Yes, call your dealer.
Leasing is not unlike purchasing. First you negotiate a sales price (the 'capitalized cost'). Dealers then apply a 'residual' percentage (a fancy way of saying what its worth after a period of time and mileage) which is likely not yet established for the CLA, whatever the 'money factor' is applied by the financing company to the sale's price (essentially, this is just a fancy way of saying 'interest' -- it is the same concept as what is applied on a loan), and then reduced by any money you're putting down ('cap cost reduction').
This is a bit of a simplification of the process but the most important take away is that leasing is really no different than purchasing. Call your dealer.
Many people think lease prices are set in stone. They're not. Technically, if you bring in your own finance company (pick a bank), you may also be able to improve your position through a better money factor. Don't be fooled by dealers who only provide you with the lease rate. In negotiating or understanding any auto lease you need to know the capitalized cost, residual value and money factor that the dealer is applying to the deal. If dealers are using the same financing company (e.g., Mercedes Finance), the residual and money factor are going to be the same. What really matters is the sales price/capitalized cost. That's the only way to know if you're really getting a better deal. All of this said, I wouldn't expect much in terms of reductions to cap costs on a new car that isn't even on the market yet...unless you're coming in on a group buy or you've found a dealer who is willing to deal.
Best of luck!
-Eric
Leasing is not unlike purchasing. First you negotiate a sales price (the 'capitalized cost'). Dealers then apply a 'residual' percentage (a fancy way of saying what its worth after a period of time and mileage) which is likely not yet established for the CLA, whatever the 'money factor' is applied by the financing company to the sale's price (essentially, this is just a fancy way of saying 'interest' -- it is the same concept as what is applied on a loan), and then reduced by any money you're putting down ('cap cost reduction').
This is a bit of a simplification of the process but the most important take away is that leasing is really no different than purchasing. Call your dealer.
Many people think lease prices are set in stone. They're not. Technically, if you bring in your own finance company (pick a bank), you may also be able to improve your position through a better money factor. Don't be fooled by dealers who only provide you with the lease rate. In negotiating or understanding any auto lease you need to know the capitalized cost, residual value and money factor that the dealer is applying to the deal. If dealers are using the same financing company (e.g., Mercedes Finance), the residual and money factor are going to be the same. What really matters is the sales price/capitalized cost. That's the only way to know if you're really getting a better deal. All of this said, I wouldn't expect much in terms of reductions to cap costs on a new car that isn't even on the market yet...unless you're coming in on a group buy or you've found a dealer who is willing to deal.
Best of luck!
-Eric
