BMW 316d Sport Tourer v Skoda Superb 150bhp Tdi L&K

[Potatoes]

Company car dilemma!

I've received an extensive car list from the company I work for and have narrowed it down to the 2 cars above. What's important to me:

• an involving drive
• space for 2 kids and related luggage
• comfort for long drives

I have a dedicated track car so although poke is important I can get my licks elsewhere.

I am very much swinging toward the Superb due to the spec and am test driving both but wonder what PH would go for?

[ZX10R NIN]

The Superb because it's packed with kit, it'll be more spacious & there aren't any cars that really handle that badly these days.

[alfie2244]

Superb......we have the 4WD version...excellent car IMO.... and SWMBO likes driving it also.

[Teebs]

Superb 100%. I've done 38k in mine over 15 months and it's been excellent

[Potatoes]

Ah, I wasn't expecting that response! I was expecting lots of get the BMW with the odd MX5 comment thrown in...

I'm in agreement that the Superb is ideal and if it's okay to drive then there's no question

[Jag_NE]

unless you need the (significantly) extra space of the Superb, I would take the BMW. Assuming that it would be a better drive that I would need to verify via a test drive. RWD is a big bonus for me. Nerds and inverted snobs will disagree but BMW is also a far cooler brand.

[Mike335i]

Top of the range Skoda vs basic BMW is tricky.

The engine in the BMW is not enough to show it in a good light, but the chassis is going to be more involving.

The Skoda will have a better engine, but the drive will be somewhat benign and not involving. I guess comfy cruiser rather than fun motor.

The quality should be high on both, but the Skoda might actually feel more premium, it being the best model in their range.

I reckon the BMW would swing it for me, just, due to the drive, but I do live in a rural are which means driving enjoyment counts for a quite a lot. If I spent time on motorways I would probably choose the Skoda.

[Potatoes]

I agree, I like the idea of driving another BMW. I had an E61 3ltr petrol 5 series a while ago and it was awesome... but a 316d won't compare. I'm going to test both this weekend to either get the BMW out of my system or, it may surprise me. That's probably unlikely, I don't think a 116bhp diesel has the capability to surprise anybody, irrelespective of the brand.

[Mike335i]

Auto Express rates it (yes I know, I know, not the last word in impartial opinion)

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/3-series/18749/bm...

[Casa1862]

The Superb L&K surely is in a different price bracket, isn't the list on the Skoda over £33k. I've had the 318d whilst ok it's certainly not the ultimate driving machine, 316d estate is going to be even worse .Are you adding the extra's on the BMW to make it equivalent, i.e. Leather, sat Nav, heated front and reat seats, xenon, others I can't think of.

Edited by Casa1862 on Monday 20th February 21:22

[Casa1862]

Mike335i said:

Auto Express rates it (yes I know, I know, not the last word in impartial opinion)

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/3-series/18749/bm...

They rate the Superb higher, estate car of the year if it matters

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/skoda/superb/estate

[Super Slo Mo]

The 3 series isn't [i]that[/] involving to drive. It's a little better than the Superb but not significantly in my view, and definitely no where near enough to make up for the deficiencies in interior space (Superb could get the 3 series on the back seats, almost!), engine power or driving position (3 series is a bit skewed).
For an all rounder the Superb is hard to beat, i can't think of a single reason why a 316d even enters into the equation.

[Potatoes]

Casa1862 said:

The Superb L&K surely is in a different price bracket, isn't the list on the Skoda over £33k. I've had the 318d whilst ok it's certainly not the ultimate driving machine, 316d estate is going to be even worse .Are you adding the extra's on the BMW to make it equivalent, i.e. Leather, sat Nav, heated front and reat seats, xenon, others I can't think of.

Edited by Casa1862 on Monday 20th February 21:22

Pretty much same price (~31k P11D) with the following spec:

Superb L&K
316d Sport with promedia pack.

Super Slo Mo]The 3 series isn't [i]that[/ said:

involving to drive. It's a little better than the Superb but not significantly in my view, and definitely no where near enough to make up for the deficiencies in interior space (Superb could get the 3 series on the back seats, almost!), engine power or driving position (3 series is a bit skewed).
For an all rounder the Superb is hard to beat, i can't think of a single reason why a 316d even enters into the equation.

The only reason it's in the equation is the driving experience, which if not good means the Superb is the car I go for... which I'm further expecting to be the case based on this

Edited by Potatoes on Monday 20th February 22:05

[Super Slo Mo]

I think these things are subjective. Try them both and see what you prefer.

[Potatoes]

Test drive now booked in both 316d and Superb estate 2.0TDI (150).

Still expect the Superb to come out well ahead of the 316d but let's see!

[Trabi601]

I'd have the Superb. A basic 3-series, even with pro-media is a pretty miserable place to spend time. And the x16d engine is underpowered.

[Casa1862]

I've ordered a superb hatchback, dsg, it's a big car and the auto suits the car. The sport line spec is nice, not as many toys but looks great, hatchback has a massive boot hence I didn't order the estate.

[halo34]

Casa1862 said:

I've ordered a superb hatchback, dsg, it's a big car and the auto suits the car. The sport line spec is nice, not as many toys but looks great, hatchback has a massive boot hence I didn't order the estate.

I got the octavia vrs diesel recently and love it. I do however think the newer superb will be next for me, really very good cars. I was looking at a 3 series touring but the VRS got the edge.

[mcbook]

BMW 316d Touring - The reason for considering this one seems to be driving dynamics and the BMW badge. However, a 3-series with a tiny diesel engine is a long way from a sports car and I don't think you'll get much joy from it. OK, it might have slightly better steering and go round corners in a way that makes you feel a little more involved but it's still an estate car with a small engine. However, if the badge is a really important you should just get the BMW. Have you seen one in the flesh? I think bog-standard 3-series (not M-sport) look quite cheap and even if de-badged it will be obvious that it's not an expensive model.

The Skoda on the other hand doesn't have the badge but it has everything else. Enough power, comfortable ride, great spec and will be a great place to spend time. All you want from a family car... except the badge. The L&K versions also look quite 'premium'. Sitting side-by-side with a 316d, I think the Skoda looks the far more special car.

[Teebs]

mcbook said:

BMW 316d Touring - The reason for considering this one seems to be driving dynamics and the BMW badge. However, a 3-series with a tiny diesel engine is a long way from a sports car and I don't think you'll get much joy from it. OK, it might have slightly better steering and go round corners in a way that makes you feel a little more involved but it's still an estate car with a small engine. However, if the badge is a really important you should just get the BMW. Have you seen one in the flesh? I think bog-standard 3-series (not M-sport) look quite cheap and even if de-badged it will be obvious that it's not an expensive model.

The Skoda on the other hand doesn't have the badge but it has everything else. Enough power, comfortable ride, great spec and will be a great place to spend time. All you want from a family car... except the badge. The L&K versions also look quite 'premium'. Sitting side-by-side with a 316d, I think the Skoda looks the far more special car.

Spot on, but I am slightly biased. The Skoda is far more 'exclusive' based on the sheer number of 3 series I see on the road currently. BMW are having a fleet push at the moment and offering very good prices we've not seen before.