[Closed] Company car advice needed - select a car for me!

I need the car for the short (8 mile) commute to work, which I can claim milage allowance for,

How are you going to manage that?

I claim mileage for my occasional trips to the office but it's not a commute as I work from home.

Golf estate?

I have the Passat 2.0 TDi sport estate, it swallows bike and kit like a tardis. I love it.

However, if you're a new driver it's a pretty powerful beast and might be a bit much. it's also huge!

"I need the car for the short (8 mile) commute to work, which I can claim milage allowance for"

Your not allowed to claim your journey from home to normal place of work...

How are you going to manage that?

Contract states:

Car allowance consists of...a taxable home to work milage allowance to cover fuel costs....@ 20ppm

So I can claim it, but will be taxed on it.

Personally I've always gone the company car route as if you lose your job it's their problem and you are not stuck with a 3 year lease to pay for.

I've just ordered a 1.6 TDci Focus Estate Titanium X and it's effectively costing me £53 per month in tax.

Car allowances are nice if you already own a car as you can use it to cover running costs etc but I don't find them as attractive if you have to purchase with them.

You're assuming it's his "Normal Place of work", if it's a project for less than 2 years duration you can claim as it's not a permanent place of work.

Personally, I'd never have a ford again after having a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium for the last 3 years, you'll get far better MPG out of the VAG cars or the bimmer despite that the book figures may say.

As you're a new driver I'd go for the Golf, Passats are frikkin huge.

I don't understand what the values are in the brackets. If they are what it would cost you to lease yourself, not including insurance/running costs as a comparrison the passat as a company car would see you taxed circa £80 a month as a lower tax payer. The golf would be circa £50. Another example would be a Mondeo tdci 1.6 at £50.

Steve - what MPG where you getting from the Mondeo, and was this the 140ps version?

You might find this site useful...

[url= http://www.comcar.co.uk/ ]linky[/url]

Personally, I'd never have a ford again after having a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium for the last 3 years

I've had the complete opposite experience, just returning a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X with 130,000 on the clock and it hasn't skipped a beat.

What's put you off Steve?

+1 golf - if you are a biker a hatch or estate is a really useful compared to a saloon.

Golf is a sensible size for a new driver and well put together.

If it was me I would go for the BMW but I have an MPV for bike duties (wife's car) - it might be a bit too powerful for a new driver though and people are unlikely to make the same allowances for someone driving one that they may for a Ford/Golf

Passats are huge, can get loads of stuff in back, but for a new driver maybe a bit bug. The 1.6tdi will probably struggle fully loaded in a car that size (it's about 110PS I think).

Focus is a better shaped boot than a Golf; big and boxy with little intrusion from wheelarches - our last model focus swallowed a bathtub!

320 is meant to be a beautiful car to drive but isn't really a load lugged like the rest.

Golf - Its the only option.

The bigger cars are too big for a learner and Golf>Focus. So its simple really.

And learning on a company car does seem like a bit of a genius solution to exorbitant insurance premiums for new drivers. Must be very cost effective that way. Its worth checking that you can build up a no-claims discount on your company insurance as that will be useful if you every get a private vehicle but not a deal breaker if you can't.

If you do go with a company car it's worth remembering that benefit is kind is partially calculated on emissions and is likely to rise over the next few years based on this.

The tax on my last car jumped £60 per month 2011/2012 to 2012/2013.

Given that I'm going to be a new driver (so fully comp insurance isn't going to be cheap, but would be included with the company car), and I'd actually have to buy/lease a car, does it make more sense to take one of these options as opposed to the cash allowance?

Chap check the comapnies insurance - if you personally lease the car, you will have to pay the insurance - as a new driver you are looking at mega bucks - if the comapny lease it, then you are likley to be covered under their insurance.

Failing that look at the options for buying you're own car and getting decent pay back 45p/mile (forst 10K), as you will not get this under either car allowance or comapny car - work it into your basic pay it can work out better.

Chap check the comapnies insurance - if you personally lease the car, you will have to pay the insurance - as a new driver you are looking at mega bucks - if the comapny lease it, then you are likley to be covered under their insurance.

that's the point i was making - if i buy my own i have to pay for insurance, if i take their car then they will cover my insurance.

I have the Golf and it is great, however I have the 'Match' trimmed version rather than the standard Bluemotion. A little bit more tax but it is full of useful extra's. You won't regret it.

http://www.contracthireandleasing.com/guides/company-car-vs-car-allowance/

Beemer. You can obviously afford it or it wouldn't be in your list. Its quick and you would be unlikely to afford insurance on that for a good number of years if you are new to driving - let the company pay. Other options are more mundane and probably accessible to you if you went private ownership in 3 years time.

jp-t853 - Member
I have the Golf and it is great, however I have the 'Match' trimmed version rather than the standard Bluemotion.

This is what my brother did - bought a Match, but specced it with the Bluemotion pack.

beemer would cost more in tax, on account of the higher list price

if your in Scotland/ like getting into the hills in winter a rear wheel drive BMW is a very silly idea.

Golf is the pick of those, maybe passat sport but tbh all company cars these days are pretty tedious and dull

Get the BMW, it's the nicest car on that list by a mile.

if your in Scotland/ like getting into the hills in winter a rear wheel drive BMW is a very silly idea.

I'd go for the beemer as well, had the 105PS Golf bluemotion (estate) for about 45k miles and its pretty gutless, the quoted 105ps is on overboost i think? It was pretty good on fuel though.

If you're at all worried about ended up facing the wrong way at a roundabout though maybe something FWD would be a better idea 😀

However, if you're a new driver it's a pretty powerful beast and might be a bit much

Best post ever! Only on STW could that statment be made about a diesel Passat

To the OP. go for the Beamer if the extra cost doesn't phase you. Its the nicesst car by far.

Go for the Golf if you want some thing smaller or if you want to lug around bikes go for the Passat, you wouldn't need to worry about a roofrack (just be careful when unleashing the full potential of the beast)

beemer would cost more in tax, on account of the higher list price

Not strictly true it may actually be cheaper due to super low emissions.

You'd be happy in the volkswagen as long you never set foot in a bmw or it turns out that driving is just something you have to do rather than enjoy. (I like driving, I'd have the Beemer) (Have had lots of experience in Volkswagen/Toyota/Ford/Audi/BMW)

VW Passat TDI Sport BlueMotion 2.0 !,no question,the bee mmz too small & the others are under powered,good on fuel mind you,but them 1.6 tdi's wont blow the fluff of ure slippers....

The BMW's a drivers car,ok if youre single or just two of yah,as theres no room in the back,the Passats the way to go,it'll do 50 mpg,if its a 140 bhp,40-45 if its a 170 dsg box is about 5 mpg worse !

Not strictly true it may actually be cheaper due to super low emissions.

No - actually strictly true. Had to make the choice between golf estate bluemotion and BMW318d.

Golf works out considerably cheaper in tax, but I [i]wanted[/i] the 3 series.

This does apply to the outgoing model though - as I wanted the tourer

The fundamental flaw in most people's comparison of a company car versus car allowance, is people look at the cost of a potential cars available under the scheme to owning those same cars. The first question you should ask is do I want to spend that much on a car? If yes, then carry on, but if no because you are happy enough using an old car, then take the allowance like I have almost always done.

That said, your case is obviously heavily influenced by insurance and when I was in exactly the same position as you and I took the company car, which I then bought out of the scheme and used for a further four years before a joyrider crashed into it.

Is the 1-series BMW on the list? I have a 118D ES as a company car and its great, too small, but great.
I'm getting 50mpg out of a tank and the tax isn't a huge issue due to the 119g emissions.

the new 116D ED puts out 99g emissions, and would be dirt cheap to run.

I'm due to change later this year, I'll be going VW Touran/Passat as have two kids, but if it were just me and the missus we'd be sticking with BMW..

320D. The estate is good, too.

Honestly depends on if you like cars. I'd get the BMW because it's the nicest to drive, though if space is what you're after the Passat wins. I'd not spend £350/month on a Passat though - if you're going large'n'dull, go for the 1.6.

BTW, if you're going for any of these and would be carrying bikes, get the estate version. Just so much more convenient than trying to fit stuff in the boot.

Ok. Either the Focus or the Golf.

You can't go wrong with either. I'd also go as far to say try and learn in one of these cars as learning in a half decent car will help you get upto speed better than a noddy car and you'll be instantly familiar with the car when you pass.

Also, does your new employer know about your driving status? Are there any restrictions on length of licence for their cars etc etc??

I've had the complete opposite experience, just returning a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X with 130,000 on the clock and it hasn't skipped a beat.

+1. Mine's due for renewal in November and my current thinking is "another one of those please."

I don't have a driving licence. I start a new job soon and have the option of a company car or a car allowance, so I will be spending the next few months passing my test.

The Golf or the Focus, 100%. Otherwise, you will die.

I've been driving over 20 years, and I passed on a 320D a couple of years ago because I wanted to keep my licence and my limbs attached. For a new driver, no way, you'll be a statistic inside of six months. Trust me.

The new Golfs and Foci are both great cars. I'd be leaning towards the Focus I think, but why not have a nosey round a couple of dealers and have a look at them before you commit?

Oh, and, absolutely categorically take the company car over the allowance. You'd want your bumps feeling not to.

I don't care what anyone says, for me. You are the safest driver in a car you can feel/connect/know where it is rather than driver aids etc etc. The Ford will make you feel more confident and you'd enjoy driving it more. VW's are great cars (and the Golf is catching up) but its still overdamped and slightly remote compared to even a boggo Focus IMO.

Flame me Advanced driving types 😆

BMW every time, it's a much better car than any of the others you listed. Your first car could be a brilliant one, and someone else is picking up the tab - you jammy so and so!

Edit: I would look at the 316d and 318d too - you would pay less tax and the saving in list price would mean you might be able to go for an estate with a few toys.

I've been driving over 20 years, and I passed on a 320D a couple of years ago because I wanted to keep my licence and my limbs attached. For a new driver, no way, you'll be a statistic inside of six months. Trust me.

A diesel rep car is too much for you...wowsers...

A diesel rep car is too much for you...wowsers...

I didn't say that. I just know me and know I'd have driven it like a hooligan. It was bright red as well, I'd have spent most of my time on the hard shoulder talking to men in hi-vis jackets.

Are we talking about Beemer saloon(?) If I was new to driving and had to try and gauge learn to park in one of those I'd find it daunting. Beemers are nice cars but they aren't what their marketing claims.

Take the car allowance. It will be far more cost effective for a low mileage. In fact, our company car scheme was such poor value for office based staff, they abolished it three years ago. My last company car goes back, and I shall not be replacing it!

As a new driver, buy something small like the Golf.

I'd say if you are doing big personal miles with a new license then you would probably be best on the company car route. Get some insurance quotes and do a spreadsheet though, thats what I always do. When I was under 40% tax and doing massive personal miles going to DH races a company car was perfect, cheaper than running my own car, as there was no cash alternative. Now I am 40% and with cash alternative doing low personal miles it is in now way economic to have a company car.

Edit - out of all of them I'd take the BMW every day too. I have been a VAG fan for a long time too, but BMW's are really so much nicer to drive, a bargain now because of the emissions

Yes, take the allowance and get something like this for £100 a month 8)

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As already mentioned insurance for a brand new driver on anything fairly decent (as many car allowances demand), could easily be a couple of grand, in which case a car allowance doesn't look so good.

A modern VAG* or BMW diesel with a modest output (318d Touring, 116d, the VWs you described, etc), will cost you buttons in tax and personal mileage fuel. I know you're not a car nut, but one thing to bear in mind is the new 3 Series Touring to match the saloon just out is a year away still.

Hora - I know you're the fountain of knowledge on all things motoring, but have you ever driven a modern (last couple of years) BMW?

Edit: * VAG = VW AG - VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda (and Lamborghini/Porche/Bentley of course, but maybe not relevant here 😀 )

I see all those are diesels.

Does your work commute involve lots of urban stop/start travel or is it a blast on a dual carriageway ?

I ask because of the dreaded Diesel Particulate Filter, google will give you the background but basically DPF systems like reasonably long journeys where you can get up to 50pmh+ for a prolonged period (so they can purge themselves). Perhaps your weekend trips (if regular) will satisfy this though ?

If you do lots of urban trips with a DPF then they can fill up and potentially involve a trip to the dealer to purge them (and any cost would most likely not be covered by a lease deal which included servicing).

Something to do some research into IMO.

What are you on about Hora. Parking the BMW will be practically the same as in the Golf! Similar wheel base, yes more overhang at the back on the BMW but any newbie driver is going to have way over compensated on space to clip anything!

Good point allthepies. The 1.2 and 1.4TFSI petrol VAG engines are peaches.

I ask because of the dreaded Diesel Particulate Filter, google will give you the background but basically DPF systems like reasonably long journeys where you can get up to 50pmh+ for a prolonged period (so they can purge themselves). Perhaps your weekend trips (if regular) will satisfy this though ?

If you do lots of urban trips with a DPF then they can fill up and potentially involve a trip to the dealer to purge them (and any cost would most likely not be covered by a lease deal which included servicing).

If it's a company car, who cares?

Good point allthepies. The 1.2 and 1.4TFSI petrol VAG engines are peaches.

And really thirsty. I know someone getting just over 33mpg on a 1.4 TSFI Golf. He doesn't drive Miss Daisy, but he's hardly Lewis Hamilton either.

On a personal lease deal would be more relevant, admittedly.

If it's a company car, who cares?

Well I would if I were stuck with a car for 3-4 years and had to take it into the dealers lots of times 🙂

In your position go for the cheapest overall company car that covers your basic criteria - mine is; auto, 4/5 doors, air-con.

Many years ago a company I worked for had to adjust their insurance policy as spouses' were covered, but under 21's (employees and employees' children) were not - and my wife was under 21. I took a Citroen BX 16 valve as a company car 🙂

This was when our 309GTI had just been sold as the insurance had leaped from £350 comp to £1000 TP...

The company car tax (1/3 as +18k in those days) was less than the insurance.

Well I would if I were stuck with a car for 3-4 years and had to take it into the dealers lots of times

It's quite astonishingly unlikely that this would happen though; DPFs don't clog anywhere near as much as the internet tinfoil-hat brigade would have you believe, and in any cae, the OP's said he'll be doing a lot of long-trip weekend miles, which will clear out any potential gunkiness.

My car's got two DPF's, it has 135k miles on it, and let's see how often it's had a DPF issue. Hmm, that'd be zero times. Not one. An that's with a reasonable amount of urban running.

My car's got two DPF's, it has 135k miles on it, and let's see how often it's had a DPF issue. Hmm, that'd be zero times. Not one. An that's with a reasonable amount of urban running.

I second this, 130K on the clock, mostly motorway yet an average speed of 38mph (got to love British roads) and no problems with the DPF.

That said, the joy of a company car is regular dealer servicing (mine gets done every 12000 miles so about 3 times a year).

Either the 320 (though only in estate form) or the Focus depending on how much you care about the £110 difference. I'd pick the 320 as it's much better to drive, is more comfortable and refined, plus has the best real world fuel ecconomy.

Ignore the naysayers opinions about bigger cars as they're wrong. As long as you have some spacial awareness bigger cars can be easier to park as you tend to be able to see the ends, unlike in a lot of modern small cars. I recently had to park a corsa and that was really hard work.

Of those cars you picked, I'd have the golf. The passat is HUGE, we almost got one but decided on a golf estate instead as the missus was more confident with it seeing as we already have a golf hatch.

The bike'll happily go in the back of either with the seats down and front wheel off.

Oh and the hatch is a DPF, 100k, 55mpg and only ever been to the garage for regular services.

Many thanks for all the responses guys 🙂

So basically, I've narrowed it down too...most of the options on my list :);)

I think that the company car route is definitely the one to go though, 3 years worth of a brand new (and relatively expensive car) with fully comp insurance, all for a few hundred quid a month. Not much chance of getting that trying to go it alone, insurance costs alone will probably be £2k for anything remotely interesting.

Thanks again.

Absolutely. You'd be mad not to, IMHO.

BenHouldsworth - Member
Personally, I'd never have a ford again after having a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium for the last 3 years
I've had the complete opposite experience, just returning a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X with 130,000 on the clock and it hasn't skipped a beat.

What's put you off Steve?

Well it's not exactly reliable, it's got 72k on the clock the majority of which are motorway miles and it's had the following replaced:
- Clutch & flywheel assembly
- Slave cylinder
- various sensors
- Turbo
- exhaust manifold
- stereo unit after it swallowed all my CD's and wouldn't let them out again!!

WOW!!! That's quite an impressive list Steve

Golf.

I have a Passat and love it, but it's the 2ltr Bluemotion and i wouldn't want any less power. The Bluemotions are incredibly tax efficient. Build quality is great.

As for CoCar vs private lease. For me the issue is that if anything goes wrong I just sling it in the garage and it gets fixed. if you do go self lease try to get one with a good long warranty and service deal.

- stereo unit after it swallowed all my CD's and wouldn't let them out again!!

Oddly, mine did that. I'd forgotten about that. Took it back to Ford who swapped the head unit and returned my discs all nicely wrapped.

Only other problem I've had with mine is a flickering headlamp bulb that took Ford about five visits to fix properly.

With a company car it doesn't really matter at the end of the day. The engine could fall out and it wouldn't make a difference, I'd just kick it back to Ford and take their discourtesy car until it was fixed.

With a company car it doesn't really matter at the end of the day. The engine could fall out and it wouldn't make a difference, I'd just kick it back to Ford and take their discourtesy car until it was fixed.

It does matter though. Company car or not, visiting garages is just a pain in the arse regardless of who's paying

No skin off my nose, it's not out of the way and I'd only be sat at work otherwise.

Private leased cars come with the same warranty as they are also new cars.

My £100 @ month C1 is just one such example.

Passats have also suffered multiple issues!

steve_b77 that's quite a light list of modern mondeo faults, mine was about 3 times that long when my company refused to accept it back from yet another repair as it was unsafe and had intermittent safety critical faults.

the rest of the fleet have been blinkin dreadful as well ( all with multiple electrical faults)

such a shame as the drive was rather good in those rare moments of it working without having to worry about which bit of it would fail next

never having another ford again

I've just gone for a 2012 new Civic, seems bit good on paper cost and efficiency wise.
Lumping more into the pension instead.
BMW 320 M Sport goes back Monday...won't miss it.

EX model one down from the top of the range GT, silly low tax.