Company car; what to get & what to look out for?
Discussion
Many thanks for all the response, appreciated.
Seems as though the BM's inevitably have a decent following for a co. car & the autos are appreciated in the mix that is co. car driving, i.e. lots!
Was at a car show today and I sat in a V40 (cross over I think), got to say the quality of the interior seemed pretty good, but just not sure in my 30's I could drive one - I know the image is not what it once was (& I really don't care that much about image) but I'm a kid of the 80's, it still seems like an older mans car.
New Golf seemed nice inside, as did the A3, really nice interior & the pop up screen was a nice touch - personally I prefer it to the one in the BM's which are constantly in your view & I could imagine are distracting???
Main issue with Golf/A3 is that I've had a MK5 for 5 years, time for a change I think.
As for budget, unsure as yet, should find out more this week.
Any other input appreciated, cheers.
Seems as though the BM's inevitably have a decent following for a co. car & the autos are appreciated in the mix that is co. car driving, i.e. lots!
Was at a car show today and I sat in a V40 (cross over I think), got to say the quality of the interior seemed pretty good, but just not sure in my 30's I could drive one - I know the image is not what it once was (& I really don't care that much about image) but I'm a kid of the 80's, it still seems like an older mans car.
New Golf seemed nice inside, as did the A3, really nice interior & the pop up screen was a nice touch - personally I prefer it to the one in the BM's which are constantly in your view & I could imagine are distracting???
Main issue with Golf/A3 is that I've had a MK5 for 5 years, time for a change I think.
As for budget, unsure as yet, should find out more this week.
Any other input appreciated, cheers.
Fun Bus said:
I took delivery of my new company car on Thursday - BMW 320i efficient dynamics - it's a 1600cc lump with twin turbos. Higher in CO2 than the diesel version, but lower in BIK - cheaper to buy too so fitted in my budget which the 320d didn't and I could also spec a few extras and metallic paint.
If your private fuel is also paid for my the business (mine is, I have an AllStar card) then prepare to be bum rated by the tax man. Despite that, I'm still better off than paying my private fuel.
Interested in your first impressions etc? I did say I'd not get a diesel daily again, but then this job came up & well we'll see what's available etcIf your private fuel is also paid for my the business (mine is, I have an AllStar card) then prepare to be bum rated by the tax man. Despite that, I'm still better off than paying my private fuel.
Edited by Fun Bus on Saturday 14th September 19:02
Glade said:
VW Golf 1.4 GT TFSI or if you need a bigger boot Skoda Octavia Hatch 1.4 TFSI Elegance with Adaptive cruise specced.
Better power & toys than my current A4 but half the tax.
When these were launched I did think this would make a perfect daily, efficient, fast ish & not diesel, definitely worth looking into I think, despite my wish after 5 years to perhaps move away from VAG. Only issue is I'm unsure so far on how fuel is paid for; expense or fuel card etc & how this might affect the costs. With other cars to run minimising the total cost to me, fuel & BiK etc might be sensible, this is the crux, or do I accept lots of miles will make a lower spec car etc seem like pergatory?!Better power & toys than my current A4 but half the tax.
I did the same gig as you for 12 years, round the M25, living at the end of the A3 pre Hindhead tunnel. I would base your decision of the factors you have identified in the following order, auto ( or the brilliant VAG DSG), BIK, comfy seats. The rest does not matter, in 6 months time it will be sat unwashed in the street. Do not get emotionaly attached to company cars.
acme said:
Fun Bus said:
I took delivery of my new company car on Thursday - BMW 320i efficient dynamics - it's a 1600cc lump with twin turbos. Higher in CO2 than the diesel version, but lower in BIK - cheaper to buy too so fitted in my budget which the 320d didn't and I could also spec a few extras and metallic paint.
If your private fuel is also paid for my the business (mine is, I have an AllStar card) then prepare to be bum rated by the tax man. Despite that, I'm still better off than paying my private fuel.
Interested in your first impressions etc? I did say I'd not get a diesel daily again, but then this job came up & well we'll see what's available etcIf your private fuel is also paid for my the business (mine is, I have an AllStar card) then prepare to be bum rated by the tax man. Despite that, I'm still better off than paying my private fuel.
By far the most important thing to do when getting a new company car is to make sure you tell the HMRC the day you get it, in fact take the day off and keep calling until you have told everyone working there, the send an, email, then a letter, then hire a plane to fly a banner past, then consider a town cryer.
Every single year for the last 3, my friends at the HMRC have found ways to make what should be a fantastically simple situation into a multi tax code, frustration.
After that, all I'd be bothered about is something comfy and easy to keep clean, after 6 months that all you'll be bothered about.
Every single year for the last 3, my friends at the HMRC have found ways to make what should be a fantastically simple situation into a multi tax code, frustration.
After that, all I'd be bothered about is something comfy and easy to keep clean, after 6 months that all you'll be bothered about.
I don't do that many miles now, but nearly all of those that I do do are sat behind someone else at whatever speed they're doing. I considered almost everything already suggested - test drove 3 and 5 series, Mercs, already have an Audi - and in the end went for a golf gt, on the basis that bik was (relatively) low, economical and had the things I wanted, dab and heated seats.
It's dull, but then so is the commute and the drive to the airport, which accounts for 90% of my miles. Spending the money on something else, I think, will be less dull
It's dull, but then so is the commute and the drive to the airport, which accounts for 90% of my miles. Spending the money on something else, I think, will be less dull
Hi,
This link is really good you can compare several models and tax bands.
http://comcar.co.uk/newcar/companycar/taxcalc/g1se...
This link is really good you can compare several models and tax bands.
http://comcar.co.uk/newcar/companycar/taxcalc/g1se...
Thanks again fellas for the responses.
Seems from those with company cars & doing miles that comfy seats are clearly important, and therefore compliant suspension too.
Seems my thoughts on auto are echoed too, I'll miss the interaction of a manual but don't think I could put up with the stiff clutch/gearbox of the OH's 1 series on the M25!
Seems from those with company cars & doing miles that comfy seats are clearly important, and therefore compliant suspension too.
Seems my thoughts on auto are echoed too, I'll miss the interaction of a manual but don't think I could put up with the stiff clutch/gearbox of the OH's 1 series on the M25!
I'd also recommend the 3-series - not driven the 320d but the 330d is very good - Mrs N has one as a company car and it does pretty much everything very well and something's excellently.
As you don't have kids/ dogs maybe consider a 1-series - the 125d is supposed to be a very good combination of strong performance and low running costs.
As you don't have kids/ dogs maybe consider a 1-series - the 125d is supposed to be a very good combination of strong performance and low running costs.
Haha, I'm in my 30's and it took a bit of getting used to the idea of buying a Volvo. I'm genuinely happy with the choice though. The image is getting younger with the new cars looking more interesting than the older variety.
The R-Design looks good but comes with sport suspension which wouldn't be great on motorways hence why I ended up with an SE Lux
The R-Design looks good but comes with sport suspension which wouldn't be great on motorways hence why I ended up with an SE Lux
A few things:
Be careful with BiK tax values. If you take the car, get one with low CO2 emissions (you know this) and good residuals (you know this too)
If there's a "not a company car, just an allowance" option, check out the mileage rate you'll get. If it's under 45p (it most likely will be) then check if your company will automatically adjust your tax up to the HMRC maximums to help save you money.
C
- The 320i/ED isn't a twin turbo, it's a 1.6l i4 single turbo and basically the same engine as you'd find in a mini (and various other things). It's a joint BMW/PSA design, which is why you'll find it in loads of cars, only rotated 90degrees in the BMWs. Someone incorrectly mentioned this was a twin tubo engine.
- The 320d/ED is available with 6-Speed manual and 8-speed auto gearboxes, and either way is specified with non-runflat tyres as standard (Michelin Energy Saver+). Someone mentioned this applied to the 320i ED as if it was specific to that. The 320d/ED is set up for doing big miles comfortably, so it has proper sized tyres, sidewalls and wheels, and the suspension is very soft for a BMW (in other words, it's about right for a UK car!)
Be careful with BiK tax values. If you take the car, get one with low CO2 emissions (you know this) and good residuals (you know this too)
If there's a "not a company car, just an allowance" option, check out the mileage rate you'll get. If it's under 45p (it most likely will be) then check if your company will automatically adjust your tax up to the HMRC maximums to help save you money.
C
Many thanks again for all the responses.
I've checked and there's no option to take the cash as it's considered required for the role, & TBH given that I'm covering the whole of the south (!) I think the miles I'm likely to be doing wouldn't make using my own car sensible.
Interesting that again the BM's are being mentioned, and that the 320D/ED have compliant suspension - a mate had a previous shape 1 series and said the suspension was awful, so when the OH got a new shape one as a co. car I was expecting the worst, but it's pretty good, comparable to my Golf - shame the electric PAS has no feel whatsoever - but I guess this is a gripe of modern cars overall.
I've checked and there's no option to take the cash as it's considered required for the role, & TBH given that I'm covering the whole of the south (!) I think the miles I'm likely to be doing wouldn't make using my own car sensible.
Interesting that again the BM's are being mentioned, and that the 320D/ED have compliant suspension - a mate had a previous shape 1 series and said the suspension was awful, so when the OH got a new shape one as a co. car I was expecting the worst, but it's pretty good, comparable to my Golf - shame the electric PAS has no feel whatsoever - but I guess this is a gripe of modern cars overall.
Edited by acme on Monday 16th September 16:12
The 320D ED (as opposed to 320D) has slightly lowered SE suspension and 16" wheels with non-runflats. It's about the most comfortable car BMW make. Still drives very well too as it has a suppleness over bumpy lanes that the sporty ones just do not have. Looks like a taxi though, but you can't have everything. Go for that with any toys you can fit within budget. 8 speed auto well worth thinking about. Sport auto gets you paddles at extra cost.
acme said:
... and that the 320D/ED have compliant suspension - a mate had a previous shape 1 series and said the suspension was awful, so when the OH got a new shape one as a co. car I was expecting the worst, but it's pretty good, comparable to my Golf - shame the electric PAS has no feel whatsoever - but I guess this is a gripe of modern cars overall.
- Nod*.
Probably worth pointing out that the ED has much longer gearing than the normal 320d, and is about 20bhp down (184ps vs. 163ps). ED is about 0.5s to 60mph slower, and about 1mph slower in terms of top speed. It's lower than the normal 320d (for aero reasons), despite not having stiff suspension -- part of the reason why even with a power deficit it's not that much slower.
In terms of performance to power to CO2, the diesel 3er ED is in a class of its own: 109g CO2/km, 0-60 in 8s, 143mph.
C
CraigyMc said:
In terms of performance to power to CO2, the diesel 3er ED is in a class of its own: 109g CO2/km, 0-60 in 8s, 143mph.
Indeed. That's why there's so many of the buggers about. Mine included!You see them in white with no options at all, or with huge lists of extras simply because it's the CO2 which is so important. Spec it to £35,000 and your BIK is still way lower than anything else. Clever car. Never going to win any drag races but it's quick enough. It'll also do about 95 in third due to that long final drive
RicksAlfas said:
The 320D ED (as opposed to 320D) has slightly lowered SE suspension and 16" wheels with non-runflats. It's about the most comfortable car BMW make. Still drives very well too as it has a suppleness over bumpy lanes that the sporty ones just do not have. Looks like a taxi though, but you can't have everything. Go for that with any toys you can fit within budget. 8 speed auto well worth thinking about. Sport auto gets you paddles at extra cost.
TBH not too bothered about looks, I suspect in a few months all anyone will notice is how filthy it is! Comfort given what I'll be doing will be paramount I suspect!Didn't realise the 8 speed auto didn't come with paddles as standard?! Thanks for the heads up!
RicksAlfas said:
CraigyMc said:
In terms of performance to power to CO2, the diesel 3er ED is in a class of its own: 109g CO2/km, 0-60 in 8s, 143mph.
Indeed. That's why there's so many of the buggers about. Mine included!You see them in white with no options at all, or with huge lists of extras simply because it's the CO2 which is so important. Spec it to £35,000 and your BIK is still way lower than anything else. Clever car. Never going to win any drag races but it's quick enough. It'll also do about 95 in third due to that long final drive
Mine was £38,600 (although I wasn't paying). Options list looks like a christmas tree.C
acme said:
CraigyMc said:
3er ED is in a class of its own: 109g CO2/km, 0-60 in 8s, 143mph.
C
I note the new MK7 Golf GTD also has 109g/km, think it's higher as an auto though.C
Can the 320ED come with an auto? Seem to remember the 116ED was manual only? Odd.
The urban/extraurban figures are different to the manual version, but it balances out in the combined number so they both register as 68.9mpg and 109g CO2/km.
Edited to add:
Manual is 54.3mpg urban / 80.7mpg extra urban.
Auto is 56.5mpg urban / 78.5mpg extra urban.
Both versions are 68.9mpg combined.
The auto does 0-60 in 7.9s, the manual in 8.0s. The auto does 140mph flat out, the manual 143mph.
Probably worth pointing out that part of the good ride is the tyres/wheels, which are 205/60 R16's.
C
Edited by CraigyMc on Monday 16th September 16:47
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