@holeydonut
Thank you for your feedback and understanding! I truly appreciate it.
I want to clarify that I’m not trying to be defensive—I’m here because I’m a newbie to leasing (first-timer) and seeking the community’s wisdom to improve my leasing deal and numbers.
My goal is to focus more on the leasing numbers rather than car choice discussions. I understand that everyone’s dreams, tastes, and financial situations are different. For some, a $1,200 monthly payment might be extremely high, while for others, it might not make a dent in their budget. That said, I’d like to stay on the conservative side and use the LeaseHackr (LH) community’s expertise to help me optimize my deal and, if possible, lower the numbers.
After seeing some unicorn deals (like a 100K car for $800 monthly) I realize there’s room for improvement in my deal. However, as someone new to leasing, I’m still learning how to navigate the process and identify which leasing parameters I can negotiate further.
Any advice or insights on how to improve my leasing numbers would be greatly appreciated!
yes latest amg c63 is hybrid but unfortunately 7500 tax credit doesnt apply to those amg models… so cant get any savings from being hybrid - just daily saving on gas
I see a pattern of the following, so I’ll say this one last time before exiting the thread instead of being repetitive.
A. “Lack of V8 is a big letdown.” Then go buy the nicest V8 AMG or ///M you can find. Buy it and modify the exhaust and enjoy that friggin’ V8 in all its sound and fury. Most OE tires are average so change the tires too and make that thing
B. “Emotional decision.” Then make one that makes you happiest. Foregoing a V8 is not it, based on how many times the lack of a V8 being a letdown has been mentioned. See A above.
C. “fuel economy.” F*** that. Gas savings are small savings in the grand scheme of things. Peanuts. Don’t waste a lot of money (almost $50,000 total cost) to rent a 4-cylinder “C63” just to save a little money on gas.
Im not saying you’re being defensive in a negative way. What I’m pointing out is the other forum members are putting you in a position to have to defend your lease decision. If you just want to enjoy your car without the negativity, you’ll want to ignore those nay sayers instead of trying to rationalize your purchase with them.
They’ll never see your perspective because their value system and judgmental nature differs from yours.
Normally, if you sign up on LH as a super supporter you can access Rate Findr and see what consumer rebates are available.
Unfortunately the Rate Finder is kind of wonky with the 2024 C63 E Performance, and it doesn’t actually show the EV/PHEV rebate from Mercedes Financial and only shows the lease loyalty (which you will not qualify for since you aren’t coming out of a MB Lease).
Anyway, there is a federal $7,500 value for the vehicle, and what Ahash is saying is you’ll want the dealer to also contribute their own discount as a % off of MSRP. Plus you want the 48 month lease if you’re trying to get the lowest possible payment since the residual is best on the 48 month term.
Once you have a dealer contribution discount, and you layer in the $7,500 from Mercedes Financial, and use RateFinder to get the buy rate money factor, LH believes you can take this knowledge and make an offer to your local Benz dealer.
“Agree to my offer and I’ll drive away today this car that everyone and and their mom on the Internet are telling me is a junk Benz.”
Unfortunately real-life doesn’t work this way in the Pacific Northwest. They’ll just tell you to go eff off because they actually do not want to offer strong deals to locals. For example, MB Lynnwood, WA and MB Plano, TX is notorious for this. They would rather send a vehicle out of state to be sold at a discount by another MB Dealer than sell to a local at a discount out of their showroom. They don’t want to be known as a dealership that offers discounts because they don’t want locals coming in begging for low cost Benz.
That’s why going to LH Broker/Dealers is so great. You get a smokin’ deal without the pain.
You can get a C43 for $500. The 63 isn’t worth 2.5x a 43. NTM dailies lose their X factor very quickly. Too much familiarity. Novelty wears off quickly. It ceases to remain a special car.
Appreciate your comments and insights. Honestly never considered C43 vs C63, as before it was V6 vs V8, but with latest models that difference mostly in software settings and interior trims. probably need to test drive new C43 to update my thoughts on it.
agree on your points, im bit confused myself on which factors are critical to me, which ones I can live with.
Gas mileage savings are most likely just on paper and justifications for my wifey that this sporty car still can be daily driver
Previous models with V8 are great, but their MBUX system is very outdated, I think as many of AMG fans, I wanted to have new interior with V8, but that sounds like 2026-2027 plans of amg and who knows they can change their mind as well
@holeydonut thank you for this insight.
Lol im dealing with MB Lynnwood, so looks like dont have much of chance to improve those numbers.
I’ll try to get some dealer cash and 48 month numbers, just a bit hesitant on 4 years commitment due to rumors of v8 getting back to 2027-2028 models, and maybe after 3 years I can switch back to v8
I think MBUSA historically has a 6-month pull ahead, so probably could get out of it after 42 months if you wanted. I am sure they would work with you I you wanted to get into a new V8-powered C63.
Lol I knew you were dealing with MB Lynnwood the moment I saw MB Seattle didn’t have any C63 in stock locally. That and their offer to you was no-haggled (basically the Mercedes national offer).
I think since you aren’t hunting the lowest possible payment, you should shoot for the term that makes the most sense for you.
If you end up ordering a C63 with a V8, MBFS usually lets you extend a current MB lease to coincide with the delivery of your new car. So there’s a bit of benefit to under-shoot than there is to over-shoot and end up with two C63 in your garage haha.
You should test drive it. Awful car, even worse than reviews say. If you’re making 600k theres waaaaay better options regardless of how good of a lease deal it is.
Test drive new E53. I test drove one a few weeks ago. Of all the new hybrid AMG models, it is actually really good. Starts at a reasonable price as well.
Reviews of the C63 have not been kind (and not b/c “Hey, we need a V8!”). I think many journalists have been confused by the added wt and complexity for tech that doesn’t seem to provide much of an advantage (although maybe the PHEV really does make a difference for you).
