JBD
MB Enthusiast
Yeah, different options, different packs and different base spec.
My guess is Mercedes are pandering to the fleet market, the contract hire firms, where having packs means both lower starting prices and better residuals. Or rather they can add a pack into the end residual rather than have to gobble the price of individual options over the hire period.
Which is great, however, Mercedes finance hasn't quite caught up to this yet, so until they do it will make the car seem more expensive.
As a follow up to the 340i price, I have just had figures back from Lombard to fun the car this morning.
I asked for various options, 5% deposit, 10% deposit, then over 36, 48 and 60 months and I asked for the highest balloon possible at the end of the agreement. Said I was doing 10k miles a year.
The best combo from all that, seems to be this one...
£34000
£3000 deposit
48 x £351.20
Balloon £19000
Would a 4 year old 340i sport touring with the right options get £19k in 4 years time?
Yeah I reckon so, an 11 plate E91 335i was up for £23k recently and sold in days.
When I got quotes on a C Estate 250d Prem Plus at £35k from Lombard the balloon was coming back at £14k after 48 months, which made it considerably more than the 340i.
So I think the packs can be good, but Mercedes need to set the residuals to match the added value they give at the end.
They do, all packs are residual enhancing