My new company car (BMW 1 series)
Discussion
Ok I relaise this car isn't standard PH material, and I'm not a heavily built company director etc.
However it's my first company car. I've had it a couple of months now, and I'm proud to have it because I'm only 23 which is below the age my company would ordinarily give out company cars...I'm not the first "youngster" they have done it for, but it's comparatively rare.
It's a BMW 1 Series. Absolutely nothing special in PH terms and I acknowledge that, so leave me alone ok
I'm keeping my two Mondeos so now I have three cars....
However it's my first company car. I've had it a couple of months now, and I'm proud to have it because I'm only 23 which is below the age my company would ordinarily give out company cars...I'm not the first "youngster" they have done it for, but it's comparatively rare.
It's a BMW 1 Series. Absolutely nothing special in PH terms and I acknowledge that, so leave me alone ok
I'm keeping my two Mondeos so now I have three cars....
Edited by zarjaz1991 on Tuesday 2nd February 09:57
Running_Man said:
Looks like you work for BMW given the Y* plate?
No, not at all. Unrelated company, I'm an IT manager for them.Didn't know the Y plate was significant, to be honest.
As far as I know the car is supplied by a leasing company of some sort, so maybe they get those type of plates.
Edited by zarjaz1991 on Tuesday 1st September 21:38
rb5er said:
So is the Mondeo your weekend car?
Yes...well, both Mondeos. I have two...a 62 plate and a 54 plate.rb5er said:
Which do you prefer driving?
Tricky one. The BMW is lovely to drive, the kit is better - sat nav is better, plus the radio has DAB which I don't have on the Mondeo.In terms of actual driving, it lacks "oomph" and can be a bit of work to get going to a decent speed. You have to watch overtakes because I'm used the Mondeo which does have a bit more "get up and go". (I accept that in the grand scheme of things neither has all that much, before anyone pulls me up).
But, like most BMWs, it somehow manages to be a complete joy to drive despite its limitations.
Overall I prefer the Mondeo for actual driving. It's a big car and I just feel safer in big cars, plus it has sufficient "oomph" when I need it. Everything feels "chunkier", when I haven't driven it for a while just getting in and putting my hands on the steering wheel gives me a feeling of greater "chunkiness" than the BMW gives.
I must add, I didn't really get much say in the BMW...it was that or a car allowance, I didn't even know what I was getting until it turned up, just that it could be one of several makes and models! I'm told I can change it if I don't like it but frankly I want to keep it. Not looked at the tax side of this yet though....
Edited by zarjaz1991 on Tuesday 1st September 21:49
Edited by zarjaz1991 on Tuesday 1st September 22:25
Running_Man said:
Most of the Y* plates are normally supplied to BMW staff for 6 months, then sold on as nearly new, good thing is they are normally pretty well specced
This one was brand new...it was delivered to me in Stockport from Leeds and only had the delivery mileage on it, about 55 miles. That was in late June. It has almost 6,000 miles on it now, mind you.
Running_Man said:
its a slippery slope getting your first BMW, we are on our 3rd one now 
I can see what you mean to be honest.In the meantime, I'm just enjoying it while it's in its "honeymoon period" and can do no wrong. I love driving it, I have to be honest.
Edited by zarjaz1991 on Tuesday 1st September 23:24
Max M4X WW said:
Nice car, it should drive better than the competition too.
Yeah. Lovin' it so far. Even my mum likes it, and she NEVER likes my cars. First day I had it, picked up a mate and went up and did the Snake Pass since it's not that far from me. As you do. It would have been rude not to.
Sunny day. Brand new BMW. Why wouldn't I?
Loved the handling of it up there. Carried on and did various other roads that I don't even really know that well. Found a few nice hairpins. Probably enjoyed it far more than is considered healthy.
Max M4X WW said:
Now, if it were me I would be shifting on this mini fleet of Mondeo's that you have and getting a proper toy (unless I'm missing something, obviously)
Yeah well there's a good argument for that, though I rather like Mondeos. We all have our quirks. My newer one (the white one in my profile) is a bloody nice, bloody big car, and I like that. It's also absolutely NOT the sort of car someone my age should be driving, and I like that too. I want to see how this job goes before making changes though. No reason why it shouldn't last, but you can never tell, and I'm cautious by nature. Something really nice for when I turn 25 (year and three months, roughly) would be a good thing to aim for, I reckon.
Edited by zarjaz1991 on Wednesday 2nd September 01:07
Challo said:
OP is that the SE model? We have the sport and it's has a decent level of kit. Strange you think the 118d lacks oomph. Ours is the 118d and mated to the auto box and I think it shifts when it needs to. Never going to set the world alight but very capable in real world driving.
It's actually a 116D ED PLUS. It being a 116 is why I think it lacks "oomph"...that said, it copes perfectly fine but I am comparing it with my 2.0 Mondeo which pulls noticaably faster when you need it to.Don't get me wrong...I love it! It's a brilliant little car and so comfortable to drive, which is important given I'll be doing upwards of 30,000 miles a year in it, and that's just work miles....
kiethton said:
The to say it but as much as you like the new mondeo I'd shift it, hate to think of the depreciation involved...if worst came to worst you'd still have the other mondeo to use and even then you'd be able to buy back the newer mondeo in a couple of years time for half what you'd get for it today...
To be honest, I'm never particularly bothered on depreciation.My newer Mondeo was not bought brand new...it was about seven months old when I bought it at the age of 20.
I'm fond of both the Mondeos and I'm not likely to part with them just yet, that said in about 15 months time I'll be 25 and the temptation to get something very nice will be quite high. We'll have to see though...I'm notoriously cautious with money and will probably talk myself out of anything too extravagant.
For the moment...I'm just enjoying driving about in a brand new BMW. I think I'll be enjoying that for quite a while yet, then again I enjoy driving practically anything, I sometimes take out Transits and occasionally 7.5 tonners for work and even enjoy driving those....
hadenough! said:
You've done your test to drive 7.5 tonners?
Yep, I've mentioned it a couple of times in here. My employers paid for it a couple of years ago, though since last September I haven't been able to drive them "professionally" as there's now a CPC requirement as well for that.I've been told I can do the CPC but just haven't really got round to arranging it through work yet - it's not something I actually *need* for my job, but it has been handy on odd occasions for certain jobs.
C1 was useful last summer when I got press-ganged into driving a large motorhome around for a week....
Well it looks like I blew this thread by bringing up 7.5 tonners...probably shouldn't admit that I quite enjoy the challenge of driving them. And they are a slight challenge, if you are not someone who's driving them every day.
Back to the BMW. One thing I don't like about it, is that it has stop-start / idle dtop which is always on by default. You have to remember to push a button to turn it off on each journey. I don't know who thought this was a good idea, but it's a complete pain in the arse. If I want to turn the engine ioff, I'll do so. I've just about got into the habit of turning the thing off now, but occasionally I still forget. Also several times Ive now had older passengers who aren't familiar with this concept, who think I've stalled the car! Grrr.
Back to the BMW. One thing I don't like about it, is that it has stop-start / idle dtop which is always on by default. You have to remember to push a button to turn it off on each journey. I don't know who thought this was a good idea, but it's a complete pain in the arse. If I want to turn the engine ioff, I'll do so. I've just about got into the habit of turning the thing off now, but occasionally I still forget. Also several times Ive now had older passengers who aren't familiar with this concept, who think I've stalled the car! Grrr.
Max M4X WW said:
Can't you just get used to it or put it in Sport mode? Mine is off in Sport mode anyway.
Otherwise, someone could probably code it to be always off.
Thanks. Now I never thought about or even knew about that....I have generally used Comfort mode and when I have used Sport mode I never noticed if it came off then.Otherwise, someone could probably code it to be always off.
First thing in the morning I will check and report back.
Got a nice run out today....work generally volunteer me for the longer runs as they know I enjoy driving.
I am about to set off from Stockport to Aberdeen....about 360 miles and a six hour drive (except it'll be longer with appropriate breaks and inevitable traffic issues).
Overnight stay, quick installation tomorrow then deliver some training, another overnight stay, then drive back on Thursday in time for college in the evening!
Luckily the equipment I have to take with me is pretty small so it fits in the BMW - meaning I don't need a van. I like driving vans but for six hours I'd rather be in the BMW.
I am about to set off from Stockport to Aberdeen....about 360 miles and a six hour drive (except it'll be longer with appropriate breaks and inevitable traffic issues).
Overnight stay, quick installation tomorrow then deliver some training, another overnight stay, then drive back on Thursday in time for college in the evening!
Luckily the equipment I have to take with me is pretty small so it fits in the BMW - meaning I don't need a van. I like driving vans but for six hours I'd rather be in the BMW.
Mr Tidy said:
Yeah, some employers are so straight-laced!
Keep enjoying the 1 Series - apart from the dieselness and stop/start mine was a great car. It must have been as I kept it over 6 years - I've never had any other car as long as 4 years!
Thanks. Yeah I will keep enjoying it, I think it's a great car to have at my age. As a Ford man historically, it's taken some getting used to as a daily car, but I think I have "got it" now. Keep enjoying the 1 Series - apart from the dieselness and stop/start mine was a great car. It must have been as I kept it over 6 years - I've never had any other car as long as 4 years!
Yesterday I did the return journey from Aberdeen to Stockport (via Falkirk!) which took almost eight hours and it was a joy to drive. (And as soon as I got home I had to go to college for three hours...) I consider myself very lucky to have been given this car at my age and it is looked after properly and driven "sensibly" and with whatever skill I may be deemed to possess, which is probably only average. My boss thinks differently, he says I'm very good (hence getting the car) but my own view is that he employs quite a few drivers who are pretty crap, some of whom I won't get into a vehicle with.
Loving this car still.
This past week I have once again been volunteered for three long drives, (over 1500 miles in total last week) and it's an absolute joy.
In the Mondeo, after a long drive like that, I tend to have mildly sore back and sometimes sore arms too. I find that isn't happening in the BMW, which is great.
I'm really gettig used to the car and understanding its quirks and sensibilities and features. The sat nav is better than the Mondeo's sat nav too.
This past week I have once again been volunteered for three long drives, (over 1500 miles in total last week) and it's an absolute joy.
In the Mondeo, after a long drive like that, I tend to have mildly sore back and sometimes sore arms too. I find that isn't happening in the BMW, which is great.
I'm really gettig used to the car and understanding its quirks and sensibilities and features. The sat nav is better than the Mondeo's sat nav too.
Still got the BMW, at least for the time being.
Some hefty driving ahead the next few days.
Today I drove my Mondeo from home (Stockport) to Devon (Newton Abbott), this is a private thing and not work related.
Monday, drive Mondeo back from D`evon to Stockport, then immediately switch to the BMW and drive up to Falkirk.
Tiuesday, drive from Falkirk to Leeds, spend an hour working there, then drive from Leeds to Bristol.
Wednesday, drive from Bristol to London, then later that day from London to Lincoln.
Thursday, finally, drive from Lincoln to Leeds again, then back home to Stockport.
Well, an unofficial condition of them giving me the BMW when I am technically too young, is that I do the longer runs nobody likes. Luckily the BMW is a joy to drive and I love driving generally (obviously, or else I wouldn't be here) so it's all good. Far rather this than be stuck in an office.
Some hefty driving ahead the next few days.
Today I drove my Mondeo from home (Stockport) to Devon (Newton Abbott), this is a private thing and not work related.
Monday, drive Mondeo back from D`evon to Stockport, then immediately switch to the BMW and drive up to Falkirk.
Tiuesday, drive from Falkirk to Leeds, spend an hour working there, then drive from Leeds to Bristol.
Wednesday, drive from Bristol to London, then later that day from London to Lincoln.
Thursday, finally, drive from Lincoln to Leeds again, then back home to Stockport.
Well, an unofficial condition of them giving me the BMW when I am technically too young, is that I do the longer runs nobody likes.
Luckily the BMW is a joy to drive and I love driving generally (obviously, or else I wouldn't be here) so it's all good. Far rather this than be stuck in an office.I have now been moved to a different division of the company so I'm having to swap the BMW for a different car.
The best option available seemed to be a 65 plate Volvo V40.
It seems I can't have a separate thread about that though, so I'll post about it here since this thread seems to be ok.
I've already seen it but I collect it Monday so will try for some pictures then.
The best option available seemed to be a 65 plate Volvo V40.
It seems I can't have a separate thread about that though, so I'll post about it here since this thread seems to be ok.
I've already seen it but I collect it Monday so will try for some pictures then.
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