Dino333

First of all thank you to all you on this forum for your info. Apprehending an SL is a bit more complex than your "normal" car- with the "lame duckness" of this model and
the huge depreciation on used models... and the fact that fewer and fewer are buying them?

So after months of car research- I threw off the "Perfect" car and that is the BMW M2- its just way to loud - but the size is perfect- yes not a convertible but man that car is FUN to drive around the countryside in
and is the PERFECT size- SL being a roadster is a bit tighter of course. The E series- I love the coupe but not buying a coupe, and the convertible does look like your sitting in a tub LOL - but paying 90k for an E series doesn't really improve much on my 2015 S550 coupe- and then the RS5 beautiful car- awesome to sit in- the best seats of ALL seats- but at the end of the day 90k on an Audi?... nope- so the SL wins for many reasons

So I will be going to a dealer with SL450/Iridium Silver/Platinum interior/the 10 spoke "bright" wheels from the Designo models/ABC/B&O/Dinamica steering wheel etc- this comes down to about 110k.
I have a 2015 S550 Coupe to trade in that I am probably about 15k right side up on (more if I sell it outright yes but I have other stuff to do and am lazy lol)
And will have about 10k more to throw into it-
Looking to lease for 36 months- want to keep payments under 1K
Then see what the resale % is when lease is done and may just buy it at that point- its full loaded with everything I want.
My credit rating high 700's.
My goal is to lease, then buy taking of advantage of the (supposed) huge depreciation.

Questions:
1> I assume they would be giving SOME kind of discount off of this.
2> Assume all dealers have slots available for this
3> Assuming also MB Financial is the best source to lease from and not 3rd party (haven't leased in 30 years)
4> What else am i missing? I am sure there is something I am not taking into account.
5> Delivery of a new model I am guessing 3-4 months?

Thank you again, just want to have half a clue before the dealer tries to 'fog up" the deal

Streamliner

It will be one hell of a beautiful ride! You should get at least 10% off MSRP. Good luck!

Dr. Manhattan

Did I miss something? How are you avoiding the initial depreciation if you're making 36 lease payments before purchasing? I mean, don't they set the lease payment amount at somewhere around the rate of depreciation? I've never leased, so I'm really asking...

rmorin49

He is not, just delaying it and not tying all the money upfront.

tx170754

Yes, but he still pays the depreciation, true ?
On the other hand if he has all the money it will be better to just buy the car now, if he finance the car then he needs to pay the interest at the bank.
To me the best deals are buying cars with cash out of a lease when the car already took the depreciation hit.

Wolfman

Depreciation never stops even on a used car. Same difference, smaller amounts, older car.
People make their choices.
Coincidentally, buying a new car cash makes the least financial sense these days.

That said, I mentioned in another thread that I checked on the SL we returned in May and that car sold for more than the residual and thus depreciated less than Mercedes anticipated (35% in 3 years).

rmorin49

I may never buy another new car. Bought our CPO SL with just over 20K miles, Florida car, 3 year lease in perfect condition, brand new tires, new brakes, perfect paint for less than half of MSRP.

tx170754

Apparently this SL model is in big demand, it took me a couple of months to find the right one, sold the previous SL500 in just two days

TennesseeZ4

Like rmorin49; bought a three year old CPO which had lived in the Hamptons, like new with less than 15K miles, less than half MSRP. I have no worries over residuals after buying like that, and intend to put a lot of smiles, oh, I mean miles, on this car! We stopped buying new two decades ago; the exception being my wife's Accord Hybrid, which was a previous model year, still new on the lot; fantastic vehicle BTW.

Wolfman

I think the days of a 3 year old car for less than half MSRP are done. Ours sold for a touch under $80k 3years old, 21k miles, $124k new. At least on the facelifted model...

rmorin49

Someone really overpaid for your car, Wolfman. 50% depreciation in 3-4 years is pretty standard for almost every model except some of the 4WD pickups like the Tacoma.

Wolfman

I don’t think so. I can’t speak about 4 year old cars but there is no way you can find a 2017 SL550 for $60k or less (non salvage, accident car)

rmorin49

OK. A 2017 is only 2 years old. Wait till the 2020 model comes out and then we'll see. The trade in value will likely be 50% or less than the MSRP.

bob55

Buying a 231 'brand new' has never made much financial sense!....As I have said before, just like other high-end MB models, the depreciation is 'mind blowing' to say the least...

Better to let someone else take the initial huge depreciation hit unless of course, you just have 'money to burn'...... Fortunately, there are still enough people willing to 'burn money', so that the rest of us have a reasonable supply of quality used 231's to select from!....

i purchased a 'pristine condition', 2013 SL550 CPO in October of 2018 with just 15K miles, and I couldn't be happier. It has every option I wanted, (even Magic Sky Control). Soon after my purchase, I learned it had been 'the Palm Beach Car', of a 'Snowbird', who drove it only during the time spent at his 2nd (Winter) Home in Florida....(Feels more like a 'homerun' to me!)...

Really love my SL550's color scheme too!.... ...Foolishly, MB discontinued the lovely Palladium Silver Metallic exterior color after the 2015 model year. It looks so good with the Ginger Beige/Espresso Brown Nappa Leather Interior and Burlwood Trim, (mine also has the Burlwood Steering Wheel). Still feels and drives like a brand new car, and it continues to bring a smile to my face each and every time I drive it!.

The original List Price exceeded $120K, but thanks to a low mileage 'Snowbird', First Owner, I paid $44,900 to an Authorized MB Dealer in Palm Beach!..

Streamliner

This topic comes up every now and then, so I’ll chime in.

CPO deals can be fantastic. That said, if you are picky and particular, finding just the car you want can be very difficult, especially with the SL’s, as so few of them are built. And, the CPO discussion can almost never be had, without bringing up the ABC or “Active Body Control” option, as it is relatively rare on R231 SL550’s and almost nonexistent on SL450’s. If you don’t want ABC (some worry that it can be problematic and expensive to repair) or you can live without it (many feel the R231’s ride just fine without it) then CPO might be the way to go for many R231 buyers. For me, after owning a CPO 2013 SL550, that was virtually perfect in every respect, but did not have ABC, I just felt disappointed and unhappy with the ride quality of the car. As someone who feels very connected to the driving characteristics of vehicles, I hated the fact that the car did not ride nearly as well as the 2004 SL500 that I had owned for 12 years prior to buying the 2013, so I sold it and ordered a new SL450 with ABC. To say that I am ecstatic over my choice would be an understatement.

It should also be noted that there is a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction, for some folks, in ordering and taking delivery of a brand new car that was built just the way you ordered it. To these folks, myself included, there is great value in this experience. For me, I went from a car that irritated me each time I drove it, to a car that puts a grin on my face every time I take it for a spin. As far as I’m concerned, the price I paid for my new car (I actually leased it) AND the money I will lose on it, was money well spent. We all value things & experiences differently and nobody’s choice is wrong unless THEY think it is. Cheers!

rmorin49

Can't disagree with you, Streamliner. Different strokes for different folks. That's what makes life so interesting.

Wolfman

I think you are confused. Our 2017 is a 3 year old car.

There are a couple things to consider. First, the older model was more controversial from a design perspective and had a lower acceptance from prior SL owners. This resulted in pretty dramatic depreciation. Meanwhile, the design language has changed enough for people not to consider the car the ugly successor of the R230 but now like it better.
Second, it is summer and convertibles have better resale values which will go lower in fall/winter (with higher regional variances). Having the MY20 will do nothing to the resale value as there is virtually no supply on SL550 and any custom order will take the car into late fall delivery.

The SL's residual sits at 56% if memory serves.

Wolfman

Hmm...
All you did was to buy a 5 year old car for less than 40% of new car value. Nothing more, nothing less. You didn't make a better deal. Just less for less none-withstanding a high enjoyment factor.

I am not sure where this makes more financial sense than a new car. Used cars, especially without any warranty can very quickly make even less financial sense with one or two repairs. The R230 forum is full of those

tx170754

I've had my R230 for more than 10 years and it was one of the most reliable cars I've had, in fact, besides maintenance, it did not cost me one penny. and yeah, I know, I was the luck one....

Wolfman

We had one of the first SL55's in the country and we had the car for two plus years. There was about $25k in covered repairs performed on the car. We switched to a 2005 SL600 and owned that car for over seven years and the car was reasonably reliable except the ABC issue. While many think this is dramatic, it was not big deal compared to the V12TT maintenance costs. Ignition coils & plugs, turbo re-seal, brakes, tires, etc. The motor/transmission mounts replacement is normally cheap but on that engine required full removal due to the size = 40 hours labor.

Once a car is only worth $20K, a $5-7k repair feels more dramatic. Plus paying for the repairs increases the value of the car by exactly zero $.

tx170754

I only have 30,000 miles on my Cl 600 but, knock on wood, no repairs "yet"

bob55

You seem to have your 'head in the sand' with regard to the financial case for buying 'used' verses 'new'....

And....With regard to your commnets concerning the lack of a warranty and repair costs, apparently you failed to recognize that my SL550 is still under a CPO Warranty which doesn't expire until October of this year, (2019). Furthermore, I am yet to have the need for any sort of 231 repair, so zero money has been spent on repairs since I took possession of my 231. (I've had only 9-months of 231 ownership so far). However, i have no concerns over the need for future repairs once the CPO warranty does expire.. Having spent so much less to purchase my used 231 verses a new one, I am financially well-positioned to deal with whatever repairs may arise in the future. I know for sure that I won't ever have to deal with any expensive ABC repairs like I did with the 230 that I formerly owned! (No ABC on my 231, and I don't miss it)...

While you are willing to 'burn your money' at the 'peak levels' of 231 depreciation', (i.e.those incurred during the first 3-4 years of new purchase ownership), I certainly am not willing to do that. . I prefer 'burning a lot less money while enjoying virtually the same SL Roadster experience as those who bought their 231's 'brand new'. (Many of those people paid almost 3-Times the amount I paid!)...

FWIW, I haven't bought an SL Class, S-Class or CL-Class 'brand new' since I when I bought a R129 (SL500) new. I learned the MB 'financial lesson' a long time ago!...

Having said all that, I retierate that I am very grateful for all the 'big money burners' that are so willing to buy or lease SL Class vehicles 'brand new'. After all, it's those kind of 'deals' that keep a good supply of quality, late model, (used) 231's coming for the rest of us to enjoy!...

rmorin49

In 3 years I will be shopping for a nice low mileage 2019 SL. I encourage you big spenders to keep buying them.

allfortheunion

You, or anyone else, will have to wait a helluva long time before getting a shot at my current SL, because I'm keeping it.

Streamliner

I had my 2004 for 12 years. The ABC pump was replaced under warranty when it was about two years old. Never another problem with the car.