Chauffeurs - what's the deal?

[JulianPH]

Todd Bonzalez said:

Julian, random Q, have you recently helped move the best restaurant in brum up to bennetts hill?

Nothing to do with me, I am afraid. You've got the wrong chap!

[BrettMRC]

Back in the 80's my wife used to be the youngest female chauffeurse in London.

She used to drive one guy from Sussex to London in a brand new Bentley Turbo R, had a great time with a good boss - could park anywhere - all the best hotels and restaurants etc.

She says it was brilliant.

She also drove another couple for about 6 years and used to go to all the race meets with free tickets to get in.

Used to wash the cars twice a day and have to sit in them all day, but a great experience if you have a good boss.

[48k]

MHT223 said:

48k said:

Really interesting post, thank you.

Have you got any links to those V Class vehicle leases? I'm just daydreaming and trying to spec up my ideal V class limo but can't find any online configurator for a UK car and can't find any mention of exec packs for it, and the list price of the most expensive AMG car is only about 55K with 700/month lease with maintenance. Just daydreaming not trying to pick holes in your excellent post.

Exec pack is for the S-Class not the V. I don't have direct links, I haven't had the need to recently, although normally it works out more beneficial to buy V-Class rather than lease as the residuals are so strong. There are a number of Mercedes dealers who cater to the trade and order new cars on spec so you can call them up and typically get chauffeur spec cars within a couple of weeks (unless it is a new new model release say the S-Class in 2013).

There's not a lot you can do to V-Class tbh, Sport option gives you nappa leather then add extra long wheels base which I think gives you electric doors and parking sensors, eight seats. You can add an upgraded sound system. Panoramic roof was always available only on LWB, not XLWB which rules it out for a lot of chauffeurs.

You can get the AMG one, internally not really any different but just has the body kit outside.

If you buy one the best time to sell it is in April before the Arab visitors arrive and Wimbledon / Ascot. Safest spec is XLWB & 8 seats in black or silver, it'll always hold value to Chauffeurs in the used market then.

If you want something really special Google Klassen V-Class. They are German coach builders that do stretched Maybachs / G Wagon loads of stuff. A kitted out V from them is about £200k

Crikey!