New 2009 E Class discount

[oldmovieguy]

Hi Folks
I'm keen to get into a new E Class as a replacement for my company car but the fleet manager has done a cracking fleet deal with Audi and wants me to order an A6. We have never ordered MB before but it's my choice and it would be useful if someone could tell me (a) is it likely MB will offer fleet discounts on a brand new model and (b) if so, what the fleet discount is likely to be.

 

[jberks]

At the moment everyone will offer a discount. Large discounts for private buyers abound, never mind fleets.
The E class is changing very shortly so there should be some amazing deals on the run out models. Speak to a dealer fleet sales manager.

 

[Rory]

I think the OP is talking about the new model.

Retail discounts will be hard to come by for a while but if your fleet (or leasing company) is a reasonable size then MB Corporate Sales may do something. It's all about gaining "market share" with these people and they will be keen not to lose sales to other brands.

 

[tromppost]

Take the Audi and enjoy it!! Way better than the end of line E class.

 

[oldmovieguy]

Thanks for the responses, I am talking about the new E class so I guess I'll leave it to the fleet manager.

 

[oldmovieguy]

Bit more gen. I popped into my local MB dealer this afternoon and faffed about a bit sitting in a C class sport, very nice I must say, I mentioned to the dealer about a fleet discount on the new E class and his response was not at all negative so I live in hope.

 

[Rory]

I guess I'll leave it to the fleet manager.

If he wants you to have an Audi then he might not be particularly helpful.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Presumably the 4-cylinder diesel. Have you ever heard the VAG unit? Its horrid. And the Audi is wrong-wheel drive. And isn't anywhere near as comfortable as the Merc. And has over-servoed brakes.

Do yourself a favour and get the 6-cylinder Merc engine.

 

[hawk20]

Take the Audi and enjoy it!! Way better than the end of line E class.

Stick with the E class. It is way better than the Audi.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Presumably the 4-cylinder diesel. Have you ever heard the VAG unit? Its horrid. And the Audi is wrong-wheel drive. And isn't anywhere near as comfortable as the Merc. And has over-servoed brakes.

Do yourself a favour and get the 6-cylinder Merc engine.

Some excellent points here Parrot, but remember this may not be a logical debate. "The fleet manager has done a cracking fleet deal with Audi" and that tells me that the financial arguments might well dominate this decision. The challenge for the OP is to argue the case on the merits of the car, otherwise they will all be travelling in Trabants (Gtis of course!).

The sorts of things the fleet manager should be most impressed by are (other than fleet discounts) residual prices, servicing costs, reliability and the use of consumables (fuel, tyres, spares). Fleet leasing companies hold that data and may be prepared to share it. Some client companies do use it to dictate vehicle choices, but only the smart ones.

Some of us can remember when several brands were taken off company car lists because of corrosion (Citroen, Lancia, Fiat), so such logical choices can work in your favour.

Finding the data to differentiate in favour of MB against Audi might be harder?

I wish him well.

 

[Rory]

The sorts of things the fleet manager should be most impressed by are (other than fleet discounts) residual prices, servicing costs, reliability and the use of consumables (fuel, tyres, spares). Fleet leasing companies hold that data and may be prepared to share it. Some client companies do use it to dictate vehicle choices, but only the smart ones.

As far as a fleet manager is concerned, most of the above will be taken care of in the monthly fully maintained lease cost. Only fuel consumption is variable.

For the end user the big issues are P11D and CO2 rating as they affect company car tax. MB doesn't usually compare well in these areas. There was a special business edition of the last E Class with a reduced price but I don't know whether they've done the same with the new one yet.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

As far as a fleet manager is concerned, most of the above will be taken care of in the monthly fully maintained lease cost. Only fuel consumption is variable.

For the end user the big issues are P11D and CO2 rating as they affect company car tax. MB doesn't usually compare well in these areas. There was a special business edition of the last E Class with a reduced price but I don't know whether they've done the same with the new one yet.

Good point Rory, but my reading was that the Fleet manager was dealing direct with Audi, so no middle man leasing company to offer a "fully maintained lease cost". If there is a leasing company involved, then the homework will of course have been done by them, but may leave the Fleet manager perplexed that the deal he thought was best does not come out best on fully maintained lease cost.

For others, discount from the manufacturers is everything, which is why groups like Renault sold so well to the Post Office for a while, to the chagrin of the users!

 

[Parrot of Doom]

The OP does however say that he has a choice in the matter. My choice, based upon some seriously poor experience with Audi dealerships, would be to go for the Merc.

Having said that I'm now doing mental car buying, and trying to choose between a 730D and a S320CDi Not that I have any money right now!

 

[Dosco]

Having said that I'm now doing mental car buying, and trying to choose between a 730D and a S320CDi Not that I have any money right now!

We are on the same planet Parrot....:lol:

 

[jubhi]

Has anyone here placed an order to the New E-Class Saloon or Coupe yet? If so did you get a decent deal?