Discussion
I have a C32 AMG estate which I love. I feel its pretty much all the car I’ll ever need. Pretty quick, comfy, looks nice, practical with a big boot; the only down side is the high fuel consumption, though I can live with that.
The trouble is I’m now moving permanently to Stockholm Sweden. Whilst the car is great it remains UK registered and right had drive. I’ve also had it here for around two months, and now insurance and local law mean I have to either register it locally or get rid.
Option 1:
To register it locally would probably cost around £1k to make all the changes required and process the relevant paperwork. The equivalent LHD models go for around 35% more over here, so this may be worth it. The downside being a RHD car in Sweden would be worth very little when selling on; though if I keep the car for two years I don’t feel it owes me anything.
Another negative is down to the Swedish winter. Cars sold over here are properly kitted out to deal with the harsh winter: better heaters, automatic engine and cabin heaters (set to a timer), and extra paint sealant to stop corrosion. Corrosion being one of my biggest worries as the quantity of salt used on the roads here in winter eats cars; and the W203 isn’t renowned for quality bodywork.
Option 2:
Drive back to the UK and sell. Buy a LHD car to drive back and reregister in Sweden.
This firstly appeals as it means lots of driving. Though the downside is I’ll say goodbye to my C32. A positive is that LHD cars seem to go for quite a bit more in Sweden so I could get a bargain, though choice is fairly limited in the UK. Assuming I’d sell the C32 for £6.5k I could add another £1k. Anyone know if any interesting and fast LHD cars about for this budget?
Option 3:
The sensible option – sell the C32 back in then UK and buy a Volvo locally. I’d buy new and stick it on finance. I’d then have a winterproof car under warrantee for the next 3 years. The downside is that this might cost a little more and most new cars are boring (though I hear Volvo do make a 300bhp version of the V60).
My biggest concern is that moving to any other car from the C32 will be a disappointment. I can't think of a car for the money that is as fast, confortable and practical.
So I’m looking for advice (or maybe just to be brought to my senses and told to buy a Volvo). Please make it as bias, emotive and impractical as possible as I’ve always made my car decisions with my heart as opposed to my head (aside from the 123d I bought for fuel efficiency and lost £7k on in one year…)
Thanks in advance!
The trouble is I’m now moving permanently to Stockholm Sweden. Whilst the car is great it remains UK registered and right had drive. I’ve also had it here for around two months, and now insurance and local law mean I have to either register it locally or get rid.
Option 1:
To register it locally would probably cost around £1k to make all the changes required and process the relevant paperwork. The equivalent LHD models go for around 35% more over here, so this may be worth it. The downside being a RHD car in Sweden would be worth very little when selling on; though if I keep the car for two years I don’t feel it owes me anything.
Another negative is down to the Swedish winter. Cars sold over here are properly kitted out to deal with the harsh winter: better heaters, automatic engine and cabin heaters (set to a timer), and extra paint sealant to stop corrosion. Corrosion being one of my biggest worries as the quantity of salt used on the roads here in winter eats cars; and the W203 isn’t renowned for quality bodywork.
Option 2:
Drive back to the UK and sell. Buy a LHD car to drive back and reregister in Sweden.
This firstly appeals as it means lots of driving. Though the downside is I’ll say goodbye to my C32. A positive is that LHD cars seem to go for quite a bit more in Sweden so I could get a bargain, though choice is fairly limited in the UK. Assuming I’d sell the C32 for £6.5k I could add another £1k. Anyone know if any interesting and fast LHD cars about for this budget?
Option 3:
The sensible option – sell the C32 back in then UK and buy a Volvo locally. I’d buy new and stick it on finance. I’d then have a winterproof car under warrantee for the next 3 years. The downside is that this might cost a little more and most new cars are boring (though I hear Volvo do make a 300bhp version of the V60).
My biggest concern is that moving to any other car from the C32 will be a disappointment. I can't think of a car for the money that is as fast, confortable and practical.
So I’m looking for advice (or maybe just to be brought to my senses and told to buy a Volvo). Please make it as bias, emotive and impractical as possible as I’ve always made my car decisions with my heart as opposed to my head (aside from the 123d I bought for fuel efficiency and lost £7k on in one year…)
Thanks in advance!
Futuramic said:
Could you not drive the UK spec one back over here, sell it, return to Sweden and buy a European market version of the same car?
Good idea. This was an option, until I found out that the equivalent LHD model sells for around 35% more over here. It would seem wrong spending more money on essentially the same car. Though I suppose the LHD model would hold its value, whereas converting my RHD would mean it would be worthless when I sell it. humm.. Maybe I should reconsider this as an option. Still seems wrong though.
Automatic heaters ? Are you thinking of diesels that warm themselves up automtically/by timer ?
Other cars have an electric plug in motor heater, with an outlet in the cabin, but this is an option on just about every car - and can also be retro fitted to any car. Otherwise - apart from headlight washers and heated seats which are standard on just about every car in Sweden. They're the same as their Euro counterparts.
I'd take the rhd back to the UK and pick up a lhd there to bring back. Otherwise buy locally.
Other cars have an electric plug in motor heater, with an outlet in the cabin, but this is an option on just about every car - and can also be retro fitted to any car. Otherwise - apart from headlight washers and heated seats which are standard on just about every car in Sweden. They're the same as their Euro counterparts.
I'd take the rhd back to the UK and pick up a lhd there to bring back. Otherwise buy locally.
deltashad said:
An unabused 16v non evo integrale will be in this price bracket.
Take it to a garage and have it undersealed.
It has 4wd (incredibly good in the snow) its reasonably quick in standard form.
Zero depreciation.
I like Integrales, though don't they rust quite easily? Also a non evo integrale.... don't know if I'd feel cheatedTake it to a garage and have it undersealed.
It has 4wd (incredibly good in the snow) its reasonably quick in standard form.
Zero depreciation.
Good idea tho
stemll said:
Seen that. Looks lovely. A lot of money for a 12 year old beemer though! .... if only there was a LHD E39 M5 around for that price!(hope I'm not being too negative here!)
JayTee94 said:
Maybe a post 2005 Mustang? How much are they now?
Maybe not a sensible change from a Mercedes though..
If a V8 was in budget! Don't think they've dropped that low yet though. Looks like the cheapest V8s are around £14k.Maybe not a sensible change from a Mercedes though..
I quite fancy a V8. I was originally looking for a B6 S4 when I picked up the C32. Still glad I went for the C32. Not as nice inside but looks prettier outside and I'm sure the C32 is a fiar bit quicker.
Option 1, but when you come to sell it, you should drive it back here rather than sell localy.
If you are worried about salt, get the underside steam cleaned, painted, undersealed, sprayed in wax, and then another wax spray every six months.
I would not say that the local market heaters etc are essential (I worked in Norway for a while, so I know about them), but if you really wanted you may be able to fit an aftermarket one?
If you are worried about salt, get the underside steam cleaned, painted, undersealed, sprayed in wax, and then another wax spray every six months.
I would not say that the local market heaters etc are essential (I worked in Norway for a while, so I know about them), but if you really wanted you may be able to fit an aftermarket one?
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