Tesla S P85 or BMW M4

[cstrac]

Hi All

First real post so go gentle!

I am in the (probably enviable) position of having either of the above to choose for a company car. I've sat in and drive both but I'm no closer to a solution. Either car will be on a 4 year lease, I'm used to changing them every year so feels like a big decision.

I love the Tesla, it's early days for them but it's an uncanny experience driving something so fast so quietly and the interior feels special (although the touchscreen might become wearing!). I run a green design and build company so it's eco-credentials really fit with the company and the 250ish mile real world range is fine 99% of the time.

I'm coming out of an Audi S4 (B8) hence the appeal of the BMW. I go across to Wales and couple of times a year with mates and I think the M4 would be great for this, we were also thinking of the Nurburgring next year; I can't see the point in doing any of that in the Tesla. It's a proper drivers car as opposed to a fast one, although I probably only use that a couple of times a year.

Total cost of each is pretty much the same (Tesla more to lease but much less running costs) although I'll pay about £300/mth in BIK tax on the BMW.

All and any thoughts gratefully received...

[kambites]

I guess it's just a question of luxury car vs sports saloon. Which do you want?

I'd probably go for the BMW just because it's slightly closer to being my sort of car.

[EricE]

It really depends on what you want - a sports car in sheeps clothing (almost) or a very innovative luxury sedan with great straight line performance.

Since you mentioned the Nürburgring I’d say get a M3. The Tesla recently did a lap around the Nordschleife and overheated about half way through the first lap. He had to drive it back into the pits in limp mode with all sorts of Suzuki Swifts and 20 year old Peugeots passing him on the way there.

http://jalopnik.com/heres-what-a-tesla-model-s-can...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJT4OtufDss

[AngryPartsBloke]

cstrac said:

I am in the (probably enviable) position .

Nope!

[pti]

Tesla for me, with something cheap and fun (EP3 CTR etc) for your longer journeys/back road blasts.

Having driven one I think I'd really get on with it day to day though as you've said, the touch screen may become tiresome.

[otolith]

The Tesla is the more interesting of the two, IMO, but that's less important than fitness for purpose.

[Jim AK]

Bit OT but does anyone else wonder if Tesla will be quick to revise the interior of the S as almost all the reviews I've read have criticised the 'Tablet' in the middle.

Back On Topic. I'd have the Tesla in a heartbeat over the M4 because of BMW's complete lack of customer service, their expectation the customer will be the 'Test mule' & their continual refusal to accept faults are not characteristics of their cars!!

[sidekickdmr]

Tesla for me!

Always brings a smile when I see one, I love a good underdog.

[12lee]

Is it your company or are you employed? Either way, I'd be taking the Tesla as it's more interesting, business-appropriate and using the £300/month saving to fund another driving toy or even better a bike.

[rj1986]

I'd go with the Tesla, purely on the fact that I can imagine there being a fair few 2-3 year old M3/4's on the market down the line to spend your bonus on, compared with a handful of Tesla's.

[morebeanz]

You work for a green company and this is a company car? HAS to be the Tesla surely, since you like anyway.

You can find a cheap fun car for peanuts for the two days a year that you really use it - hire one even...

[cstrac]

Hi everyone.

Thanks for all the comments back. Looks like it's coming down on the Tesla side... I already have to "explain" the carbon-heavy S4 to the few customers that notice it so guess that seals it.

I'd like a bike as a toy but I'm sure I'd kill myself... maybe something for the weekend at some potion.

Thanks everyone, really useful.

[jamieduff1981]

Tesla for me. By far the more interesting car and aligns best with the business. The M4 would be (as the M3 was) too much of an attempt at an all rounder and it will be both expensive to run and not as good as a proper sports car at the sports car thing. You couldn't do any sort of client facing work with the M4 as you'd look like an utter hypocrit IMHO.

I'd take the Tesla and if missing a sporty drive, buy a proper sports car to go with it.

[thatdude]

I'd have a Tesla, providing it would fit within my work duties (consider having to wait for a few hours at a charging station while you travel to the next place because your charge fell low earlier than expected). I think you would have to carefully plan trips with that car.

Then buy something older and a bit sheddy for hooning about in and burning fossil fuels

[Soupie69uk]

Get the Tesla. Saw them at Goodwood and it looks amazing.

Plus you will be bit of a pioneer new comer to this technology which will be quite exciting imo.

Be interesting how you get on etc.

[eliotrw]

What about an i3 and a good used E92 M3

Or i3 + Lotus

[uuf361]

Another vote for the Tesla here.....

[cstrac]

Thanks all

Looked at the i3 but think it's the Tesla for me. The idea about a Lotus or something is great, I'd better start saving!

Thanks again to everyone

[kambites]

You could get a Tesla Roadster.

[XTR2Turbo]

Also look at how BIK rates are changes over the coming years. That may additionally influence the decision.

It really makes no economic sense to take a traditional company car with the forthcoming BIK rates