New company car help XF or 520D
Discussion
I currently have a C Class (really couldn't live with the interior of the new model) and that size of car would be a preference but a bigger car with more rear leg room/ space is now needed. So after much deliberation I have narrowed it down to these four.
Jag XF 2.2D R Sport (200hp)
Jag XF 2.2D Premium Lux (200hp)
BMW 520D M Sport Auto
BMW 520D Luxury Auto
All Saloons with the only options being metallic paint.
The Sports have the looks but the Lux models have more gadgets. The BMW's better BIK Tax but the Jag looks more (in my view) special. I'm currently swaying towards the 520D Lux based on BIK alone. So have any of you owned/ driven these cars? Which would you have given the choice?
Jag XF 2.2D R Sport (200hp)
Jag XF 2.2D Premium Lux (200hp)
BMW 520D M Sport Auto
BMW 520D Luxury Auto
All Saloons with the only options being metallic paint.
The Sports have the looks but the Lux models have more gadgets. The BMW's better BIK Tax but the Jag looks more (in my view) special. I'm currently swaying towards the 520D Lux based on BIK alone. So have any of you owned/ driven these cars? Which would you have given the choice?
I'm a BMW fan but also like the xf, I would be drawn to an m-sport 520d. I think the 2.2 jag is pretty old hat and rattly technology where as the 2.0 (184bhp) in my one series seems very good and refined on the motorway etc
I do think the 5 interior wise is far nicer than the now dated xf spinning vent setup
I do think the 5 interior wise is far nicer than the now dated xf spinning vent setup
grayze said:
I test drove both the XF and the 520D touring before settling on the 5 series, the XF just felt a bit meh!
Just try the E220 if you can get in it for the £ it was my preferred option.
I recently had a go in a E220 SE. Really nice, lovely place to be and so smooth to drive. I loved it except......and I don't quite know how to put this as a 43 yr old with very grey hair..... .I felt like I needed to be 10 years older to have one. Kind of like I'd borrowed my Dad's car. But it really does feel special, not good on the BIK though.Just try the E220 if you can get in it for the £ it was my preferred option.
What 520d do you have? I can't decide between the luxury or M sport. Now I know the XF is replaced the end of next year I'm discounting it.
As for the previous S80 option........errrr No, just No!
Edited by stumpage on Monday 1st December 22:55
Isn't there a new 5 series due soon? Not that it'll impact the OP being a company car driver. I've been looking at my cc options tonight, but the XF isn't even an option on our company choice, though a C Class and 520 would be (has to be an estate due to my job).
What's the issue with the interior on the C Class? I spec'd up a C220D AMG and thought it looked pretty good inside (not sure I'd go with the red leather interior I've currently selected).
If Co2/BIK is of concern have you looked at the new A6? The 'Ultra' spec 2 litre is 190PS yet still comes in under 120g/km even with an autobox and estate body. I don't know if the handling is more involving these days though (I previously had an A4 SE which was pretty dull to drive, but at least it was softly sprung).
What's the issue with the interior on the C Class? I spec'd up a C220D AMG and thought it looked pretty good inside (not sure I'd go with the red leather interior I've currently selected).
If Co2/BIK is of concern have you looked at the new A6? The 'Ultra' spec 2 litre is 190PS yet still comes in under 120g/km even with an autobox and estate body. I don't know if the handling is more involving these days though (I previously had an A4 SE which was pretty dull to drive, but at least it was softly sprung).
Edited by OldSkoolRS on Monday 1st December 23:52
OldSkoolRS said:
Isn't there a new 5 series due soon? Not that it'll impact the OP being a company car driver. I've been looking at my cc options tonight, but the XF isn't even an option on our company choice, though a C Class and 520 would be (has to be an estate due to my job).
What's the issue with the interior on the C Class? I spec'd up a C220D AMG and thought it looked pretty good inside (not sure I'd go with the red leather interior I've currently selected).
If Co2/BIK is of concern have you looked at the new A6? The 'Ultra' spec 2 litre is 190PS yet still comes in under 120g/km even with an autobox and estate body. I don't know if the handling is more involving these days though (I previously had an A4 SE which was pretty dull to drive, but at least it was softly sprung).
It's a couple of things with the C Class, the cheap looking infotainment screen I don't like, it really ruins the whole flow and quality feel of the interior and I know it would irritate me over the 3 years I'll have it for. Also the piano black lump in the middle looks messy with figure marks and dust in every showroom example I've sat in. What's the issue with the interior on the C Class? I spec'd up a C220D AMG and thought it looked pretty good inside (not sure I'd go with the red leather interior I've currently selected).
If Co2/BIK is of concern have you looked at the new A6? The 'Ultra' spec 2 litre is 190PS yet still comes in under 120g/km even with an autobox and estate body. I don't know if the handling is more involving these days though (I previously had an A4 SE which was pretty dull to drive, but at least it was softly sprung).
Edited by OldSkoolRS on Monday 1st December 23:52
The Audi A6 it doesn't do it for me. I'd always feel like I may as well got a Passat/ Superb.
Edited by stumpage on Tuesday 2nd December 00:16
Thanks for the feedback. Oddly I can't have the option of the Passatt or Superb, so I'll have to sneak a look in the dealers for the A6/C Class while I wait for an extended test drive through the lease company. Either that or just get another BMW, but would have to be the 3 series if I want an auto.
One golden rule though; whatever you want is always just over budget...
One golden rule though; whatever you want is always just over budget...
A few thoughts from me:-
If you like driving, you MUST spec the M Sport suspension in any new BMW. The SE suspension is wallowy, vague and not even much more comfortable.
The 20d engine sounds awful and is extremely unrefined, but its performance/economy combination is genuinely impressive. The 5er may obscure the noise a bit better than the 3er, though.
The Jag has a better engine (in all but fuel economy) and is better-looking (to me), but I agree that it is starting to look and feel its age!
If you like driving, you MUST spec the M Sport suspension in any new BMW. The SE suspension is wallowy, vague and not even much more comfortable.
The 20d engine sounds awful and is extremely unrefined, but its performance/economy combination is genuinely impressive. The 5er may obscure the noise a bit better than the 3er, though.
The Jag has a better engine (in all but fuel economy) and is better-looking (to me), but I agree that it is starting to look and feel its age!
ORD said:
The 20d engine sounds awful and is extremely unrefined, but its performance/economy combination is genuinely impressive. The 5er may obscure the noise a bit better than the 3er, though.
ThisI can't imagine anyone with remotely functional hearing calling this engine refined. It starts and stops with a jolt that shudders through the entire bodyshell, sounds like an old old school clattery diesel at idle, and is gruff and vocal at anything over about 2500 RPM.
BUT
Its performance/economy mix is verging on the ridiculous. My 320d spends a lot of time in stop/start traffic, and tends to get hoofed wherever the opportunity presents itself, and I still get a genuine 53 mpg average. Driven consciously for economy on free flowing roads, you can see a genuine 70 mpg. It's impressive.
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