[bradcc1]

Hi guys,

need some advice here..

I'm trying to get a C350 4Matic with premium package.. the sticker price is MSRP is $55,375 + $1,995 freight/PDI = $57,370. Mercedes already has a $2000 cash purchase incentive so that brings it down to $55,370. How much more room do I have in terms of negotiation.. I got a quote on a 335i in BMW and they knocked off 6k even without me bargaining. Can I expect similar discount at Mercedes? If not.. what would be a reasonable price to ask for?
:)

[Timpo]

isn't there some website that tells you how much is the dealer cost to get a car?

[sexyaccord]

you can't expect similar discounts from mercedes. they won't move that much
aim for 1000-2000 on top of the cash purchase price

[Timpo]

did a search for you and found it

http://carcostcanada.com
http://www.carquotes.ca/

[Harvey Specter]

Actually when I was shopping for a car a few months back the salesperson at the Benz dealership in the Richmond Automall said he would match BMW pricing. Go around the different dealers and see what they can offer and also check out mbworld.org and see what other local owners paid for their C Classes.

[ilvtofu]

The C is a nicer looking car, but just for the price and performance advantage, I'd look into the BMW,

C wins in interior and exterior styling and quality though, I'd get the C300 4 matic, The 350 is simply not worth the extra money at almost 60k!

Maybe because this car is new and still has a lot of demand, they don't need to discount it for you

[Harvey Specter]

Isn't Mercedes giving crazy deals for the C63? And isn't the C63 under $65,000?

[taylor192]

The new C-class is selling like hotcakes cause everyone likes the exterior styling. Dunno why, it looks like bastardized Accord. The interior is even worse, terrible layout and hard plastic-y dash materials.

I guess people are willing to overlook Mercedes terrible quality record on the W203 too. The W204 is supposed to be much better quality, actually tested this time (vs computer simulation before) yet some of the first W204s showed repeats of the same terrible quality that plagued the W203.

Definitely get on MBWorld and read more.

Considering the 2 dealers I've been to (Broadway and Richmond) both serve people with far more expensive models, I wouldn't expect much dealing from the salespeople, nor great service. I'd rather buy a BMW or Audi.

[ilvtofu]

Yup, my 203 had a broken aircon, and the lightbulbs constantly burnt out, sunroof didn't work properly, power locks... everything, luckily sold it last year, would've wasted a shitload of money

Mercedes service is the worst, they take customers for granted.

But If you want good service go buy a lexus

[Harvey Specter]

I've seen a few lease take over offers for the new C popping up on craigslist over the last few months, I wonder if the new gen have issues.

[TracerFX]

The new C-class is selling like hotcakes cause everyone likes the exterior styling. Dunno why, it looks like bastardized Accord. The interior is even worse, terrible layout and hard plastic-y dash materials.

I guess people are willing to overlook Mercedes terrible quality record on the W203 too. The W204 is supposed to be much better quality, actually tested this time (vs computer simulation before) yet some of the first W204s showed repeats of the same terrible quality that plagued the W203.

Definitely get on MBWorld and read more.

Considering the 2 dealers I've been to (Broadway and Richmond) both serve people with far more expensive models, I wouldn't expect much dealing from the salespeople, nor great service. I'd rather buy a BMW or Audi.

I agree completely with most of what you mentioned, and as for buying a benz for service and reliability, that's laughable.
I'm pretty sure the majority of benz owners in Richmond buy it because of the brand name, straight up. I say this because its especially true where i come from.

With that said, i LOL'ed at your post when i saw your avatar is the benz logo hahah (no offense intended)

[taylor192]

I agree completely with most of what you mentioned, and as for buying a benz for service and reliability, that's laughable.
I'm pretty sure the majority of benz owners in Richmond buy it because of the brand name, straight up. I say this because its especially true where i come from.

With that said, i LOL'ed at your post when i saw your avatar is the benz logo hahah (no offense intended)
I own a W203 that's had about every problem possible. :(
I wish I hadn't modded it, I would've dumped it long ago.

The MB dealers focus more on the higher-end customers, since they sell a lot of E-classes and S-classes. I find the BMW/Audi/Lexus dealers treat the 3-series/A-series/IS owners better since its more of their bread-and-butter.

[taylor192]

Yup, my 203 had a broken aircon
My AC is broken for the 2nd time on my W203. :(

[bradcc1]

My AC is broken for the 2nd time on my W203. :(

Aren't BMW's and Audi's just as problematic as Mercedes'? I thought all european cars are like that...

Love the IS350.. but dealer told me I gotta wait at least 2~3 months if I order one now.. :(

[drunkrussian]

i dont have a link at the moment but....

what you wanna do is look up a hack for canadian black book. You enter car info and it tells you the low and high price of what a dealer pays for a car; it's what they use and is quite accurate. What you wanna do is take the "high" value of the car + 3k and negotiate to that price. ie high price=50k, dealer sells for 55k, you should not be paying more than 53k.

Just a rule of thumb.

[ilvtofu]

^^ NO WAY!!! New BMWs and Audis are way better in reliability than any last gen mercedes, The Mercedes of the last 2 years have been better, but BMW and Audi of the last 4 years have been pretty good.

Even the smart which has already been made for a while in europe before being shipped to canada, keeps getting burnt out lights, A/C was useless from day 1 so nvm that, generally just small annoying mishaps with that car though

[Iron Chef]

for only being out for 2 years the 204 chassis c class is very reliable. mercedes benz quality has gone up substancially since 2006.

[taylor192]

for only being out for 2 years the 204 chassis c class is very reliable. mercedes benz quality has gone up substancially since 2006.

The same was true of the W203, yet after 2-4 years (surprisingly timed with warranty expiration) the major faults started showing through.

[maxx]

interior is better in a mazda 3 than the new C class


the exterior is gorgeous.

[taylor192]

the exterior is gorgeous.
I still don't understand this.

The front is pretty awesome looking, yet it doesn't differentiate itself from the Acura/Lexus crowd other than the huge 3-pointed star.

The mirrors are hideous, yet I understand its due to new European standards for larger mirrors.

The side profile is serious an Accord. That stupid sweeping body line and off-centre handles are also similar to the Altima.

The rear might as well be a Protege. The taillights are too plain, and there's no character to the rear end.

[ilvtofu]

C63 is pure sex!!!
everything about it.

As far as the interior goes, I agree with the hard plastics, but something mazda 3 doesn't have is the perfect click to the buttons that the C does, The switchgear in the C is something to marvel at,

But in my 203 everything was soft but the buttons didn't feel quite as right. I guess they switched the formula now.

I think it's kinda true that the C has lost a lot of it's german sedan flavour and has went for something more japanese and ricey. The 203 was unmistakable benz sedan. The 204 just ain't quite right. I like it though.

[ilvtofu]

P.S. anyone look at the interior of the doors on the C class, pretty damn hideous if you ask me

[maxx]

I still don't understand this.

The front is pretty awesome looking, yet it doesn't differentiate itself from the Acura/Lexus crowd other than the huge 3-pointed star.

The mirrors are hideous, yet I understand its due to new European standards for larger mirrors.

The side profile is serious an Accord. That stupid sweeping body line and off-centre handles are also similar to the Altima.

The rear might as well be a Protege. The taillights are too plain, and there's no character to the rear end.

i dont know man, looks way better than anything from after 1995.

[ilvtofu]

^any C? or any mercedes?

I'm guessing you're talking about C's and yeah as both a previous owner of 203 and 202, The 204 is definitely the best looking although the 203 is a really nice timeless design, Looks good whether a C-Lai (lol "C" lai) or a punk driving it. But personally the 204 doesn't suit everyone, unlike the 203. The front is just too sporty!

[Harvey Specter]

I liked the new C when it first came out. It looked so much nicer compared to the 3 series until the LCI 3 series came out. Imo the LCI 3 series looks much more sporty, the C Class looks too boxy.

[ilvtofu]

but the 3 doesn't have the angry aggressive face that the C does even in 230 form.

But yeah I agree, C class has a boxy corolla shape.

[JulyZerg]

The facelifted 3-series is pretty sporty IMO, add in M-Sport Package and it's great!

[slammer111]

OP, the one crucial fact you left out is whether or not you're going for a MY2009 (in which case you have your pick of the litter in inventory) or a 2010 (factory order).

MY2009? Wait a month and you can probably get it for under 50k. I kid you not. In fact, I'm sure you can probably gun for $48k. After tax, that's.. around $54 flat? You'll be paying a 17.5% luxury tax.

If your mother is Chinese, you may want to bring her to the dealership as well. :) My understanding is that MB has a July 31 deadline for selling the previous year, so July 28 onwards should do nicely. ;)

MY2010? Good luck if they give you $100 off. They do NOT bend on factory-ordered cars. Trust me, I tried with 3 dealerships back in 2003.

One guy you may want to try is Raymond at MB Broadway, he sold me my 203, and I was VERY happy with him. PM me if you want more details. I can give you a referral.

[Harvey Specter]

but the 3 doesn't have the angry aggressive face that the C does even in 230 form.

But yeah I agree, C class has a boxy corolla shape.

I agree; the front of the C is more aggressive especially with the AMG sport package.