Houston Mercedes Dealer

MSRP stands for Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price is the suggested price by the manufacturer to the dealer/retailer. Sometimes it’s also called “List Price” or Sticker Price”. It’s the price you usually see stuck on the windshield of the car on display at the dealership. This is what usually catches your eye next to the car itself naturally. What this price does not include are transportation to the dealership cost, registration, miscellaneous fees and taxes. Though you may be able to get a discount off the MSRP you may quite possibly still be shelling out more due to the above charges.
True Cost to Own on the other hand is the cost to own over a five year period. The following items are factored in when computing this amount:
Cost per Mile
Cost of fuel
Depreciation
Financing
Insurance
Fees and Taxes
Maintenance Repairs
For example the 2009 Mercedes CLK550 Cabriolet and the Mercedes SLK55 AMG Roadster. The CLK550 has an MSRP of $64,800 while the SLK 55 is at $65,700. The Roadster is $900 higher yet the Total cost to own or TCO for the AMG is $85,929 and the CLK 550 is $95,972 or $10,043 more than the “pricier” ($900) SLK 55. The lesson here is that one should not take things at face value. Always ask your dealer for the TCO before making a decision. It may come out to be more expensive in the long run.
So what’s the difference between MSRP and True Cost to Own? In one phrase: A lot.

Recently a friend was asking advice in choosing a new vehicle. I listed a couple of questions and 2 of the questions revolved around the purpose and for whom the vehicle is for primarily. If for example he’ll be using it mainly for going to the office, I suggested a sedan, coupe, convertible or a roadster depending on the budget.
In another post, I described the Mercedes line of sedans. Next are the Coupes. Basically the Coupe is a 2 door, 4 passenger luxury sports car. In this category, Mercedes has 3 classes: the CLK, CLS and CL. The CLKs are the “cheapest” of the lot. MSRP ranges from $48,100 for the CLK 350 to $56,800 for the CLK 550. Price wise, the CLS is next in line. A CLS 550 can be yours for just $70,700 MSRP or if you’ve got the extra cash, the CLS63 AMG ($96,300).
Last but not the least, is the CL class which comes in 4 trims: the CL550 4MATIC, the CL63 AMG, CL65AMG and the CL600. MSRP starts at $107,900 for the 550 to $203,700 for the CL65. I realize that they do appear rather pricey. But the nice thing about a Mercedes is that you get what you pay for and a lot more. Take the CL65 for example equipped with a 6.0 liter DOHC 36 valve V12 engine, 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, Active Body Control, 20 inch light alloy wheels and leather Passion sports seats that not only look great but provide maximum lateral support and comfort are just a few things that Mercedes once again engineered to perfection. Honestly looking at the CL class, I can’t find anything to complain about.

Electronic Stability Control or ESC or Vehicle Stability Control or VSC is defined as “A computerized technology that improves the safety of a vehicle’s handling by detecting and preventing skids”.

In layman’s terms it simply means it either detects or prevents skids and helps the driver regain and/or keep control when driving on slippery roads or during a sudden, panicked swerve.

Essentially, when the system detects a loss of control in steering, the system automatically applies individual brakes to individual wheels to counter either oversteering or understeering. Based on studies, ESC can reduce fatal single vehicle crashes by as much as 56%.

In 1959, Mercedes Benz invented a system that stopped the wheels from spinning at the transmission, brakes and engine level. In 1987, Mercedes Benz introduced the Traction Control System., a system that controls both acceleration and braking. This was later followed by the Electronic Stability Program or ESP and ESC.

The first Mercedes Benz vehicle to be equipped with ESC was the W140 S-Class way back in 1995. Though other car manufacturers have their own versions of ESC-Mitsubishi has ASTC and VSC for Toyota, Mercedes Benz’s will always be truly heralded as the world’s first stability control system.

To find out more, talk with your Mercedes dealer

The Mercedes S600 Guard Pullman is the latest and probably the ultimate in VIP protection. Heads of state, the rich and famous (and infamous) are the usual customers for this type of vehicle.

Instead of taking apart a new S600 and retrofitting all the plate armor into the doors, side panel and a couple of inches of polycarbonate glass in place of the standard windows, these are instead installed during production in the factory in Sindelfingen Germany.

The S600 is powered by a v12 byturbo engine which produces 380KW/517 hp-more than enough power to get out of those sticky and dangerous situations. Due to the added weight of the armor plating and the like, the suspension has been reinforced as with the brakes.

For protection, the S600 Guard Pullman has a level IV (B7) rating. This means that its armor is capable of withstanding gunfire anything from 9mm to 5.56 to armor piercing 7.62 X 51 NATO rounds. Other security features include a fire extinguishing system, run-flat tires and a self sealing gas tank.

You may want to special order this one since you might not see this one on the showroom floor at your local Mercedes Benz Dealership!

Mercedes Benz has long been an innovator and a leader in car engineering, technology and safety.
It has become a status symbol because those who own a Mercedes Benz belong to the upper class of society.

A favorite is the Mercedes Benz E200 Kompressor. One of the rarest luxury cars appreciated worldwide because of its astounding looks and performance.

It is loaded with number of comfort features like: thermo-electronic climate control, highly comfortable seats with adjustable headrests, safety belts, aero wipers, steering wheels with multifunctional capabilities, etc.

The Mercedes Benz E 200 Kompressor comes with a sophisticated engine that has 4 in line cylinders. The engine displacement is about 1796 cubic cm.

The of the Mercedes Benz E 200 Kompressor has a bore and stroke of 82 * 85 mm and a compression ratio of about 8.5:1.

There 4 valves in each cylinder deliver about 116 kw @ 5500 rpm and generates a torque of about 221 Nm @ 3500-4500 rpm. of the engine.

Mixture formation is done by the microprocessor controlled petrol injection system (HFM), inter-cooler and supercharger.

Also, the superb suspension system of Mercedes Benz E 200 Kompressor ensures a highly comfortable ride.

In front of the car, lies the four link independent suspension system with coil springs while the rear portion has a multi link independent suspension system with coil springs.

Mercedes Benz E200 Kompressor comes with a rack and pinion power steering that makes driving quite easy. Mercedes Benz E200 Kompressor has a gross weight of 2105 kg and kerb weight of about 1605 kg.

The total length, width and height of the car are about 4818 mm, 1822 mm and 1420 mm respectively. The wheel base of the vehicle is about 2854 mm and it has a ground clearance of about 123 mm.

Mercedes Benz E200 Kompressor has a fuel tank capacity of about 80 liters with 8 liters reserve. With these packages, truly Mercedes Benz E200 Kompressor fits just about any taste for a dream luxury car.

It is currently available at any worldwide Mercedes Dealership.