Quite often I see posts on this forum about people being upset with options/pricing changes that often to me seem quite insignificant. I also see lots of questions weighing one option vs another, and it all boils down to 'bang for buck' value for these people. I don't understand that for one simple reason:
These are expensive cars!
Any regular ICE car I've ever purchased starts off with a base configuration, and I simply add features I want and leave out others. If the base model was too much, then I looked at a different vehicle. I've never known anybody to purchase a base model of any vehicle anyway.
Here was my purchasing decision process on the P85D, and I can't believe I'm unusual for this type of vehicle (again, we're talking over 100K cars here):
1. 70D, 85D or P85D. Perhaps the only real decision I made. I like fast, so I went with the P85D. The rest is easy.
2. Carbon fiber spoiler, looks cool, add it...
3. Autopilot, of course yes, why would I want to restrict my expensive car features?
4. Smart air suspension, of course yes.
5. High fidelity sound, yes. Why would I want to listen to crappy music on a high-end vehicle?
6. Premium interior package. Of course, why would I want my expensive car to have a less than stellar interior?
7. Executive rear seats. Maybe the only other 'real' option to me. I don't need to cart around 5 people, so I went with the comfort and looks of these seats.
8. Subzero weather package. I live in Oklahoma, but yes! Love a warm seat and steering wheel on the few cold days we get (maybe 10 all year).
9. Rear facing seats. I don't have small kids, and I like the storage room, so no thank you.
10. Sunroof. I like the look both inside and out, so of course.
11. 21 inch grey turbine wheel please, they look far better to me (personal taste here).
12. Paint - red multi-coat. Looks best to me (again, personal taste).
13. Black next generation seats. Feel better, and again, very expensive car so why would I skimp?
14. Carbon fiber interior. Personal choice, I just like it.
15. White Alcantara headliner..... I like the look.
All adds up to ~133K. Rebates don't matter (I'm leasing, and I live in Oklahoma so I really don't get much anyway). Push order now.....
If I had a more limited budget, I wouldn't be buying this car to begin with. I'd buy something I could afford. I don't see buying a +100K car if that's not a no-brainer. Last time I bought a Mercedes, if I whined about the price they would have shown me a cheaper model to start with.
Sorry, just a rant. When the 3 comes out, these pricing issues will become relevant because it becomes an 'everyman' car. Right now it's not.
These are expensive cars!
Any regular ICE car I've ever purchased starts off with a base configuration, and I simply add features I want and leave out others. If the base model was too much, then I looked at a different vehicle. I've never known anybody to purchase a base model of any vehicle anyway.
Here was my purchasing decision process on the P85D, and I can't believe I'm unusual for this type of vehicle (again, we're talking over 100K cars here):
1. 70D, 85D or P85D. Perhaps the only real decision I made. I like fast, so I went with the P85D. The rest is easy.
2. Carbon fiber spoiler, looks cool, add it...
3. Autopilot, of course yes, why would I want to restrict my expensive car features?
4. Smart air suspension, of course yes.
5. High fidelity sound, yes. Why would I want to listen to crappy music on a high-end vehicle?
6. Premium interior package. Of course, why would I want my expensive car to have a less than stellar interior?
7. Executive rear seats. Maybe the only other 'real' option to me. I don't need to cart around 5 people, so I went with the comfort and looks of these seats.
8. Subzero weather package. I live in Oklahoma, but yes! Love a warm seat and steering wheel on the few cold days we get (maybe 10 all year).
9. Rear facing seats. I don't have small kids, and I like the storage room, so no thank you.
10. Sunroof. I like the look both inside and out, so of course.
11. 21 inch grey turbine wheel please, they look far better to me (personal taste here).
12. Paint - red multi-coat. Looks best to me (again, personal taste).
13. Black next generation seats. Feel better, and again, very expensive car so why would I skimp?
14. Carbon fiber interior. Personal choice, I just like it.
15. White Alcantara headliner..... I like the look.
All adds up to ~133K. Rebates don't matter (I'm leasing, and I live in Oklahoma so I really don't get much anyway). Push order now.....
If I had a more limited budget, I wouldn't be buying this car to begin with. I'd buy something I could afford. I don't see buying a +100K car if that's not a no-brainer. Last time I bought a Mercedes, if I whined about the price they would have shown me a cheaper model to start with.
Sorry, just a rant. When the 3 comes out, these pricing issues will become relevant because it becomes an 'everyman' car. Right now it's not.