LINGsCARS Blog

I am Ling and my Mercedes GLA Class 1.6 GLA 180 Urban Edition 16v (122bhp) Hatchback 5dr 1595cc Petrol Automatic (7 Speed) Petrol Automatic has a new CO2 value today. So I post it here in my blog. I always update very fast. Can anyone name another website that can do this stuff as fast as me?

How to explain this without it seeming like the usual sales talk? … I don’t know, but I will try to make this clear… You know, you are not buying this car. Only renting it for (probably 1 or 2 or 3 years). So you are not stuck with it forever. So, you have no real risk. You are going to pay someone some money to run a car however you look at it.

I also took the decision to code into HTML and make available for printing the “Comparative Labels” or the “fridge” type labels you see at Comet and Curry’s on new fridges and washing machines. No other UK website bothers (or wants) to give their customers this information. One day they will be forced to do this. I have made my code freely available for any dealer who wants to use it, and published a tutorial on how to include this in their websites. This was published on the Automotive Management forum on 26th October 2006. To date, no dealer has contacted me to use my code.

I am pleased to say that the CO2 for the Mercedes GLA Class Petrol Automatic is now 144g/km. If you chose a different trim level, the CO2 would change, but not by much.

My Mercedes GLA Class 1.6 GLA 180 Urban Edition 16v (122bhp) Hatchback 5dr 1595cc Petrol Automatic (7 Speed) Petrol Automatic gearbox is only £360.00 inc VAT per month with 3 months initial payment, followed by 11 payments on direct debit. Business customers, make sure you deduct the VAT, when making decisions. As I can’t tell what type of customer you are (business or private), I can’t display the price any other way but to show VAT seperately (sorry!).

This price on my Mercedes GLA Class includes full road tax for the length of the contract, on all of my cars and vans! Free delivery to your home or work and free collection from you at the end! £360.00 inc VAT per month is based on you driving 10,000 miles per annum, but higher mileages are usually available at a small extra cost. If you go over the allocated miles, you can pay a small excess mileage charge, usually between 3p and 15p per mile.

Sir Nicholas Stern, Head of the Government Economics Service, produced the UK Government Environmental Report on the Economics of Climate Change. I was so pleased to win an Environmental Award in 2008, myself. I am determined that LINGsCARS.com will go further than anyone else in this industry to exceed the legal minimum information disclosure. It is probably the case that my customers have the smallest environmental footprints of any new car customers in the UK!

Try to avoid using your car for short journeys – use public transport, ride a bicycle or walk.

I have so many of these website comments, they are overflowing on my desk!

Very original site! I am very impressed! I’ve put the site on my favorites list
Matt Lucy, Leeds, LS20 9DT
matthewluty_@hotmail.com

Hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery. There are various ways in which hybrid vehicles can operate. For example the electric motor can be used to provide additional power during acceleration and high load conditions. The battery can then be recharged by the internal combustion engine or from energy absorbed during braking, or, in some cases, from an external electrical supply. Hybrid vehicles offer reduced fuel consumption and CO2 with potentially some reduction in emissions of local pollutants.

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I always ask my customers if they have comments about getting their new car. Really, I am looking for criticisms (so I can improve my service). However, customers like John Hollows show that it is hard to generate real criticism. I can only improve if I know if anything is wrong. So, no thanks to John Hollows 🙂

John says…
Ling,

Just to let you know… the Mondeo has arrived! I am very happy… can’t thank you enough for the work you did to get it here and the great customer service that you offer.

Am off to drive around in it, thanks again

John Hollows
Leigh
WN7 ***

Editor Note: John, as you are a Director of an engineering firm, I take your views very seriously. Thanks for such kind words. New shape Mondeo is a fantastic car. Look forward to talking to you again in 2-years. – Ling

I am the fastest car supplier in the UK to update the BMW 2 Series Tourer 1.5 225xe M Sport Premium 12v (224bhp) Hatchback 5dr 1499cc Petrol/plugin Elec Hybrid 4X4 Automatic (8 Speed) Plug-in Hybrid Automatic information. No one in the industry can believe how fast I am.

Have you ever rented a self-drive car for a day or a week? Well, Contract Hire is exactly the same, just for a longer period. Easy, isn’t it? It’s available for businesses or for private individuals. You may have seen me turning down investment on Dragon’s Den! Read on to understand how it works. Occasionally, I can supply PCP, leasing and lease hire (but not often). If you’re reading this because you are unsure if you should use LINGsCARS.com, have a look at my 900+ customer letters.

I have researched this environmental subject widely. I have corresponded with the Department for Transport, have been in discussions with the VCA (the VCA is the designated UK approval authority which compiles the UK vehicle environmental data) and the SMMT (the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders). Sir Nicholas Stern would not return my calls 🙂

Working it out from the tables, the CO2 is just 57g/km for the BMW 2 Series Tourer Plug-in Hybrid Automatic. There are a few cars in this range, so different specs will give slightly different CO2 values.

My BMW 2 Series Tourer 1.5 225xe M Sport Premium 12v (224bhp) Hatchback 5dr 1499cc Petrol/plugin Elec Hybrid 4X4 Automatic (8 Speed) Plug-in Hybrid Automatic gearbox is only £311.69 inc VAT per month with 9 months initial payment, followed by 23 payments on direct debit. Business customers, make sure you deduct the VAT, when making decisions. As I can’t tell what type of customer you are (business or private), I can’t display the price any other way but to show VAT seperately (sorry!).

This price on my BMW 2 Series Tourer includes full road tax for the length of the contract, on all of my cars and vans! Free delivery to your home or work and free collection from you at the end! £311.69 inc VAT per month is based on you driving 10,000 miles per annum, but higher mileages are usually available at a small extra cost. If you go over the allocated miles, you can pay a small excess mileage charge, usually between 3p and 15p per mile.

One of my best awards was the 2008 best non-franchise environmentalist, awarded by Automotive Management. The web is fickle, I have noticed LINGsCARS.com is the ONLY new car supplier to display and promote environmental info for ALL new cars, on the web! My website won “BEST non-franchised WEBSITE 2007” in the Automotive Management Awards.

Use air-conditioning sparingly – running air-conditioning continuously will increase fuel consumption significantly.

Look at this comment. It is not just me who is a mentalist.

Very good website.
Paul Simpson, Widnes, WA8 3LS
simmo68uk_@yahoo.co.uk

Failure to show fuel consumption labels on new cars on display, or to make available to potential buyers the results of the fuel consumption tests as listed in this booklet, render dealers liable on conviction to a fine of up to �5,000. The same penalty exists for anyone who does not include all the appropriate test results in promotional literature. Trading Standards enforce point of sale information and should be contacted if you have concerns in this area. The Vehicle Certification Agency enforce the provision of information in advertising and promotional literature.

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Customers often send me letters, I have 1524 in total! It keeps the postman busy. These letters are all hard copies, and none are invented. This one is from David Jones

David says…
Although I could have got a car for a few pounds less (really??? Never! – Ling), Ling was much more helpful and has an interesting website. Also, i had a problem with my emails, but I was able to use Ling’s secure “LINGO” system with no problem. Everything was made very easy, I know exactly what was going on. My new Fiesta arrived when Ling said it would. VERY PLEASED. Delivery had 46 miles on the clock. Good.

David Jones
Bromsgrove
B60 ***

Editor Note: David, when you compare prices, remember that many companies have hidden fees and “document” charges. I avoid these whenever possible. So, the screen price on competitor sites does not always reflect what you will pay. In fact, most competitor car leasing websites are illegal in the way they represent VAT. However, you sound really pleased to choose me and I say THANKS to you for being a star customer. So pleased you like the LINGO system. – Ling

Making your car greener is important, so it is nice when you can do it just by looking at the new BMW 2 Series Coupe 1.5 218i 12v (136bhp) M Sport Coupe 2dr 1499cc Petrol Manual. The CO2 values have changed, making it more attractive.

How to explain this without it seeming like the usual sales talk? … I don’t know, but I will try to make this clear… You know, you are not buying this car. Only renting it for (probably 1 or 2 or 3 years). So you are not stuck with it forever. So, you have no real risk. You are going to pay someone some money to run a car however you look at it.

And if you are thinking that all the fuss at the moment should be about air travel, not cars, Michael O’Leary (of Ryanair) will put you right. He said “Aviation accounts for a ‘Mickey Mouse’ 3% of carbon emissions across the EU, compared with nearly 25% from road transport” He also said “I don�t believe in trotting out all that PC claptrap just not to upset a couple of fu*king environmental lunatics. They are just loons” – which makes sense to me, as I have a problem with this statement from Christopher Macgowan, the head of the SMMT; “The motor industry is committed to helping tackle climate change”. Frankly, I don’t think many retailers and dealers are.

Working it out from the tables, the CO2 is just 130g/km for the BMW 2 Series Coupe Petrol Manual. There are a few cars in this range, so different specs will give slightly different CO2 values.

My BMW 2 Series Coupe 1.5 218i 12v (136bhp) M Sport Coupe 2dr 1499cc Petrol Manual gearbox is only £280.88 inc VAT per month with 3 months initial payment, followed by 35 payments on direct debit. Business customers, make sure you deduct the VAT, when making decisions. As I can’t tell what type of customer you are (business or private), I can’t display the price any other way but to show VAT seperately (sorry!).

This price on my BMW 2 Series Coupe includes full road tax for the length of the contract, on all of my cars and vans! Free delivery to your home or work and free collection from you at the end! £280.88 inc VAT per month is based on you driving 10,000 miles per annum, but higher mileages are usually available at a small extra cost. If you go over the allocated miles, you can pay a small excess mileage charge, usually between 3p and 15p per mile.

Winning the environmental award (2008 Best Environmentalist in the car industry) was very pleasing for me as it meant I was being recognised for my hard work. I’m the the ONLY new car supplier to display and promote environmental info for ALL new cars, on the web! Please note I have pioneered availability of environmental information on the internet. Using the internet to research and buy new cars is the most environmentally friendly method, by miles.

Do not compromise safety but be aware that the use of onboard electrical devices increases fuel consumption.

Looking at my pile of website remarks, I just found this one:

Your website is by far the world’s best website. No competition.
Jeremy Roberts, Watford, WD19 4TW
jeremysroberts_@gmail.com

Dealers are also required to display a poster � in paper or as an electronic display, in a prominent position, showing the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for all new passenger car models displayed, or offered for sale through that particular showroom. In addition to the above, the directive also requires manufacturers to include fuel consumption and CO2 emissions data in all brochures and printed advertisements, provided that the literature relates to a specific model of car. These requirements were implemented into UK law by The Passenger Car (Fuel Consumption and CO2 emissions Information) Regulations 2001, which came into force on the 21st of November 2001.

Visit my full letters page click here

Many customer letters contain really funny stuff. It’s unusual to receive a very dry one. However, I publish them all. Here is a letter from Leigh Mckenna. It was sent to me quite a while ago!

Leigh says…
Good service, good website – quick response times – very impressed with car – will be coming back in 3 years time – liked the extras in the post too :). Once the date was finalised, delivery of my new Fiat Panda was very good.

Leigh Mckenna
Lumphanan
AB31 ***

Editor Note: Another Kung-Fu Panda! Nice to have good website comments from a freelance web designer/developer! Thanks so much. You were a superstar to deal with, Leigh. Hope you enjoy the Panda diesel! – Ling

Don’t spend so much on fuel! If you get a new Skoda Octavia Diesel 1.6 TDI SE Technology 16v (115bhp) (5 seats) Hatchback 5dr 1598cc Diesel DSG (7 Speed) Automatic, then you will spend less because the CO2 value has changed. That means more MPG.

These days, in UK identity theft is common (not problem in China; we all look same, heheh), money laundering is common, and so is fraud. To proctect themselves, and you, against these problems the finance companies like lots of ID. There are many protecting regulations. Photographic and signature proving (new driving licence or passport), and address proving (recent 90 day or less old utility bill showing your name and address). A company may want to submit a VAT return (proof of trading) or latest signed accounts, and anyone can supply a current bank statement (you can blot out the figures if you are sensitive).

My customers agree to adhere to a fixed mileage allowance (usually 10,000, 15,000 or 20,000 miles per annum) and they are charged for “excess” miles. This means they are far more aware of the costs involved in unneccessary journeys in their new cars. To a certain extent, my customers will consider “is my journey really neccessary?” and “would it be cheaper to do this long trip on the train?”.

Having got all the info for the Skoda Octavia Diesel Automatic, I can publish the new CO2 figure: 103g/km. This will change across the different models of this particular car, they are all a bit different.

My Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI SE Technology 16v (115bhp) (5 seats) Hatchback 5dr 1598cc Diesel DSG (7 Speed) Diesel Automatic gearbox is only £250.86 inc VAT per month with 3 months initial payment, followed by 35 payments on direct debit. Business customers, make sure you deduct the VAT, when making decisions. As I can’t tell what type of customer you are (business or private), I can’t display the price any other way but to show VAT seperately (sorry!).

This price on my Skoda Octavia includes full road tax for the length of the contract, on all of my cars and vans! Free delivery to your home or work and free collection from you at the end! £250.86 inc VAT per month is based on you driving 10,000 miles per annum, but higher mileages are usually available at a small extra cost. If you go over the allocated miles, you can pay a small excess mileage charge, usually between 3p and 15p per mile.

One of my best awards was the 2008 best non-franchise environmentalist, awarded by Automotive Management. The web is fickle, I have noticed LINGsCARS.com is the ONLY new car supplier to display and promote environmental info for ALL new cars, on the web! My website won “BEST non-franchised WEBSITE 2007” in the Automotive Management Awards.

Cold starts – drive off as soon as possible after starting.

I have hundreds of these comments on my website:

This is brilliant!
Stephen Mitchell, Fife, KY7 6TW
fathermitch_@yahoo.com

Climate Change is recognised as one of the greatest environmental threats facing the World today and it has long been appreciated by Governments, that reducing the impact of the motor vehicle has an important part to play in addressing this threat.

Visit my full letters page click here

Getting letters in the post is really nice. It makes a lovely change from getting email. This one was sent by Marie Culley from Gateshead. Amazingly, the postman didn’t steal it!

Marie says…
Would highly recommend LingsCars. No other dealer/ lease company could match the great deal I got from Ling. Easy, easy, easy process thanks to the Lingo website. All my questions were answered within minutes! Friendly/ funny staff ‒ had many laughs along the way. In other words, EXCELLENT customer service. Many freebies ‒ mainly Chinese polos! Remember confusions say “too many Chinese polos mean many trips to dentist” :o)

Marie Culley
Gateshead
NE9 ***

Editor Note: Hahahah, good job you are not a dentist, Marie. You are local to me in Gateshead, you live less than 1 mile away, so I will see you around and about in the Qashqai… and the car is made only 5 miles from us both, too! Thanks for super letter! – Ling

Checking against the values I publish for the Kia Picanto 1.25 X-Line 16v (83bhp) Hatchback 5dr 1248cc Petrol Automatic (4 Speed) Petrol Automatic, I have noticed a small error, so I’m publishing these new figures today. Please read.

Local franchised dealer will sort out any warranty problems for free, but on most contracts (except VW group) any VAT registered garage can service car very cheap. Don’t use manufacturer agents, they are damn expensive. You never have an MOT (except on occasional 3-year contracts), car is always too young.

Compared to improvements in the emissions of toxic pollutants, there has been less progress on reducing CO2 from cars. For a given type of fuel the CO2 emissions of a car are directly proportional to the quantity of fuel consumed. Until recently the average fuel consumption of new cars was unchanged relative to that in the mid 1980�s. This was because while engines have become more efficient over this period, average vehicle mass has increased due to additional features to meet crash safety requirements and the widespread addition of features such as power assisted steering and air conditioning. However, there are signs that in the last few years average fuel consumption has begun to drop in response to voluntary agreements by vehicle manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions.

I have taken a typical model of this car from my website – the Kia Picanto Petrol Automatic. For this car, the CO2 is now just 124g/km. Other trim levels might differ slightly.

My Kia Picanto 1.25 X-Line 16v (83bhp) Hatchback 5dr 1248cc Petrol Automatic (4 Speed) Petrol Automatic gearbox is only £193.87 inc VAT per month with 3 months initial payment, followed by 35 payments on direct debit. Business customers, make sure you deduct the VAT, when making decisions. As I can’t tell what type of customer you are (business or private), I can’t display the price any other way but to show VAT seperately (sorry!).

This price on my Kia Picanto includes full road tax for the length of the contract, on all of my cars and vans! Free delivery to your home or work and free collection from you at the end! £193.87 inc VAT per month is based on you driving 10,000 miles per annum, but higher mileages are usually available at a small extra cost. If you go over the allocated miles, you can pay a small excess mileage charge, usually between 3p and 15p per mile.

The comparative or “fridge” label, is compulsory in car showrooms – except you’ve got to DRIVE there to see it! I won an industry award for displaying it electronically for all website visitors. I am the proud winner of the 2008 Best Environmentalist 2008 Automotive Management Award. Like me, Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair talks straight about cars versus planes. “The usual horseshit”, he says. One day, every car will be as Green as my Jolly Green Nuclear Missile Truck “Calm down dear!” – it’s only done 1,000 miles since 1970.

Lose weight – don’t carry unnecessary weight, remove roof racks when not in use.

Read this, I have this comment up, displayed on LINGsCARS.com:

Great site, will recommend it to my mates.
Trevor Mace, High Bentham, LA2 7HY
trevor.mace_@btinternet.com

Biofuels also offer a way to reduce vehicles’ impacts on climate change. The fuels are not entirely CO2 neutral because of the energy used to grow and process crops, but they can offer substantial CO2 savings over fossil petrol and diesel. Today most biofuels are sold in a blends of up to 5% with fossil petrol and diesel . These are suitable for use in all vehicles. Fuel standards may be extended in the future to allow more than 5% if it is concluded that this is compatible with existing vehicles. Some manufacturers offer ‘flexi-fuel’ vehicles that can run on bioethanol blends up to E85 – a blend of 85% bioethanol and 15% petrol, as well as fossil petrol.

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I have 1524 customer letters! This one was sent by Philip Ryott after they had been driving around a few weeks in their new Honda Civic

Philip says…
Excellent service and spot-on delivery. Exactly 9am as suggested. I love driving my new Honda Civic, so much that I have put 3000 miles on in the first 6-weeks, GULP! I will have to get a bus pass before the contracted miles over-run the limit, oooops. I have recommended you to everyone.

Philip Ryott
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 ***

Editor Note: Philip, well, you can easily increase the mileage if you want. I always advise waiting a while to see what happens over a longer period, your useage may change. It’s good to be aware of the miles you are driving in this environmental age. Hope to see you around Newcastle! I give you hyperlink! Thanks for recommends 🙂 – Ling