This forum has me questioning everything I thought I knew

[chrisgo]

@BigHemi45

I have more loyalty to my money

welcome to the forum then We have a lot of folks here switch brands, make, model, trim, options (aka “base model”), etc. just for a good deal. Some folks are stuck on a specific car so all we can do is to make sure they don’t get ripped out but will hardly get a deal. We also like giving deal name like “deal of the century”, “deal of the decade”, etc.

… definitely fun group, just don’t get offended too much

[BigHemi45]

Thanks! I have 5 brothers so I don’t think my skin can get any more thick than it already is!

[LisaLease]

@RVguy Yeah, I agree there are models where 3rd parties compete, but like you mentioned, it’s on vehicles like Land Rover and Porsche which don’t really offer great captive lease deals to begin with. It seems that if there is subvented lease deals, a 3rd party simply can’t compete.

[max_g]

When you residualize the maintenance package you only end up paying ~40% of its cost. Mercedes maintenance is therefore not that expensive. You can also have an independent garage do it.

[adamcar]

@max_g

When you residualize the maintenance package you only end up paying ~40% of its cost. Mercedes maintenance is therefore not that expensive. You can also have an independent garage do it.

This is incorrect. If you add $500 to the cost of the vehicle, you pay that amount plus interest over the term of the lease.

[Jon]

If the cost is residualized, then you aren’t paying the entire amount.

[8.8.8.8]

I believe Audi offers residualized maintenance by bumping the residual value, MB I don’t know, not sure if thats changed since last time i looked into it.

[adamcar]

@Jon

If the cost is residualized, then you aren’t paying the entire amount.

The cost is not residualized.
Use the calculator and see for yourself. When you deduct $500 from the cost of the vehicle, you save a little over $500 over the term. When you add $500 to the cost of the vehicle, you pay a little over $500 over the term.

[Jon]

Are you sure? I see at least 3 posts, even one by @michael, saying MB’s Maintenance Plan is residualized. What are you basing your claim on?

2016 mb e350 -IL

The residual rate with the maintenance plan stays that same. However, the cost of the maintenance plan can be added to the MSRP of the car.

2016 mb e350 -IL

Yes, the maintenance plan is residualized on a lease. Even so, my parents declined it for their 24-month lease. They drive less than 10,000 miles per year, so only one Service “A” is required (needed once a year, or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first). The local dealer has service coupons: $199 for Service A (and $349 for Service B). The cheapest service plan (2 years or 20,000 miles) on E-Class is $850, which ends up being $300 or so once residualized.

MB E300 4Matic Offer

Consider adding the maintenance. It gets residualized so it only costs $12 a month or so.

[max_g]

@adamcar

@Jon

If the cost is residualized, then you aren’t paying the entire amount.

The cost is not residualized.
Use the calculator and see for yourself. When you deduct $500 from the cost of the vehicle, you save a little over $500 over the term. When you add $500 to the cost of the vehicle, you pay a little over $500 over the term.

I leased a 2013 Mercedes and the cost was residualized. Maintenance package cost me ~30% of MSRP (2/24 RV was around .70).

[Jason_B]

Cost is residualized.

[adamcar]

Sorry guys, didn’t realize you were specifically referring to MB maintenance.

[Warbeast]

So for MB is it recommended to always get the mb maintenance?