Discussion
Earlier this year I sold my 340i estate (lovely car) to switch over to the company salary sacrifice scheme. I got rid of the 3 ahead of time as prices were strong and due to a change in circumstances we’re able to manage using a single car for the time being.
Fast forward a few months and I’m ready to order a Tesla Model Y. Yes it’s a fridge freezer on wheels, but I actually enjoyed the EV driving experience as a functional A to B method of transportation. Anyway, what transpires is the lease company we’re using at work has significantly inflated their prices, meaning the 40% salary sacrifice saving now looks more like 13%. Not to be sniffed at if you’re alredy in the market, but it was the big headline saving that pulled me in, now if I pull the trigger it feels like I’m flushing too much money down the drain - circa £700 PM all in, insurance, maintenance etc. I’m at risk of falling into that consumer trap of spending money for the sake of it.
The whole salary sacrifice situation got my back up, so I’m now in the process of doing a total u-turn, and despite selling myself on the virtues of an EV, I’m thinking of switching to a used (and special to me) fruity gas guzzler.
I know it’s stating the obvious, but it often gets lost once you’ve fallen into the shiny new car marketing trap, I’m financially much better of buying something like a W204 C63 estate, as even after the expensive tax bill, and fuel costs (predicted mileage at circa 5k per annum). Ultimately a slowly depreciating (albeit pricy to maintain) asset is far better then nothing at all.
Anyway, I came here to be reassured that I’m doing the right thing and make sure I won’t have the extinction rebellion on my drive if I go the W204 route
Also, heads up to anyone looking into salary sacrifice. There’s still some great deals out there via the likes of Octopus, but companies like Tusker and Zenith are using the system to fill their pockets and pocketing most of the savings themselves.
Fast forward a few months and I’m ready to order a Tesla Model Y. Yes it’s a fridge freezer on wheels, but I actually enjoyed the EV driving experience as a functional A to B method of transportation. Anyway, what transpires is the lease company we’re using at work has significantly inflated their prices, meaning the 40% salary sacrifice saving now looks more like 13%. Not to be sniffed at if you’re alredy in the market, but it was the big headline saving that pulled me in, now if I pull the trigger it feels like I’m flushing too much money down the drain - circa £700 PM all in, insurance, maintenance etc. I’m at risk of falling into that consumer trap of spending money for the sake of it.
The whole salary sacrifice situation got my back up, so I’m now in the process of doing a total u-turn, and despite selling myself on the virtues of an EV, I’m thinking of switching to a used (and special to me) fruity gas guzzler.
I know it’s stating the obvious, but it often gets lost once you’ve fallen into the shiny new car marketing trap, I’m financially much better of buying something like a W204 C63 estate, as even after the expensive tax bill, and fuel costs (predicted mileage at circa 5k per annum). Ultimately a slowly depreciating (albeit pricy to maintain) asset is far better then nothing at all.
Anyway, I came here to be reassured that I’m doing the right thing and make sure I won’t have the extinction rebellion on my drive if I go the W204 route
Also, heads up to anyone looking into salary sacrifice. There’s still some great deals out there via the likes of Octopus, but companies like Tusker and Zenith are using the system to fill their pockets and pocketing most of the savings themselves.
Edited by James-m5qjf on Wednesday 22 December 07:59
rxe said:
Why would you even consider spanking vast amounts of money on something sensible/functional/economical for 5k miles a year?
It was going to be the family work horse. In the meantime, I’ve grown to like the wife’s X2 and quite happy for that to pick up daily duties. Surprisingly it fits the pram and dog quite comfortably.I still want the practicality of the estate as although the C63 would be my car, it will be used for the odd dog walk and mountain bike trip. Plus I love estates.
Edited by James-m5qjf on Wednesday 22 December 07:55
Hub said:
I think he's saying go for it!
I am. Someone doing 5K miles a year in an expensive electric car is utterly pointless if that is not what they really want to do. At 5K miles a year, something doing 15 mpg is a sensible proposition if that is what you want. People who do 20k a year have to make compromises if they can’t afford the fuel bill. James-m5qjf said:
Anyway, what transpires is the lease company we’re using at work has significantly inflated their prices, meaning the 40% salary sacrifice saving now looks more like 13%.
I'm with you on this but what actually happened here? They put lease rates up massively?Edited by James-m5qjf on Wednesday 22 December 07:59
Also, as said above, in 10 years we may be mostly stuck with EVs so V8s right now will seem a good choice. I work in the EV industry (charging) and I know I should have an EV but I really don't want one. Heavy and soulless.
Frimley111R said:
I'm with you on this but what actually happened here? They put lease rates up massively?
Yep, huge increase in rates. Model Y is showing at circa £1100 so even after the 40% pre tax saving you’re at a similar price to a personal lease. Hopefully more people call out these companies, I’ve heard Zenith are taking a similar approach. HocusPocus said:
Go with the man maths and get the C63 if you can.
I have a S204 C63 estate and it makes me smile every time. Average 17mpg but only needs regular servicing which is reasonable at a good indie. A lot cheaper to maintain than my diesel ML.
S205 C63 estate here. Love it. I have a S204 C63 estate and it makes me smile every time. Average 17mpg but only needs regular servicing which is reasonable at a good indie. A lot cheaper to maintain than my diesel ML.
Mpg seems to average around 28mpg for me. I’ve had 35+ mpg on a return 180 mile each way trip (summer weather) then 33 mpg dec21 weather.
Strong residuals
Very rare
Smiles we Mile - high.
Modern day “hammer wagon”
Also have a C63 but mines a 205 C63S coupe.
Makes me smile every time I start it, I only drive 5-8k miles a year so its not horrendous on fuel. 33-34mpg on a motorway run but low teens if you use it. Drive train is AMG but the rest of the car is standard C class so should be reasonable to fix if something goes wrong.
Its a lovely thing, get one before they are illegal.
Makes me smile every time I start it, I only drive 5-8k miles a year so its not horrendous on fuel. 33-34mpg on a motorway run but low teens if you use it. Drive train is AMG but the rest of the car is standard C class so should be reasonable to fix if something goes wrong.
Its a lovely thing, get one before they are illegal.
Get the 63 you'll never look back it'll make you smile on start up alone I love mine (CLK63) estates are rarer but well worth seeking out:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110208...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112200...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110208...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112200...
ZX10R NIN said:
Get the 63 you'll never look back it'll make you smile on start up alone I love mine (CLK63) estates are rarer but well worth seeking out:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110208...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112200...
Thanks, going to look at this tomorrow..https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110208...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112200...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...
RE the 5k in a Tesla comments, that wasn’t the intention, it would have become the family daily. Now the wife’s X2 will be stepping up to those duties and the C63 will be my weekend/odd work trip motor.
Love the S205 as well, prices are not far off the low mileage W204, but there’s something about the NA that’s leaning me in that direction. Can’t go wrong with either by the sounds of it.
James-m5qjf said:
Thanks, going to look at this tomorrow..
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...
RE the 5k in a Tesla comments, that wasn’t the intention, it would have become the family daily. Now the wife’s X2 will be stepping up to those duties and the C63 will be my weekend/odd work trip motor.
Love the S205 as well, prices are not far off the low mileage W204, but there’s something about the NA that’s leaning me in that direction. Can’t go wrong with either by the sounds of it.
Lovely looking car. The dealer is asking top money though. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...
RE the 5k in a Tesla comments, that wasn’t the intention, it would have become the family daily. Now the wife’s X2 will be stepping up to those duties and the C63 will be my weekend/odd work trip motor.
Love the S205 as well, prices are not far off the low mileage W204, but there’s something about the NA that’s leaning me in that direction. Can’t go wrong with either by the sounds of it.
For that kind of cash id be looking to see what stock a main dealer has. The main benefit being the 2 year approved used Merc warranty.
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