should sell a little bit better, but price was only one of the things holding the R-Class back from sales greatness.

M

 

USD 68K is more like it, if you do it up right....

 

I definitely disappointed of how little MB has done to improve the 07 R's. I was hoping some new colors (other than more blacks), slight exterior upgrade and more standard options for the 07.

With the $5K discount pretty much the whole year of '06, I doubt the reduced '07 price will have much impact to the sales, except we get another couple thousands dollar discount on top of that.....

 

Maybe with the success of the GL and ramped up production of the diesels for the US, now MBUSA isn't as dissapointed in the R sales as we all seem to think...

 

I have been thinking the same all along. Given the dismal market for most "big" non-sedans, I think MB has to be ok with selling 18-20k of the R's in the US for the time being.

I do remember reading somewhere before the big gas spike that M was looking to sell 24-30,000 and, while they will miss that mark by plenty in the US, they probably will hit it worldwide. I do think, though, that their marketing folks have screwed up again by simply cutting the price and reworking the option packages.

All that being said, I sure do seem to see a lot more of them around. I passed 5 today.

 

Don't forget the addition of the diesel ought to spike sales in all three classes-i mean, a combined EPA rating of >24mpg on the darn GL beast...that's impressive, especially since in real world driving you'll probably be able to beat that.

 

I checked out a GL up close and personal today while at the dealer for my "A" service. That is sure one large puppy. I liked it, though not enough to have wanderlust...yet

 

Yeah the last few months of the year will tell the story as far as diesel sales in the U.S. go. The R320 and ML320 both arrive in October. I think MBUSA opted not to do more to the R because it simply isn't selling. I would have though they'd add some standard equipment or at least give the thing better looking and larger standard wheels/tires. The real changes won't happen until facelift time I guess. What I don't understand is why the R/M are the only 07's models with the ancient V8s! That makes no sense to be at this time. The G I can understand, but a still a G550 would definitely put some pep on G sales too.

M

 

It was for a lease but I'm sure they would take the same amount off for purchase . . . but on an 06 on the lot, my dealer was willing to discount the car over $11000 (yes, eleven thousand).

MB is kicking back about 5 grand to the dealers right now and they were going just a little into holdback.

The R isn't selling as MB had hoped so jump on an 06 and save a bundle.

 

Just picked up a Pewter 06 R350 for the wife last weekend for $12k off MSRP. Definitely doesn't have the power that I'm use to but the gas mileage sure makes up for it. So far we're very happy with it.

 

AMGmag, what kind of mileage are you getting and with what octane fuel?

Thanks,

F1

 

Last weekend we drove it down the coast (about 250 miles) and averaged around 23mpg. I used 91 octane gas.