I am looking at buying a Merc E class from my employer's lease Company in the next 2 weeks.
There are two that will be offered:
car 1. 3 yr old, pre-facelift E200 Elegance, 4 door, manual, basic model with no extras, March 1999, T-reg, 92,000 miles. Lots of motorway driving, stone chips to front showing rust. Typical "business-rep-car" poor interior and exterior condition.
car 2. 2 yr old E240 Avantgarde, 4 door, 5speed-auto-tiptronic. Extras include auto climate, xenon, 6-disc CD. May 2000, W-reg, 20,000 miles. Mixture of short and long trips typical of a "family-leisure-car". Interior and exterior condition immaculate - normallly would be found on a self-owned "pride and joy" example.
Q1. - Can any of you backroomers with access to trade "price-bibles" give me an estimate of the trade book values of these cars and what would constitute a reasonable price to pay to the lease company? Note that budget is not a problem as I have fortunately received a lump sum on reaching a ripe middle age!
Q2. - I have never owned a Merc before, but I would like to do my own routine servicing (oil, filters, etc.) on the car - is this feasible or does it need special tools?
Q3. - Apart from HJ's comments in the car-by-car section, are there any reasons why either of these Merc's should be avoided?
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Can't offer price advice, but buy car No.2. Car No.1 is the kiss of death. You will never be able to sell on a basic manual Merc, especially if it's a 'solid' colour. Car 2 is a much better buy and will be in demand when you want to replace. Servicing is fairly straightforward, although F.S.H. by Mercedes or reputable specialist will ensure a good residual.
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Have a look at www.parkers.co.uk for a rough guide to pricing.
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You may be shocked at the high prices that lease companies want for cars, when they are offered to ex employees - especially if they have been taken back before the end of the contract period. This could apply to the 2000W model that you quote.
I think the reason is that they price the lease deals based on expectancy of achieving a certain revenue for that deal period, and if they are cut short then they up the disposal price.
Ian
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Roger.
It has to be car No.2. The manual on an MB is awful-period.The paintwork on all modern MBs is POOR. it will need 3M plastic tape to avoid pepperpot chipping on leading edges of bonnet & mirrors.All known owners to me are pleased with their choice.
Routine maintenance is straight forward for competant DIY.Spares(OEM) available at sensible prices from German & Swedish, Euro Carparts.
regards
Simon
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I agree you may be shocked/surprised at what the leasing co want from the company employees,most try to discourage it by offering the cars at rather high prices.Probably to do with covering themselves against the inevitable whingers.
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