Company Car Help

[3yardy3]

I have recently been given a company car list to order from, the choices are a mass of Vauxhall Astras and Ford Focus's... I have been given an Astra as a temp car and its made me realise I really don't want a Vauxhall.

However there are three good cars, BMW 118d M Sport Manual 145bhp, BMW 120d Sport Automatic 190bhp or a Audi A3 1.6d S Line 110bhp.

What do I choose? The Audi looks the best to my eyes but a 1.6 will really grate on me over four years (Its like having a bottle of Jack Daniels but its filled with water instead). So its a choice between the BMW 118d M Sport that looks better than the 120d sport model but the 120d sport has the better performance and will be a nice drive stuck in traffic mid-week (Being an auto).

What do you reckon guys?

[darren f]

120d Sport for me from that selection. The 8-speed auto is something special, if you are in traffic a lot it is (IMO) a 'no brainier'.

[SWoll]

If you're stuck in traffic a lot and cover decent mileage I'd highly recommend the 2.0d with the ZF 8 spd auto box. They work very well together even in something as big as a 5 series. I couldn't go back to a manual now for everyday driving.

Wouldn't even consider the A3 personally. All you'll get is a sharp ride and dull everything else with that spec.

[GoneAnon]

Don't close your mind to "lesser" models. I've been astounded by the Mazda range recently and when I had the chance to drive the range back to back with the competition, I'd certainly consider a 3 (the Fastback especially looks great and is bigger than an A4 in the back)

[Trabi601]

I've just handed back a 120d Sport Auto.

Definitely worth having the 120d over the 118d - and Sport models don't look too bad at all.

Make sure you can order with professional navigation, at least Advanced speakers and the sport seats.

3-doors look best, 5 doors are slightly more practical, although boot and rear space is compromised at best. They look best in bold colours with the sun protection pack. Valencia Orange looks amazing in the right light.

[groundhog]

120d sport auto,is a nice car to drive, but if you have children that need a child seat the leg room in the rear is poor , the back of the front seats in my wife's car are knackered now so we take the children's shoes off (wish we had done so earlier)

[3yardy3]

Thanks guys, I agree if there was a choice of a Mazda 3 I would probably choose it, unfortunately there if not. It's mainly Ford Vauxhall and Toyota.
The only option I have is 5 door unfortunately, I think after seeing the feedback Im inclined to go for the 120d auto.

[StescoG66]

Don't rule out the Focus especially in its more powerful forms. They drive very, very well.

[Trabi601]

StescoG66 said:

Don't rule out the Focus especially in its more powerful forms. They drive very, very well.

More expensive to lease and higher BIK tax than a 120d Sport, though.

[Etretat]

1 series lovely to drive and great auto. very limited rear leg room, may or may not be a factor for you

[Johnnytheboy]

120d, by a mile.

Power wins, and that is a nice gearbox.

[AAGR]

Amazing how many respondents recommend the BMW with the eight-speed automatic. I can back them up, 100% - my most recent (more powerful, admittedly) cars have both had that self-same gearbox, which is great - and, because it comes with paddles - you can use as a manual too.

[SWoll]

AAGR said:

Amazing how many respondents recommend the BMW with the eight-speed automatic. I can back them up, 100% - my most recent (more powerful, admittedly) cars have both had that self-same gearbox, which is great - and, because it comes with paddles - you can use as a manual too.

I's easily the best small diesel powertrain around. I've driven both the Mercedes 2.2 diesel with the 7G box and the Audi 2.0 with the S Tronic and neither come close as a overall package.