[whitecar2003]

Hello:

I just ordered a new '03 C230 Sport Coupe (White w/ 6-spd, C5 & CD Changer) and it's due mid-August, however as of 2-weeks ago the dealer didn't have pricing yet for the '03's.

Has anyone heard any rumbling about where list prices are heading for next year? I've heard two schools of thought and both make sense...1. Price will rise significantly due to the weak dollar/stong euro vs. last year, or 2. MB wants to keep the price near the '02 levels to continue with their customer aquisition strategy (i.e. bring new blood into the benz family by offering a reasonable price for this entry model and betting that the experience will yield a customer upgrading in a few years to a more expensive car)

Any news would be appreciated. Few things I did pick up from the dealer (btw... it was Fletcher Jones' newest aquisition... MB of Chicago)

6-disc changer is now available as factory installed option ($400 vs. $725+ as dealer installed)

New items for '03: Xenon headlights now available on the Kompressor(part of C4 I believe) as are two types of wood trim. I saw the options show up for '03 on the MB 'Intranet' at the salesman's desk when I placed the order, but the prices were listed as N/A, just as the list price was for '03.

Anyone heard of other changes / fix-ups for '03?

Can't wait till my 'new arrival.' Currently driving a 12 year old Civic Si. Fun car, but not in the same 'class' as the Kompressor.

 

[Lynn]

The base price is the same, some options are going up. The price of the auto trans is up $25, metallic paint is up $15, and C2 is up $20. The auto dimming mirror are now an option.

 

[GUY]

c class pricing

This post won't really be of relevance to you guys in North America, however, I thought you might be interested to see know about the pricing trends in the UK for the C coupe (and presumably the whole c class range).

I visited my Merc dealer yesterday to check on progress with my C230K order and was surprised to find that the base price of the models had been reduced. The C230K had been reduced by about £1,145, supposedly to bring UK prices more into line with those in mainland Europe. I don't know yet whether option prices have been affected, the dealer is repricing my car today. I did note that Mercedes has rather shadily given a price cut with one hand and then taken it back with another, as although the base price has gone down they have introduced an "SE" package (special equipment) for £950. The effect of this really is that they have downgraded the standard spec slightly and then created the SE pack to claim the money back (as you have to get the SE pack to make up for the spec cut).

Even worse for me is that despite the fact that I have ordered the Evolution AMG package (and various other options) I am still supposed to pay £950 for the SE pack. Apart from metallic paint (which I had ordered separately) every single component of the SE pack (e.g. single cd player, alloy wheels, climate control) is irrelevant to me as I am getting "bigger and better" versions through the options I am choosing.

Will see what price the dealer comes back with but I feel a bit of "negotiating" may be required here - don't like to get ripped off :evil: . I should just have to pay for the options I want.

Seems like a pretty underhanded way of effecting a "price reduction". Do you guys have similar experiences? Reckon I'll get away with arguing I shouldn't have to pay the extra £950?

GUY