SL/R232: SL55 Inbound, should I take it?
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S430
SL55 Inbound, should I take it?
6 months ago I ordered an SL55. Dealer wanted $7500 over MSRP (ADM), claiming non-regular customers were going to be paying $10-$20k over.
Fast forward to today. Car is on boat on it's way over. And market has shifted. 6 months ago feels like an eternity, and in the interim, we ended up ordering and taking delivery of a 2023 E450 4matic cab last week from same dealer at MSRP
Feels like "ADMs" are disappearing daily. Add to that I'm seeing SL63s advertised at list. (not sure about SL55s).
My first thought is to tell the dealer I'm not paying a penny over MSRP due to current market - that will risk losing the car, which honestly, I'm totally OK with given current market conditions. However if market is really commanding over MSRP, am I foolish for not taking it?
Fast forward to today. Car is on boat on it's way over. And market has shifted. 6 months ago feels like an eternity, and in the interim, we ended up ordering and taking delivery of a 2023 E450 4matic cab last week from same dealer at MSRP
Feels like "ADMs" are disappearing daily. Add to that I'm seeing SL63s advertised at list. (not sure about SL55s).
My first thought is to tell the dealer I'm not paying a penny over MSRP due to current market - that will risk losing the car, which honestly, I'm totally OK with given current market conditions. However if market is really commanding over MSRP, am I foolish for not taking it?
Last edited by njcycleguy; Nov 15, 2022 at 05:52 PM.
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6 months ago I ordered an SL55. Dealer wanted $7500 over MSRP (ADM), claiming non-regular customers were going to be paying $10-$20k over.
Fast forward to today. Car is on boat on it's way over. And market has shifted. 6 months ago feels like an eternity, and in the interim, we ended up ordering and taking delivery of a 2023 E450 4matic cab last week from same dealer at MSRP
Feels like "ADMs" are disappearing daily. Add to that I'm seeing SL63s advertised at list. (not sure about SL55s).
My first thought is to tell the dealer I'm not paying a penny over MSRP due to current market - that will risk losing the car, which honestly, I'm totally OK with given current market conditions. However if market is really commanding over MSRP, am I foolish for not taking it?
Fast forward to today. Car is on boat on it's way over. And market has shifted. 6 months ago feels like an eternity, and in the interim, we ended up ordering and taking delivery of a 2023 E450 4matic cab last week from same dealer at MSRP
Feels like "ADMs" are disappearing daily. Add to that I'm seeing SL63s advertised at list. (not sure about SL55s).
My first thought is to tell the dealer I'm not paying a penny over MSRP due to current market - that will risk losing the car, which honestly, I'm totally OK with given current market conditions. However if market is really commanding over MSRP, am I foolish for not taking it?
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Joined: Nov 2003
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6 months ago I ordered an SL55. Dealer wanted $7500 over MSRP (ADM), claiming non-regular customers were going to be paying $10-$20k over.
Fast forward to today. Car is on boat on it's way over. And market has shifted. 6 months ago feels like an eternity, and in the interim, we ended up ordering and taking delivery of a 2023 E450 4matic cab last week from same dealer at MSRP
Feels like "ADMs" are disappearing daily. Add to that I'm seeing SL63s advertised at list. (not sure about SL55s).
My first thought is to tell the dealer I'm not paying a penny over MSRP due to current market - that will risk losing the car, which honestly, I'm totally OK with given current market conditions. However if market is really commanding over MSRP, am I foolish for not taking it?
Fast forward to today. Car is on boat on it's way over. And market has shifted. 6 months ago feels like an eternity, and in the interim, we ended up ordering and taking delivery of a 2023 E450 4matic cab last week from same dealer at MSRP
Feels like "ADMs" are disappearing daily. Add to that I'm seeing SL63s advertised at list. (not sure about SL55s).
My first thought is to tell the dealer I'm not paying a penny over MSRP due to current market - that will risk losing the car, which honestly, I'm totally OK with given current market conditions. However if market is really commanding over MSRP, am I foolish for not taking it?
Senior Member
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From: Miami/Washington DC
2022 AMG SL63, 2015 Ferrari 458 Spyder, 2021 ALPINA B7
Great car the SL55. I am 100% certain that if you tell dealer that you will not pay a penny over MSRP - he/she is going to say "Ok" . ADM's except in a few hot weather locations have gone the way of the dinosaur. And I have to say the concept of placing an order and then asking for an ADM is beyond nervy.
Net, net - I am very sure you will get your car at MSRP, however, if they really are morons and insist, walk away and you can pick it up sans ADM elsewhere.
Net, net - I am very sure you will get your car at MSRP, however, if they really are morons and insist, walk away and you can pick it up sans ADM elsewhere.
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If you are happy with the E450 cab and don't need anything more, save your money. But if you want one the last pure gas AMG V8's and a very fun to drive and luxurious convertible, and can get it for sticker, the SL 55 will be a great choice.
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
With current inventory levels I expect discounts off-MSRP before year-end. There are a lot of SL's sitting in lots of cold weather dealer locations... They will want to move these well before people are thinking of getting MY23's towards summer.
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S430
Unfortunately I committed to the SL long before I got the allocation for the E-class.
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From: Ohio
'16 C450, '21 Dad Wagon Pilot, '22 Wrangler 4xe
Coming from someone in a dealership, don't pay above MSRP for one. They are absolutely amazing cars but MB flooded the market with a ton of them at once. I have a 63 sitting in front of me on the showroom and an unclaimed 55 arriving any day.
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In that case, given OP's loyalty to that dealership I think it is fair to say that OP deserves a discount to lower than MSRP even.
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From: Ohio
'16 C450, '21 Dad Wagon Pilot, '22 Wrangler 4xe
Deserved or not, dealerships are not overwhelmed with inventory right now. Given OP's username, I am going to assume he is located in NJ which is not our small market with only so many individuals in a position to purchase a well over $100k toy car. MSRP is a realistic good buy.
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Deserved or not, dealerships are not overwhelmed with inventory right now. Given OP's username, I am going to assume he is located in NJ which is not our small market with only so many individuals in a position to purchase a well over $100k toy car. MSRP is a realistic good buy.
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Deserved or not, dealerships are not overwhelmed with inventory right now. Given OP's username, I am going to assume he is located in NJ which is not our small market with only so many individuals in a position to purchase a well over $100k toy car. MSRP is a realistic good buy.
I think there is a good chance that the OP can get a discount right now.
1. I wouldn't bother to negotiate with that dealer
2. The OP should have no problem finding about 20 SL's that would be spec'd to his liking on cars.com, cargurus.com, etc.. Ideally in northern states. Send the same message to all. Buyer ready to purchase today, looking for discount off MSRP. Have a number in your head. Obviously there is a question wether leasing or purchasing. I would not accept markup on MF. If purchasing don't say cash but financing.
3. Some dealers will laugh at you or tell you to pound sand, some dealers will likely decline but like to discuss and a small percentage (usually smaller dealers unable to move specialty cars at this time) will want to work with you.
4. If you have a commitment from another dealer you can always decide to visit your local dealer but I wouldn't. The one that worked with you deserves the sale IMO. The local dealer will likely get the service revenue but I would use this as an example to show them that there are choices.
I get that this is a rather new situation for dealers but the colder it gets the more unattractive these cars are for dealers. The channel is full of them so there is no easy way to move them elsewhere.
This could be time well spent
Last edited by Wolfman; Nov 17, 2022 at 05:03 PM.
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From: Ohio
'16 C450, '21 Dad Wagon Pilot, '22 Wrangler 4xe
Not sure if I agree with that. For a dealer asking for $7500 ADM and then come to MSRP, this must feel for a great sacrifice to the customer but the reality is that these cars are neither special or rare. In fact, the clock is running on the dealer. Flooring costs, little chance to move convertibles in the northern hemisphere due to weather and a 3-4 months window until the 23 orders will be placed and 22's sold at a bigger discount.'
I think there is a good chance that the OP can get a discount right now.
1. I wouldn't bother to negotiate with that dealer
2. The OP should have no problem finding about 20 SL's that would be spec'd to his liking on cars.com, cargurus.com, etc.. Ideally in northern states. Send the same message to all. Buyer ready to purchase today, looking for discount off MSRP. Have a number in your head. Obviously there is a question wether leasing or purchasing. I would not accept markup on MF. If purchasing don't say cash but financing.
3. Some dealers will laugh at you or tell you to pound sand, some dealers will likely decline but like to discuss and a small percentage (usually smaller dealers unable to move specialty cars at this time) will want to work with you.
4. If you have a commitment from another dealer you can always decide to visit your local dealer but I wouldn't. The one that worked with you deserves the sale IMO. The local dealer will likely get the service revenue but I would use this as an example to show them that there are choices.
I get that this is a rather new situation for dealers but the colder it gets the more unattractive these cars are for dealers. The channel is full of them so there is no easy way to move them elsewhere.
This could be time well spent
I think there is a good chance that the OP can get a discount right now.
1. I wouldn't bother to negotiate with that dealer
2. The OP should have no problem finding about 20 SL's that would be spec'd to his liking on cars.com, cargurus.com, etc.. Ideally in northern states. Send the same message to all. Buyer ready to purchase today, looking for discount off MSRP. Have a number in your head. Obviously there is a question wether leasing or purchasing. I would not accept markup on MF. If purchasing don't say cash but financing.
3. Some dealers will laugh at you or tell you to pound sand, some dealers will likely decline but like to discuss and a small percentage (usually smaller dealers unable to move specialty cars at this time) will want to work with you.
4. If you have a commitment from another dealer you can always decide to visit your local dealer but I wouldn't. The one that worked with you deserves the sale IMO. The local dealer will likely get the service revenue but I would use this as an example to show them that there are choices.
I get that this is a rather new situation for dealers but the colder it gets the more unattractive these cars are for dealers. The channel is full of them so there is no easy way to move them elsewhere.
This could be time well spent
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From: ST. Louis, MO
'16 SL550, '18 Porsche Macan GTS
Curious what the specs are on the incoming SL55? Looking for a loaded white one.
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From: Ohio
'16 C450, '21 Dad Wagon Pilot, '22 Wrangler 4xe
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I think this one is nicely loaded (no CCB, Burmester 3D). Also features the exclusive Nappa interior which looks great. Fully decked out the SL55 approaches $180k which I think is where the 55 loses being the value model.
Last edited by Wolfman; Nov 18, 2022 at 12:00 PM.
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2022 AMG SL63
My dealer posted a $50K Market Adjustment on the windshield of my SL63, but after walking away three times we settled on $5K over sticker. I love the car, even with it's few faults, particularly the wonderful sound and power of the AMG V8. Plus the cornering is impressive with the active anti-roll technology.
Last edited by JohnGigi; Nov 18, 2022 at 10:49 PM.
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From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
Right now many dealers are working down from ADM's as a "give" vs off MSRP's. Which is a joke. However I agree with others that these cars should be easily had under MSRP soon if not already. No way I'd MSRP on these. Wait it out.
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SL65(R231), SL65(R230), 600SL, 560SL(86), 560SL(89),250SL(68),250SL(67), 190SL, 300SL(GW)
This forum had a friendly debate recently concerning R232 pricing. One side guessed future pricing would still have ADMs and any thought of a discount off list was a fantasy. The opposite camp predicted sub MSRP in the very near future. We even debated whether a recession ( like we are in now) would have any affect). I want the hybrid SL 63 or 73.......at a 7% discount.
It appears we have an answer......... the consumers are winning!! I want the hybrid SL 63 or 73.......at a 7% discount.
It appears we have an answer......... the consumers are winning!! I want the hybrid SL 63 or 73.......at a 7% discount.
Senior Member
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Posts: 263
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SL65(R231), SL65(R230), 600SL, 560SL(86), 560SL(89),250SL(68),250SL(67), 190SL, 300SL(GW)
want NOT need always be willing to walk away from any deal if the terms are not favorable too many of us get "car fever"
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From: Texas
2022 AMG SL63
I just took delivery of my SL63 on Monday. Dealer tried to get 10k over, but I let them know that I wasn't going to pay that (tried to convince me it was a bargain since they were charging 20k). They relented rather quickly.
