PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - Take company car or drive my MB 300E?

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Hmmm, I guess it depends on how royally the company is trying to do their employees. Great education and now I know another question to ask that will disqualify a potential place to work.

Do you reimburse travel expenses on an accountable plan?

Something tells me most reputable firms would. But sales people often get worked over by the place they work for......

:)

Ken300D

Ken,

I've done both in the past and finally ended up having my company purchase two of my cars from me. I really despise keeping mileage logs and some of the other paperwork required to pass an audit. By having the company purchase the cars I don't have to worry (personally) about some of the issues that arise when you use a personal car for work.

As long as you remember to drive your "personal car" when out for theater and drinks Friday night all is good. Hit someone in your "work" car while out socially and you have issues, either way you're screwed it's just a matter of how hard.

It's amazing how complex these issues can get and how much money is spent on understanding them.

Matthew

Update on the Company Vehicle

Hi All;

In the end, I got a company Dodge Dakota 4 door pickup. This made a lot more sense than a minivan but it still is not a great vehicle. I've had this truck for a year and it needed a transmission rebuild at 6000 miles (3 months old!). It is noisy inside at 60 mph and not that comfortable for sitting in a long time. However, I don't pay a cent to maintain it, insure it, or fuel it - no worries at all other than it getting me to work and back home. I had 3 flat tires with the stock tires in a month before the fleet boss understood that cheap tires are not suitable on construction sites. It does carry 5 people fairly well and at least has a box in which I can carry my project stuff (tools, fuels, solvents, parts, emergency equipment, etc). Fuel consumption is about 16-17 mpg. I'm not so sure about safety - it sure weighs a lot for a tinny body. I don't know where they put the weight. With a canopy - it weighs almost 4000 lbs yet so tinny and noisy on the highway.

In the end I have to note that taking the company vehicle was the sensible choice. As one person noted, the problem is the huge mechanical risks (hence, financial) converting a now 20 year old fair weather driver to a daily must-use work vehicle. While the car is probably rugged enough I would be forced (time challenged) to have other mechanics do all but the most basic maintenance. Transmission repairs, new tires annually, flying rocks, rough roads, etc all belong to someone else. Not for me and my family at this time.

It was great reading your posts. Many thanks.

I

You are strong....I could never drive a non-MB that long/far. That takes courage! :eek: I'd have stuck with the 300E....I just bought one a few months ago, and in the 2000ish miles I've ridden/driven it, they are an absolute pleasure to drive on the highway.....while getting 22mpg......for 60 cents a mile you could even keep a MB uber maintained by the dealer....thats probably what I'd do, or I'd leave the bigger projects to them.

Drive a pickup all day......I couldn't do it.

I'd take the mileage figure in a heartbeat and drive my own mercedes. Much more comfortable to drive and much much safer than a minivan. In an accident the minivan will tip over in a heartbeat and come apart.

You know what a mercedes will do. It will take care of you.

Sounds like they want you to use your own car by forcing you to accept a minivan as the only alternative.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tassie (Post 1413435)

I have been offered either a company car or have mileage paid on my personal vehicle. The problem is that the company car would be a new Ford minivan (which I loathe) and minimally equipped (not even cruise control!).

On the other hand, my car is an 18 year old 300E with 120,000 miles. The car is in excellent condition and I really enjoy driving it as it has all the features I enjoy (quiet, solid, safe).

The company mileage would be extensive at about 25,000 miles per year, in all seasons. Travel is typically long distance paved highways with minor distances of gravel and industrial road surfaces. I am reimbursed about $0.60/mile but I absorb all the costs and risks. As I see it these costs would barely cover the fully loaded cost of running my own car although it looks good if there are no big repair bills and you ignore the depreciation. The car has 120,000 miles on it now and it will have 200,000 miles on it in 3 years time. I expect that the car will have minimal resale value at that point.

I would appreciate your comments in this decision. Is the 300E generally reliable at this point in its age and mileage? What would be the probable repair items that may occur with this kind of driving? Would it be better to just suckup the deficiencies of the minivan and leave the ownership risks with someone else? Others who have used their own vehicle have generally stated that they are out a couple of hundred dollars each month but they are leasing new vehicles and paying for dealership maintenance and excess mileage charges.

I would appreciate your point of view as I would like to make an informed decision and balance the cost risks with my own personal enjoyment and safety while driving.

Appreciate your responses!

Paul

Take the mileage, man! I am in a similar position with a well-maintained W124 wagon and at 0.585 cents per mile down here, I am very very comfortable using my privately-owned vehicle.