So I pay just over £500 a month on a PCP with a £1000 deposit on a Mercedes AMG A35h with aero 0-60 4.7, 320bhp with a hybrid battery to fill turbo lag etc, 4wd rapid and I’d say the right amount on UK roads before getting silly.

It came with two “free services” from Mercedes and then the free breakdown and warranty. Obviously new breaks tyres etc. And peace of mind.

I did the numbers on what the “post PCP general maintenance and servicing is like - the 4wd, the gearbox, the battery belt, the cost of replacing the large breaks etc.

I’m short, it’s looking about, £5,000 over three years so around £150 a month, so I’d only be able to pay £350 a month on a bank loan, or stump up cash on a depreciating asset instead of the stock market etc- no thanks.

Bear in mind I’ll have to pay the balloon off, plus the £150 month maintenance and anything else that could go pop out of warranty.

Why wouldn’t I just PCP again after 38 months? I find that period is the sweet spot and sell privately directly to a known local trusted independent dealer and I always get £1000 out of the car and exit the PCP then, all it really costs me is a £50 MOT.

Then roll that “free £1k back into another £500’a month PCP no stress, brand new car and tech, warranty and you know life’s too short..!

Dilemma:

Please look at the breakdown of costs below. Any thoughts? I know this sub is more about say onto PCP but this has been a dream car of mine for years. I like an easy life but having never drilled down into the costs of running and maintaining and doing preventative measures to a 320 AMG (here comes the but but it’s not a proper AMG, whatevs) it would seem a no brainer to get out straight after warranty and back into a brand new similar or even same car again?

Month 38 – Year 4 (approx. 40,000 miles): The Major Drivetrain & Brake Refresh

Service B (AMG fixed price routine service): £450 – £550
Brake Fluid Flush: £110 – £140
8G-DCT Dual-Clutch Transmission Service: £500 – £650
Rear Axle / 4MATIC Fluid Change: £220 – £280
Front Discs & Pads (Genuine AMG 4-piston rotors/pads + dealer labor): £850 – £1,050
Rear Discs & Pads: £550 – £700
MOT Test: £54 
Subtotal Year 4: £2,734 – £3,424.

Year 5 (approx. 50,000 miles): Minor Service

Service A (AMG fixed price routine service): £300 – £380
Air Conditioning Re-Gas (R1234yf gas standard on post-2017 models): £150 – £200
MOT Test: £54 
Subtotal Year 5: £504 – £634.

Year 6 (approx. 60,000 miles): Major Cycle & Mid-Life Brake Refresh

Service B: £450 – £550 
Spark Plugs: £220 – £280
Engine Air & Dust Filters: £120 – £160
48V Hybrid Auxiliary Drive Belt Swap: £300 – £380
Brake Fluid Flush: £110 – £140
Front Brake Pads Only (Second set of pads on main dealer rates): £320 – £420
MOT Test: £54 
Subtotal Year 6: £1,574 – £1,984.

Year 7 (approx. 70,000 miles): Minor Service
Service A: £300 – £380
MOT Test: £54 
Subtotal Year 7: £354 – £434.

GRAND TOTALS:

Main Dealer Total (Month 38 to Year 7): £5,166 – £6,476
(vs. Independent Specialist Total: £3,250 – £4,080)

I’m struggling to think of one?

So not the AVC to the private pension, not the EPA-3, the “added” payment you may make to your civil service pension, say £100 a month.

You go on half pay (sickness) does that contribution continue at that rate, or half? And then what about zero pay?

KRs

Anyone else just don’t see the appeal to sell your soul and climb the ladder?

Joining the corporate jargon bollocks talking brigade and agreeing with the corporate line - 🤮