[halB]

I waited a whole year to see the E93 come out and was ready to order one as soon as it hits the showroom, but......

7.75% lease rate for 36 months for the E93! Even after a 0.5% repeated customer discount (we are currently leasing 4 other BMW's in the fleet) it is still 7.25%!

Mercedes is currently offering 4.9% 36 month lease rate for the SLK350. I figured that even with the 3% discount promised by my BMW rep., I can still do much better with an SLK350 even if I don't get any discount from MB and with a slightly lower residual. I figured that I can get a fully loaded SLK for the same lease cost figures as a partially loaded E93 335i. (Unfortunately the SLK55 AMG is still at 7.75% and a lower residual - untouchable)

I have to do some serious thinking and test driving in the next few weeks to make up my mine!

What do you guys think?

[aspiring335]

I wouldn't be happy paying 7.25%, but it's not surprising for a brand new model, particularly a convertible that's been so widely anticipated as the E93, and given that we're heading in to summer. Not sure what the lease rates would have been on the SLK 350 a couple of years ago, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were similar (the rates on the AMG 55 version are reflective of how it's still relatively difficult to get that model).

A lot of people on these boards are pretty dismissive of the SLK, but I think it's a fantastic car. Not quite as sharp as the BMW, but beautiful design and a great powertrain. Watch out for the notorious Mercedes reliability issues, though...

Originally Posted by halB

I waited a whole year to see the E93 come out and was ready to order one as soon as it hits the showroom, but......

7.75% lease rate for 36 months for the E93! Even after a 0.5% repeated customer discount (we are currently leasing 4 other BMW's in the fleet) it is still 7.25%!

Mercedes is currently offering 4.9% 36 month lease rate for the SLK350. I figured that even with the 3% discount promised by my BMW rep., I can still do much better with an SLK350 even if I don't get any discount from MB and with a slightly lower residual. I figured that I can get a fully loaded SLK for the same lease cost figures as a partially loaded E93 335i. (Unfortunately the SLK55 AMG is still at 7.75% and a lower residual - untouchable)

I have to do some serious thinking and test driving in the next few weeks to make up my mine!

What do you guys think?

[shiggy]

over 7% lease rate is nuts, however the SLK over the E93 is nuttier. The front end and the interior is well designed...but way to short....kinda of a chick car!
Have you considered the upcoming Audi A5 or S5?
Hot sellers will have a lower lease rate as profit is generated by sheer volume. Variants of less volume will generally have a higher rate.
Anyway....good luck and hope i didn't offend with the chick car comment.
cheers, shiggy

[Yvette]

tough choice

[findtom]

Originally Posted by shiggy

over 7% lease rate is nuts, however the SLK over the E93 is nuttier. The front end and the interior is well designed...but way to short....kinda of a chick car!
Have you considered the upcoming Audi A5 or S5?
Hot sellers will have a lower lease rate as profit is generated by sheer volume. Variants of less volume will generally have a higher rate.
Anyway....good luck and hope i didn't offend with the chick car comment.
cheers, shiggy

Exactly... I would consider the CLK more of an equivalent to the E93. I'm sure the SLK is a blast to drive, but it's tiny!

[GregL]

Originally Posted by findtom

Exactly... I would consider the CLK more of an equivalent to the E93. I'm sure the SLK is a blast to drive, but it's tiny!

I find I sit better in an SLK over a CLK though, problem with the CLK is that it's rather narrow overall so I'm very close to hitting the door with my shoulder just sitting normally. The SLK is indeed small, but it's cozy Alot of the cabin is padded as opposed to funny angled hard plastic so your knees will be thankful when resting on the sides.

[flush01]

i really hope when my car comes in 3months that they will honor the lease rate which was when I signed the papers...

[halB]

Originally Posted by flush01

i really hope when my car comes in 3months that they will honor the lease rate which was when I signed the papers...

As far as I know the interest rate (lease and finance) and residual % are set by BMW Finance, and is set as of the date of delivery. The dealer can't do anything about it as they only handle the selling.

[flush01]

Originally Posted by halB

As far as I know the interest rate (lease and finance) and residual % are set by BMW Finance, and is set as of the date of delivery. The dealer can't do anything about it as they only handle the selling.

you're right, i talked to sales manager last week, looks like i'll be paying 50$ or so more amonth, f@ck :mad: