Company Car-A220 AMG Line CDi vs. Ford Focus St2 TDCi
Discussion
The company where I work is introducing a new company car scheme (various reasons for this, and why I want to switch across). Knowing it was coming and with half and idea about some of the cars on the list, I've had my heart set on a Mercedes A220 CDi AMG Line for a while.
I'm after a smaller car - as part of our car re-shuffle, Mrs Sanf wants a Volvo XC90 (3.2 or 4.4 petrol). So I fancy something a little different to the normal run of the mill company cars. I love the Merc, the BTCC one's look superb, the F1 link - and the AMG line is a great looking car. BiK monthly will be about £185.
However I discovered that the Focus ST2 TDCi is available. I've always wanted a fast Ford (but never got round to it).I can get an ST2 with Nav, and all the reviews suggest it's a cracking car. Being a rally bod at heart the Ford link to rallying is very appealing, I think it's a great looking car and am really attracted to it as an option. BiK Monthly will be about £168.
A3 Saloon 184 or Volvo S60 D4 are also options - but the above two have the most appeal. Ford vs. Merc.....which one??
I'm after a smaller car - as part of our car re-shuffle, Mrs Sanf wants a Volvo XC90 (3.2 or 4.4 petrol). So I fancy something a little different to the normal run of the mill company cars. I love the Merc, the BTCC one's look superb, the F1 link - and the AMG line is a great looking car. BiK monthly will be about £185.
However I discovered that the Focus ST2 TDCi is available. I've always wanted a fast Ford (but never got round to it).I can get an ST2 with Nav, and all the reviews suggest it's a cracking car. Being a rally bod at heart the Ford link to rallying is very appealing, I think it's a great looking car and am really attracted to it as an option. BiK Monthly will be about £168.
A3 Saloon 184 or Volvo S60 D4 are also options - but the above two have the most appeal. Ford vs. Merc.....which one??
Great replies - thanks folks.
The car will do 25-30k miles per year, which is where I tend to struggle on leasing for myself, especially fully maintained. Plus some changes to what we're paid per mile makes a company car massively more attractive - plus I get to change it every couple of years without a massive hit on depreciation. Hence company car route.
Driving will be 80% motorway cruising with the occasional across country detour
The Golf is an interesting call - and is on the list, but is a little bland looking, whereas the Merc (personally) I think looks very smart in the AMG trim. The 120d M-Sport is also an option, I like it in 3 door but less so in 5, and while this is not going to be the main family car, with 3 kids having 5 doors does make a difference.
Impressed how the Merc seems to be very much the choice - thought the Focus may have some more fans out there.
Ultimately I will decide after driving - things like phone connectivity and bluetooth - practicality will also be up there as key points - the car doubles as an office on many occasions!!
Looking forward to driving the Merc
- good to hear first hand experience, the reviews did seem a bit negative. 
The car will do 25-30k miles per year, which is where I tend to struggle on leasing for myself, especially fully maintained. Plus some changes to what we're paid per mile makes a company car massively more attractive - plus I get to change it every couple of years without a massive hit on depreciation. Hence company car route.
Driving will be 80% motorway cruising with the occasional across country detour
The Golf is an interesting call - and is on the list, but is a little bland looking, whereas the Merc (personally) I think looks very smart in the AMG trim. The 120d M-Sport is also an option, I like it in 3 door but less so in 5, and while this is not going to be the main family car, with 3 kids having 5 doors does make a difference.
Impressed how the Merc seems to be very much the choice - thought the Focus may have some more fans out there.
Ultimately I will decide after driving - things like phone connectivity and bluetooth - practicality will also be up there as key points - the car doubles as an office on many occasions!!
Looking forward to driving the Merc
- good to hear first hand experience, the reviews did seem a bit negative. Volvo V40 D4 R-Design Nav is an option - I do like it in the Blue colour, and the emissions are low, making the BiK a little cheaper (but not massively). The looks are ok - just more subtle than the other two.
The only reason I haven't looked too hard is that if I do get the Mrs an XC90 not sure I want two Volvo's on the drive!! I did have a V50 10 years ago and it was a great car.
I like the fact both the Merc and Focus look pretty aggressive, the Focus on Tangerine Scream is awesome, just not sure work would approve of that, so Deep Impact Blue the most likely colour. The Merc in either White or the Metallic Blue they offer are both tasty.
The Volvo and Merc garages are pretty much next door to each other - so will be a good chance to examine/drive both cars and see how they compare.
The only reason I haven't looked too hard is that if I do get the Mrs an XC90 not sure I want two Volvo's on the drive!! I did have a V50 10 years ago and it was a great car.
I like the fact both the Merc and Focus look pretty aggressive, the Focus on Tangerine Scream is awesome, just not sure work would approve of that, so Deep Impact Blue the most likely colour. The Merc in either White or the Metallic Blue they offer are both tasty.
The Volvo and Merc garages are pretty much next door to each other - so will be a good chance to examine/drive both cars and see how they compare.
Great responses and pointers - many thanks. Been away on holiday for a bit, just catching up .
On the petrol vs. diesel argument - I agree that petrol engines tend to be more fun. In this case I have to work within the constraints of the car scheme. The business I work for wants people to focus on lower emission cars - so I believe all the cars on the list are diesel, hence needing to go for one. All I'm trying to do is decide the best car from the list I have available.
Fear not - I've got the Impreza Sti (Rally car) in the garage and will be buying my good lady a petrol 4x4 (likely to be a 3.2 V6 XC90) - so still have plenty of petrol fun
. As an aside I ran a Merc C320cdi in 2010 for 15 months - that was an amazing diesel performance car, and didn't sound too bad. My cousin had an M3 at the same time, mid range the Merc was just as quick. When I had a chance to drive the M3 it was far more engaging and sounded awesome. However the Merc was a cracking car (if a tad expensive to run on Brakes & tyres 
)-although of all the cars I've run over the last 15 years the Merc was the only one to have a major mechanical failure.
Diesels will never sound as good as the Petrol's - but I believe I'm right in saying that Ford have created better sounding acoustics in the car - so it sounds like your driving the petrol. Having charged around after RallyGB in a new Clio Sport for the past 2 years, that has a similar system, and in the car it does sound pretty good.
So based on the fact I have to go for a diesel, the list is still based around the Merc, Ford, Audi etc. The Octavia VRs is on there (but I've had one before), Mazda 3's & 6's. I could go for something bigger and sensible, but the A Class/Focus choice is just a bit more fun. I have given the size thought, the A Class is a small car. I know my kids will fit nicely into the Focus, they have tried it.
As with a lot of company decisions there is a small amount of politics to consider, and one advantage of the Focus is I can order it now, while the Merc will be available to order around Sept....
One of points mentioned.....There are ALOT of A Classes kicking around, so they must be pretty decent, but I do like the fact the Focus ST seems less common, fewer of them about. There is a very nice Blue one often around the south end of Lincoln - I do think it looks very smart and has kerb appeal.
Luckily I'm not a large company director, just a lanky 40 year not so senior Data Consultant, at 6ft2, 13 stone I think the seats will be fine. On the St3 - does it have 3 seatbelts in the back?? One Ford dealer thought on the leather option they ditch one of the belts??
I've also found out I can have it in either of the colour choices I prefer - White/Blue or Tangerine Scream - so I can get it in Orange
. Overall the Focus does seem a decent bet - while it's not the top spec it's an ST2 with Nav - full touchscreen, and various other goodies such as heated screen & DAB radio. The only thing it seems to be missing is cruise control, which isn't a major concern. I'm not sure like for like exactly what the Merc will be spec'd as standard - there does seem to be a huge choice of options available.
While on holiday in the states last week I hired a Ford Escape (Kuga in the UK) - ok it was the petrol 2.5 V6, so was pretty nippy, it was actually a really nice car to 'live' with for the week. Well built and a good drive - so a big tick for Ford there.
I just need to decide whether I order the Focus now, or wait 3 months - get a bigger choice and then maybe go for the Merc/something else - or still order the Focus!!
Decisions, Decisions...
.On the petrol vs. diesel argument - I agree that petrol engines tend to be more fun. In this case I have to work within the constraints of the car scheme. The business I work for wants people to focus on lower emission cars - so I believe all the cars on the list are diesel, hence needing to go for one. All I'm trying to do is decide the best car from the list I have available.
Fear not - I've got the Impreza Sti (Rally car) in the garage and will be buying my good lady a petrol 4x4 (likely to be a 3.2 V6 XC90) - so still have plenty of petrol fun
. As an aside I ran a Merc C320cdi in 2010 for 15 months - that was an amazing diesel performance car, and didn't sound too bad. My cousin had an M3 at the same time, mid range the Merc was just as quick. When I had a chance to drive the M3 it was far more engaging and sounded awesome. However the Merc was a cracking car (if a tad expensive to run on Brakes & tyres )-although of all the cars I've run over the last 15 years the Merc was the only one to have a major mechanical failure.Diesels will never sound as good as the Petrol's - but I believe I'm right in saying that Ford have created better sounding acoustics in the car - so it sounds like your driving the petrol. Having charged around after RallyGB in a new Clio Sport for the past 2 years, that has a similar system, and in the car it does sound pretty good.
So based on the fact I have to go for a diesel, the list is still based around the Merc, Ford, Audi etc. The Octavia VRs is on there (but I've had one before), Mazda 3's & 6's. I could go for something bigger and sensible, but the A Class/Focus choice is just a bit more fun. I have given the size thought, the A Class is a small car. I know my kids will fit nicely into the Focus, they have tried it.
As with a lot of company decisions there is a small amount of politics to consider, and one advantage of the Focus is I can order it now, while the Merc will be available to order around Sept....
One of points mentioned.....There are ALOT of A Classes kicking around, so they must be pretty decent, but I do like the fact the Focus ST seems less common, fewer of them about. There is a very nice Blue one often around the south end of Lincoln - I do think it looks very smart and has kerb appeal.
Luckily I'm not a large company director, just a lanky 40 year not so senior Data Consultant, at 6ft2, 13 stone I think the seats will be fine. On the St3 - does it have 3 seatbelts in the back?? One Ford dealer thought on the leather option they ditch one of the belts??
I've also found out I can have it in either of the colour choices I prefer - White/Blue or Tangerine Scream - so I can get it in Orange
. Overall the Focus does seem a decent bet - while it's not the top spec it's an ST2 with Nav - full touchscreen, and various other goodies such as heated screen & DAB radio. The only thing it seems to be missing is cruise control, which isn't a major concern. I'm not sure like for like exactly what the Merc will be spec'd as standard - there does seem to be a huge choice of options available. While on holiday in the states last week I hired a Ford Escape (Kuga in the UK) - ok it was the petrol 2.5 V6, so was pretty nippy, it was actually a really nice car to 'live' with for the week. Well built and a good drive - so a big tick for Ford there.
I just need to decide whether I order the Focus now, or wait 3 months - get a bigger choice and then maybe go for the Merc/something else - or still order the Focus!!
Decisions, Decisions...
Every time I spoke to friends about this I realised I was always favoring the Ford. So I've ordered the Focus in Tangerine Scream. Really looking forward to getting it now - having grown-up with many family fast Fords (Cortina 1600E, Capri 3.0s, Capri 2.8i, Escort 1600i, Sierra Cosworth)I've never owned a Ford, and while this may not quite be in the same league as the traditional ones, hopefully it will be good.
I can order the Merc in 3 years if I really want
I can order the Merc in 3 years if I really want
Ok, the 3 month wait for the Focus came to an end last Monday, when it arrived - below is what I've posted in the Ford section. It really is a great car and the Merc would have to have really been special to beat it!!
Got my ST2 Nav on Monday - as a company car. Having done 700 miles this week, it really is a fantastic car. I think it looks great, is very comfy (and the seats are, it's fair to say snug!!), the dash looks great and voice recognition is very, very good.
As for driving it, while the diesel is not full balls out bonkers like the petrol, mid-range it pulls so well and is quick. When I had my Merc C320cdi, it was just outright fast - exceptionally so, and while it was fun being rear wheel drive, it always felt heavy and not so planted on the road. The Focus feels aggressive, very squat and planted to the road. The speed of direction change is awesome and it really feels well stuck to the road and torque steer isn't too bad either. On top of that I can easily fit the family in it (my eldest is now 15) and the dog in the boot, so it's a good size interior.
After the 1st week of ownership it's rapidly becoming my favourite car, well worth the wait, and very very happy with it.
Got my ST2 Nav on Monday - as a company car. Having done 700 miles this week, it really is a fantastic car. I think it looks great, is very comfy (and the seats are, it's fair to say snug!!), the dash looks great and voice recognition is very, very good.
As for driving it, while the diesel is not full balls out bonkers like the petrol, mid-range it pulls so well and is quick. When I had my Merc C320cdi, it was just outright fast - exceptionally so, and while it was fun being rear wheel drive, it always felt heavy and not so planted on the road. The Focus feels aggressive, very squat and planted to the road. The speed of direction change is awesome and it really feels well stuck to the road and torque steer isn't too bad either. On top of that I can easily fit the family in it (my eldest is now 15) and the dog in the boot, so it's a good size interior.
After the 1st week of ownership it's rapidly becoming my favourite car, well worth the wait, and very very happy with it
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