cwilson830

I have two questions - thanks in advance for the help.

First, how much over invoice did you pay for your 280? I'm about to start shopping local dealerships before ordering, and I'm interested in hearing how much your dealer was willing to negotiate.

Second, is it worth it to go with the Obsidian Black over regular Black? All feedback is appreciated.

Thanks again!

Wilson

CMiYC

I can't comment on metallic versus non-metallic on the SLK but I can use other cars for comparison.

In my opinion, colors other than black look better with metallic paint. Non metallic has a much deeper glow when it is straight black. Metallic, on the other hand, tends to show less water spots and direct. Dust tends to "blend in."

Personally I'm opting for straight black. My 4-Runner is non-metallic and I really like it. The mirror shine after some Zanio is far more brilliant than with my previous metallic-black car.

JoeShark

I went with straight black on my SLK55 (sorry for the bad pic as the lighting was kind of poor). After talking with a few of the detailers at my MB dealership, I went with the straight black because it is a much deeper black than metallic black. When they parked two clean black cars side by side in the sun, the non-metallic had a much deeper look and more shine than the metallic black. The detail guys said it was because the metallic flakes tend to absorb some of the light. In the showroom, the difference wasn't as noticable, but out in the sun, it was very easy to see the difference.

HOWEVER, they did say just as CMiYC stated that metallic black was a little easier to maintain. Since this is strictly a second car for myself, I figured to go with the black that in my opinion looked the best (even if it would require a little more work).

JS

midget fidger

on the invoice questoin - my friend's parents bought a 2000 S430 and 2001 CLK430 at MSRP so when he went to get an SLK, he got them down to $1000 over invoice

cwilson830

Yeah, I ended up getting mine for a little bit under 1K over invoice.

wil_sutton

Mine was among the first delivered in the US (September), and I got it at invoice. There was never any discussion of price really, I just plugged in my options and they told me what it would cost (which matched the window sticker price when it arrived).

I was under the impression that MB truly frowned on inflating sticker price. Wonder if it's a regional thing? I'm in NC, for what it's worth...

cwilson830

So, did you get it at invoice or MSRP?

bloflin

Will, continued but common confusion... most people refer to INVOICE as the "supposed" cost the Manufacturer INVOICED the Dealer for. Sticker or List or MSRP is not invoice.

The difference between Invoice and Sticker is the Dealer profit.

You paid Sticker (or MSRP).

Duo-Art

bloflin is correct. When I placed my order in April of 2004, dealers were not discounting the car from MSRP (list price). Some were even requiring a premium of as much as $5,000 over list.

wil_sutton

That's what I meant... MSRP... my mistake...

I do know better... just was about half asleep when I posted...

doccyber

500 Dollars over invoice. Do you want to buy mine? As soon as the bumper is fixed it will be for sale. 05 SLK 350 w/ 1500 Miles on it. 2 months old. Brand new windshield after a rock hit it and status post removal of 2 door dings by paintless dent removal done at MB dealer at its first service. Also I have the wind deflector and the phone system installed.