Basically a tax question
Discussion
I have the use of 2 cars,
Mercedes W204 C220cdi estate sport/amg thing a bit hard for me
Citroen C5 X7 3.0hdi saloon with the Hydra3 suspension and very comfortable
Both need around £1000-1200 spent on them for their mot in a couple of months.
Both are automatic which I like and high miles but..
C220 is £200 a year for tax the C5 £425....I don't need a 3.0 and grudge the extra £225 or should I stop moaning think that is what need to pay if want to more comfortable drive.
Mercedes W204 C220cdi estate sport/amg thing a bit hard for me
Citroen C5 X7 3.0hdi saloon with the Hydra3 suspension and very comfortable
Both need around £1000-1200 spent on them for their mot in a couple of months.
Both are automatic which I like and high miles but..
C220 is £200 a year for tax the C5 £425....I don't need a 3.0 and grudge the extra £225 or should I stop moaning think that is what need to pay if want to more comfortable drive.
Edited by StuA9 on Friday 24th October 09:03
StuA9 said:
If you can't answer what I am asking please don't don't say anything..
I have the use of 2 cars,
Mercedes W204 C220cdi estate sport/amg thing a bit hard for me
Citroen C5 X7 3.0hdi saloon with the Hydra3 suspension and very comfortable
Both need around £1000-1200 spent on them for their mot in a couple of months.
Both are automatic which I like and high miles but..
C220 is £200 a year for tax the C5 £425....I don't need a 3.0 and grudge the extra £225 or should I stop moaning think that is what need to pay if want to more comfortable drive.
Sounds like you prefer the C5. That extra comfort will cost you 70p a day. What would you buy with that fortune you'd save if you stick with the Merc? A packet of cheese and onion or a Cadbury's Fudge? I have the use of 2 cars,
Mercedes W204 C220cdi estate sport/amg thing a bit hard for me
Citroen C5 X7 3.0hdi saloon with the Hydra3 suspension and very comfortable
Both need around £1000-1200 spent on them for their mot in a couple of months.
Both are automatic which I like and high miles but..
C220 is £200 a year for tax the C5 £425....I don't need a 3.0 and grudge the extra £225 or should I stop moaning think that is what need to pay if want to more comfortable drive.
ikarl said:
StuA9 said:
If you can't answer what I am asking please don't don't say anything..
what an absolutely bell-end way to start a post on a public forum, asking people to comment on what you should do based on your preference that you haven't went into any detail to explain.
ikarl said:
StuA9 said:
If you can't answer what I am asking please don't don't say anything..
what an absolutely bell-end way to start a post on a public forum, asking people to comment on what you should do based on your preference that you haven't went into any detail to explain.ikarl said:
what an absolutely bell-end way to start a post on a public forum, asking people to comment on what you should do based on your preference that you haven't went into any detail to explain.
Haven't said in detail, I think you will see if did asshole as LO FI answered what they though unlike the rest of you tossers.AI says:
This is a classic dilemma where comfort is battling cost!
Here's a breakdown to help you decide if the extra £225 a year is "worth it":
The Financials
| Factor | Mercedes C220 (W204) | Citroen C5 (X7, 3.0hdi) | Difference (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road Tax (VED) | £200 | £425 | +£225 for the C5 |
| MOT Repair | £1000 - £1200 | £1000 - £1200 | £0 (Assumed equal) |
| Engine Size | 2.2L Diesel | 3.0L V6 Diesel | Significantly Larger on C5 |
| Fuel Economy | Likely better | Likely worse (due to V6/weight) | Higher running cost for C5 |
* Tax Difference: £225 a year is about £18.75 per month.
* Fuel/Insurance: The 3.0L V6 in the Citroen will almost certainly be less fuel-efficient than the 2.2L four-cylinder in the Mercedes and could potentially have slightly higher insurance, adding to the total running cost difference.
The Comfort & Drive
| Factor | Mercedes C220 (W204 Estate Sport/AMG) | Citroen C5 (X7 3.0hdi Saloon Hydra3) |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Comfort | Harder, sporty suspension setup. | Exceptional, renowned Hydroactive suspension. |
| Performance | Good, efficient power delivery. | Effortless power from the V6, very smooth. |
| Body Style | Estate (practical load-lugger). | Saloon (more formal/less practical boot access). |
| Interior Feel | Solid, high-quality, perhaps a little dated. | Comfortable, often unique French styling, known for spaciousness. |
| Enjoyment | You find it "a bit hard for me." | You find it "very comfortable." |
Common Repair Considerations (High Mileage)
The £1000-£1200 is an immediate cost, but you should also consider future potential problems:
* Mercedes C220 (W204): Known for robust engines (OM646/OM651), but high-mileage issues can include turbocharger problems, injector seals, timing chain (on early OM651 models), or wear in the automatic gearbox valve body/conductor plate. The Sport/AMG suspension can wear out shock absorbers and bushings faster.
* Citroen C5 (X7 3.0hdi): The V6 is generally strong, but specific to this car is the Hydractive 3+ suspension. While comfortable, a major repair (like the hydraulic pump/BHI or suspension spheres/struts) can be very expensive and requires specialist knowledge, potentially costing well over the £1000 mark. Being a less common model, V6-specific parts may be harder to source.
The Verdict
Your choice boils down to valuing Comfort vs. Predictable Cost Control.
* If the extra comfort is a significant quality of life improvement: Keep the Citroen.
* The £225 extra tax is the "comfort tax." It's less than £20/month. If the Mercedes makes you actively uncomfortable on your regular journeys, that small saving is probably not worth the daily annoyance. The effortless V6 and superb ride of the C5 are its unique selling points.
* If you are worried about overall long-term running costs: Keep the Mercedes.
* The lower VED is a guaranteed saving.
* The smaller engine will save you money on fuel.
* While both have high-mileage risks, the bespoke Hydroactive suspension on the C5 introduces a major, specialist repair risk that could easily wipe out years of tax savings in one go if a critical component fails. The Mercedes is arguably a more mechanically conventional proposition, even with its own known faults.
Recommendation:
Given that you explicitly state you don't need the 3.0L engine and you grudge the extra £225, it suggests the cost is a major mental barrier.
If you can live with the "hard" ride of the Mercedes, it is the more financially sensible choice.
However, if you cannot live without the C5's ride quality, you need to mentally reframe the £225 as the "Subscription Fee for Supreme Comfort" and stop grumbling about it, as the C5 offers something the Mercedes simply cannot.
This is a classic dilemma where comfort is battling cost!
Here's a breakdown to help you decide if the extra £225 a year is "worth it":
The Financials
| Factor | Mercedes C220 (W204) | Citroen C5 (X7, 3.0hdi) | Difference (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road Tax (VED) | £200 | £425 | +£225 for the C5 |
| MOT Repair | £1000 - £1200 | £1000 - £1200 | £0 (Assumed equal) |
| Engine Size | 2.2L Diesel | 3.0L V6 Diesel | Significantly Larger on C5 |
| Fuel Economy | Likely better | Likely worse (due to V6/weight) | Higher running cost for C5 |
* Tax Difference: £225 a year is about £18.75 per month.
* Fuel/Insurance: The 3.0L V6 in the Citroen will almost certainly be less fuel-efficient than the 2.2L four-cylinder in the Mercedes and could potentially have slightly higher insurance, adding to the total running cost difference.
The Comfort & Drive
| Factor | Mercedes C220 (W204 Estate Sport/AMG) | Citroen C5 (X7 3.0hdi Saloon Hydra3) |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Comfort | Harder, sporty suspension setup. | Exceptional, renowned Hydroactive suspension. |
| Performance | Good, efficient power delivery. | Effortless power from the V6, very smooth. |
| Body Style | Estate (practical load-lugger). | Saloon (more formal/less practical boot access). |
| Interior Feel | Solid, high-quality, perhaps a little dated. | Comfortable, often unique French styling, known for spaciousness. |
| Enjoyment | You find it "a bit hard for me." | You find it "very comfortable." |
Common Repair Considerations (High Mileage)
The £1000-£1200 is an immediate cost, but you should also consider future potential problems:
* Mercedes C220 (W204): Known for robust engines (OM646/OM651), but high-mileage issues can include turbocharger problems, injector seals, timing chain (on early OM651 models), or wear in the automatic gearbox valve body/conductor plate. The Sport/AMG suspension can wear out shock absorbers and bushings faster.
* Citroen C5 (X7 3.0hdi): The V6 is generally strong, but specific to this car is the Hydractive 3+ suspension. While comfortable, a major repair (like the hydraulic pump/BHI or suspension spheres/struts) can be very expensive and requires specialist knowledge, potentially costing well over the £1000 mark. Being a less common model, V6-specific parts may be harder to source.
The Verdict
Your choice boils down to valuing Comfort vs. Predictable Cost Control.
* If the extra comfort is a significant quality of life improvement: Keep the Citroen.
* The £225 extra tax is the "comfort tax." It's less than £20/month. If the Mercedes makes you actively uncomfortable on your regular journeys, that small saving is probably not worth the daily annoyance. The effortless V6 and superb ride of the C5 are its unique selling points.
* If you are worried about overall long-term running costs: Keep the Mercedes.
* The lower VED is a guaranteed saving.
* The smaller engine will save you money on fuel.
* While both have high-mileage risks, the bespoke Hydroactive suspension on the C5 introduces a major, specialist repair risk that could easily wipe out years of tax savings in one go if a critical component fails. The Mercedes is arguably a more mechanically conventional proposition, even with its own known faults.
Recommendation:
Given that you explicitly state you don't need the 3.0L engine and you grudge the extra £225, it suggests the cost is a major mental barrier.
If you can live with the "hard" ride of the Mercedes, it is the more financially sensible choice.
However, if you cannot live without the C5's ride quality, you need to mentally reframe the £225 as the "Subscription Fee for Supreme Comfort" and stop grumbling about it, as the C5 offers something the Mercedes simply cannot.
Lo-Fi said:
Sounds like you prefer the C5. That extra comfort will cost you 70p a day. What would you buy with that fortune you'd save if you stick with the Merc? A packet of cheese and onion or a Cadbury's Fudge?
That's one way to put it, i like both and guess it depends what you are in the mood for 🙂Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff