Mercedes - all - Hybrid vehicles

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Tue 14 Jul 2015 23:35
Mercedes - all - Hybrid vehicles - Ed V

The new C Class now has an 'e' plug in, but I see it weighs significantly more, and loses quite a bit of boot space too. I guess the mpg of over 100 may seem worth it. But the initial sale price seems massive.

I can't see any earlier discussion of the merits of hybrids, diesel or petrol-based, so apologies if I'm covering old ground, but what are your views on them. Are they just for wealthy, high energy users, to appease their consciences?!

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Wed 15 Jul 2015 00:53
Mercedes - all - Hybrid vehicles - Avant

In theory a plug-in would suit me fine, as I do a lot of local trips of about 10 miles (which could all be done on electric power) as well as fairly frequent long runs. But the initial extra cost of the plug-in, even with the current Government grant taken off, would take years and years to recoup by fuel saving.

Possibly the cost may come down as more are sold, but not for me at the moment.

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Wed 15 Jul 2015 07:46
Mercedes - all - Hybrid vehicles - madf

We are like Avant: lots of shortish journeys..

But the economics of a new car don't make sense for OAPs.. And some makes I would not buy s.h and out of warranty due to teh potential for huge bills..(A Lexus RX400H inverter is £2k)...

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Fri 17 Jul 2015 02:28
Mercedes - all - Hybrid vehicles - SteveLee

The economics of a new car never makes sense to anyone, OAP or not - unless it's a very cheap car to begin with. If you buy an £8K car you can only ever lose £8k.

It amazes me how people justify spending £30K because after three years it will only lose 25% of its value compared to 30% of a much cheaper in the first place Ford. The magazines always do their calculations based on RRP - which is a nonsense in the first place - who pays RRP for a Ford or Vauxhall?

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Wed 15 Jul 2015 09:01
Mercedes - all - Hybrid vehicles - craig-pd130

The way Mercedes have packaged the electric motor on the plug-in hybrids is quite clever - it's built into the auto transmission casing.

I think the emerging class of hybrids is aimed squarely at the user-chooser company car market, because the current emissions-based BIK tax regime makes them attractive.

I'd be interested in trying one myself, but unfortunately these cars weren't on the market at my last changeover so I carried on with Volvo diesels.

A friend of mine has the E-class plug-in and thinks it's excellent (it replaced an Audi A6 diesel). I've yet to drive it, but I'm intending to at some point.

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