Hey Guys

Newbie here & California based... finally got enough assets to buy a fancy MBZ and well i am getting older and life is short and well, health/back issues make the S-350 seem a very very good choice!? The E class BTC is simply so clunky by comparison! And i am sort of a big guy 6' 2" 200lbs -- stupid long legs ;-)

So anyway, I am not only new to this board but to MBZ as well and i want to purchase only an S-350BTC4matic 221 either 2012 or 2013... been shopping (mostly via autotrader) & test drove one... by the way -- oh my god -- what a beautiful piece of machinery! Spooky nice in evvery regard!!

In any case ... seems like these S350 4matic BTC just do not move very fast off dealer lots... used or new! So, what kind of incentives or deal can i expect for a new or almost new 2013 still sitting on the lot??? And a used one??? Man these cars just seem to drop like a rock in value like all s-class... but, better for me as i will own it forever... but, used mbz car dealers mark up ??? Like 20 to 25% ?? Wow!

Basically I am confused as the process to buy a car or mbz has changed a little or a lot -- and to maybe benefit the dealer.... As I am used to sending via fax a wish list to like 10 dealers and make them compete for my biz... seems like this is not possible for 221 s-350 MBZ... especially on a car that is not offered by the manufacturer anymore... mbzusa does not even have it listed as available so i can not seemingly get a quote...

Basically -- can you guys please help to educate me on the process???

Is there a way to put a want list out there in cyber world that i am missing? Or do i Just have to search by foot and walk in to a dealer and do the knuckle dragging dance???? I just don't want to over pay for something that will drop like crazy right after i start the engine for my drive home!

And I will travel anywhere in the states to purchase... would luv a road trip home in such a pleasure machine! ;-)

So, do i just email dealers like crazy?? Only speak with a manager?? Or what?? Because of the 4 dealers i went to, way more than 50% of the salesmen did not even know the S-350BTC4matic existed -- what the hell? Seemingly, just ran into not very smart people and too many of em.... lol

Thx a lot for any words of advice!!!

Luv this forum -- it is a wonder how helpful or of service so many are... wish the rest of the world were so good! ;-))

Oh i luv diesel cars... have two others now... just more practical models...
Of course warranty and/or cpo makes the most sense....
lol
Charlie

 

Hi Charlie, welcome to MBWorld!


Back issues are one of the reasons I went from an E to an S class too. My hour long commute feels like 10 minutes between the comfortable seats, massage, and Airmatic suspension. And let's face it: You can't take your money with you and your kids will probably blow it all on dope and hookers, lol.


You are right that S350s in Cali don't seem to move quickly. I think its for two reasons mostly: 1. Diesel sedans are still struggling to achieve a positive image in the U.S., particularly in image conscious California. 2. The car is so rare on the West Coast that most salesman (and service advisors) know little about them and consequently they aren't really excited about trying to answer questions in the sales process. Its so weird when you go to Europe and 3 out of 4 S classes are diesels when the opposite is true here.


My problem finding the perfect S350 was all about the rarity. When a listing or e-mail would finally pop up features I wanted were missing, or the car was completely thrashed from working as a limo, or they wanted way too much. I looked for almost a year before I pulled the trigger.


I'm not an expert at buying and selling cars by any stretch of the imagination but I've owned one of just about every make over the years. My own personal experience is that times have changed and lately I have had the best luck e-mailing the Internet Sales Manager directly about what I'm looking for and what I want to pay.


Search sites are effective as well. It surprises me how years ago only indy dealerships and private sellers were there and now everybody is. I think AutoTrader is great but so is Cars.com and Autobytel.com. There are lots more but those three are my go-to sites.


I'm sure you will get plenty of great advice here on the forum. Good luck and once again, welcome.

 

I agree with E-300, welcome to the forum, BTW, I found this link about a 2014 S350 that caught fire over in Germany

http://www.gtspirit.com/2014/04/12/b...g-engine-fire/

Look for your features and pick a car with them. I found a car with the features I wanted and with a special order color on the interior.

MBebnz indicates that the S350 and the Hybrid may not be back for a couple of years.

 

I'm assuming you could get a great deal.

Back in 2012 when I got my S63, I got almost 20% off msrp on a lot car (140 instead of 172) and this was before the official announcement of the W222. The dealer also threw in the 3 year maintenance package for free as well.

Given that the W222 is well into production, you'd be able to negotiate a great deal on a new W221. I saw this S600 that was damaged by hail (but completely restored) with delivery mileage listed at 99. You might be able to get them close to cpo prices.

Good luck!

 

My car actually came from SoCAL, so you never know where your car will come from. I would go for either model year.

 

Thank you very much all ... for the help ! Especially E300 Diesel... sharing your experience has given me more patience! A year of looking?.... well then i have quite a few months left to shop! ;-)

Anyway,one dealer got down to 86k from 103K on a new s350... still not sure... as as soon as if drive it off -- they would probably not give me even $65k for it...

I will keep looking for the right s350 --

Though there are a couple more out there a bit used that may make more sense...

Just gotta think that MBZUSA would be giving the dealers a pretty big incentive to sell those new 2013 s350btc's that just sit on the lot...

We'll see when the time is right to "pull the trigger" and when the car is right...

thx again!
c

 

Any updates?

 

$20k off MSRP is common, but MB really doesn't want to finance it so bring your own financing or cash.

 

Thank you for all the help.... did a bunch of research and now have a broader range of what i wish for in an S350.... will start contacting sellers of the s350 after my trip to lake tahoe

ty again
c

 

Remember to try get all the features that you need/want, and if you can afford, get a car still under factory warranty, and leave open the option of purchasing an additional 2 years of CPO warranty. I targeted cars with under 25k miles, and I finally chose between an S550 with 20k miles and the S350 with 24k miles, and chose the S350. I will most likely go for the extending my warranty in a year or two. Good Luck and have fun driving them!

 

OBTW, when you purchase, tell us how the selection was made and how the negotiations with the dealer actually went, and finally please post pics!