RE: Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe: UK drive

[TheStigsWeeBrother]

Ares said:

TheStigsWeeBrother said:

Ares said:

TheStigsWeeBrother said:

Why do you keep confusing PCP with PCH?
And you own example uses the word RENTAL.

For the first payment. But it is a lease contract.

in your example the first rental is for 3 months and you just said above that a rental was for 30 days.
Which is it?

I'll let you read it again

If renting suits your circumstances it's fine by me.

[Chestrockwell]

Couldn’t have made it up, C63 first drive thread turns into a PCP...PCH...shilpa f*cking poppadom argument

[MrGTI6]

st4 said:

The GS300h is quiet, smooth and technologically interesting. A 520d is an unreliable and unrefined eurobox devoid of interest or character inside or out. Unlike a GS.

Congratulations on the new job! Loved your segment on corporal punishment by the way.

[anonymous-user]

MrGTI6 said:

Congratulations on the new job! Loved your segment on corporal punishment by the way.

[Robert-nszl1]

mikey k said:

Yes over 90% of new cars are PCP deals.
I and our business are one of the rare exceptions.
We don't because bank rates are crap for cash and it saves paying ANY interest, inflated purchase prices and being locked in to mileage, term and service.
We do bank transfers and haggle.
Doing the sums my M140i has cost me ~£325/month for 3 years and unlimited mileage (now done 41k miles) and that includes service and tyres.
I had PCP quotes at the time, they were all well over £420/month including a £13k "deposit" from the old car.
Age old moral - if you have cash use it and don't pay inflated prices or interest. Be it a car at TV or anything.

And so having money invested in a car is a better use of cash than investing it in your business? Or your business returns less than the return you'd get on the notional interest charge on your car were it financed? I think you need to look up the definition of opportunity cost. A car (certain classics aside) is a depreciating asset. Your notionally conservative view of finance is anything but that.

And as others have said, the car on finance in whatever form is often much cheaper than cash finance given the incentives. I think sir you just haven't done your research.

[Ares]

TheStigsWeeBrother said:

If renting suits your circumstances it's fine by me.

Its spelt 'commercial astuteness'. (and is accompanied by not voluntarily pissing money down the drain just to brag that I paid for a car outright using a bag of fivers)

[mikey k]

Robert-nszl1 said:

And so having money invested in a car is a better use of cash than investing it in your business? Or your business returns less than the return you'd get on the notional interest charge on your car were it financed? I think you need to look up the definition of opportunity cost. A car (certain classics aside) is a depreciating asset. Your notionally conservative view of finance is anything but that.

And as others have said, the car on finance in whatever form is often much cheaper than cash finance given the incentives. I think sir you just haven't done your research.

Business is fine thanks, good enough to not give a st about depreciation on a car
Enabled me to also do a bank transfer for a 675LT.
Going back to the example I used the pro PCP argument conveniently missed the fact I have ~£18k equity in the car after the 3 years as opposed to nothing on PCP (unless I pay the balloon)
As I also pointed out each time - Each to their own.
I'm luck enough to be able to chose between the two and I prefer to use the cash.
My choice.

Any one got anything else to say about C63S?

[Ares]

mikey k said:

Business is fine thanks, good enough to not give a st about depreciation on a car
Enabled me to also do a bank transfer for a 675LT.
Going back to the example I used the pro PCP argument conveniently missed the fact I have ~£18k equity in the car after the 3 years as opposed to nothing on PCP (unless I pay the balloon)
As I also pointed out each time - Each to their own.
I'm luck enough to be able to chose between the two and I prefer to use the cash.
My choice.

Any one got anything else to say about C63S?

That part of your first sentence sums it up. You'd rather pay cash regardless of financial/commercial sense. It risks becoming the automotive version of cutting one's nose off to spite one's face.

I am similarly lucky. I chose to spend £600/mth on my car, avoid all risk, and spend the £65k cash on an extra sales manager for my business. In the 18mths I have had the car, that sales manager has brought in almost £600,000 of business at an average GP of 78%.

Whenever someone looks down on me for 'renting' my car, one look at the profit she has brought in comfortably balances my life.

[SidewaysSi]

Ares said:

mikey k said:

Business is fine thanks, good enough to not give a st about depreciation on a car
Enabled me to also do a bank transfer for a 675LT.
Going back to the example I used the pro PCP argument conveniently missed the fact I have ~£18k equity in the car after the 3 years as opposed to nothing on PCP (unless I pay the balloon)
As I also pointed out each time - Each to their own.
I'm luck enough to be able to chose between the two and I prefer to use the cash.
My choice.

Any one got anything else to say about C63S?

That part of your first sentence sums it up. You'd rather pay cash regardless of financial/commercial sense. It risks becoming the automotive version of cutting one's nose off to spite one's face.

I am similarly lucky. I chose to spend £600/mth on my car, avoid all risk, and spend the £65k cash on an extra sales manager for my business. In the 18mths I have had the car, that sales manager has brought in almost £600,000 of business at an average GP of 78%.

Whenever someone looks down on me for 'renting' my car, one look at the profit she has brought in comfortably balances my life.

Similarly to you, I did similar. I hired a couple of extra fund managers for £1m. They brought me in revenue of £25.6m. Hence I am glad I rent my car.

[breadvan]

mikey k said:

Any one got anything else to say about C63S?

Er, yes please.

As stated, I quite fancy a cab. Drove one last week and it surprised me how much scuttle shake there was. I was hoping for better with 200kg extra strength added. Is this as good as it gets or there better 4 seaters out there?

[Chestrockwell]

breadvan said:

Er, yes please.

As stated, I quite fancy a cab. Drove one last week and it surprised me how much scuttle shake there was. I was hoping for better with 200kg extra strength added. Is this as good as it gets or there better 4 seaters out there?

Wow 200kg! Does that make the cab 2 tonnes? How much does as an S63 Cab weigh or Bentley GTC, that’s a lot of weight in a C class, definitely enough to put me off.

[Robert-nszl1]

mikey k said:

Business is fine thanks, good enough to not give a st about depreciation on a car
Enabled me to also do a bank transfer for a 675LT.
Going back to the example I used the pro PCP argument conveniently missed the fact I have ~£18k equity in the car after the 3 years as opposed to nothing on PCP (unless I pay the balloon)
As I also pointed out each time - Each to their own.
I'm luck enough to be able to chose between the two and I prefer to use the cash.
My choice.

Any one got anything else to say about C63S?

Hahahaha I can't possibly belittle your business acumen, but you've gone from a small BMW to a McLaren, and you are paying cash for the cars??? And these in your business? I'm sure you are straight, but that might ring a few alarm bells for HMRC....

[breadvan]

Chestrockwell said:

Wow 200kg! Does that make the cab 2 tonnes? How much does as an S63 Cab weigh or Bentley GTC, that’s a lot of weight in a C class, definitely enough to put me off.

1,925kg

Maybe I should be looking at the level up, they’re probably not much heavier.

[breadvan]

2,110kg for the S63 cab.

Blimey, there really isn’t much in it.........

[Chestrockwell]

Nope not at all, I don’t get where the weight comes from in these cars compared to big cars like the S-Class, small 2.0 A35 AMG weighs 1500kg, C63 Cab 1925 yet an S63 coupe which is massive with all that kit and leather weighs 2100kg.

[off_again]

jon-yprpe said:

thiscocks said:

Not one mention about how it rides. Odd, considering the sub-title.

Sublimely on motorways with a decent surface, it really is relaxing.

Well on B roads in sport or comfort, not at all harsh.

Can be hard on crappy A roads though.

Good through town, not at all jiggly or bouncy (secondary ride as my old man would say).

My wife hates being driven in it though.

Anyway, enough facts, back to the arguing over whether driven by tossers, whether paid for by PCP is a crime, why it’s not worth the money and why an M3/4/RS5/Lexus paid for cash in hand (surely sign of a drug dealer?) is better.

Oh, and I think I’ve seen 2 in the UK in the last 6 months, but perhaps I don’t live in a drug dealing area.

Mmm, not sure I would agree with that 100%.

While the body control is excellent and at speed on a smooth road, it’s actually pretty good (in comfort mode). But as soon as the road gets a little rough then the ride deteriorates quickly. Low speed and rough roads and it’s a bit of a nightmare.

You can tell the difference in modes too, as sport and sport+ do tighten things up nicely. Oh and the whole chassis is very stiff. Here in California where some dropped kerbs to car parks can be quite high, it’s not uncommon to be on three wheels! No give in that suspension! Nearly got myself stuck on a gravel drive because of this!!!

Is it bad? No. I actually really like it. Control is excellent and it manages the weight well. Had an EP3 CTR and that was stiff and unforgiving. It’s no where nearly that bad!!!

I have a C63S with a stack of options added (bought a CPO from a local dealer). Totally ridiculous luxury from a car ownership point of view. But it’s an event each and every time I drive it. You don’t need 500 bhp, but it sure is nice to have.

Oh, and wind noise isn’t great and be careful with selection of options, some are pointless and expensive. I have the carbon brakes (fronts only by the way) and they are excellent. They do squeak though, so be aware of this. But they are stunning and totally fade free from my experience. I wouldn’t spec the brakes myself, but came on the car. Totally worth it since I didn’t take the bath on them!

Overall though, it’s a great car. I get it. It’s not an M car. It’s a daily driver that is rather special. You can commute, blast country roads and it makes every drive an event. Can’t ask for anything more really.

[mikey k]

Robert-nszl1 said:

mikey k said:

Business is fine thanks, good enough to not give a st about depreciation on a car
Enabled me to also do a bank transfer for a 675LT.
Going back to the example I used the pro PCP argument conveniently missed the fact I have ~£18k equity in the car after the 3 years as opposed to nothing on PCP (unless I pay the balloon)
As I also pointed out each time - Each to their own.
I'm luck enough to be able to chose between the two and I prefer to use the cash.
My choice.

Any one got anything else to say about C63S?

Hahahaha I can't possibly belittle your business acumen, but you've gone from a small BMW to a McLaren, and you are paying cash for the cars??? And these in your business? I'm sure you are straight, but that might ring a few alarm bells for HMRC....

BMW is the work car, owned by company. Soon to be changed, possibly to a used C63 estate
McLaren is the "weekend" car owned by me outright
All good with HMRC as we have a very conservative accountant

[mikey k]

off_again said:

Mmm, not sure I would agree with that 100%.

While the body control is excellent and at speed on a smooth road, it’s actually pretty good (in comfort mode). But as soon as the road gets a little rough then the ride deteriorates quickly. Low speed and rough roads and it’s a bit of a nightmare.

You can tell the difference in modes too, as sport and sport+ do tighten things up nicely. Oh and the whole chassis is very stiff. Here in California where some dropped kerbs to car parks can be quite high, it’s not uncommon to be on three wheels! No give in that suspension! Nearly got myself stuck on a gravel drive because of this!!!

Is it bad? No. I actually really like it. Control is excellent and it manages the weight well. Had an EP3 CTR and that was stiff and unforgiving. It’s no where nearly that bad!!!

I have a C63S with a stack of options added (bought a CPO from a local dealer). Totally ridiculous luxury from a car ownership point of view. But it’s an event each and every time I drive it. You don’t need 500 bhp, but it sure is nice to have.

Oh, and wind noise isn’t great and be careful with selection of options, some are pointless and expensive. I have the carbon brakes (fronts only by the way) and they are excellent. They do squeak though, so be aware of this. But they are stunning and totally fade free from my experience. I wouldn’t spec the brakes myself, but came on the car. Totally worth it since I didn’t take the bath on them!

Overall though, it’s a great car. I get it. It’s not an M car. It’s a daily driver that is rather special. You can commute, blast country roads and it makes every drive an event. Can’t ask for anything more really.

useful info
Is yours a coupe or saloon?

[off_again]

mikey k said:

useful info
Is yours a coupe or saloon?

Saloon, or as they say here in the USA, sedan. There are a few differences to the coupe version from what I understand. I believe it’s got a different rear axle and suspension setup, from the E I think. Supposed to be a better ride and overall control compared to the saloon.

I could go on, but one final thing, down changes on the gearbox in sport mode are fantastic. Smooth, rev matched and fast, with that noise and exhaust it caps off the driving experience.

[Welshbeef]

Autocar has a rivals tack battle 4-5 years ago (on you tube) M3 v C63 S round the Bedford autodrome - the track you normally race the single seater. Anyway the M3 was 0.7 seconds on a 1.23 min lap quicker than the Merc.

Question has Merc closed the gap or is BMW M3 competition still the sharper track tool