The new Mercedes CL-class

Mercedes has a program that gives buyers of this car access to a “free” European vacation. Really.

If you can plan in advance (i.e., strike your best deal and order the car at least four months ahead of time from your local dealer), you can use Mercedes’ European Delivery Program. The factory takes 7% off the MSRP (that’s how your vacation becomes “free”); you pick it up at their factory (take the fantastic factory tour specifically for new owners), and then you can drive it around Europe for up to 15 days — after which their zero-deductible insurance no longer applies. Use their planned vacations, which are nicely priced, or head out on your own.

Return your new car to any of nearly two dozen European locations and they’ll ship it from there to your home. It’s a great plan, surprisingly not as well known as it should be. More importantly, if you’re sitting on the fence about buying this car, it’s all the justification one needs to make the splurge.

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