My question is mainly to see if I need to make a 'quick' decision. Given the April 1st car tax change, and the cost being passed to the driver(!), if I place a custom build before the end of January (expect a std VSE 3.0lt with 4k of options - mainly the driver pack, front fog, etc), would the car be likely to be available pre 1st April??

Of course, at this end of the market, a grand here or there will not be an issue - more the principle of it really...

Depends on the dealer and how many slots he's used. You'll have to phone around. I think you'd be pushed to get a custom order but you might be lucky

Be careful though. Dealers might not tell you the truth, hoping to draw you in with a promise of an early car and then give you the "there has been a delay" call.

Signed on the dotted line last week, custom VSE, been given a date of 1st week in March, hope I don't get a phone call

Ordered a 4.4 AB on the 16th of November and am taking delivery on Tuesday (17.1.17) if that is any help.

thanks for the info. Will skip a new order for consideration later in the year. Have seen some VSE 3.0lt deals on at around 80k on Carwow, yet as I will need to finance part of the deal; I'll come back to this Orders part later in the year.