Hi all,

After some months visiting this forum, I thought, because of its helpful members and their diversity, to start a thread on how much does a car cost in your particular country. The goal here is not only to compare the basic car price for each w204 model but also to compare the tax burden on each different country.

So, I'll start with Belgium, place where I live and bought my car. Let's start with taxation. Basically, on all European countries, the state levies a tax on consumer goods called VAT (Value Added Tax). VAT rate varies according to the goods (books, tobacco, food, etc) but the most common VAT rate applies to nearly all consumer goods, including cars. In Belgium, this tax is 21%. So, you take the net car price, add 21% and that's it ? Well, not exactly. There's one more tax to pay which is called, to simplify, the "put on the road" tax. Simply, you pay this tax once to get the "privilege" to put licenses plates in your car and drive it. This tax varies according to two values: KW engine output and fiscal output ("CV"). The state takes both in consideration, taking only the highest.

So, now the juicy stuff ! How does all this translates on the final prices of the C-Class sold in Belgium ? Take in consideration that I take the Avantgarde model ("Sport" trim in US) so that our US forum members can compare apples with apples. Also, I don't mention the possible market differences on the equipment level.

W204 GAS MODELS

C180 Komp

Net price : 25.800, Euros
Avantgarde package (net price) : 1.775, Euros
VAT (21%): 5.790,75, Euros
"Put on the road" tax : 1.239 Euros
FINAL PRICE : 34.604,75, Euros (+- 54,564.95 USD)

C200 Komp

Net price : 28.500, Euros
Avantgarde package (net price) : 1.714, Euros
VAT (21%): 6.344,94, Euros
"Put on the road" tax : 2.487, Euros
FINAL PRICE : 39.045,94, Euros (+- 61,569.27 USD)

C230

Net price : 30.300, Euros
Avantgarde package (net price) : 1.714, Euros
VAT (21%): 6.722,94 Euros
"Put on the road" tax : 2.487, Euros
FINAL PRICE : 41.223,94 Euros (+- 65,003.63 USD)

C280 (C300 US)

Net price : 33.400, Euros
Avantgarde package (net price) : 1.714, Euros
VAT (21%): 7.373,94 Euros
"Put on the road" tax : 4.957, Euros
FINAL PRICE : 47.444 Euros (+- 74,811.57 USD)

C350

Net price : 40.800, Euros
Avantgarde package (net price) : 0 Euros (included)
VAT (21%): 8.568 Euros
"Put on the road" tax : 4.957, Euros
FINAL PRICE : 54.325 Euros (+- 85,661.80 USD)

C63
Net price : 62.900, Euros
Avantgarde package (net price) : 0 Euros (included)
VAT (21%): 13.209 Euros
"Put on the road" tax : 4.957, Euros
FINAL PRICE : 81.066 Euros (+- 127,828.06 USD)

W204 DIESEL MODELS

C200 CDI

Net price : 26.000, Euros
Avantgarde package (net price) : 1.775, Euros
VAT (21%): 5.832,75, Euros
"Put on the road" tax : 495 Euros
FINAL PRICE : 34.102,75, Euros (+- 54,564.95 USD)

C220 CDI

Net price : 30.300, Euros
Avantgarde package (net price) : 1.714, Euros
VAT (21%): 6.722,94, Euros
"Put on the road" tax : 2.487, Euros
FINAL PRICE : 38.736,94, Euros (+- 61,082.03 USD)

C320 CDI

Net price : 37.000, Euros
Avantgarde package (net price) : 0 Euros (included)
VAT (21%): 7.770, Euros
"Put on the road" tax : 4.957, Euros
FINAL PRICE : 49.727, Euros (+- 78,411.49 USD)

These prices don't include any option apart from their base donation added with the pack Avantgarde. For the 220CDI and 320CDI, Mercedes Belgium sells them, at no extra charge, with less HP in order to be in lower tax bracket. The examples I gave here for the Diesels aren't those "tuned" versions.

So, I tend to smile when I hear in Internet forums, US forum members complaining on the price of their cars. The worst thing is that Belgium isn't the worst offender in Europe or in the World. Let's hope some forum members follow me in posting their numbers...

 

I can give a comparison on the 220 CDI Sport {Avantgarde} Saloon

Basic Car £21,085
Sport £2463
Delivery £482
VAT @ 17.5% £4205

12 Month Road Tax £170
1st registration fee £50

Total £28,455

 

sorry cant help w/ your post but i gotta say there r some hotties in belgium.. dayuuum..

 

So unrelated, but--European ladies are hot. Dunno what it is. Maybe they're not American?

 

Or may be the grass is always greener on the other side