Dealers upcharging new "S" class by $3k-$5k
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From: NJ
E300-4matic
Dealers upcharging new "S" class by $3k-$5k
Started looking for a new 2022 S class and much to my surprise (or amazement) some of the local dealers in the NYC Tri-State are selling them at list plus $3,000 to $5,000 increase over list. I'm looking for a S500 Luxury model that has a list of around $115,000 and then the dealers are taking on at least $3,000
and some as much as $5,000. So, a new S 2022 will run you about $118,000+. Mercedes has for the most part along with some dogs have always made very safe and well built cars but at $118K I think I would like to take a look at an Audi A8L which is also a well made car but without the name recognition of the MB "S" class cars plus they run about $20K less which is a substantial savings. I have owned my share of Audi A8's and "S" class cars and while I think the MB interiors are a bit nicer the Audi's never lacked in anything much beyond the interior differences. My dealer said he would never up charge anyone that walked thru his door to buy a MB regardless of model but it's a small MB dealership and I have been doing business with them for 30+ years, even so, I was told MB is now being run by accountants and their goal is to squeeze every penny of profit out of every sale regardless of model. I think if MB and their dealers keep up this "price gauging" up they will find they'll start loosing market share to Audi, BMW and some Japanese models. Lastly, the waiting time on a newly ordered car is 6 months and most of the new 2022 S500 models aren't being built with messaging seats as the chips that make that system run aren't available and the ones that are, are only being used on the S580 and S580e. Is this situation the same in other parts of the USA?
and some as much as $5,000. So, a new S 2022 will run you about $118,000+. Mercedes has for the most part along with some dogs have always made very safe and well built cars but at $118K I think I would like to take a look at an Audi A8L which is also a well made car but without the name recognition of the MB "S" class cars plus they run about $20K less which is a substantial savings. I have owned my share of Audi A8's and "S" class cars and while I think the MB interiors are a bit nicer the Audi's never lacked in anything much beyond the interior differences. My dealer said he would never up charge anyone that walked thru his door to buy a MB regardless of model but it's a small MB dealership and I have been doing business with them for 30+ years, even so, I was told MB is now being run by accountants and their goal is to squeeze every penny of profit out of every sale regardless of model. I think if MB and their dealers keep up this "price gauging" up they will find they'll start loosing market share to Audi, BMW and some Japanese models. Lastly, the waiting time on a newly ordered car is 6 months and most of the new 2022 S500 models aren't being built with messaging seats as the chips that make that system run aren't available and the ones that are, are only being used on the S580 and S580e. Is this situation the same in other parts of the USA?
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From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
It's a very difficult time for the consumer. Just make sure you really like what you buy because this free lunch that auto makers and dealers are having won't last forever, values will normalize eventually. Personally I'll never pay over for anything. MSRP is fair.
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From: Florida
The dealerships are individually owned by numerous companies/corporations, it is them who determines markups, not MBUSA. I personally would not buy any car over sticker so hopefully you find something that meets your needs.
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From: Florida
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MBUSA has so much to blame for though... For example, not being able to get AMG styling and 4 zone climate control...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
They clearly have issues, most automakers do. Pretty upside down IMO. Luxury experience = pay over MSRP or shown the door and miss some features that are part of every advertisement about the product. Dream what you "want" but can't have.
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
The 2022 S580 I ordered last June, finally came in about six weeks ago. The dealer wanted $10K over window. I told them to sell it to someone else. Then, I started using the search tool on the MBUSA website and found the same color combination I had ordered on a better equipped car. The dealer was 90 miles away, but agreed to $3,000.00 off MSRP and delivered the car to me on a flatbed truck at no charge. Years ago—before email— I started making all my car deals by fax. Now, of course, I use email. I even refuse to speak over the phone to the dealers, until the basic deal is struck. There is no way they are ever going to get me to sit in their office while they play their games and waste my time. It truly is a nationwide market these days and shopping around can pay off nicely. Best of luck to you.
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From: Los Angeles
Panamera, '63 Impala
I would say at least 60% of all dealers are charging over MSRP for vehicles. Not just MB dealers. Even Honda dealers were charging markup for the new Honda Civic. As long as people continue to pay it, they will keep trying to get it.
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No more MB:(
Originally Posted by ColeBlooded
I would say at least 60% of all dealers are charging over MSRP for vehicles. Not just MB dealers. Even Honda dealers were charging markup for the new Honda Civic. As long as people continue to pay it, they will keep trying to get it.
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From: Birmingham, AL
2019 S560, 2022 Audi S8
The 2022 S580 I ordered last June, finally came in about six weeks ago. The dealer wanted $10K over window. I told them to sell it to someone else. Then, I started using the search tool on the MBUSA website and found the same color combination I had ordered on a better equipped car. The dealer was 90 miles away, but agreed to $3,000.00 off MSRP and delivered the car to me on a flatbed truck at no charge. Years ago—before email— I started making all my car deals by fax. Now, of course, I use email. I even refuse to speak over the phone to the dealers, until the basic deal is struck. There is no way they are ever going to get me to sit in their office while they play their games and waste my time. It truly is a nationwide market these days and shopping around can pay off nicely. Best of luck to you.
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Yes, but that’s a different story. I am now driving a car loaded with rear seat options—that only my grandchildren will enjoy fooling with—because I wanted the 10 degree rear axle steering. That option should be available separately, but MBUSA made it part of their made up “Executive Line,” and loaded the car with expensive, rear seat options, that many will rarely if ever use. Oh well.
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Volvo XC90
I got $14000 off a 580 in the Southeastern US but many dealers aren’t discounting and want sticker or over sticker. I wouldn’t pay a premium for a depreciating asset but you have to do what is right for you.
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From: Hong Kong, China
2021 S450 4Matic
It is free market economics. Supply (dealers) and demand (buyers) both have a say on the final price of the car. In fact, this is applicable to pretty much many things like a house or a stock. No rocket science.
I tolerate a markup (when demand > supply) as much as I welcome a markdown/discount (when supply > demand). Another thing is, I might pay a markup for this car but then I might buy the next car with a discount. In the long run over my entire life of buying cars, markups and discounts probably would just cancel each other out. At the end of the day, I bet I have paid MSRPs all along....lol
I tolerate a markup (when demand > supply) as much as I welcome a markdown/discount (when supply > demand). Another thing is, I might pay a markup for this car but then I might buy the next car with a discount. In the long run over my entire life of buying cars, markups and discounts probably would just cancel each other out. At the end of the day, I bet I have paid MSRPs all along....lol
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2024 S580
I've also never paid a markup, the only time I ever paid MSRP was for my wife's 2004 Prius. I drove 350 miles into WV to get it to avoid the huge markup and wait for them in the DC area.
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Cars
Find another dealer
I just found two very close friends the exact car they both wanted from Mercedes of Palm Springs. They both checked out Fletcher Jones in Newport and Mercedes in SD and Brenda got them both into a brand new S 580’s in identical colors, for below list. One was on the floor and the other was a dealer trade. Both bought on the same day. It all depends on the dealership and their ethical practices. I ordered my S63 4MC right before they discontinued it and I didn’t pay even close to sticker in February. It’s worth buying from any dealer in the country and having the car shipped, rather than paying over list for a car that will be worth less than 1/2 plus the additional mark-up. KBB doesn’t care how much you pay for the car, it’s all in what’s it’s worth when you go to sell that matters.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,123
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I just found two very close friends the exact car they both wanted from Mercedes of Palm Springs. They both checked out Fletcher Jones in Newport and Mercedes in SD and Brenda got them both into a brand new S 580’s in identical colors, for below list. One was on the floor and the other was a dealer trade. Both bought on the same day. It all depends on the dealership and their ethical practices. I ordered my S63 4MC right before they discontinued it and I didn’t pay even close to sticker in February. It’s worth buying from any dealer in the country and having the car shipped, rather than paying over list for a car that will be worth less than 1/2 plus the additional mark-up. KBB doesn’t care how much you pay for the car, it’s all in what’s it’s worth when you go to sell that matters.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
The 2022 S580 I ordered last June, finally came in about six weeks ago. The dealer wanted $10K over window. I told them to sell it to someone else. Then, I started using the search tool on the MBUSA website and found the same color combination I had ordered on a better equipped car. The dealer was 90 miles away, but agreed to $3,000.00 off MSRP and delivered the car to me on a flatbed truck at no charge. Years ago—before email— I started making all my car deals by fax. Now, of course, I use email. I even refuse to speak over the phone to the dealers, until the basic deal is struck. There is no way they are ever going to get me to sit in their office while they play their games and waste my time. It truly is a nationwide market these days and shopping around can pay off nicely. Best of luck to you.
M
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