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In retrospect, because of that and a couple of other glitches I would have paid 1 or 2% more to have bought locally and maybe received better service. But local wasn't up for dealing at all. In fact my neighbor was the one that referred me to the other dealer where she saved 2 grand by driving two hours.
Still overall happy with the new car and basically just had a little stress on the pickup is all. And some in-depth owner's manual reading.
The last contact a dealership has with its customers prior to servicing the car is the delivery of the new car. That experience must be outstanding if you expect repeat business and referral business. That is why I mentioned this in my posting - so many dealerships place too much responsibility for new car deliveries with their sales staff. The sales staff wants to move quickly to their next customer because that is how they earn their living. This they tend to take shortcuts, especially in the delivery process, which when done properly, can take several hours, depending upon the specific needs of the customer.
If you purchase or lease a car from a high volume dealership where they work on high sales volume with lower per-vehicle gross profits, they will tend to skimp more on their customer service by sales personnel because most of their sales are "mini-deals" which means they make a flat commission on each sale which can range between $75 and $200 per vehicle, which means they must sell 30-50 vehicles per month to earn bonuses or just to eke out a living. Thus, if you want great service and attention to details, dealing with a lower volume dealer and paying a little more is "usually" necessary, but there are, of course exceptions. We should expect more attention to detail and better customer service from a Mercedes dealership, but as you post demonstrates, this is not always the case!
If you can save $1000 on a new car, you don't mind a few shortcuts or less-than-good customer service. The task at hand then becomes finding a dealership where you can both get the best price and the best customer service.
2021 Genesis G90
One thing I forgot to mention previously was the Harmon Kardon sound system. Holy moly! The sound is very true--no distortion at the high or low ends and the surround sound is amazing. I never felt like I got the front/back balance right on my last car, but this car came set up sounding like a concert hall.
Mike, you haven't oversold the 2012 E350 a bit. This is a magnificant automobile.
Hope that answered your wonderment. Sounds like your salesperson did a better-than-average job delivering your car to you.
2021 Genesis G90
Perhaps someone out there knows why.
Enjoy, Bev.
2021 Genesis G90
My salesman was very helpful and spent about 45 minutes going through the car with me, from programing the nav system, syncing the contacts on my cell phone, adjusting the memory seats (driver and passenger) and the list goes on (even the emergency release inside the trunk). I felt that the time was sufficient, and look through the owner's manuals for more details or to find out something that I may have forgotten from his walk-through. Using the different gadgets helps me learn them.
I got the sport package with the P1 package, lane change/blind spot assist and AMG wheels. The nav system is easy to use, as is the radio. The voice control is pretty incredible and very responsive.
The cabin is beautiful: the almond seating contrasts beautifully with the black dash and black carpet and walnut burl. The adjustable seats with memory for both driver and passenger are very supportive but comfortable.
The E350 definitely feels more solid than my 528i. It has a very nice ride, smooth yet sporty with good steering and handling. I think the 528 has a little more responsive handling, but that might be due to the lighter feel of the car.
I'm very happy with the E350. I've owned several Lexus (ES300 and GS 300) and two BMW's (325 and 528) and I like the E350 more than any of them. All of them are great cars and I certainly am not knocking any of them. I think the E350 has features of both the Lexus and BMW. It has creature comforts of the Lexus (all of which the BMW does not have) but more personality than the Lexus. The sport package gives it good styling and handling more akin to the BMW, but it is much finer in detail, and roomier in front and back. The BMW is what I would consider a luxury sport car, whereas the E350 is more of a sporty luxury car.
To all of you who are considering what to get, just read the comments of those who post on this site, see the cars in person and test drive them yourself, and get the car and features that suit you the best. Enjoy the experience.
I agree with your analogy regarding the BMW being a luxury sports car and the Mercedes being a sporty luxury car. Having owned both, the Beemer handled sportier, however the interior of the Mercedes is richer and more luxuriously refined.
Have you noticed the difference In sound systems? I don't know if you had the upgraded one in your 528i, but if you did, I sure would like to hear your assessment.
Your post was right on target.
2021 Genesis G90
What I also noticed on most of the HD stations down here in Florida (we have at least 20 HD FM stations in the greater Ft. Lauderdale - Miami area) is that 6 or 7 of those stations have "multiple" HD bands. To find out which stations have HD1 and HD2 frequencies (1 or 2 of them also have an HD 3 frequency) you need to manually tune the radio to the right (clockwise) one notch. If there are additional HD frequencies, it will immediately show it. Those that have more than 1 HD frequency have different music genres. For example, down here on 93.1, which is easy listening light rock on HD 1, but HD 2 is a bit "harder rock" in its genre. The same is true on 102.3 - HD1 is Oldies and HD 2 is more modern rock. I believe this is further explained in the manual. I just recently discover this last year. It's like having 2 or 3 stations on one frequency. Try it out in your city to find out which ones have more than one HD frequency.
2021 Genesis G90
I will be trading in my 2005 Audi A6
My local dealer in Las Vegas offered invoice price plus extra $1,000 Conquest for trading my Audi.
I am looking at Cuprite brown Metallic
Premium 2 Package
Wheel package
Rear window sunshades
MSRP 58,955
(1) There is no conquest incentive but he is willing to sell you a car for $1000 over invoice
(2) There is a $2000 conquest incentive, but only wants to give up $1000
(3) The conquest incentive "is" $1000
I always recommend that at least 2 dealers are contacted.
Second, if he is willing to sell you one for $1000 over, then what is he giving you for your trade? This is where dealerships make up for low pricing. Check out the true "trade-in value" of your trade at several sites and dealers to ensure you are getting a fair trade value. Also check to see if selling your car privately works out better for you than trading it. If Nevada has a sales tax, so long as you get at least the difference between sales tax you would have to pay vs. sales tax you safe by trading car.
Also make sure you discuss the 1.9% financing (could be lower than 1.9 since their buy rate is .9%).
Finally, considering the fact that available incentives are few, $1000 over invoice would be a good deal, but make sure you've offered the dealer a $500 over deal. If you are a veteran, you may be able to qualify for USAA pricing, or even if a father, mother, brother or evens son served.
I hope this helps you out.
2021 Genesis G90
That is how conquest incentives usually work.
2021 Genesis G90
If it was found that a dealer improperly reported the sale by falsifying the fact that the customer qualified for a particular manufacturers incentive, that dealer could be forced to pay a penalty or, if repeated such infraction could be forced to relinquish his franchise rights.
I would be willing to bet that one way or another, the fact that you owned or leased that M37 was in fact submitted to MBUSA at the time of the RDR. A dealer would be foolish to jeopardize his franchise and/or suffer penalties for the sake of making a sale. When I was in the business, our assurance personnel (title clerks and finance managers and/or our controller) would "kick back" the deal to sales if any of the documentation was missing.
2021 Genesis G90
P2 package. Special order leather and paint. The wood leather 3 spoke steering wheel is sweet! Sports package and Top of the line Driver Assistance Package. My local dealer in Union didn't seem like it had the incentive plans the dealer in Paramus, NJ was offering. I would have gladly paid another thousand or so just to being closer to the house but the local dealer was trying to sell me a 2011 e350 for 58,500 with 4% financing. We got 1.9% a new car with lots more options. Getting my spoiler put on tomorrow. If I had the whole thing to do again I'd ask the local dealer to match the deal.
The car is just a jewel. It's smooth as butter. Power that I'll probably never use considering me and the wife are expecting a baby. Handling is precise and when I'm in the car I swear it's like I'm in my living room. That comfortable and quiet. Test drove Audi and Cadillac and BMW... It's definitely the grown up of the bunch. I'm glad I got this color because I'm seeing a bunch of new E 350's on the road now. Mercedes Benz is back!
Enjoy it - we all enjoy our's as well.
2021 Genesis G90
It is very difficult to find 4-Matics down here in Florida for obvious reasons - no snow, no ice, no sleet, higher initial cost and a little less in fuel economy. I've seen a few at my dealership, which carries them for "snowbirds" who winter here and summer up north. Also, some people feel safer in the heavy rains we get with all-wheel drive vehicles.
Just enjoy your new E350!
2021 Genesis G90
Got your Benz in just the nick of time! Again, enjoy!
2021 Genesis G90
Here is my Build:
COLOR
Exterior: Diamond White Metallic $1,515
Interior: Almond MB-Tex $0
Trim: Burl Walnut Wood Trim $0
PACKAGES
4MATIC Package $2,500
Premium 1 Package $4,000
Driver Assistance Package $2,950
Sport Styling Package $0
OPTIONS
Wood/leather steering wheel $590
Panorama sunroof $1,090
BASE MSRP $50,490
TRANSPORTATION CHARGE $875
TOTAL PRICE $64,010
I Own 09 BMW X5 now and will sell to Carmax after I get this one. I am Ok with Purchase/Lease, I just want the best deal either way. Is there any incentives or a price suggestions?
Any help is greatly appriciated.
Thanks - Hiral
I also like the fact that during an emergency, you are in direct contact with someone. I use it at least twice each month to ensure it is working properly, which it always has since I've had Mbrace on my cars.
Hope this helps you out.
2021 Genesis G90
I would think that a good deal on the car would be $500 over cost, if you can get there. Also there is currently a 1.9% finance rate for either 24 or 36 months.
This info should get you started. Let us know how things work out.
2021 Genesis G90
So, if you can get a dealer cost deal or even $500 over cost, that would be a great deal (nof counting his 2% holdback).">
2021 Genesis G90
2021 Genesis G90
62,220.35 x .98 = 60,975.943
60,975.943 represents the price after the 2% giveback. I think I got the car for $975 less than than that! 1.9% financing for 66 months and a free spoiler. I know the dealer got some money for MB for the Winter event! Great deal. Great car. I couldn't be happier with the ride.
I am not an Mbrace supporter...IMHO, it's too expensive for what it provides. I have my cellphone for emergencies. Yes, if I'm unconscious, I guess I'm out of luck...but that's a risk I take because I'm just not confident that Mbrace will actually send help and stay on the line.
As an example i got my car for invoice + $500 LESS $2000 (USAA incentive). In addition, I got the MB Financial incentive which at the time I purchased the car in October, was $1500 off that price. They threw in 3 years of maintenance making my final price $2500 under invoice:
62325 less 875 x .935 + 875 = 58330 + 500 less 1500 less 1500 = 55330 which was my selling price and then they added the 3 years of Mercedes Benz maintenance which brought the final deal to just over 54300 + tax. Also got the 66 month financing at 1.6% interest, which we further negotiated since the 1.9% rate has a 1% dealer mark-up - so they gave me another .4% savings.
All I am trying to point out is that whenever the dealer has incentives available for the customer you can purchase the car well under invoice. The USAA pricing is an agreement with MBUSA to sell a Mercedes below factory invoice - the dealer is reimbursed that amount by MBUSA once the sale is recorded and sent to Mercedes Benz - just as they are reimbursed for other incentives such as the MB financial incentive.
THE DEAL YOU GOT WAS EXCELLENT, without any doubt.
2021 Genesis G90
Thanks for the heads up on Mbrace and it's limitations!
2021 Genesis G90
You made out like a bandit with the price and your maintenance deal! Question, to avoid repair costs it sounds like it makes sense to buy a new Benz every 4 years or 100k miles and get the maintenance package, what do you think? Thanks.
In my estimation, you paid invoice for the vehicle less $2000, which was the conquest discount/incentive - and that is an excellent price - $2000 below invoice is exceptional. The only reason I got $4000 under invoice was due to the USAA coupled with the MB Financial + the 3 year maintenance policy with MBUSA.
I remember purchasing my 2011 for $4000 under invoice because of a special promotion Mercedes had with USAA - PLUS 2000 incentive with MB Financial - or a total of $6000 under invoice. Sure wish I could have gotten that on my 2012. Only reason I bought a 2012 was because of the new engine and transmission - better fuel economy (30+ mpg on highway) and 34 more horsepower (268 to 302) which was sorely needed in the E350.
If you you are going to keep a car for 3 or 4 years, then the maintenance policy saves you about $500 on a 3 year, and a little more on a 4 year. But remember, a 4 year contract only covers A services and B services which are every 10,000 miles. Thus, you are covered for only 50,000 miles (a service at 10K, 20K, 30K and 40K which takes you to the 50,000 miles). If you drive more than that, you will have to pay for services at 50K, 60K, etc. Those services range in price from 325.00 to 450.00, depending upon the service interval.
Over the past 10 years, I have purchased a new car every year. But, with this 2012, I plan to keep it for at least 3 years. I drive about 9000 miles per year, which is very low mileage.
If drive 15,000 miles per year, 3 years is optimum for keeping a car, although, on a Mercedes, you could easily keep a car for 100,000 miles so long as you service it properly and change tires when needed.
I have found in my experience that brakes are one of the first things that need to be replaced on German cars (Audi, BMW and Mercedes). I believe it has something to do with the "softer" pads that are used for better friction against the rotors, which wear out faster. That is one of the great selling points for BMW, which covers brakes, belts and hoses. Mercedes does not cover those items. Even with extended warranties, those "wear and tear" items are not covered. Not even with the maintenance policies. Maintenance policies only cover regularly scheduled maintenance - A and/or B services - like oil changes, tire rotation (which you can't use if you have a sport with different sized tires front and back), fluid drain and replacement, fuel and oil filters, to name a few. But that's all that is covered.
I hope I've answered you question.
2021 Genesis G90
Oh yeah, I did pick up the ding protection and wheel protection coverage. Between parking lots and bad roads in Jersey I thought it made sense. Take care.
If you are looking for an older Benz to tinker with and enjoy, I always enjoyed the 280E from the 1970's. What an automobile. If you could find one that still runs, they are truly gems.
2021 Genesis G90
In other words, your info does not provide enough to give you adequate feedback.
Is the lease for 33 months or 24 months?
What does the ".626 for 24 mean"?
What are the exact inceptions and please break the inception fees down?
2021 Genesis G90
The only time I miss that feature is when I have to take the Mercedes in for a car wash at a carwash. That is a rarity since my Mercedes dealer in Delray Beach provides me with complimentary car washes once a week. But it is definitely an important feature, especially in tight-fitting parking spaces in malls or in bank parking lots.
I can't explain the rationale for Canadian models having it and US models devoid of the power side-view mirrors. They are not even available as an extra-cost option. I am going to bet that it will be added to the P1 and/or P2 package in the next year or two. Think of it in the same way you do "optional" leather interiors. Why leather seats are not standard on the E350 has been a sore point with E350 owners. 98% of all luxury automobiles in the $57,000 and up category have leather as a standard feature. BMW does not have leather seats standard on their 5 series cars either, but is added when the premium package is ordered. On the E350, it is only available as a stand-alone extra cost option and is not part of the P1 or P2 package, which it should be.
BMW has changed their add-on options from an a-la-carte approach to a "package" approach. When I ordered my BMW's from the factory, which was rare, to get a the premium audio system or a rear sunshade or leather seats or xenon lights or navigation, etc., these were available as stand-alone options only. Now, BMW makes these available in several package offerings.
This is just a flaw in Mercedes Benz's marketing strategy. If they sampled prospective Mercedes Benz owners, they would find out that we want leather and power-retractable side-view mirrors, etc., as standard features.
Excellent observation about side mirrors.
2021 Genesis G90
I visited the dealer Euromotorcars and this is what he offered me for e350 sport with p1, and some other stuff..
Negotiated price $52392 includes conquest rebate of $2000
Sticker was $58500
MB prepaid Maintenance 1560
Wheel n tire protect 1995
Acquisition fee 795
Sales tax (MD) full taxes 3155
License 340
Doc fee 199
33 month lease 12k miles per yr
Monthly payment 803.95
Down payment 5293
Let me know what you think.
Thanks.
I have one question - it seems like you are paying all the sales taxes up front -is that normal for your state. I do know that some states require that taxes be paid up front on leases - so check to make sure your state requires up-front payment of taxes on your lease. If not, you are in even worse shape than I thought!
2021 Genesis G90
All new E350's currently at the port are being "held" until February because they are now coming in from Germany with the ability to burn gasoline that is 85% ethanol. The E350's sold prior to that cannot burn 85% ethanol, only 90% ethanol. That is the reason there has been a shortage of 2012 E350 Sedans - they were not building sufficient quantities of the engine version that cannot burn 85% enthanol - they were waiting until the new version of the engine was introduced in February. Very interesting, to say the least. That is why they had such "rich" incentives on the 2012 through December - to sell all of the previous versions unable to burn 85% enthanol. Who ever said the Germans weren't smart? Not me! I just hope that the 2012 versions sold prior to that date don't lose tremendous value due to the inability to burn 85% enthanol!
Also found out why Mercedes has resisted making leather seating standard - it's because they sell thousands and thousands of E class sedans in Europe and Asia as TAXI CABS! Cabbies do not want leather in their E class sedans because leather does not wear as well as the MB Tex. I knew there had to be a reason, and now we have the reason. Of course, Mercedes could make leather standard on all E class sedans produced for export to the U.S., but that would be too simple, I guess.
2021 Genesis G90
2021 Genesis G90
To burn up to 15% ethanol, the fuel/air mixture must be set up correctly by the computer that literally runs the engine. Also, in order to maintain the 302 horsepower specs and the torque specs, obviously the engine intakes and fuel mixtures must be adjusted. One of the first consequences of higher ethanol fuels is a drop in fuel economy, however octane is also affected.
It will be interesting to see what happens when these revised engines hits showrooms and the responses of the new owners to their experiences with the revised engines.
2021 Genesis G90