LAWYER2

Sold my 5-series today and am currently car-less (besides my classic cars) and was ready to pull the trigger on THIS 2015 S550 priced at $44k with about 44k miles. I figured if I could get them down to $40k (Plus $5k taxes/fes) I'd be driving home. Nope. The salesman said they can knock a few hundred bucks off, but that's it and basically told me to go pound sand lol. Is this a thing now? He said they don’t purchase cars from auctions, all their used inventory is from trade or lease turn-in's and they make very little off them. I really liked the exterior/interior color since I don't see them often. Any input on whether this is worth going back with my tail between my legs?

C Swenson

I really like the color combo as well. For me going back it wouldn't be a tail between my legs issue. It's your hard earned money and it's your decision to arrive at in your own way and in your own time. No shame or embarrassment in making sure that you're getting a fair deal. I'd ask to see the paperwork on the car and what they have in it. If they don't have room to deal, have them show you for your own peace of mind.

On Halloween I purchased the same vehicle in exterior trim, wheels and year. It's got one or two more options with black exclusive inside and obsidian out. Mine is a 4matic with 32000 miles on it and I paid 49K. It was also from a "no-haggle" (take-it-or leave-it) dealership. I found it after searching countrywide for eight weeks straight two days after it was traded in and before it went through the CPO process. Frankly, I thought they were going to tack the CPO cost on top of the 49K and I was delighted that it had already been factored in. I would have paid more for this car.

That being said, if you really like it, it thoroughly checks out, and it checks off all the boxes for you - go for it. At the very least it might be worth going back to give your salesperson (or maybe another salesperson) a chance to make it work for you. The car just sitting on the lot is costing them money especially with the end of the month coming up. Encourage them to be creative with incentives to make you happy enough to seal the deal.

SilberGrau57

If you want a real-world price comparison, check CarMax for similar cars. They are absolutely a no-haggle operation, they won't budge $1 on their advertised prices. You can search nationwide inventory and ship the car to your nearest store. Then they will hold it for you until you can visit them. You're always going to pay more at a dealership for a used car because of the false assumption you get better service/support if something is wrong with the car.

2012 merc amg

Both those deals are not bad deals. Op is there any warranty on the car? I just bought a 2017 for 61k with 16k mikes and 22 months factory plus CPO. These are awesome cars. I use to have a 2015 I sold for 45 k trade in to the dealer a year ago. It had 53 k miles on it. No issues ever.

joeyb1000

I'm not saying not to buy it, but there is some level of BS here. The dealer says they don't buy at auction, but the carfax report says it's a Los Angeles car that was sold to that dealer at auction. And, the original sale in 2016 had 6k miles which means it was probably a demo.
Rather than go back with your tail between your legs, you have a legitimate reason to put him on the defensive.

2012 merc amg

The price does sound a little steep. I saw a 2015 with 40k miles on it at Tampa for 39k. It was iridium silver. It was in good shape. Different areas make a difference too.

S_W222

am not saying that I disagree with other members who recommended that you negotiate a little more, but honestly I think the price is fair. The car has 44K miles and it's loaded with good number of interior/exterior options, so i don't blame the dealer for not be willing to negotiate more than few $100s knowing the price they are asking for is kina fair. I had the same issue when I purchased one of my cars before from MB dealer, he said price is final and can only accept few 100s. I wrote a number on a piece of paper (that number was $2,500 less than asking price! for another car model that worth around same number in your post), and asked the salesman to present to his manager and get back to me with a yes or no answer without any number in between and I told him I'll leave immediately if you come back to me with a number, i just need yes or now, with yes meaning a deal and me paying today, or no meaning I'll leave (a number means also am leaving even if it's $1 more). wasn't trying to be tough but that's how i like to buy, he came back and said: Sorry, then he laughed when I shaked hands to leave, and said wait man, we have a deal answer is yes !!!!!! I signed papers and left with the car same day.... With that said, if I felt that the original asking price was fair, i would have paid without negotiating.

LAWYER2

I followed SilberGrau57's advice and scoured CarMax & Edmonds for similar model years and comparatively, the price is fair, even somewhat lower to similar cars. Honestly, I was just taken aback at the dealers unwillingness to even budge and let me walk, lol. I guess I've been out of the car buying game for awhile and didn't realize this was a thing now. On the way out, I spoke to a older salesman (since my guy was young & new) and asked if this was the way it was. He responded, with the used car game as competitive as it is and buyers ability to compare and shop nationwide, their mark-up is very little. I would go the CarMax route, there were some really nice cars, but the color combo and location convenience is what's most attractive.

bkdc

Many dealerships offer no-haggle pricing on used cars which reflect the local market’s current real sales prices. Many mega-dealerships (like SONIC) have adopted no-haggle pricing. These prices AUTOMATICALLY ADJUST and drop with time as the car sits on the lot. If no one buys the car, the price will drop monthly if not weekly. There’s very little room to move on the used car price. The prices are usually fair. Again, they reflect the local market’s comparable recent sales prices.

ygmn

Used car sellers be it whomever make there money when they BUY the car since prices can be found all over the internet for just about anything.

mrmotoguzzi00

make very little ? total BS

LAWYER2

I bought it. They knocked off $500 bucks lol. After researching, I feel okay about it. The color combo is phenomenal.

Sandy Eggo

Congrats! That's a rarely spec'ed interior for sure - the silver/ash wood - you almost never see. Enjoy.

2012 merc amg

Ya, congrats. They do have a point that good used cars are tough to come by though these days especially in the right colors and it's getting to the point where there are more buyers than decent cars out there. So sounds like you did alright. Very nice wood, I like it better than my Burl wood other than that it looks the same as my car, same color, same wheels, same color int. just different wood.

E300-18

IME, no haggle pricing is not common these days, but I wish it was. I hate negotiating, but new car dealerships force me to face a team of professional negotiators.

I bought my last car through a car broker. I was considering various manufacturers. I could send him an email with the brand and specs I was considering, and he would send me back a price, and it was a pretty good price.

The first time I ever met him was when he drove to my house to deliver my new Mercedes. I wrote him a check in my own living room, and then I gave him a ride in my new car to his next car pickup location.

superpop

I have yet to meet a used car salesperson that does not lie like a rug. They will say anything to pull more money out of your pocket. I doubt they have 4K profit in that car though. Probably closer to 2K.

LAWYER2

Well I actually DID NOT buy the car. They did show me the dealersheet showing they paid $41k for the car and put in what they claim was $6100 in service which looked to be an: inspection, oil change, some electrical updates to the radio/command (not specific), door adjustments and new 20" run flat tires.
As mentioned, I was willing to pay $5k in TTF's in cash, but they presented the entire amount $47,056 to my credit union for finance. The credit union countered and basically said the car books at $38k and they cannot go that far past LTV ratio. So they found another credit union that would finance the entire amount at about 5.9% APR. I said I was willing to put $5k down and the finance guy talked me out of it basically explaining that it wasn't worth it and could be put to better use elsewhere.
Anyhow, as we were talking, he admitted the car only booked at $38k and I asked him straight up, what would justify me paying nearly $6 over book value for a used car. He responded they do much more to prep the cars than your average flashy auction bought dealer who just details a car and put it on the lot. It was at that point where we looked at what they'd done and I decided I'm not paying an extra $6k for tires, inspection & oil change. He basically agreed and that was the end of it.

We crunched the numbers on leasing (under my business) a (very modestly equipped) 2020 S450 with about $3500 down at roughly $1350/mo. I said I'd think about it after some feedback from leasehacker.com. He came back and dropped 50 basis points (to $1250/mo) because he knew it would get torn to shreds and he didn't want his name associated with it, lol. I said I'll think about it. I dunno, I literally don't have a car, but I don't want a w222 that bad to justify the aforementioned numbers. May just pick up a 2019 Mustang GT convertible in the interim

C Swenson

Good for you! I'm glad you saw the dealer sheet numbers and walked away. Sounds like you gathered information, listened to your gut, and acted wisely.
It's also gotta be disappointing. That color combo! But, as a car broker once told me: "Don't worry if you lose this one, there's always another car...".
Best of luck in your search.

superpop

If they paid 41K for the car and it required another 6K in repairs and deferred maintenance, they sound like they do not know what they are doing. Especially if the car books at 38K. If it books at 38K it is probably worth around 40K with a new set of tires and service. Either that or they are lying to you about what they really have into the car. Probably the latter. I would go back and offer 40K and if they say no, then walk. You should not be paying for their incompetence.

LAWYER2

Though the finance guy said book was $38k, he said retail was a little over $42k. I suppose from the lenders position, book value means what they could expect to sell at auction. I should add the dealer did repaint the bumper, further adjust the door hinge (soft-close wasn't closing completely) and remove a small dent at my request today. Can you tell I've still been ruminating about it, lol. I'll sleep on it and decide tomorrow.

ETA they did also offer a 4yr/40K warranty for $3500

stever500

OMG... it's only money, man. If you hold out for the very best deal in life all the time and sweat over a few grand in either direction, you may end up missing out on a truly great used car now and then. Bottom line is you love the car, the dealer is close by and it looks killer. Just buy it! Who cares about a few grand if you love it? It's still less than 1/2 price of new and we could be all dead within a year from whatever. I've learned that in life, if I really want something, even if it's a bit more than I want to pay, I should just get it anyway since I may not find another one like it.

Life's short. Go for it! Or not...

JALLEN4

There is an easy solution to this problem...just go buy the car from the "Book". I am sure they will take good care of you.

LILBENZ230

OP I had this same experience recently with a CPO W212. It was a hard to find color (designo red), with hard to find real leather and really hard to find open pore wood. Dealership would not budge. I ended up watching the car for a few weeks and they dropped the price by a couple grand during that time. I again tried to negotiate at the lower price and still the answer was no. But I ended up buying it anyway.

After seeing what they gave me on my trade and then what they were asking for my trade when they listed it, I now believe them when they say markup isn't high. I got the car I wanted. I still hate the car buying process but if it is the right car.. and a fair deal.. don't miss it.

efathalla

They don't really negotiate prices on pre-owned vehicles until it's aged in their inventory!!

Sandy Eggo

I'm surprised they didn't CPO the car for 2 years. Maybe you can get them to do that and seal the deal.

Or, you know, go buy a fully loaded 2020 Honda Accord for what the bank wants to loan you.