[sokoloff]

Just had a conversation with a dealer sales person about a new 2015 Smart electric. It was priced at about $17K and the $5000 BAP "discount" was figured into that price. So she tells me that after one year with the $80/month BAP payment that I could cancel BAP and be done with it. Of course you would no longer have your battery warranty. I had heard reference to that in another post, but this is the first time I heard it directly from a sales person. She said that's the way it has always been. That was news to me.

Len
2014 EV

 

[InjuredAgain]

Yes, this is exactly what I was told when I was shopping for a leftover 2015 Smart last week from Ray Catena motors. The sales person I talk to said that they would be willing to put this in writing as part of my deal.

 

[10470]

Of course you would no longer have your battery warranty.

The OEM warranty (based on its original in-service date) should still cover the battery for the balance of 4yr/50K mi.

 

[sokoloff]

The OEM warranty (based on its original in-service date) should still cover the battery for the balance of 4yr/50K mi.

I asked that exact question Steve. The answer I got was that the factory warranty would cover things they found during service, but would not cover a new battery if needed. What??? Then I have no warranty?? BTW this was the same dealership Injured Again mentioned. Maybe the same salesperson - female - forget her name.

Len
2014 EV

 

[InjuredAgain]

The salesperson I spoke to at Ray Catena was Christina Colluci. Not sure of the spelling of her last name.

It seems that outside of someone finding an exceptional deal, I'm probably out of the market for the time being. I'll be retiring at the end of September and will likely be looking at replacing my old Miata at that time, may even call them up again as by that time these cars will be turning three model years old and they may be more motivated.

 

[sokoloff]

Yep, that's the same person I spoke to. We need a second opinion from one of our dealer members. Kamaal? Dan?

Len
2014 EV

 

[SuperSmartie]

We need a second opinion

No, you need it in writing.

 

[10470]

You need it from a higher (non-local) authority, IMO. In writing!

 

[jzchen]

Not sure what you guys mean? Does this mean you do not have to purchase the battery after one year of BAP? Mercedes just gives it to you at that point? I have seen where someone said you can decide to cancel BAP by purchasing the battery at any point in time....

 

[InjuredAgain]

Not sure what you guys mean? Does this mean you do not have to purchase the battery after one year of BAP? Mercedes just gives it to you at that point? I have seen where someone said you can decide to cancel BAP by purchasing the battery at any point in time....

According to this salesperson, that is how it works. The new, leftover 2015 Smart ED is sold with BAP, but after paying for one full year, you may cancel at any time and keep the battery pack, without any further obligation, monetary or otherwise.

I asked that since we're getting $5k off for being on BAP, that Mercedes is fine with us just paying $960 through BAP over the one full year and then just canceling, and she said yes and that it had been done that way by other customers of theirs. I asked if she would provide that in writing and she said yes.

We weren't close in final price so I never pursued the deal.

 

[MB DNA]

We need a second opinion from one of our dealer members. Kamaal? Dan?

Pardon the pun but this may be to "grease the (sled) skids" to clear the lots of any remaining NEW 451 ED inventory before the 453 ED release?

A hidden incentive that may negate further discounts?

Don't think that a Salesperson is going to post to SCoA their "second opinion" on BAP and it's unwritten nuances fact or fiction?

Agree with Steven that anyone seeking the truth needs to go to a higher power - MBFS/BAP.

 

[Mister_smart_LA]

Once BAP is on a car, it stays. Any other suggestions I would not trust. Especially any random claims by phone. Some folks may have good intentions, and do more thinking than actually knowing.

Somebody got a $5,010 reduction in the price of the vehicle in exchange for $80 per month and BAP protections. They're smarter than that. You don't just say "Okay, I'll take a $5,010 lower price, pay for the $80 per month, and then cancel when I feel like it... oh! Thanks for the extra piece of mind via battery warranty, lower battery maintenance costs, and lower price while I cancel because I feel like it."

Doesn't work that way. Somebody is getting a bill that isn't being paid, somebody is putting their credit on the line, and somebody is risking a vehicle repossession if they believe otherwise...

 

[InjuredAgain]

Just a note that this dealership has dropped advertised prices by $1000 on the seven new 2015's they had in stock. Still doesn't make it a viable deal for me yet but they are getting closer and especially so if I can get a legally binding guarantee from them that I can cancel BAP after one year with no consequnces on my part or they will be responsible for any damages.