company car alternative

[gsstev]

I have just found this site and there is obviously a lot of knowledge out there I hope I can tap into. I currently have a company car and it is due for renewal. I have been considering the Volvo V70 D5, Saab 9-5 estate 2.2dTi and Audi A6 1.9tdi, I haven't considered the merc E class due to the tax and contract hire rates. I have however been thinking about taking the car allowance back and buying second hand which opens the door to the E class estate deisel. I would have about £15000 to spend and appreciate you thoughts on models, buying options, classified sites, running costs etc which may help me come to a decision.

From a man who has dreamed of owning a merc!

 

[david searle]

I opted out on the 29th November last year - since then, I am £5,400 better off before tax (£3,300 after tax).

If you let me have your e-mail address and I can send you an excel spreadsheet that works out the total cost of car ownership depending on whether you take a company car or opt out. It takes various assumptions on cost of running the car, your personal/business mileage, mileage rates, fixed mileage tax relief, cost of borrowing etc. and ranks all the cars in order of cost (there is about 100 in there so far, from a Clio to a Bentley Mulsanne Turbo).

It takes the guesswork out of whether to opt out or not.

 

[dieselman]

gsstev

Of the options listed I would go for the Volvo or Audi. the SAAB uses the GM Ecotec engine which is noisy and slow.

I opted out a few years ago and use an E300 Turbo. :twisted: Great car. An E220CDI would fit your bill nicely.

 

[mjtray]

Agree with Dieselman......I recently testdrove a Saab 95 with the 2.2 diesel and was shocked at how agricultural the engine was and how bad the auto gearbox was.

I used to run my own E220 CDi, having opted out of the company car scheme. I ran this car for 2 years and 60,000 miles, it never went wrong in this time, was very comfortable, had good performance and excellent fuel economy...my average was 44mpg with a best ever of 50mpg. Due to the amount of motorway driving I used to do, the computer that determines when the car needs servicing, used to give 24,000 miles between services. The servicing costs were competitive, as long as you shopped around between Merc dealers.......I finally settled on Tony Purslows in Basingstoke who were excellent.

All in all I can highly recommend an E220 CDi, and would recommend a higher spec such as an Advantagarde with leather as you will maximise your return when you come to sell it.

I found my car at Mercedes Direct....the car was ex MB UK management car and was offered to me at a very competitive price and was in excellent condition.

Cheers

 

[gsstev]

thanks for feedback, next problem is finding car! Live in Aberdeen so not very competitive up here. Any thoughts on websites/dealers