NPinks, if I go company car route, I think the following applies:

They have a 'Pool' car for me to use for the first few weeks whilst I decide what to do. I believe it will be a VW Scirocco, but no idea spec/model/colour/engine etc.

Usually, you have to keep the pool/allocated car if you opt in, for a min of 12 months.

However, my boss has said that I have an exception to the rule.

If I opt in, I can choose a new car but that is on a 3year/50k mile basis.

If I opt out, I can choose to opt in at anytime (But obviously I would have a car to sell first) Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
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Bradders wrote:

hmmmmmmmmmmm I wonder who voted Passat?

Give that man a pat on the back. Philistines!

Merc vs Passat.... no brainer!

Suppose it depends how much you might need to top up.... 

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I voted Passat, may have been a mischieveous act  purple people eater

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Mate, i voted for the Merc, best out of this bunch i reckon.
What are you looking at mate, do you have to buy new?

I can get: White C350 CDI Sport, with command, heated seats, phone pre wiring, 2k miles on a 59 plate for around the £30k mark..

Kam, Merc themselves are funding new ones down to 4cyl diesel prices.

I think this is the only reason it has made it onto the shortlist.

Due to residuals (I presume), it would cost me less on a like for like deal to buy a new 350CDi Sport than it would a Passat CC TDi GT DSG!!!!!!! Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
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Merc is nice, but you can have the 350CDI as a "4matic" which means 4wheel drive, did you also think about that? RRS TDV6 HSE, 2006, bonatti grey, ebony interior, rear diff, s/c grille and vents, stormers, privacy, tasmods, iphone integration

Yep they are discounting them down, but to be fair walking into most MErc dealers, and putting one dealer against another, you could always get:

C200 CDI Sport Auto Saloon: £29,265.00
C220 CDI Sport Auto Saloon: £30,335.00
C250 CDI SPort Auto Saloon: £31,410.00

C3550 CDI Sport Auto Saloon: £33,740.00

Thats like: 11% difference between the C220 and the C350cdi.

Plus on the 350 CDI if you add, full leather, Command, Telephone Prep, Heated seats etc etc.
You're looking at around £4k of extra equipment. If you do opt out and buy this car mate, i wouldn't get it new when there are facelift models with kit available with hardly any mileage..

I.e. Leather: £1295.00
Command DDI: £2175
Telephone PRe Wire: £280.00
Heated seats front: £320.00

We have friendly Merc dealers we get good discounts with, but mainly it's used stuff.
Got a client a CLS350CDI 59 plate with loads of extras 4k miles at £34k in December, there are quite a few of those knocking around ex merc management too. Why get a Passat CC, the CLS weighs in at £48k ish new with the Kit!!

Have decided that i'm going to go company car route.

As much as i'd love a 350CDi, I just cannot be hassled with the expens of buying and running a car (Certainly not at the moment! ) Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
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