In short, im looking for a car but something worth a few quid. The car i want (3 series) in the spec and colour i want, is going to cost me about 17k

I set my budget at 15k max but this will get me a dog, or something that doesnt feel right. In reality i have a budget of 22k, but that's everything i can get together, and im not spending all my cash on a car. Even with 15k would hurt a lot.

So what about leasing? I usually only keep cars for 12 months, but have kept my current car for over 18. The brand new facelift c-class merc looks lovely, and i suppose the added benefits are that it will be a brand new car with no hidden nasties, loads of warranty and probably less hassle, however it will feel like taking on a second mortgage, however i can keep all my savings safe, which i can then use to pay off bits of the mortgage, or put to a new house in a few years. Obliterating my savings now would knock the house idea back a good few years at least.

Either way, im going to be looking at something that isnt peasant spec, with lots of gadgets and a decent engine.

Is leasing a viable option? Mileage can cost you i know, but i do about 14k per year (max). If so, where is best to look as i've never done this before.

I suppose the alternative is to get a loan on top of my budget (but it still removes a lot of budget) and i'd still be buying used and not new. A loan for a brand new car would probably be amazingly expensive and not practical.

Do the sums. The BMW is realistically going to lose £200-250/month in depreciation, maybe more if you pay premium approved BMW prices and then end up trading it in. What other costs will you have which you wouldn't if it was leased?

Assuming the BMW is >3 years old - MOT and associated repairs.
Out of warranty costs - could be nothing, could be hugely expensive.
VED I think is usually included in the lease(?)

I think the lease car makes sense in this situation in the region of £350-400/month, perhaps more for the privilege of a brand new motor. How much does the Merc work out at?

one of the best things about leasing is you can rag the car to death without having to worry about it

red line from cold and only getting washed on its annual service all par for the course

let the next owner deal with the problems

Why would you do that?

Why would you not? It's a hire car. Just hired for a bit longer

Right.

He's clearly a cock, ignore him.

I've leased my Merc as it makes more sence than buying it.
Why on earth would I try and destroy it any more than a car owned?

Playing Devil's Advocaat, there is a lower financial incentive to do so. Selling your own asset, there's an investment in keeping the car in better working order as the length of time you own the car is variable, and the money recouped at the end is likely to be greater. In a lease, you know exactly how long you'll have the car for (usually equal to or less than the warranty period) and you know (near enough) your exact financial outlay. Beyond what they can do you for when you return the car, there is minimal incentive to look after the car to the same degree if you owned it.

Agreed.

I do find the whole hire car / company car / lease car 'thrash it to death' thing a bit puzzling.

My company car is looked after at least as well as my own cars - weekly wash, vac and wipe down of the interior - I wax it a couple of times a year, and use a detailing spray on it the rest of the time.

My colleagues and clients always comment on how clean and 'organised' my cars are compared with everyone else's cars. Rightly or wrongly, I take pride in that.