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So, the time has come for me to change my company car. I've currently got a BMW 320d M Sport Tourer and really rather like it, over the last 3 years it's clocked 90,000 trouble free miles, not even a headlight bulb to change.
I have to have a car from the company scheme as I'm designated a high mileage driver, I know there will be others on here who drive more miles PA etc, but those are the rules by which I have to abide, so no opting out of the scheme, taking the cash and living on bangernomics / PCP / other personal lease stuff.
Now the main question is, I want a vehicle that just like the BMW which:
- has space for 3 kids in the back
- has a decent sized boot, it's got to be estate type / sized
- will return 50mpg with the roof bars & bike carriers permanently attached, as the BMW has
- standard features of leather, cruise control, live traffic sat nav, DAB, climate control, auto lights & wipers
- is as good to drive both on motorways and not; drove to Slovakia in the summer over 2 days and got out as fresh as a daisy
- doesn't make me look at it as just a company car, but one I actually like to won & drive
WWSTWD
Boom...
New Volvo?
How about a BMW 320d M Sport Tourer?
Sounds quite like the new Volvo V60 D4. I think you'll need the Momentum Pro spec to get the toys you want.
5 series or Volvo v90
I used to enjoy helping pick my dad's company car back when company cars were a thing...
5 series touring ticks all them boxes.
5 all the way. Just got my 4th in a row. As a 3 series M Sport driver you'll even appreciate the much better ride and quiet.
Mondeo 2.0TDi Titanium.
I used to enjoy helping pick my dad’s company car back when company cars were a thing…
That's car porn, right there.
BMW 530e
Will save you a fortune on tax
I'm in a not dissimilar position and got an unpleasant surprise when I checked HMRC bik - you may well have already done this but its definitely worth checking the costs of any suggestions.
I've currently got a V60 D4 and would have quite happily swapped for a new V60 Momentum but then noticed 31% bik...
A vaguely equivalent hybrid (Mini Countryman, Golf GTE, BMW 225) comes in around 13% under current rules.
This has forced a rethink in my mind...
Having said that, actually ordering a hybrid at the minute seems challenging!
EDIT - beaten to it by FunkyDunc 🙂 A 530e isn't on my option list unfortunately...
Sorry.
I currently have a BMW Gran Tourer as a long term hire car. This one's a 218d M sport, prior to this I had the 220d luxury.
Ticks all the boxes above. Both are autos with the 8 speed box, and return similar mileage, with the 220 probably a little better, as it didnt have to rev so much (also had lower CO2). There is loads of space in the back, and the seats can be moved back and forward to increase the boot if needed (or pop up the extra row of seats)
The M sport spec isnt quite so comfortable but goes round corners quicker and has more road noise and bumps from the lower profile tyres.
I'm really liking my Passat GTE estate but I'm doing 24k a year, I'm not sure it would make sense mpg wise at 30k though. Cheap BIK and I get a good bit more allowance for petrol than diesel too.
Drove it down to Ligure in Italy in the summer, easy with the DSG and adaptive cruise, got 43mpg on petrol at mainly 120km/h. Don't know when they'll start taking orders again though
Colleague has the 530e and it's very nice but no estate option AFAIK
3 kids in a 3 series? Crikey. Definitely size up as you can as I guess the kids are getting bigger.
Had a new C-class recently, abused it all the way up to Derby but still got 62mpg, mainly thanks to the 9 speed box. Still about the same size as a 3 series though. E class and 5 series would be my choice.
Or if you dont mind losing RWD then skoda superb? A hybrid would seem to make sense if you can get one for tax purposes.
E class 220amg estate premium plus. What i got. Its full of toys. Super comfy and i got 60mpg the last few motorway journeys.
Bik is a bstrd though...
The BMW e series don't seem to come in Tourer/ estate so no use.
I reckon I'm about to pull for a V60 d4 R Design possible the Plus, cheaper than a 5 series but bigger than a 3.
Not a fan of the Mercs if I'm honest, there's quite a lot of them at work and whoever mentioned the Mundeno GTF 😂😂
Sorry
Loved our old 827 - last seen with much blue smoke coming out the back of it
Not a fan of the Mercs if I’m honest, there’s quite a lot of them at work and whoever mentioned the Mundeno GTF
Why dont you just tell everyone what badges you do find acceptable?
I've just bought a Volvo V60 R Design and for me it's the mutts nuts!
I’ve had the current model Merc C class and also a Mondeo. The Mondeo was a better car.
Based on your criteria, how about one of the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake estates? Lovely to look at, and the smaller Diesel engines are pretty frugal
I bought the saloon variant and because I don’t have to worry about BIK, I got the 3l petrol supercharged one 🙂
I'll have a look at the Jag, they are pretty nice. But I think the Volvo is winning or maybe the 5 series
Get a job without the miles - not a life IMO.
Is your car an f31 Steve? I’ve just got a current shape one and several have commented on how much bigger they are inside these days.
Its certainly a lovely vehicle to be in.
Similar situation and bizarrely I’m looking at a Skoda Kodiaq (Skoda Q7 I think).
@nickfrog don't see the miles as being an issue, a lot of them are done during the working day between sites / projects so it doesn't impact on my real life.
@kryton57 yeah it's a f31, so the current one until the G20 is released in Paris later this year.
@igm I'm starting to move away from the SUV idea as like for like the emissions seem to be higher as well as the P11d
The BMW e series don’t seem to come in Tourer/ estate so no use.
Correct they do not, but they will save you a fortune in monthly cost and they drive so much nicer than a 320d does with bucket loads more power.
Test drive one and I bet you end up getting one.
I'm also a high mileage driver so must have a company car. I have just come from a v60 D4 and really liked it. Best front seats of any car I have driven. But rear for 3 may be a little tight. The shape of the car means it gets narrow higher up (I guess all cars do but it seems more pronounced on the v60).
Engine is great and none of that adblue to worry about but I needed a new clutch, flywheel and various other parts at c90k. I averaged I think high 40s over 100k of mainly motorway miles (but I drive like a cock).
Would have had another but fell out with my local Volvo dealer over all the work and the time it was taking so now drive a Skoda. Our scheme rules allow petrol if low co2 and now have a Karoq 1.5tsi. Miss the power and front seats of the Volvo but the Skoda is much cheaper both in terms of contribution I make and tax. Technically it's a negative contribution so I get money back which covers the tax.
As normal it depends what your priorities are.
@db thanks for that, the Skodas are looking quite popular, based on the low P11d value I imagine.
@FunkyDunc I need the estate for the boot space, can't be doing with saloons if I'm honest, loads of inaccessible space right at the back of a boot. Also the tailgate on estates make a nice little roof when getting changed at events and stripping filthy riding gear off the kids under covet is a bonus too.
Which? is quite scathing about Volvo reliability - nice looking/spec cars though...
I need the estate for the boot space
does the GT come with "e"? Its bloody enormous in the back.
Also, one of my work colleagues has a new 520d touring, he says although its adequate he wishes he'd got a bigger engine for a bit more pizazz now and again, worth bearing in mind. I'm guessing a 530e would be a pretty awesome piece of kit.
Is a commercial vehicle allowed? T6’s are nice and BIK is very nice.....
admitidly I just got an Amarok (rednecktastick!) due to the tax and I sign my own rules so could do it, but I was in the same boat as you 3 months ago, 320d, C220, A4 - they are popular for a reason!
Ahh, Kryton may have something there, the 3&5 GT’s are much larger cars than their saloon versions, the 3GT is massive in the rear. Could be worth looking what they come with engine wise
I went from 320 estate to 330e saloon. I don’t really miss the extra space, but then we only have 1 kid