Mercedes CLA from C&C or PI and Newbie Advice

[quarian]

Hi

 

I'm a newbie. I read the recent thread on buying from C&C vs PI. I don't understand a lot of the terms but I thought I better start my own thread since my qns may look so basic.

 

Eg. Freebies are 5k svc credit, caressential package, Huper Optik, GPS, incar dvr, welcome kit, etc.  you can try to ask for extras like Merc golfbag, baby car seat etc."

What is car essential package? What is welcome kit (not standard?) I think rear cam is quite useful. Not sure which is worth more or more possible to get.

Some say bargain for retail vouchers - what do you buy with that? Is it for small accessories and stuff? I'm guessing retail vouchers is lower priority than things like service credit, solar film, rear cam.

 

Also, what is buying from "AD", AD stands for? Is it same as C&C? SE I think is some sales exec...

 

I just started looking only. Thinking between C class and CLA coupe (basically the cheapest models and this is my first car under my name). Last mercedes I drove was family car long ago, a 280 SEL. Current car is not MB, it's lexus and the trade in my dad did a casual check and told me it's "about 40k". Started reading up on the more affordable merc and saw the CLA coupe 180, is it possible to get things like 5k service credit or is that only for higher models? Is this to use only after the 3 yr warranty finishes?

 

We called vincar by phone yday just a quick chat after seeing their advert and they said CLA 180 AMG is about 160k. Which I'm thinking if C&C CLA 180 basic is 163,888 with extras, maybe it's safer and better to buy from C&C. I also read people say need to check the OMV in case PI is much lower. 

 

I want to have a better understanding all the different factors so I can do better compare of the price and what I can get.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Arshavin]

Just drop by C&C showroom and your questions will be answered by handsome guy and pretty ladies

[Shooting Star]

Car essential package basically contain the followings

1) tyre patching x6

2) windscreen polishingx 3

3) aircon svc package

4) star interior ( I suppose is interior cleaning)

5)nano sealants x2

6)welcome pack ( dunno what it contains)

Total value : $3062

Hope the above info is useful.

[kotila]

_{I notice that CLA from C and C are made in Hungary and PI made in Germany.}

_{Just wonder is there a difference in quality?}

[keltanky]

Believed Vincar quote you the sunroof AMG kitted CLA which they could have it on hand now while AD you got the quote, could be non-AMG kitted.. wondering what are the extras lei...

[Omgamg]

C class sold by C&C is made in Africa

 

For C class you need to be careful with the price vs specs quoted by VIncar. Last year I checked, Vincar C200 is same price as C&C C180. Seems like a good deal but actually they strip away thing like keyless. Not sure what else they strip. So please compare specs very carefully. For me C&C is the obvious choice for peace of mind.

 

AMG line model for C class is about 13k difference at C&C. purely cosmetic difference only.

[quarian]

Hi all

 

Sorry I've been busy. But yday I went to try the C class and GLA at C&C. I used the sales agent my friend says is good. He was friendly, advise a lot but not pushy. My dad say he was entertained by him before and he's good also.

 

So, our current lexus got offered 40k. My dad had asked audi sales to check before last week when he saw some road show booth same price. But overtrade SE had said 7 to 8 is max. I had to leave so my dad continued talking as I have leave. Later he told me after a lot of discussion they got 10k overtrade in so total 50k. The car is 174k. I also realised our current lexus is ending next June 2017 so no matter what I need a new car.And to get the 40k trade in fixed I have to give up the car before the next birthday which is this year June. The new c 180 units only come in Aug.

 

3k svc credit is included (I believe this is standard). And coating, my dad did not ask if it's huber optik. We have to go this pm to give the deposit cheque so I want to ask for the extra stuff then. Back camera are all standard in the stock already.

 

I'm going to try to ask for 5k svc credit, make sure huber optik, ask for car essential and welcome kit. That sounds ok? I have no golf or baby haha so no need the golf bag. Anything else good to get/possible to get?

 

Big qn is it possible to get GPS free? I mostly use google maps on my phone to drive. Is the GPS good? Our BMW 5 I find the GPS not so good. 

 

btw, I am thinking to get dark blue.

 

Thank you all! I hope I get a good deal. 

Cindy

[darksaint]

Big qn is it possible to get GPS free? I mostly use google maps on my phone to drive. Is the GPS good? Our BMW 5 I find the GPS not so good.

I believe would need command online system addon to have the map GPS feature.

unless you do modification outside for the default audio 20 system to have GPS.

you may ask for star collection service if not in the package.

[quarian]

Thank you! Ok, I talked to agent just now.

 

He said he did not hold back. Included already (before I even asked):

- 3k svc credit

- caressential

- huber optik

- (my dad said) 6 times pick up and delivery for servicing - Is this star collection?

 

He said retail vouchers really cannot because he have given all he can and the overtrade he had gotten a very good deal for us overall. He claim the best deal in last 6 months for c class.

 

I tried to ask 4k svc credit. He said 3.5 or 3.1 also cannot. He kept saying he did not hold anything back. I tried to ask for extra polishing? But he said honestly overall he have done the max for me and anything else is extra cost for them and he really can't get more.

 

I think GPS..not possible. And I mostly use google maps when I need it on my tablet

 

Is this it? pretty excited.

 

Sorry if this is stupid question but Artico leather, I read it's standard for C class. It's basically fake leather. It's ok? I'm thinking dark blue outside, black seats inside (easier to maintain). The grey leather looks very light in colour, I think it's too difficult for me. Also, I know for outside exterior silver is the easiest to maintain etc but I saw the silver in the showroom. Really did not like it, it looked very old fashioned and dull.

[darksaint]

- (my dad said) 6 times pick up and delivery for servicing - Is this star collection?

yup the pick up and return is the star collection service.

[quarian]

Thank you Dark Saint. Looks like my agent quite pro-active. Pretty excited.

[Odessus]

I've got many star collection service in my package but never used them once. Prefer to drive my car in myself.

[PearlJam]

The most beneficial post by far, for me!  Very much appreciated for the timely info.

I was given $4'000 over-trade.

After reading this, I asked him but . . . 

[keongsam26]

3k servicing credit is standard. 

[quarian]

3k servicing credit is standard. The agent held it back. But you probably won some and lost some.

I got 6k from my agent.

Hi can I check what car was yours? Was it C class? My friend who has bought quite a few E mercedes etc gets 5k. 6k sounds like a lot. But I'm ok with my deal.

 

I also got retail vouchers and incar dvr.

[Odessus]

The most beneficial post by far, for me!  Very much appreciated for the timely info.

I was given $4'000 over-trade.

After reading this, I asked him but . . . 

 

Overtrade and service credits are quite different. Is your 4k overtrade or service credits?

[Epong]

I tend to rely on the pricing info on Sgcarmart to assess the margin/ premium which we are paying.  Using this as an example, the margin on the CLA200 is $60k (http://www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/newcars_pricing.php?CarCode=11386).

 

What comes after is the "sharing" of the $60k - overtrade, "freebies", service credits are part of the margin which you are trying to take away from the company.  What's offered to you is probably not more than $15k; $3k service credits not actually worth $3k as the cost of servicing at C&C is far more expensive than outside workshops. 

 

Obviously the company needs to make its margin to pay for the staff and overheads but I don't think the salesperson is honest when he said it's the max or eating into costs.  It's simply making his profit margin lower.

[Odessus]

It should be understood that "eating into costs" doesn't mean C&C loses money on your sale. Trust me - they'd rather not sell it to you if they actually lose money on your sale. LOL

 

C&C should have a minimum profit margin for each model. How much their margin depends on how good is your negotiation skills.

[Epong]

It should be understood that "eating into costs" doesn't mean C&C loses money on your sale. Trust me - they'd rather not sell it to you if they actually lose money on your sale. LOL

 

C&C should have a minimum profit margin for each model. How much their margin depends on how good is your negotiation skills.

 

Agree - but is that "minimum" known?

[PearlJam]

My impression is that the over-trade is a discount on the retail price of the car.
So an over-trade on a C-class is lower than on a W212 E-class.

The service credit, I believe, is also from the retailer.

Therefore, the amount of over-trade and service credit should not vary from salesman to salesman or else the poor walk-in buyer is not getting a fair deal.  

 

Other things like in-car cameras & retail vouchers are likely from the salesmen's pockets (their commission). 

These will probably be down to the buyers' luck and bargaining.

And a salesman who has made 20 sales that week will likely be less generous than a salesman who is new and wanting to set a minimum sales level.

I might be wrong.

 

Car loan is another thing.  I have one salesman insisting that I must take 50% financing calculated from the retail price.

I spoke to another salesman over the phone and told him that I will not buy if I am forced to take financing.  He said not taking financing is not possible but he will agree if I take a lesser amount.  There is no consistency here.  Cash is NOT king here.

If I am a high-net-worth guy, I can get financing at far lower interest rates than those charged for car financing.  Many people do not understand finance.  They think that 2.68% is not excessive but they do not realise that the effective interest rate is about 5.5%!!!  Your money in the bank is only earning 1.3%?  And when you buy a car, the dealer collects a downpayment while you wait 4 months for your car.  Meanwhile this money of yours is not earning interest but can be used to finance other buyers, earning the company 5.5%!!

 

When it comes to buying cars, local consumers are getting the short end of the stick. And there is not much they can do about it.

[keltanky]

Long Long Time ago hearsays, SE extra "pocket $" were

C klasse = $500

E klasse = $1000

S klasse = $2000

[Ah Bui]

Let's put it this way.... if you are buying A,B C or even CLA class merc... I would really suggest you stick to AD... The price difference between AD and PI are not big enough to cover the AD hoodoo.... you will need a difference of around $40k... to even think about PI.... 

[PearlJam]

Overtrade and service credits are quite different. Is your 4k overtrade or service credits?

The $4k offered to me was for over-trade.

After reading this topic, wow, not a great deal! 

[Odessus]

I got $15k overtrade. With additional service credits to boot.

[quarian]

I got $15k overtrade. With additional service credits to boot.

Odessus, is this for recent purchase of C Class?

 

Anyway, to update all the helpful people here.

 

I booked my C Class. My feeling is, depending on mix of what you have and who you know, the overtrade can be higher than what I got. But my dad was super eager in the negotiations (spoil my market) lol so for a seasoned agent, I think can read that and the overtrade was very hard to move past that point. But some of the stuff I read in other places need to bargain for, my agent gave quite easily without much discussion. Retail vouchers he kept saying cannot, in the end he gave me 500 and then upped it further. At least something. My guess is retail vouchers, they can claim or maybe have certain allocation that they can use to entertain or as gifts? The retail vouchers is not written on my purchase contract. My agent said it's under him, whatever that means. When I want I can just go to the shop and tell him, he will settle it. Also an extra I appreciate is that asked my agent about boot mats, he said C&C doesn't have original? But he will get 3M one cut to fit for my boot. 

 

What kind of nice stuff do you guys get from the retail? I only had a quick look going to the bathroom, lol saw some polo tees and car models.

 

Thank you all for the sharing. What does AD mean? I guess it's Cycle & Carriage, but I don't know where the AD comes from. Any guide on maintenance? I'm wanting to get the dark blue. I looked at the silver blue (called diamond silver) on the road. But it's just not striking. Is it just me or do light cars look very flat under non-showroom light? The dark cars seem to reflect more and look more glinty. Even though both are metallic paint.