Chipping a Company Car? 320

[the_g_ster]

Hello

I am looking at my first company car, and I am thinking of a bmw diesel. I love the 3 convertible so maybe a 320d or a 123d coupe/convertible.

The things that's swayed it is the possiblilty of a a remap via evolve to the car. My issues is that as a company car will this risk the car going wrong in the 2 years I have it, and what would the dealer do if they test drove a humble 320d to find it went like stink.

Evolves remaps looks impressive, but I am nervous about doing. Wondered what your views are?

Any alternatives you think to these cars, the 320d is too slow alone, with 177bhp in a car that weighs more than the coupe. With 217bhp that will make it much better. The thought of a 123d with 245bhp is pant wettingly funny, as that will go madly fast.

I have a 330 convertible petrol at present and it just sounds great, but I would like something new.

Thanks in advance.

[Vixpy1]

NO!

[Fidgits]

firstly, its not your car - its the companies, your not allowed to modify it without their express permission.

Secondly, their insurance will not cover modifications, so you'll be driving uninsured.

Thirdly, you'll be throwing the money away, do you really want to?

[Vixpy1]

Fidgits said:

firstly, its not your car - its the companies, your not allowed to modify it without their express permission.

Secondly, their insurance will not cover modifications, so you'll be driving uninsured.

Thirdly, you'll be throwing the money away, do you really want to?

It won't be the companies, it will belong to a lease company.

[Mr Whippy]

Keep the petrol car.

Diesels extra power doesn't always = extra fun...

Thats the big problem really.

Dave

[the_g_ster]

I suspected this may be the case.

It's a real shame that the new s convertible is a hard top and such a Beast. I wish BMW would put the 123d unit in the 3, but that would shoot down the 325d.

[Fidgits]

Vixpy1 said:

Fidgits said:

firstly, its not your car - its the companies, your not allowed to modify it without their express permission.

Secondly, their insurance will not cover modifications, so you'll be driving uninsured.

Thirdly, you'll be throwing the money away, do you really want to?

It won't be the companies, it will belong to a lease company.

depends on how the company does it

my company car belongs to the company Though if its a lease car that can be even worse, considering they will have penalty clauses..

[Mr Whippy]

the_g_ster said:

I suspected this may be the case.

It's a real shame that the new s convertible is a hard top and such a Beast. I wish BMW would put the 123d unit in the 3, but that would shoot down the 325d.

Alpina have the 123d engine in a 3 series if thats what you like

Dave

[the_g_ster]

Alpina convertible for the 123d?

[pgilc1]

Mr Whippy said:

Keep the petrol car.

Diesels extra power doesn't always = extra fun...

Thats the big problem really.

Dave

When does extra power not mean extra fun? The 320d is a very nice car and certainly a lot better than a comparable petrol.

[Mr Whippy]

pgilc1 said:

Mr Whippy said:

Keep the petrol car.

Diesels extra power doesn't always = extra fun...

Thats the big problem really.

Dave

When does extra power not mean extra fun? The 320d is a very nice car and certainly a lot better than a comparable petrol.

In the case of a remap on an otherwise standard 320d.

Would it make the car something you'd get up early on a Sunday morning to drive out with, if it didn't before?

Dave

[alfaspiderman2]

I've got a company '08 520d and asked a friend (head mechanic at main BMW dealer) whether I should chip it. Absolutely, catagorically, he said no - any problems whatsoever with the car, the dealer will be able to tell that the car is (or has been) chipped, warranty invalidated, good night vienna

For me, that'd be a sackable offence.

Your call matey.

[Neil.D]

Mr Whippy said:

pgilc1 said:

Mr Whippy said:

Keep the petrol car.

Diesels extra power doesn't always = extra fun...

Thats the big problem really.

Dave

When does extra power not mean extra fun? The 320d is a very nice car and certainly a lot better than a comparable petrol.

In the case of a remap on an otherwise standard 320d.

Would it make the car something you'd get up early on a Sunday morning to drive out with, if it didn't before?

Without doubt, no.

I'd leave it for the mother-in-law runs.

[tomcole20]

I wouldnt because of the insurance and warrarnty

But... with people saying about the money side, I assume you will be keeping it for a few years. If the car was yours and you were also keeping it for a few years it wouldnt add any value to it, probably devalue it. So it may sound stupid but it works out the same in a way.

[Pickled Piper]

Wife was recently offered a company car. The terms and conditions specifically state that modifications to the engine ECU are expressly forbidden.

pp

[the_g_ster]

As I said in my first post, I suspected this would be the case.

Slow and low emissions heaven here I come!!

[Sheriff JWPepper]

the_g_ster said:

the 320d is too slow alone, with 177bhp in a car that weighs more than the coupe.

Have you driven one?

I've spent a fair bit of time in a 163bhp version and I wouldn't call it slow.

[the_g_ster]

driven the coupe, and had great pulling, but not sold. Convertible in heavier. Thinking was for a 325.

[jimbo65]

Don't do it, it's not your car, do anything you want with a car you own, but you
don't!

[texasjohn]

alfaspiderman2 said:

I've got a company '08 520d and asked a friend (head mechanic at main BMW dealer) whether I should chip it. Absolutely, catagorically, he said no - any problems whatsoever with the car, the dealer will be able to tell that the car is (or has been) chipped, warranty invalidated, good night vienna

For me, that'd be a sackable offence.

Your call matey.

What about a plug-in piggy back tuning box though? (yes it's still 'wrong' because it is not your car)

If you do these things then you have to be prepared to pay the price, which may mean buying the car outright or paying the full repair bill, if it goes pop. Or, as you say, get the sack!

Or would they sack you as well, given that you might be prepared to cough up?