Is my dealer b$ing me?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 223
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From: Boston
2006 SLK55 AMG
Is my dealer b$ing me?
2-3 Weeks ago I figured I would check out a 2004 E55 my dealer had on the lot to see what it was going for: $63,000 with 23,000 and pretty much loaded. I tried to get a discount but they said there was no room? That was the first weird part about my dealer.
I then proceeded to appraising my car, figuring out a possible trade-in value. They wanted to give me $52,000 MAX for a 2006 SLK55 AMG fully loaded with 12,000 miles and excellent condition. Even on KBB it was going for $54,000. After almost an hour of negotiating they said "I'm sorry. We have to stick to KBB! We can't go anywhere with the E55 price!" So as a way to make them a little nervous, I proceeded to saying "Ok, so let us treat the E55 as a trade in car and see what the value is ... $53,000. Interesting. And you're trying to tell me that there is no space for discount?"
On that note, I left the dealership and drove back home. On the way home they call me and offer me $53,000 for my car and were 'nice' enough to go down $62,000 for the E55. Another reason was mentioned: "It's an AMG. In order to certify it, we usually spend $5000 in getting some parts renewed...".
Are they b$ing me?
I then proceeded to appraising my car, figuring out a possible trade-in value. They wanted to give me $52,000 MAX for a 2006 SLK55 AMG fully loaded with 12,000 miles and excellent condition. Even on KBB it was going for $54,000. After almost an hour of negotiating they said "I'm sorry. We have to stick to KBB! We can't go anywhere with the E55 price!" So as a way to make them a little nervous, I proceeded to saying "Ok, so let us treat the E55 as a trade in car and see what the value is ... $53,000. Interesting. And you're trying to tell me that there is no space for discount?"
On that note, I left the dealership and drove back home. On the way home they call me and offer me $53,000 for my car and were 'nice' enough to go down $62,000 for the E55. Another reason was mentioned: "It's an AMG. In order to certify it, we usually spend $5000 in getting some parts renewed...".
Are they b$ing me?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 560
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2-3 Weeks ago I figured I would check out a 2004 E55 my dealer had on the lot to see what it was going for: $63,000 with 23,000 and pretty much loaded. I tried to get a discount but they said there was no room? That was the first weird part about my dealer.
I then proceeded to appraising my car, figuring out a possible trade-in value. They wanted to give me $52,000 MAX for a 2006 SLK55 AMG fully loaded with 12,000 miles and excellent condition. Even on KBB it was going for $54,000. After almost an hour of negotiating they said "I'm sorry. We have to stick to KBB! We can't go anywhere with the E55 price!" So as a way to make them a little nervous, I proceeded to saying "Ok, so let us treat the E55 as a trade in car and see what the value is ... $53,000. Interesting. And you're trying to tell me that there is no space for discount?"
On that note, I left the dealership and drove back home. On the way home they call me and offer me $53,000 for my car and were 'nice' enough to go down $62,000 for the E55. Another reason was mentioned: "It's an AMG. In order to certify it, we usually spend $5000 in getting some parts renewed...".
Are they b$ing me?
I then proceeded to appraising my car, figuring out a possible trade-in value. They wanted to give me $52,000 MAX for a 2006 SLK55 AMG fully loaded with 12,000 miles and excellent condition. Even on KBB it was going for $54,000. After almost an hour of negotiating they said "I'm sorry. We have to stick to KBB! We can't go anywhere with the E55 price!" So as a way to make them a little nervous, I proceeded to saying "Ok, so let us treat the E55 as a trade in car and see what the value is ... $53,000. Interesting. And you're trying to tell me that there is no space for discount?"
On that note, I left the dealership and drove back home. On the way home they call me and offer me $53,000 for my car and were 'nice' enough to go down $62,000 for the E55. Another reason was mentioned: "It's an AMG. In order to certify it, we usually spend $5000 in getting some parts renewed...".
Are they b$ing me?
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 232
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From: SHERMAN OAKS, CALIFORNIA
SLK28
yah all know how i feel about dealin w/ them dealerships.. i just really believe that u cant beat them in their own game.. even with the last deal that they offered u, those eggheads are always ahead... i once offered 25Gs for the 2006 CLK 350 and i couldnt believe that i left the KEYES EUROPEAN w/ nothing done... spoke to 3 managers 2 days later and still wasnt able to get anything done.. i was told that the only way where a deal can be made was if i put another 7Gs down.. bullllcrapppppppp!!! so i told them that they can keep their car and ill keep my dough!! i was smilin soooo wide cause i knew that when i left for the last time, that the salesman would bang his head on the wall for the money he lost w/ me..
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 223
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From: Boston
2006 SLK55 AMG
the $5000 would apparantly be used to replace break-pads and all other crap - saying it's an AMG and it needs a higher amount of money restoring its full potential bla bla b$. Currently, the 2004 E55 is priced at $63,000. You think I could tell them to take in my SLK55 and give me $5000 ?
What is my best bet besides keeping my car
? I was very close to writing herbchambers an email for Flagship Motorcars bull*****. Kenny, the Sales Manager, honestly tried to tell me all this. And they valued my car without even looking at it - they just went on Kelly Bluebook. How can there be no room for discount on a used 2004 E55. I even told them they will make MONEY off of me because the E55 is an OLD model due to E63s being out.
In Germany you get HUGE discounts on 'older' models, even with 0 miles. I was offered a 2005 E55, SL55 at 30% discount and an S55 at 35% because the new S-Class came out. I even paid in full cash, they didn't seem to care. I hate the american dealership system. In Germany, every car you buy new has not been touched - 0 miles, brand spanking new. My father even managed to get a 10,000 Euro discount on our Cayenne Turbo because he paid cash! I hate this.
What is my best bet besides keeping my car
? I was very close to writing herbchambers an email for Flagship Motorcars bull*****. Kenny, the Sales Manager, honestly tried to tell me all this. And they valued my car without even looking at it - they just went on Kelly Bluebook. How can there be no room for discount on a used 2004 E55. I even told them they will make MONEY off of me because the E55 is an OLD model due to E63s being out. In Germany you get HUGE discounts on 'older' models, even with 0 miles. I was offered a 2005 E55, SL55 at 30% discount and an S55 at 35% because the new S-Class came out. I even paid in full cash, they didn't seem to care. I hate the american dealership system. In Germany, every car you buy new has not been touched - 0 miles, brand spanking new. My father even managed to get a 10,000 Euro discount on our Cayenne Turbo because he paid cash! I hate this.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 4
From: Boston
2004 C32 ///AMG
the $5000 would apparantly be used to replace break-pads and all other crap - saying it's an AMG and it needs a higher amount of money restoring its full potential bla bla b$. Currently, the 2004 E55 is priced at $63,000. You think I could tell them to take in my SLK55 and give me $5000 ?
What is my best bet besides keeping my car ? I was very close to writing herbchambers an email for Flagship Motorcars bull*****. Kenny, the Sales Manager, honestly tried to tell me all this. And they valued my car without even looking at it - they just went on Kelly Bluebook. How can there be no room for discount on a used 2004 E55. I even told them they will make MONEY off of me because the E55 is an OLD model due to E63s being out.
In Germany you get HUGE discounts on 'older' models, even with 0 miles. I was offered a 2005 E55, SL55 at 30% discount and an S55 at 35% because the new S-Class came out. I even paid in full cash, they didn't seem to care. I hate the american dealership system. In Germany, every car you buy new has not been touched - 0 miles, brand spanking new. My father even managed to get a 10,000 Euro discount on our Cayenne Turbo because he paid cash! I hate this.
What is my best bet besides keeping my car
? I was very close to writing herbchambers an email for Flagship Motorcars bull*****. Kenny, the Sales Manager, honestly tried to tell me all this. And they valued my car without even looking at it - they just went on Kelly Bluebook. How can there be no room for discount on a used 2004 E55. I even told them they will make MONEY off of me because the E55 is an OLD model due to E63s being out. In Germany you get HUGE discounts on 'older' models, even with 0 miles. I was offered a 2005 E55, SL55 at 30% discount and an S55 at 35% because the new S-Class came out. I even paid in full cash, they didn't seem to care. I hate the american dealership system. In Germany, every car you buy new has not been touched - 0 miles, brand spanking new. My father even managed to get a 10,000 Euro discount on our Cayenne Turbo because he paid cash! I hate this.
they're not as bad as Herb Chambers in somerville.
i took in my car for service and they blamed EVERYTHING that was wrong with the car on the aftermarket parts i installed
seriously, what does installing 2 subwoofers in the trunk have to do with the engine starting rough?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Boston
2006 SLK55 AMG
i don't even think it's worth doing further business with them... I'm probably going to write the letter to Herb Chambers the man himself... and look for another dealer. Anybody have any good dealers in the Boston area?
Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 232
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From: Churchville, Md
2014 E550 & some other stuff too...
Do not bother dealing with these clowns. Avoid dealers altogether. Sell your car privately and buy an e55 from a private party. That is, unless you like being jerked around, lied to and treated like an idiot. 
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 367
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From: Chicago
2006 SLK55 AMG/// 2006 Porsche CaymanS 2010 135i
Top 5 resale values according to Edmunds November 2006:
2006 Honda S2000
2006 Mini Cooper
2006 Acura TSX
2006 BMW M3
'06 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (tied)
'06 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG (tied)
Your dealer is trying to screw you...
2006 Honda S2000
2006 Mini Cooper
2006 Acura TSX
2006 BMW M3
'06 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (tied)
'06 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG (tied)
Your dealer is trying to screw you...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 5
From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
Tell the dealer that they are nuts for wanting $5000 for certified. My dealer told me that if you want to remove certification from the price of a car it knocks off about $1200 and that is retail!! Plus your car is one model year old, its probably brand new and they won't do any work to it other than change the oil and detail it. I hate dealers too, but I want their warranty, which is why I bought there.
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm, Sweden
W211 E55 AMG
Theres a reason that many refer to them as the stealer.
I hate dealing with them. They're ALWAYS out to rob you (in my experience). It just puts me in a foul mood.
Love cars.
Hate buying them...
...and it really is a shame...
I hate dealing with them. They're ALWAYS out to rob you (in my experience). It just puts me in a foul mood.
Love cars.
Hate buying them...
...and it really is a shame...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Boston
2006 SLK55 AMG
very very agitating to be frank here. i'm just going to keep the SLK unless something else comes up until May - my graduation date - and either stay in the US or fly back to Germany.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 350
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2001 VW Jetta GLX VR6
Do you like Porsche's ?
https://mbworld.org/forums/slk55-r171/169987-trade-porsche-993-twin-turbo-slk55.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/slk55-r171/169987-trade-porsche-993-twin-turbo-slk55.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,958
Likes: 1
From: Ventura County USA
'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
1. The E is over priced. Probably not worth more than 58K depending on options. The CPO process is expensive if done correctly, but most dealers do little or nothing to justify the CPO markup. A warranty is almost mandatory on these wallet bleeders.
2. The SLK is always worth more on a private sale. KBB numbers are worthless. The SLK will only bring the KBB number on a trade if you are getting bent over hard on whatever you're buying, get over it. All dealers will offer a few thousand back of wholesale, not trade in value as published by KBB if there's no money in what you want to buy. The reason is they can, and if the car sits and had to be unloaded at dealer auction, it will never even come close to bringing even wholesale dollars. In fact, they probably will only break even if they shafted you at 2-3k less than wholesale. So if your SLK is really worth the 53K they offered, they still need to rape you on the cost of the E, like the poor guy who traded it in and got maybe 55-58K. Again, this is true unless he paid a *****load for whatever he bought, 'cause the dealer makes money on the trade, AND the sale.
3. Your best bet is to ALWAYS sell your car privately to avoid this battle between you and the dealer, and where the money is hidden. If you sell the SLK for 58K (or whatever), and are only buying, you will avoid a lot of this crap.
2. The SLK is always worth more on a private sale. KBB numbers are worthless. The SLK will only bring the KBB number on a trade if you are getting bent over hard on whatever you're buying, get over it. All dealers will offer a few thousand back of wholesale, not trade in value as published by KBB if there's no money in what you want to buy. The reason is they can, and if the car sits and had to be unloaded at dealer auction, it will never even come close to bringing even wholesale dollars. In fact, they probably will only break even if they shafted you at 2-3k less than wholesale. So if your SLK is really worth the 53K they offered, they still need to rape you on the cost of the E, like the poor guy who traded it in and got maybe 55-58K. Again, this is true unless he paid a *****load for whatever he bought, 'cause the dealer makes money on the trade, AND the sale.
3. Your best bet is to ALWAYS sell your car privately to avoid this battle between you and the dealer, and where the money is hidden. If you sell the SLK for 58K (or whatever), and are only buying, you will avoid a lot of this crap.
