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[Evostance]

I'm trying to figure out what would be the best deal for me as I'll probably be entitled for a car sometimes soon. I'll be doing at least 450miles a week so the civic just isn't the car.

The only thing is, we get a choice of either Renault, Toyota, Nissan or for an extra top up fee of £50, a BMW. Only limitation is I think the top spec BMW we can get is a 320d saloon. Any car through the scheme that has over 120g/km CO2 output isn't available either. Also, if you leave or become not entitled to a car you have to pay the top up fee for the rest of the 4 year term.

So it its that, or I can take the 5600 a year in cash and get my own car.
Obviously I want something economical, something fairly nippy (under 10s to 60), comfortable and inboard tech like Bluetooth etc. also, cruise control for motorway driving...

Anyone got suggestions?n I like the 320d coupe, but realistically over the 4 years, I wouldn't have much change left to pay for insurance, servicing etc, whereas getting a car from work has all that included,

[smartie]

Can you get whatever you want if you take the cash option?

[Evostance]

Can you get whatever you want if you take the cash option?

Yep. The whole point of the cash option is so you can run your own car and have all servicing etc paid for by the cash. Only thing for me is that I cant use my CTR, i'll need a new car. However you get the cash on a per month basis I believe and its a taxable benefit which is 20% if it goes off your salary band I think

[scot]

Would buy a fabia vRs. Much rather have the money myself

[smartie]

Take the cash then buy something you want, options are almost limitless, other than suggesting every car under the sun you must have some idea what you want.

[Evostance]

Would buy a fabia vRs. Much rather have the money myself

I have a problem with 5 door hatchbacks...I cant bloody see out the side windows as I have fairly long legs so need to sit back. Therefore I always end up looking at the pillar. :bad-words:

Ideally, I want something that looks nice, good economy, not too sluggish and something that isn't overly expensive. It'd have to be either an Coupe or a 3 Door Hatch I reckon.

I did take a look at the A3's, and while they're nice, the interior features are lacking somewhat... I've probably got 5-6 months until I really need to make my mind up quickly so its not an urgent decision. I just dont really know where to start. I only decided I liked the looks of the 320d Coupe because someone suggested it. Wouldn't even have batted an eyelid unless that was mentioned

[I need VTEC]

If you are thinking about getting a 320d, will it be a brand new one if you get it through the company car scheme?

The newer 320d's are quite nippy compared to the old ones (E46), and they are very very economical. Just to give you an idea, if you took the money and bought an E46, it doesn't give you as much mileage, is slightly slower, and you'd have to pay for servicing and repairs yourself.

Option A (brand new 320d) Parkers E92 320d clicky

Option B (take the money they offer and buy an E46 320d) Parkers E46 320d clicky

Gives you an idea of what your options are.

IF you do get a brand new E92 320d, personally I'd go with option A.

[Evostance]

The only brand new 320d I can get is the saloon, not the coupe as it goes over the 120g/km limit. I like the 2010 320d coupes, but I'd have to buy that myself.m think they're about 60mpg?

Realistically if I were t get a 320d it'd either be...
2010+ Saloon via the company
2008+ Coupe via the cash

[I need VTEC]

You said you dislike 5dr hatchbacks because you have to push the seat far back and the pillars get in the way of your vision, do you have that issue with 5dr saloons?

[Evostance]

You said you dislike 5dr hatchbacks because you have to push the seat far back and the pillars get in the way of your vision, do you have that issue with 5dr saloons?

I've don't have the issue in my dads A4, but I couldn't say for anything else

[I need VTEC]

Why not get into a saloon 3 series down your local/nearest BMW garage and check it out?

If it's ok, I'd go for the saloon if I were you, simply because you'll have your company looking after repairs and servicing.

[Evostance]

Why not get into a saloon 3 series down your local/nearest BMW garage and check it out?

If it's ok, I'd go for the saloon if I were you, simply because you'll have your company looking after repairs and servicing.

Yeah that was the option if I took the car n. Only downside is I pay £50 of my own money extra a month and if I leave or get told I'm not entitled to one anymore, I owe the £50 for the remainder up to 4 years

[I need VTEC]

What clauses would sting you with you "not being entitled to a company car anymore"?

[Evostance]

What clauses would sting you with you "not being entitled to a company car anymore"?

Not doing 10,000 business miles a year, different role, me leaving the company for whatever reason

So if I didn't qualify half way through I'd be out of pocket and without a car. If I had my own, I could sell and downgrade if needed

[I need VTEC]

If you are doing at least 450 miles a week, that's well over double the 10,000 miles per annum minimum, so that shouldn't be a problem, right?

[Evostance]

If you are doing at least 450 miles a week, that's well over double the 10,000 miles per annum minimum, so that shouldn't be a problem, right?

At the moment yes. But if later down the line they changed my customers which they probably will, my mileage could either increase or decrease so it's always a risk

[jonezy]

Best get imaginative with your claimed mileages. LOl

[Evostance]

:bad-words: Just found out that the £5600 they give you a year isn't after tax or NI. So it works out more like £3800..

The 320D Saloon looks like a much more viable option now...

[dutch]

Evo x or mps.

[karl]

unless you've issues affording insurance, or finance to buy it, I wouldn't go for a company car as they're quite restrictive in what you can have, and you're always taxed on the cars full value, even when it's worth less than half, you're still paying for it's list value. With PCP you're free to just buy what you want, much more scope to get something you're happy sitting in for 450 miles every week