Mercedes Benz GLC or Land Rover Discovery Sport? And pricing?

kthomas on 12/03/2020 - 21:29

Hi everyone,
I posted a few months ago about buying a Land Rover Discovery Sport and got some great advice. We decided to relocate to Far North Queensland so decided we'd hold off on the car until we moved. We fly up on Sunday and were set to sort out a car next week in Cairns (QLD)

We ducked into Land Rover in Melbourne (VIC) today to see what they had. They had a few demo models that ranged from 57-70k for the 2019 model and a 2020 model for 78k. They said they could even ship it up to Cairns no issue and it'd be there in a week.

We also popped into Mercedes to look at the GLC 300. I jumped in and instantly liked the car so much better. The interior was just so much nicer in my opinion, and in comparison the Land Rover Discovery Sport felt/looked cheap and clunky. I also liked that it was that bit smaller.

The car on the floor was a GLC 300 New 2019 model with:

  • Launch Edition
  • Metallic Paint
  • Seat comfort Package

$108,400

There was another GLC 300 with similar specs for 105k. Both were a bit more than we'd like to spend so we asked about any demo models, the salesman said at the moment they're getting a special bonus on new cars, so he'd do 90k no dramas and you wouldn't do much better on a demo. They'd also ship it up to Cairns and have it there in a week. My partner thought this was a great price and was just about ready to sign the paperwork. I thought it was strange he could wipe off 18k off the price with zero haggling so suggested we do a bit more research.

I got him to call the Cairns dealership, tell them what he was offered and see what they had to say. The guy was incredibly receptive and kept stating he'd love to keep the sale local. He also made it clear they could do 90k for the equivalent car no issues. Again, the fact that both these salesmen dropped the price to 90k so easily and with barely any discussion makes me think 90k is not the right price for these cars.

So I guess I have two questions
Which car would you choose? And if not either of these, which other "luxury" small SUV would you choose? Also any pros and cons on the cars you mention will be super helpful.

And what is the right price for a GLC 300 New 2019 model, not too fussed on extras I actually get but maybe using the extras in the car listed as above so I have a reference point.

Automotive Car

Comments

  • Mechz on 12/03/2020 - 21:47

    Merc are doing away with haggling. Everything will be online soon and the dealerships will just be delivery centres with big screens where you can configure your car if you didn't do it before you got there. They're just following Tesla really.

  • Daabido on 12/03/2020 - 22:14
    -1

    Engage a car broking service or Union Shopper.

    • kthomas on 12/03/2020 - 22:17

      Damn that was the advice last time, so I take it 90k is not the right price for the car?

  • ass3ts on 12/03/2020 - 22:38

    You should be comparing GLC300 with Range Rover Velar, not Land Rover Discovery. But I wouldn't get an SUV if I never go off-road.

    • kthomas on 12/03/2020 - 22:49

      I get that the cars are not comparable, but that’s because I hadn’t really considered any cars previous other than the Discovery Sport. My partner was actually swayed by a few of the comments about its relatability (or lack of) in my last thread which is the only reason he wanted me to sit inside the GLC

      We have briefly talked about the Velar too at a glance is seems too big for what we need.

      But if the velar was the one we were looking at, which would you prefer?

  • ass3ts on 12/03/2020 - 23:28
    +1

    If the Velar is too big, how about the top of the range P300 Evoque? If I had to get an SUV, I'd go Tesla Model X Performance. I bought a Model S Performance, and now a convert.

    • kthomas on 13/03/2020 - 04:22

      Great thanks for the feedback! I’ll have a look 😊

    • Ade99 on 02/02/2022 - 18:02

      …assuming you can charge the Tesla…..

  • spackbace on 13/03/2020 - 00:03
    +1

    If you're in far north Queensland, buy something off-road capable that doesn't matter if it gets scratched up. So many nice places up there to go and get off the beaten track!

    • kthomas on 13/03/2020 - 04:37
      +1

      We have a Colorado Ute and a beaten up, very old Landcruiser as well in Melbourne currently (Colorado will come up eventually)
      We had a Holden Crewman Ute up there which was buggered but got the job done, till 2 weeks ago and the motor blew up, which is why we’re looking to sort out a car ASAP.
      But also we’ve got an 11 month old and another baby due in a month, so probably won’t be off roading that much.
      My partner’s bar is in Port Douglas but we’re hoping to be back in Melbourne in a couple of years, so need something appropriate for either place, but also need it soon to get to appointments, and also incase the baby comes early.

  • frondono on 13/03/2020 - 09:00

    Resale value would be in the Landcruiser. I think Queensland has better tax laws for cars that are expensive.

    • Euphemistic on 13/03/2020 - 09:25

      Definitely resale in a land cruiser or Prado, especially in FNQ. Surely they would be a better option than either of the two choices listed.

    • kthomas on 13/03/2020 - 10:09

      Land cruiser or the Land Rover?
      (I know the land cruiser is the more sensible choice) but my partner is pretty set on one “luxury” car. We currently have a 2016 Colorado Ute and a beat up Land cruiser

      • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2020 - 11:35

        Why not buy a sedan or hatchback? Considering the cars you already own, you don't need an SUV/4WD. A similar sedan or hatch will be better to drive, cheaper, easier to park, and better on fuel. Not to mention they look better! They generally have not that much less useable space too.

        Get yourself a nice demo/1yr old BMW, Mercedes, or Audi sedan and pocket 20k. SUVs are a terrible idea if you don't need it.

        • kthomas on 13/03/2020 - 15:33

          We’re thinking an SUV because we’ll have 2 babies a year apart, and 2 seats in a hatchback might be a tight squeeze.
          A sedan could work if it had enough boot space, and we obviously just wouldn’t be able to change babies in the back of it, which is a negative.

          • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2020 - 16:23

            @kthomas: I'm sure you could make a big sedan work re changing babies! Everyone used to before SUVs…

            But that's a fair point I will admit. You should look at big wagons then. Still better than SUVs for all the same reasons, but with 99% of the boot space of an SUV.

            • kthomas on 13/03/2020 - 16:35

              @[Deactivated]: Yeh nah that’s a good point! We have all these modern conveniences that people have managed without for a long time.
              Don’t mind big wagons so will broaden the search!

      • frondono on 13/03/2020 - 12:50

        If you're set on luxury, it might be worth leasing if you've got that sort of cash, so it's always newish and in warranty. Landcruisers can still be pretty nice and are seen as luxury cars at the top end of the range.

        • spackbace on 13/03/2020 - 14:22

          Landcruiser tech is massively behind the times, so once you actually get in the car and use it you quickly see it's not the same as what OP wants.

          The cruiser is a very capable off-roader and touring vehicle, but if neither of these features are needed then a luxury car would be a far nicer drive

  • GourmetFoodie on 13/03/2020 - 23:15
    +1

    If you have the budget, just go with what you love and don’t stress too much on the price. You might save 2-3k more by calling around but it’s not worth the time and effort!

    • kthomas on 14/03/2020 - 12:38

      Yeh good point! Honestly I think I like the look of the aesthetic of the Discovery Sport but everyone says they’re lemons, got a few more nights to sleep on it though.

      • nurbsenvi on 19/03/2020 - 00:38

        They are Lemons for sure.
        It's just so painful that Land Rover designs are so beautiful compare to MB

      • Ade99 on 02/02/2022 - 18:04

        Never had an issue with a DS after 5 years……

  • brendanm on 15/03/2020 - 23:08

    I would take the Merc over a disco sport every time. A proper discover would be a different matter.

    • kthomas on 16/03/2020 - 07:49

      Yep I actually did end up just getting the Mercedes for 89k including delivery to Cairns.
      Took the person’s advice above and didn’t stress too much about it, at another time it would’ve been fun to try and get the best price but at the moment it just wasn’t worth the hassle.
      I love the Evoque but it just feels too much like the Range Rover everyone gets, just to have a Range Rover. And the Velar was too big and out of the budget for the top of the range ones.

      Thanks everyone for your help.

      • MarsTitan on 18/03/2020 - 22:40

        Congrats. It is a very nice car.

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