Help please LHD

[kym]

Hi all I'm new here and am looking for some advice.

I have an SLK very low miles and probably paid far too much for it at S.G in Sth Wales, anyhow I'm in the process of moving to Portugal and need a LHD vehicle anything from an A class up. Merc UK tell me that they do not retail LHD cars in the UK and if I go to Europe they will not take the car in P/X cos its worth nothing out there.

My question is,
is there someone who does a fair deal on a p/x RHD for a decent LHD, I have looked at the so called specialist dealers and their prices are frightening.
Any ideas guys ?.

 

[gary350]

If I remember correctly the Mercedes dealership in Mayfair used to trade/sell new LHD MBs, this was some years ago

gary

 

[MainMan]

I don't think the terms "fair deal" and P/X sit very well together, partcularly if there's a Merc dealer involved - their response to your request is basically typical of the general attitude of this company. If I were you I'd ebay the SLK and buy another car over in Portugal, preferably not a Merc.

 

[Shude]

If I were you I'd ebay the SLK and buy another car over in Portugal, preferably not a Merc.

I take it you are aware of what forum you posted this reply on?

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

lol

 

[Alps]

best to sell the car in the UK privately, then buy a new one out there.

 

[glojo]

My question is,
is there someone who does a fair deal on a p/x RHD for a decent LHD, I have looked at the so called specialist dealers and their prices are frightening.
Any ideas guys ?.

Hi Kym,
A fair question with an answer you do not probably want to hear. Dealers are just like any other form of business, they are there to make a profit. They do this by selling cars, no matter what the brand. They will buy the car and then put it on their forecourt at a far higher price than they paid for it. That's life and I suggest you take with a pinch of salt all the adverse comments about one brand of car vs another.

Find out what the dealers will offer and then work out a price that you will accept and TRY to sell it privately. BUT be aware of all the sharks, con men and thiefs out there that want to rip you off.

Changing the subject slightly are you intending on buying a new LHD car? I was merely wondering what the cheapest way of buying it was. Are our taxes better or worse than those in Portugal?

Good luck selling the car,
John

 

[Shude]

Changing the subject slightly are you intending on buying a new LHD car? I was merely wondering what the cheapest way of buying it was. Are our taxes better or worse than those in Portugal?

A valid point - it might be cheaper to buy a LHD car from The Netherlands or somewhere else!

 

[C240Sport97]

isn't it true that Denmark has the lowest pre tax price in the EU, as Denmark has the highest car taxes in the EU?

 

[MainMan]

I take it you are aware of what forum you posted this reply on?

Yes. I have had a few issues with Mercedes and I don't believe they have behaved in an honest or professional manner. Also the general quality of their products is way below that of the leading manufacturers. That's my opinion and I'm entitled to express it. This isn't a branch of DC marketing. It's a forum for opinions. I take it you are aware of that.

 

[Shude]

This isn't a branch of DC marketing. It's a forum for opinions. I take it you are aware of that.

This forum is:

A non profit club run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts

Please be enthusiastic or else!

 

[chipray]

You may not find what you want at a Merc dealership, but there are plenty of lhd cars on sale in the UK. My own SLK is lhd and I came to the UK to buy it because they are so rare here in France. The other obvious country to try would be Germany, where prices tend to be rather lower than UK (or France) but you would still have to dispose of your rhd SLK in the UK. Check out www.mobile.de for an Autotrader-type site in Germany.

 

[kym]

Thanx for all the ideas / tips guys,
VAT in Portugal is 19% and cars there are expensive, Belgium seems to be the cheapest place to buy atm.
The prob is finding a cash buyer for an SLK this time of the year without giving the car away or taking a p/x yourself that is no good to you, lol.
I understand the dealer must make a profit but to lose £5k in 3 months is a bit much.
Still any more ideas would be welcome.

 

[chipray]

You have not mentioned the year, colour, engine and trim spec of your SLK.

Maybe we could do a deal - I could certainly live with a right-hand-drive car, but it would have to be one of the V6s.

 

[kym]

You have not mentioned the year, colour, engine and trim spec of your SLK.

Maybe we could do a deal - I could certainly live with a right-hand-drive car, but it would have to be one of the V6s.

It's an SLK 230 in silver met, auto, leather, 57k miles, FMBSH, 97 P reg.

Sorry it's not a v6 but it truly is a nice car, I would be willing to swap for a LHD
A class, Vaneo, estate etc.