New A Class - Online Buy

[MercFan007]

Hi,

I am in the process to buy a New A class, looks like many online broker sites offer much better deals than direct dealer deals, though most of these deals ultimately come from a dealer via these sites. Price difference is up to £2000+. Anyone recently tried this option...? Positive or Negative experience...? What to look out..? Thanks

 

[uumode]

I bought a car in August and found that Drivethedeal was the cheapest for me by a couple of hundred, BUT you don't know who the dealer is. Usually way up North (if you are down south) where possibly trade is a bit slower than down south.

Also the default delivery is by driver so for me wasn't worth it. Also the contract is between you and the dealer (if things go pear shaped) it's slightly harder to resolve if you have to return the car to them to address rather than fall back to the Mercedes Warranty.

The next cheapest was carwow.co.uk and I liked this business model as it is like a reverse auction where visible and identifiable dealers 'bid' for your business. Very transparent, and I found a dealer about 18 miles from me.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

I've bought many cars through web deals and the manufacturers warranty has always been honoured by the nearest dealer regardless of whether they supplied the car or not so I wouldn't be put off by distance.

If the cheapest dealer is 300 miles away you can usually pay a little extra to have to car brought to you on a transporter. Generally national delivery is free albeit 'driven'

IMO go for the cheapest deal.

Ant.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

I bought a car in August and found that Drivethedeal was the cheapest for me by a couple of hundred, BUT you don't know who the dealer is. Usually way up North (if you are down south) where possibly trade is a bit slower than down south
.

Not always the case. My C 205 would have came from MB Reading and I'm up in Dumfriesshire. Shame I never got it.

Ant.

 

[BEA76]

I have recently used a drive the deal quote as a negotiating tool with my local dealer, got a deal I was happy with. Just waiting for it(w205 220d AMG Line) to actually show up

 

[Bonecho]

I have bought several cars via brokers and had no problems.

My C Class was bought via Car File who put me in touch with a dealer up north. The car went through as a fleet sale as all my dealings with the dealer was via fleet and not retail.

Delivery was included but as the dealer was only 75 minutes away by train I picked it up in person. All very professional, the salesman was actually the local corporate business development manager and picked me up from the station. Back at the dealers the car was under a sheet for the unveiling. All in all a good experience.

 

[JMitch84]

I ordered an A Class several weeks ago.

I had checked the usual brokers (Carwow, Carfile Drivethedeal etc), and the cheapest I found was 12% discount on Orangewheels. I've had a quick look and it seems that offer is still available.

However, my local dealer is literally just around the corner from me, and I ended up settling with them on 10% discount plus free servicing for 3 years (the Orangewheels deal didn't include the servicing offer). A great deal and well worth it just for the convenience of my dealer being so close. Special mention to JBD for the great service!

My advice would be to get the best quote you can from the brokers, then go see if your local dealer will match the price. Saves a lot of haggling as well. If they can't, everything I've read about the broker option indicates it's perfectly viable. Your local dealer will be happy to take your custom when it comes to servicing, regardless of where you order from.

What spec are you going for, out of interest?

 

[uumode]

I've bought many cars through web deals and the manufacturers warranty has always been honoured by the nearest dealer regardless of whether they supplied the car or not so I wouldn't be put off by distance.

Ant.

The normal mechanical or faults would be covered under warranty but other sales issues would need to be rectified by the supplying dealer as the contract is with them. Usually most things go smoothly though.

In the past I've had a new car supplied with dealer induced scratch marks caused by last minute prep by salesman wiping a damp cloth over dusty paintwork. (had to prove and battle that one) Missing spare alloy wheel, 6 months tax disc instead of 12 and no tank of petrol as I negotiated and they promised as part of the deal. In those days minor trim rattles/squeaks were not covered under warranty, as it wasn't deemed a mechanical failure and did not affect the operation of the car. But were most annoying and only the supplying dealer would invest time trying to diagnose and fix, with quite a few back and forth trips.

 

[wongl]

I ordered mine through an MB dealer in Denmark. It took several months as they had to order a RHD from the factory to my specification. I save £7K but the exchange rates have changed since and the savings considerably less.

 

[JBD]

I ordered an A Class several weeks ago.

I had checked the usual brokers (Carwow, Carfile Drivethedeal etc), and the cheapest I found was 12% discount on Orangewheels. I've had a quick look and it seems that offer is still available.

However, my local dealer is literally just around the corner from me, and I ended up settling with them on 10% discount plus free servicing for 3 years (the Orangewheels deal didn't include the servicing offer). A great deal and well worth it just for the convenience of my dealer being so close. Special mention to JBD for the great service!

My advice would be to get the best quote you can from the brokers, then go see if your local dealer will match the price. Saves a lot of haggling as well. If they can't, everything I've read about the broker option indicates it's perfectly viable. Your local dealer will be happy to take your custom when it comes to servicing, regardless of where you order from.

What spec are you going for, out of interest?

Thank you!

As above, if you can get a quote online and take it to your local dealer, they will normally do their best to match it. As long as it is within their margin! We had a customer in the other day with an E class quote which we could even try to match.

OP - I'd be happy to look into a deal for you if you wish. Just send me a PM

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Thank you!

As above, if you can get a quote online and take it to your local dealer, they will normally do their best to match it. As long as it is within their margin! We had a customer in the other day with an E class quote which we could even try to match.

OP - I'd be happy to look into a deal for you if you wish. Just send me a PM

Good to have you back James.

Congrats on the Focus order. I'm excited for ya. :bannana:

Ant

 

[JBD]

Cheers! It's not going to arrive until March or later