The short version is: said mate had wanted a replacement for his BMW 7 series for a while, and we'd been discussing possible replacements in depth, multiple times,eith a group of friends. I'd insisted that the best option imho was a QP V. He doubted as his occupation requires him to drive often and far, so running costs were somewhat of a factor.
During a couple of weeks, the topic wasn't brought up again until one night we met at the pub. Next to his wallet was a set of Mercedes keys. I was about to go full Spanish inquisition on him, when he informed me that he had Merc A class replacement car. A replacement for what? A QP V indeed. He'd bought the car and had to be in the Netherlands pretty much immediately after taking ownership, a good maiden voyage to get to grips with the car. Except that he had a tyre blow (he still insists that had nothing to do with his driving), and one of the rims got damaged beyond repair. They dropped the car at Louwman, the Maserati importer where it had to wait for a rim to arrive, and he got the Mercedes as a temp car to drive back home to Belgium.
That day, he'd received a call that his car was ready, and he was too busy to pick it up.
I suggested I could drive back the A class and pick up the QP, if I could keep it for a couple of days. Never have I spent more on fuel then during those 4 days, as (a) I took every opportunity to savour it and (b) I obviously ensured the engine got a workout...
I still jokingly blame him for me getting mine now...