2008 Model Pricing Is Out and the Price is UP

[FunBenz]

I have had a R320CDI on order for months to be built in August. My dealer called this week to let me know that there was finally pricing released on the 2008 models on order.

I had a 2007 R320CDI ordered for May production, and Mercedes cancelled all the U.S. May production of R classes. So I had to re-order for 2008. I ordered the exact same equipment and the 2008 model is $1950.00 more! It comes out to about a 3.5% price increase. I had read that Mercedes was repacking some of the accessories to try to stimulate sales. My understanding is that the only real "addition" to 2008 model is 18" wheels have been made standard and they are basically using the AMG Sport appearance package on the standard car with the revised front grill with round fog lamps and the rear bumper design.

I am not sure that a price increase will do anything to increase sales.

[my_w123]

Hi FunBenz,

I would have thought that the price would go down $1,950 and not up!

I drove the R350 for a week in May and it is a nice car (my kids liked it, my wife thought it looked like a hearse, especially in black which I had first). With the CDI engine you should even get very respectable mileage. As you mention already, there is a real concern that the price increae will do nothing to stimulate sales that are probably best characyerized as lagging.

In Germany, they came out with two new configurations, a 5-seater and a 7-seater, as well as two new engines, the R280 and R280CDI. The low end versions are also available without 4-matic. (Without going back and reading it again it could be that one of the 280 engines was available before but you get my point: They are trying to push the price down). What is the difference between old R500 and new R550 (still called the R500 in Germany, even with the new engine)

Considering that some of the parts are made in Germany, shipped to Alabama and then assembled there, the Euro should not have the same negative impact on pricing flexibility that it has on the models made in Germany...

Best Regards.