Is it still cheaper to get car from UK mainland?

masterboy123

I have been searching for Mercedes GLC 2017 automatic transmission.
It turns out VRT is very high, in the range of 10K.

Overall getting a low mileage model with decent specs for around 36,000 euros including VRT, from UK mainland.

I checked carzone.ie and getting similar specs and mileage GLC for 37,000 euros.

I wonder if it's not worth anymore to get a car from UK mainland anymore? Or is it model specific?

I remember people saving 5000 euros on 5 series.

Any thoughts?

curiousb

I checked this out recently for a Jag XF Sportbrake and found not a huge difference in price (was looking around €15k).

The main difference was a wider choice and a better spec. I ended up buying here and getting a basic spec model, but traded in my old banger and got a warranty, so happy overall.

masterboy123

That is true, UK cars got better high end specs.

Looks like I need to wait a year and see how things are.

Cyrus

masterboy123 wrote: »

I have been searching for Mercedes GLC 2017 automatic transmission.
It turns out VRT is very high, in the range of 10K.

Overall getting a low mileage model with decent specs for around 36,000 euros including VRT, from UK mainland.

I checked carzone.ie and getting similar specs and mileage GLC for 37,000 euros.

I wonder if it's not worth anymore to get a car from UK mainland anymore? Or is it model specific?

I remember people saving 5000 euros on 5 series.

Any thoughts?

GLCs have a decent basic spec, the main difference is whether you get the amg sports kit or not (wheels and bumpers, looks a lot better)

masterboy123

I have not seen anything above 220D in Ireland, whereas in UK you can easily get 250D and even 350.
Sunroof is difficult to find locally and limited colour options.
Irish cars got beige interior which I really like, in UK it's mostly black coloured!

Cyrus wrote: »

GLCs have a decent basic spec, the main difference is whether you get the amg sports kit or not (wheels and bumpers, looks a lot better)

Cyrus

masterboy123 wrote: »

I have not seen anything above 220D in Ireland, whereas in UK you can easily get 250D and even 350.
Sunroof is difficult to find locally and limited colour options.
Irish cars got beige interior which I really like, in UK it's mostly black coloured!

250 is the same engine as the 220 just a different state of tune, easily resolved if it matters to you (neither are that quick)

kdevitt

Have been looking at a few options lately and the UK / NI was substantially cheaper for what I was after. NI seems cheaper than the mainland for a few of the ones I saw, and would save a good bit of cash on flights / ferry / petrol as well.

colm_mcm

I think a good few merc dealers in the uk won’t sell to Ireland?

masterboy123

Is it? I wasn't aware of this.

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think a good few merc dealers in the uk won’t sell to Ireland?

colm_mcm

Yes. Apparently Mercedes want to protect their Irish dealers.

masterboy123

Thanks for this info.

BMW is also on my list. Will check for X5.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Yes. Apparently Mercedes want to protect their Irish dealers.

sunnysoutheast

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think a good few merc dealers in the uk won’t sell to Ireland?

How do they do this in practice? Refuse to hand over the full V5?

sunnysoutheast

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think a good few merc dealers in the uk won’t sell to Ireland?

How do they do this in practice? Refuse to hand over the full V5?

bazz26

They insist on the Irish buyer providing a UK address so that they can change ownership like they would a normal UK buyer.

bazz26

masterboy123 wrote: »

Thanks for this info.

BMW is also on my list. Will check for X5.

The GLC Class is more similar in size to the X3. The GLE Class would be similar to the X5.

Patrick2010

Mainland???

bazz26

As in not Northern Ireland, I would presume.

Cloudio9

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think a good few merc dealers in the uk won’t sell to Ireland?

Technically I’d think that is illegal discrimination
and on trading grounds almost certainly a distortion of the single market....while the brits are still in it.

masterboy123

That's true. Interiors are very dim in X3.
What's X7 comparable to in mercedes?

bazz26 wrote: »

The GLC Class is more similar in size to the X3. The GLE Class would be similar to the X5.

California Dreamer

Bought a new van recently. The spec and trim level that I wanted was about €24k here. I got it in the north, landed and all for about €16k!!!

masterboy123

Wow that's a massive €8k difference, is that including of VRT?

Could you tell me what model is it?

California Dreamer wrote: »

Bought a new van recently. The spec and trim level that I wanted was about €24k here. I got it in the north, landed and all for about €16k!!!

Mooooo

With a van vrt is only 200 so can make a big difference

Cyrus

masterboy123 wrote: »

That's true. Interiors are very dim in X3.
What's X7 comparable to in mercedes?

Gls

California Dreamer

masterboy123 wrote: »

Wow that's a massive €8k difference, is that including of VRT?

Could you tell me what model is it?

Ford Transit Connect 120 Limited Auto.

I’m vat registered so paid no vat on export and VRT is only €200

colm_mcm

masterboy123 wrote: »

Wow that's a massive €8k difference, is that including of VRT?

Could you tell me what model is it?

Transit Connect,

he’s right, once you spec up Connects or Couriers in Ireland they start getting to silly money relative to the standard models. Didn’t know there’d be that much of a difference.

California Dreamer

colm_mcm wrote: »

Transit Connect,

he’s right, once you spec up Connects or Couriers in Ireland they start getting to silly money relative to the standard models. Didn’t know there’d be that much of a difference.

I was fairly shocked myself to be honest but there is little of no automatics in Ireland and that really pushes up the price.

ILikeBoats

I haven't noticed a huge difference in GTI prices once VRT is factored in.

colm_mcm

California Dreamer wrote: »

Ford Transit Connect 120 Limited Auto.

I’m vat registered so paid no vat on export and VRT is only €200

So was it €16000 plus VAT?

masterboy123

It looks like one would save a lot if getting a van from mainland UK.

ILikeBoats wrote: »

I haven't noticed a huge difference in GTI prices once VRT is factored in.

carsfan2

Cyrus wrote: »

250 is the same engine as the 220 just a different state of tune, easily resolved if it matters to you (neither are that quick)

I think the 250d is actually twin turbos while 220d is single turbo so more than just a tune.

You may only have until the end of October to import the way things are going. Lots of Irish dealers will source a car for you from the U.K.

Cyrus

carsfan2 wrote: »

I think the 250d is actually twin turbos while 220d is single turbo so more than just a tune.

You may only have until the end of October to import the way things are going. Lots of Irish dealers will source a car for you from the U.K.

dont think so, where did you read that, they are both twin turbo afaik.

GLC 250d 4Matic[10] Diesel 2,143 cc (131 cu in) 16V 4-cylinder turbo 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) at 3,800, 500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft) at 1,600

GLC 220d 4Matic Diesel 2,143 cc (131 cu in) 16V 4-cylinder turbo 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 3,000, 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1,400

colm_mcm

I think the 201 bhp 250d was discontinued in 2017 as was the older 167bhp 220d, both were replaced by a 2.0 with more power in 200 and 300 forms.

I don’t think the 250 is twin turbo.

carsfan2

I stand corrected so, must have been thinking of previous engine.

Very nice car the GLC though regardless.

bazz26

Mercedes interiors are top notch these days though I'm not gone on the exterior styling of the new A and CLS Class.

masterboy123

Love Merc.
Currently using C200D. Feel like need a stronger engine now for a powerful cruising

carsfan2 wrote: »

I stand corrected so, must have been thinking of previous engine.

Very nice car the GLC though regardless.

Cyrus

bazz26 wrote: »

Mercedes interiors are top notch these days though I'm not gone on the exterior styling of the new A and CLS Class.

i like the cls, thinking of one next after the GLC, we will see :pac:

masterboy123

CLS is premium.

But CLA is not premium and alot of plastics used in the interior.

Any deals running for GLC?

Cyrus wrote: »

i like the cls, thinking of one next after the GLC, we will see :pac:

carsfan2

Would you consider an e class if you like your Mercedes? Much superior/premium compared to the c class and e220d a great all rounder. They seem to be available for sale at a year old or so for good money too.

sdanseo

Recently bought a 2017 320D
€25k for a mediocre one imported, after VRT paid.
Got a fairly top spec, with 2k allowed for my car (on PCP, so handing it back only other option for import) for 33k
Add in €2k value to the extra spec and potentially large value in the 2 year main dealer warranty and suddenly all the hassle is only benefiting by less than 2k / 6%
Further add the fact that almost no UK company will finance the car when you live here and you will have to borrow at higher than dealer rate and there's your extra 2k. Unless you buy a beamer even their promotional APR is almost the same as the bank. ****.

masterboy123

320D is sweet. Hope you're enjoying it to the max.

I would buy with hard cash only from UK. I have never bought a car on finance, hopefully this legacy will continue

sdanseo wrote: »

Recently bought a 2017 320D
€25k for a mediocre one imported, after VRT paid.
Got a fairly top spec, with 2k allowed for my car (on PCP, so handing it back only other option for import) for 33k
Add in €2k value to the extra spec and potentially large value in the 2 year main dealer warranty and suddenly all the hassle is only benefiting by less than 2k / 6%
Further add the fact that almost no UK company will finance the car when you live here and you will have to borrow at higher than dealer rate and there's your extra 2k. Unless you buy a beamer even their promotional APR is almost the same as the bank. ****.

masterboy123

I did look at E220D. Definitely seats are more comfy compared to C class and shockers are also better. It's just the higher seating position that I love in GLC.
It feels like you're really close to road while driving E/C class, like most of other sedan cars.

carsfan2 wrote: »

Would you consider an e class if you like your Mercedes? Much superior/premium compared to the c class and e220d a great all rounder. They seem to be available for sale at a year old or so for good money too.

brian_gall85

California Dreamer wrote: »

Ford Transit Connect 120 Limited Auto.

I’m vat registered so paid no vat on export and VRT is only €200

Currently in the market for a Limited myself, was this a new van or a pre reg? I take it this was the new facelift model?

From looking at Autotrader there seems to be a 5-10k saving from new by buying a 12 month old one, crazy deprecation.

pah

From the mainland you say????