rhampar

I found a 2006 E55 leftover at a local dealer that I'd like to make an offer on . Car has about 10 mi on the odometer and is pretty well loaded only missing parktronic, pano roof and active cruise. Dealer is asking just under $80k for a car that stickered for $91k. Current KBB wholesale is about $70k. I figure with 2008 MY coming out in June/July this car would take a pretty heavy depreciation hit being 2 years old and I could pick this up at a great price.

So I was wondering if anyone could tell me what kind of prices this car is fetching at the dealer auctions (Manhiem??) as I would like to offer a little above the auction price.

Thanks

sack5000

There are several threads discussing the price for a car like this. Considering the invoice price and the MB incentives the prior thread said that the unbelievable price might be close to $65K. You can definitely get an '06 with say 15K miles loaded for low 60s. Don't waste a lot of time with the dealer or any more than $70 for the car you describe. Might consider leasing the 63, handles much better among other improvements that you will enjoy.

sbarsap

Do not pay more than 72K for an new 06. Dealers may list the cars for high 80's but only in their dreams would they get that price.

rhampar

Thanks for your replys...

Was thinking of making the following offer to the dealer.
Trade my 05 CLK500 which has 12,500 miles with sunroof pkg, heated seats & cd changer, 7yr 100k extended warranty. KBB shows a wholesale value $35k and give dealer $35k in cash or finance for a total offer of $70k.

What do you think?? Should I lower the cash offer by 1 to 2 thousand??

Uber Wagon

I paid $73.5K for my $92K 2006 new wagon in December 2006. $70K is pretty generous. I had come up with my number basing it on what I could get a decent used car for - same model year and adding 10%. There was a CPO car on eBay whenI was looking that met reserve at $66.5, so.....

Good luck and keep us posted - your trade does complicate things some, though.

abalto

You should be paying around $67k or less, period. The trade does complicate things. Sell your car outright...never trade a car to the dealer.

deaded

...plus you'll NEVER get Blue Book from a dealer.

rhampar

Thanks for your inputs. Well since most of you are telling me not to trade my CLK as it would complicate the sale I'll probably just give it to my wife and look to lease the E55 as I don't want to lay out the full amount in cash or finance.

To this end can any of you folks provide information on leasing? I was wondering, if I could get the dealer to sell me the car at $67 - $70k what could I expect the residual value to be after 39 mos and what kind of moneyfactor I might be looking at.

I know when MB was looking to unload the E55's toward the end of the 06 model year you could get 39 mos lease for $999 mo.

Thanks

sack5000

Be careful with a lease. They won't disclose that there is a $1,000 "lease acquisition fee" which is akin to bending you over for the paperwork for setting up your lease. Complain like hell and they will waive that fee. The residual will be based on the MSRP of the vehicle and probably about 60% on a 39 month lease. Try a 27 month lease for lower payments and know that MB Financial will give you the option to extend the lease for either 6 or 12 months. The six month extension will be at the same payment and the 12 month extension will be less payment. So, why go for a 39 month lease. Also, MB does not want your lease vehicle back at the end of the lease so they will negotiate the residual/sales price if you really want the car. If you choose the 12 month extension, the residual will be lowered. Don't put down any money on your lease, that is a giveway to MB. Oh, the lease is definitely negotiable and you need to be in the lease for way less than $999. Start at $750 and go from there. You have to be able to walk out a time or two when they won't deal...just give them your email address and they will write you on Monday and beg you to come back in. You should look at the E63 leases, I believe there is a deal or two to be had and one I believe was a 27 month lease for $1,299 per month, not much more than you were thinking about.........

rhampar

Well I made an offer of $66,500 for the 2006 E55. Dealer came back with a counter offer of $69,500. Was thinking of splitting the difference and offering $67,500 to $68k.

Current Galves wholesale book value on the car is $66k.

Keeping in mind this car has never been registered and had a sticker of $91k I would appreciate any suggestions you folks might have on my counter offer.

Thanks

JLP

Here is todays latest Manheim prices! Ouch it hurts.


04/26/07 RIVRSIDE Lease $59,000 9,554 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes
02/07/07 ATLANTA Regular $57,200 2,465 Avg TAN 8G A Yes
01/04/07 RIVRSIDE Regular $59,500 13,957 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes
12/14/06 MANHEIM Lease $60,750 13,681 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes
12/14/06 MANHEIM Regular $59,500 13,479 Avg BLACK 8G A Yes
11/02/06 NEVADA Regular $57,000 22,771 Avg WHITE 8G A No


If you pay more than $65 K its going to sting.

rhampar

JLP,

Do you know how any of these cars were optioned? The one I'm bidding on is pretty much loaded. Has everything but pano roof, parktronic and active cruise and like 20 miles. Also what does "8G A Yes" mean?

Given this is a new car with full 4yr 48k mi mfg warranty would you still stick to your guns at $65k?

Thanks

jangy

I think you are talking a difference of a few grand, which should in no way affect your decision on such an expense. I'd be curious as to what the residuals would be at this point? Typically, a newer car has better lease rates, since it has a higher residual. in your case, the residual will be based on what the bank feels it will be worth at that time. That is why they HAVE to give you a daddy discount up front or else it leaves too much to pay in between.
Screw the final price, tell us the details they offered you? Interest rate, etc. Basically, how much down, how much per month, and how many months? if leased, what residual, etc?

I also ALWAYS trade my cars in. I like to complicate things, and I am no salesman.

rhampar

Jangy,

Spoke to leasecompare on possibly leasing this car through them and they came back with an adjusted MSRP of about $84k residual of about $37k on a 36 month lease, 12k miles a yr, 6.8% or so as money factor and $1233 mo payment.

After hearing what leasecompare had to say I figured I'd buy outright and trade my 05 CLK500 on it.

So long story short if they take my car and about $33k or so in cash I think I'll make the deal. Granted this is now a 2yr old car but it's new (never registered) with full mfg warranty and had a sticker of $92k. So the way I'm looking at it I'll get an animal of a car for about $24-$25k off sticker.

Plus I always wanted an AMG

abalto

I have to agree. At this point, $65k is tops to offer. If you absolutely have to have it, offer $66,500, but if they dont take that, walk away and tell them to call you when they change their mind. LOL - They will!

Let them pay floor plan on it for another few months.

It is not going anywhere. That is why it is still there.

JLP

Don't know what options they had but unfortunately the difference between a loaded car and a strippy is normally only a few grand.

8G means V-8 gas motor and Yes means the car was "in-sample". Yes means the cars came from the manufacturer and no means the car came from a dealer or other source.

As far as price goes thats up to you, but you are in the drivers seat. I would offer $65 K and see what happens.

Remember they want to sell the car to you more than you want to buy it!

Also ask if they have "punched" the car. If they have then the warrranty has started from the day the "punched" it (basically they sold it to themselves to show as a sold unit).

abalto

The car has got to be punched! Run the VIN here and paste us back the in-service date or delivery date!

http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

rhampar

All,

Thanks for your suggestions and comments. I'm meeting with the dealer this weekend and will let you know what transpires.

rhampar

Tried the url http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng and got the following:

Datacard for VIN WDBUF76J56A856646 is not found
1) VIN was misspelled in the request form;
2) VIN was erroneously read from vehicle body or documents;
3) VIN is not of an original vehicle and was forged by criminals;
4) The vehicle was produced in late 2005 or 2006, and is not included yet in our database

Maybe dealer didn't post proper VIN# on their listing or it's not yet included the database. Anyway I'll check the VIN this weekend.

sack5000

Good luck, I agree that a few thousand may not matter, however you have that dealer in the right spot. If you have the courage to walk out on Saturday, the car will be yours by mid-week for a few thousand less. The first thing they will tell you on Saturday is that they have another buyer coming in sometime that day, I guarantee you they will.

P.S. You will love this car!!!

deaded

I guarantee both of these as well. They *WILL* tell you that someone is driving in (probably from a long way away) to see the car. And you're gonna LOVE it

abalto

They will do this!

Do yourself a favor and just buy a nice, low mileage car from a fellow enthusiast. To hell with the dealers!

jangy

I agree with your plan, BUT try one other thing. see if MBUSA won't slice you a better lease rate. If they end up charging you the same $33K, then why not save your cash to invest or whatever?

Other than that, an unregistered and unused (demo, etc) '06 that is loaded is a sweet ride. i love mine.

jangy

That database isn't up to date.

rhampar

Well went to the dealer today for an appraisal on my 05 CLK500 and see if we can make a deal on the E55. Dealer said they would give me 32k in trade and wanted $69,500 for a difference of $37,500 plus tax & registration.

Little did they know I do my research as well. Went to Galves and subscribed for their american & foreign car wholesale pricing last night. I found their E55 with 10mi had a wholesale of $61k and my car about $35k. I showed this to them and they about fell over. Told them my counter offer is $66,500 (original offer) provided they now throw in MHI cradle, all weather mats, give me $35k in trade-in on my car and I'd cut a check for the difference.

They tried acouple of times to twist things around to get a higer offer from me but I'm standing my ground (as you folks suggested) and politely told them sorry this is my best offer and feel free to call me when they wanted to accept the deal and walked out. In addition I mentioned that their car will depreciate another $500 by the end of next week and likley $1000 by the end of May and they should call me very soon if they want to make a deal.

Boy it sure feels good to have the shoe on the other foot .

So anyway maybe they'll call back next week to make the deal and maybe they won't but I got a feeling they'll want to get rid of it and I'll be driving an E55 soon

Thanks again for all your suggestions and guidance.