MB-CT

Hi everyone. Picked up a new 2008 S550 yesterday. MSRP $99,050 price was $81,500. Options P3, Ipod integration and wood/leather steering wheel. I know MB is offering $8,000 dealer incentive on the car and perhaps more in this case. See below.

I took a quick highway ride and was surprised how quickly the car downshifted when I lifted off the gas. Seemed to slow the car too much as I was just easing because of traffic and not because I actually wanted to slow. Is this normal or is the car just starting to "learn." By the way, the dynamic contour seats are amazing in how they automatically provide more bolster in a turn.

Car is new (15 miles) but it was built in Jan. 2008. Dealer just got it in stock on 8/11/08. Where has this car been since Jan. 2008? Stored at the port waiting for a dealer to purchase?

Dan

Mrkhan347

mb-ct,

congrats on the 550! what a lovely price!

As far as the where abouts of the vehicle since 1-08; hmmm im not sure either, but my guess would be that the vehicle was indeed waiting for a dealer to purchase, but what do i know?

take care and as always, enjoy your vehicle in good health!

syswei

You got a good deal, Dan. I got mine in July at $16k off msrp. Production date was 4/08. Don't know why yours took so long to get to the dealer.

AustinGuy

Wow!

And here I was back in April thinking that $9000 off was a great deal! I guess if I waited 3 more months I would have saved $7000.

I guess the moral of the story is ....

PATIENCE.

Wait for 1-2 months after the new model date and then buy the previous year's model. The question then becomes how much does buying a "year old" car really benefit you? Maybe someone has depreciation numbers handy.....?

MSL01

Grabbed a brand new (11 miles) 08 S550 with sticker of a little over $101k (P3 & AMG packages) for $81k - deals are around, you just have to find them.

trumpet1

Most likely one dealership swapped it for another. Probably a customer was wanting a car they had and they took a swap. Only thing I can think of.

keith100

"I took a quick highway ride and was surprised how quickly the car downshifted when I lifted off the gas. Seemed to slow the car too much as I was just easing because of traffic and not because I actually wanted to slow."

It should upshift when you lift off the gas. But I know what you mean - the 7 sometimes "hangs" on to a lower gear, rather than upshifting, when you lift off the gas, and you get noticeable engine braking. Very annoying, and the guy behind probably thinks you're a pratt.

Hope you enjoy that nice S. The jan build date prob. results from a cancelled order - not unusual in these times - and your good fortune.

Keith

MB-CT

Thanks for all replies.

Dan

syswei

BTW, what dealer did you buy from?

MB-CT

Purchased at Greenwich Mercedes Benz in CT. I note that dealer incentive is now up to $10,000 for September.

syswei

I live in Greenwich....when I was at the dealer in July, the salesguy I had didn't even admit that there were incentives on the car! Really turned me off, and I started talking to other dealers.

For future reference, who was your salesperson? The 17.5k off you got is really good for a Aug deal for this part of the country, but I'm wondering if you had a trade-in, and if there was a loan or lease involved? (Dealer can capture some extra profits that way if you aren't careful).

BTW if you see a black S550 4matic around town with chrome door handle inserts and chrome mirror housings, that's probably me.

PurpleHaze

I'm aware of the 10k manufacturer to Dealer incentive, but where is this additional 6-9k off incentive, just want my ducks in a row when I head to the dealer.

MB-CT

Syswei re: "For future reference, who was your salesperson? The 17.5k off you got is really good for a Aug deal for this part of the country, but I'm wondering if you had a trade-in, and if there was a loan or lease involved? (Dealer can capture some extra profits that way if you aren't careful)."

Mark Dedushi was the sales person. The "deal" was not much of my doing. I went on Autotrader just to check available cars in the area and the Greenwich dealer was showing 25 S550s with a special tab pricing a S550 with P2 for $79,997. I knew there was an $8,000 manufacturer to dealer incentive from looking at Edmunds, but I was surprised by the low advertised price. I got Mark when I asked for their internet sales person and mentioned the S550 was what I was interested in. When I told him I wanted the P3 he spoke to his manager and told me $81,500. I did have a trade, but I always get a straight cash price first when buying a car. That is the only way to really compare deals. They did not care one way or the other if I was trading a car. The trade was an 04 VW Phaeton, but not worth too much in this market, etc.

This is primarily my wife's car. I tried to get her to go for a Prius but she wasn't having it!

Re pricing in general, MB and the dealers have to work with each other. MB clearly has many unsold S550s. As noted my production date was 1/08 and the dealer had a new one on the floor with a 11/07 production date. After manufacturer incentives to dealers, it gets a little murky for me but I think dealers are willing to sell for little or no profit to assist MB and score points for priority on future models. There may also be additional cash back for volume but in the past I thought that was more of an American manufacturer practice with their dealers.

Mrkhan347

msl01,

wow what a deal!

syswei

MB-CT,

Thanks for the info, it will come useful next time.