Buy local vs Dealer swap 50 miles away
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Pensacola
2018 S560 4Matic Anth Blue
Buy local vs Dealer swap 50 miles away
I'm about to buy a 2015 S550 and got a $99k price quote (MSRP $111k) at my local (12 miles) dealer, in the color and most options I want. However, a dealer about 45 miles away (nearly an hour drive) has the same color with better/more options that I like. The MSRP is $129,000. I know dealers often do swap/trades but I am conflicted on how to proceed: drive and buy at further location or ask local dealer to arrange a swap? I'm thinking a swap would likely result in a higher price than buying direct. Thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Leaving my Lexus LS behind (can't take the "new" styling and grill, etc.) so this is my first post here. Be gentle. 
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From: NYC
S550
I'm about to buy a 2015 S550 and got a $99k price quote (MSRP $111k) at my local (12 miles) dealer, in the color and most options I want. However, a dealer about 45 miles away (nearly an hour drive) has the same color with better/more options that I like. The MSRP is $129,000. I know dealers often do swap/trades but I am conflicted on how to proceed: drive and buy at further location or ask local dealer to arrange a swap? I'm thinking a swap would likely result in a higher price than buying direct. Thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Leaving my Lexus LS behind (can't take the "new" styling and grill, etc.) so this is my first post here. Be gentle.
I suggest you buy what you like rather than settle. I settled on my interior color w/a few minor options missing and regret it months later...
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Pensacola
2018 S560 4Matic Anth Blue
Thanks. I wanted some input before asking the local dealer about the swap. It just seemed natural that bringing a much more expensive car in from another dealer might pose a trade problem and cost me money. My local dealer has about 17 S550's but the highest MSRP is $117k. The distant (45 miles) dealer has many more and this one is $129k. I'm not sure how these swap arrangements work, but I am sure that any additional cost will be mine, especially if the distant dealer isn't as aggressive in his pricing attitude.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Pensacola
2018 S560 4Matic Anth Blue
I think some may be missing the point. I don't mind buying the more expensive unit to get what I want (though it does have several things I have no interest in, like rear entertainment pkg and night vision). I'm trying to decide whether to give my local dealer a chance to get it for me from the other dealer - or - going direct to the distant dealer expecting a better price.
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S, GL
I think some may be missing the point. I don't mind buying the more expensive unit to get what I want (though it does have several things I have no interest in, like rear entertainment pkg and night vision). I'm trying to decide whether to give my local dealer a chance to get it for me from the other dealer - or - going direct to the distant dealer expecting a better price.
If I were you, I wouldn't suggest a swap. I'd keep the 2 separate and leverage them against each other for the best deal working hard on getting the one you want. As soon as you suggest the swap, you've lost leverage.
50 miles is nothing to me, I don't consider that far to drive for a car.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Pensacola
2018 S560 4Matic Anth Blue
Ok, thanks to all. Both cars are Lunar blue, the cheaper one has base nut brown leather interior. The "nicer" one has exclusive Porcelain interior. While I really like the look, I wonder about how easy it will be to keep those white seats clean! Here's the interior of the Porcelain $129k car:
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From: New Jersey
2013 S550 4matic (AMG sport package), 2016 Corvette Stingray.
As others have stated 50miles is nothing I would just make the drive to that dealer if you have been quoted the price you want and get the car that your heart desires. I wouldn't entertain the swap unless it was really far.
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From: Southern California
2007 CL550
All dealers will do maintenance and warranty repair work on your vehicle regardless of whether you purchased it from them or any other Mercedes dealer. MBUSA reimburses them for all warranty work.
Buy from the dealer who gives you the best price, then have it serviced at the most convenient dealer.
The only caveat is some dealers provide additional benefits only to vehicles that were purchased from them such as free airport parking and free car washes for as long as you own your vehicle.
Buy from the dealer who gives you the best price, then have it serviced at the most convenient dealer.
The only caveat is some dealers provide additional benefits only to vehicles that were purchased from them such as free airport parking and free car washes for as long as you own your vehicle.
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From: pittsburgh
'25 740i; '15 targa4s; '24 cayenne
your dealer should be happy to get the car you want. hell - he can even reach into the vpc if it just arrived at port for you. he will just 1/ buy the car from the assigned dealer; 2/ trade one of his existing cars in inventory; or 3/ offer a future allocation to the dealer giving up the car. it's all accounting bookwork as far as the dealer is concerned so it all works out in the end. as far as the pricing on the car that is not at your selling dealer - your selling dealer should be able to offer the same deal percentage-wise (in your case 10.8% off) the car you want. you wont get the 129 car for 99 for which he offered on the 111 car. but i bet he is willing to sell you the 129 car for 10.8% off (i.e., the same deal you have on the 111 car); he wants your business and the last thing he wants is for you to go to the dealer that has the car you want and negotiate. because that dealer wont give up the car to your closer dealer if they suspect they have a live one on the line. my advice? deal with only your local dealer and get the same percentage off deal on the car you want. no matter where it is located.
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2006 E320 CDI 2014 C63 507 Coupe 2012 E550 4M 2016 E63s Wagon
I would go to the other dealer. The fact that you have one lined up for $99k at competing dealer puts you in a pretty good position to negotiate. Play dumb and ignore the additional sticker price.
