My Take: Ready for some good news? The C-Class lease rates stayed relatively the same as last month, with only one exception. The 24-month lease residuals dropped by 1% on the C300 trims and 2% on the C350 and C63. Since the 48-month lease is the sweet spot for the C-Class, it shouldn’t affect most people looking to lease the C-Class. I am still liking the C350 this month since it may still be possible to get it for under $500 per month after tax with just inceptions (or by dropping some MSDs to lower the money factor further). Click Here to read up on last month’s comments on the C-Class to see what I am talking about. Another thing to consider is to BUY the C350. Blasphemy, I know, but still! There is $2000 dealer cash available that CAN be combined with 0.90% APR that’s available for up to 66 months. I’ve been hammering about the C350 for about three months now, not sure how much longer these numbers are gonna stick around. Let this be a warning.
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| At Invoice | At MSRP | |||||
| Make/Model | Invoice | MSRP | 36-month | 48-month | 36-month | 48-month |
| 2009 Mercedes C300 Sport | $31,472 | $33,775 | $458* | $428** | $526* | $480** |
| 09 Mercedes C350 Sport | $37,145 | $39,875 | $525* | $470** | $604* | $529** |
NOTE: Estimates assuming the following conditions:
- Inception fees (1st month payment, DMV, doc fee, bank fee, tire tax and possible security deposit) due at signing.
- Local Taxes not included.
- 24-month/15k and 36-month/15k terms.
- All cars are stock, without any options.
- No rebates/incentives applied
2009 Mercedes C-Class
2009 Mercedes C300 Luxury
24-month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00200 base money factor
36-month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00165 base money factor
48-month | 15k miles | residual 43% | .00165 base money factor
2009 Mercedes C300 Luxury 4matic
24-month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00215 base money factor
36-month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00125 base money factor
48-month | 15k miles | residual 43% | .00125 base money factor
2009 Mercedes C300 Sport
24-month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00200 base money factor
36-month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00165 base money factor
48-month | 15k miles | residual 43% | .00165 base money factor
2009 Mercedes C300 Sport 4matic
24-month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00215 base money factor
36-month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00125 base money factor
48-month | 15k miles | residual 43% | .00125 base money factor
2009 Mercedes C350 Sport
24-month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00089 base money factor
36-month | 15k miles | residual 50% | .00084 base money factor
48-month | 15k miles | residual 42% | .00084 base money factor
2009 Mercedes C63 AMG
24-month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00430 base money factor
36-month | 15k miles | residual 48% | .00395 base money factor
48-month | 15k miles | residual 43% | .00395 base money factor
“I’ve been hammering about the C350 for about three months now, not sure how much longer these numbers are gonna stick around. Let this be a warning.”
If I order a 2010 C350 Sport now, do you think I can lock in the current MF rate? I need a C350 with a Premium 2 package (need the Xenon). That’s a rare combination and the entire country probably only has 1 in stock now. Thanks!
You can’t lock the 2009 model rates on the 2010s since the 2010s will probably have different residual values. You may be able to order a 2009 and lock in the May 2009 rates. If they change upon delivery and improve, you should be able to go with the newer rates. BouncewithB did it on his MINI so I don’t see why MB wouldn’t do it on the C350.
G,
What are your thoughts on these 2 deals I have in the hopper on a 2009 C-Class 300 Sport.
MSRP $35,545 (Base Sport w/ Auto Trans and Wood Option)
Deal #1 (the good one)
39 Month
15K miles
$479 per month + tax 6%
$1559 at signing (1st pmt, tax, dealer fee $599, tag and “miscellaneous taxes”)
Deal #2 (the bad / ugly one)
36 Month
15K miles
$564 per month + tax
$850 at signing (1st pmt, tax & tag)
Thanks!
Hey Don!
I would NOT lease a C300 right now. I spent a good hour and a half talking to Aaron, one of our new Dealerplace guys from Mercedes and he said the C350 IS the better deal this month and Mercedes is trying to move those cars VERY aggressively. So ignore the C300 and go for the C350.
Here’s what you need to do. Whatever the MSRP is, ask for the invoice price, then knock off another 2k. That is your sale price. Then have them calculate your payments based on that and do not have them roll in ANY inception fees into the loan. Once you find out what your payments are, you can decide what you want rolled into your lease loan to make your driveoff lower.
Trust me, C350. Don’t let me down
G, how can I get the dealer to deal on the C350 when the car is not on the lot and he’s to do a locate/trade with another dealer very far away? A run of the mill C350 without xenon (Premium 2 package) just won’t cut it for me. Thanks!
Well, there aren’t many options then. I mean, if the dealer cannot locate a model for you and can’t trade with another dealer without charging you for it, then your best choice would be to go to the dealer who has the car you want and deal with him/her. I’m not sure how MBZ does the trades with other dealers, but some dealerships do not charge for the trade. That’s probably your only shot at this car. Unless u want to fly out of state to a dealer that does have this car and drive it back.
Ok G I took your advice and here is what I have on the tabel.
2009 C Class 350 Sport
MSRP $40970
$821 at signing.
$515 plus tax & 6%
39 months x 15K miles
Any thoughts?
Alright Don! Lets figure this one out. At MSRP of 40970, I am going to hope you were able to get around 35000 for the sale price. You will need to provide me with the numbers for the 39mo lease since I don’t have those. What’s the money factor and residual? Also, if your state doesn’t allow you to transfer tags (and requires that you renew every year), I wouldn’t suggest doing a 39mo lease. You should also find out what your inception fees are. 821 looks like 1st payment and maybe DMV registration. See if you can provide me with the lease rates being used and what your inception fees are.
Hi G,
I have been offered the following:
1st: C350 with iPod Integration: MSRP: 40250; 39m/12k miles – $449+tax
2nd: C350 with P2, iPod Integration, 18″ AMG Wheels, Panorama, Chrome Handle Inserts: MSRP: 43745; 39m/12k miles – $479+tax
Both require 2500 inception fees. Do you think these are a good deal? Can I negotiate further?
thanks!
I am inclined to say the 2nd choice is better. I would need more info to determine if there’s more room to go lower. Generally speaking, we’ll have to start with the sale price. Most C350s are going for $2000 below invoice price. So you need to double check that. Your inception fee isn’t too bad, MB’s bank fee alone is anywhere from 900-1100 bucks. So DMV, 1st payment, doc fee and tire tax would push you to around $2000 probably. That would mean that there is about $500 or so in cap cost reduction. One word of caution, I don’t like 39 month leases, specially if you live in a state that does not allow you to transfer your tags.
Hi G,
thanks for the feedback. This is for Florida. Should I negotiate back to 36months or to go with a 48months term? The sell price was 4000 off MSRP, so 39745. Invoice is 40750. Thanks!
I got a quote for a c350 w/P1 and multimedia. 36mos./15k for 626/month.
No money down. 1st month only.
Good deal?
This is in SC, tax is capped at $300.
Cap cost 40230
@Art. Try to shoot for $38750. As for 36 or 48, that’s a matter of preference. Just make sure you don’t exceed the warranty mileage.
@BH. There isn’t enough information for me to provide you with an answer. Please refer to comment #10
I’d like to get my wife a C300. The local MB dealership is offering a lease deal? with $4544 down and $399 a month with 10K … Am I a fool not to negotiate this? How much can I honestly expect to get off this price. I’m in Southampton, NY
Thanks
@andrew. C300 and C350 should run you around $450-$550 on a 36-month lease if you pay inception fees upfront. This is all guesswork right now because your dealer didn’t provide you with the “essential” numbers. The best way to spot a bad deal is when dealers give you an insanely low monthly payment but expect you to pony up a hefty drive-off.
I have a proposal in hand for an 09 White C300 Sport 4Matic, Premium Package 1, Multimedia, iPod Integration kit.
They are asking for $1,900 up front and $479 per month on a 15,000 mile/39 month lease.
Thoughs?
@nms. Not a bad deal, but I’d rather have a C350. If you check the June C-Class posts, you’ll notice comments from other lessees on the deals they got for the c350. upgraded engine and similar options for about the same amount of money.
I need 4matic. C350 doesn’t have that option! Sadly…
Ooh, you need the AWD! Well then, yes the C300 is your only choice if you want a Merc. See if you can provide me with more info. like the MSRP, sale price and the fees the dealer is charging. This will help me break down the deal and see if there are using the proper numbers to calculate your lease.
G, I just looked at some rebates andwas disappointed to see Mercedes has dropped the 2000.00 rebate. I cannot believe they would do that this close to the change of the model year. What do you know G?
It looks like the C350 is no longer a good lease deal. The financing APR seems to have jumped to 2.9% APR for 66 months too. This $2000 rebate was going on for months though, so this doesn’t come to me as a surprise. I am expecting the residual value to drop this month which is not a good thing. I should be able to post some rates in the coming week and we’ll see how things shake out during the 2nd half of this year.
My Saab lease ends this month (JUL 09). I would like to get into a MB C300/C350, whichever has the better MF and residual. I have pretty good buyers services through USAA, so I should be able to get a decent price. I just need the MF and residual info before I make an offer. Always looking for advice.
I think you might have missed out on the C350s. Last month was the best! $2000 below invoice was the best I’ve seen all year. This month, the $2k incentive is gone. The MFs might have stayed the same, but the lease will run you about $60 bucks more per month. Hang on for a few more days though, I should be able to post the July numbers soon.