Best value company car.
Discussion
Deva Link said:
Chicharito said:
50k miles / year isn't exceptional for those in sales roles with large territories to cover.
I daresay there are people doing 50K but it is exceptional.It doesn't add anything to a cash vs car discussion because, as you've already pointed out, it's a no brainer to take the company car if you're doing very high mileage.
U T said:
Yup, I tend to laugh at those who don't take Hyundai seriously.
I think we can assume, in this case, that a Hyundai isn't a suitable alternative to the likely choices of 3-series / C-Class / A4 / Passat / S60 etc.It may be an alternative to a rep. in a base spec. Focus, but not someone with an 'exec' class car option.
Chicharito said:
U T said:
Yup, I tend to laugh at those who don't take Hyundai seriously.
I think we can assume, in this case, that a Hyundai isn't a suitable alternative to the likely choices of 3-series / C-Class / A4 / Passat / S60 etc.It may be an alternative to a rep. in a base spec. Focus, but not someone with an 'exec' class car option.
Chicharito said:
I think we can assume, in this case, that a Hyundai isn't a suitable alternative to the likely choices of 3-series / C-Class / A4 / Passat / S60 etc.
It may be an alternative to a rep. in a base spec. Focus, but not someone with an 'exec' class car option.
Since when have they been Exec? It may be an alternative to a rep. in a base spec. Focus, but not someone with an 'exec' class car option.
Chr1sch said:
320ed by miles, I've got one, it's a bit soft but goes extremely well and with some smart options is a very nice place to be! (I did sports seats, half leather, sports steering wheel, piano black dash)
I'm not sure it's too soft. I think it's more that many other cars are too hard!I like the way it can soak the bumps cross country.
It is very comfortable with the non run-flats and smaller wheels. I went for sports wheel, rain sensor, high beam assist, chrome line exterior trim, media pack business including sat nav and Bluetooth. Wish I had sports seats but I hit my limit.
I find the gearing too long and it's a little laggy at low speeds but as a complete package it certainly delivers. That's why there's so many on the roads.
I find the gearing too long and it's a little laggy at low speeds but as a complete package it certainly delivers. That's why there's so many on the roads.
I've been looking into the whole BIK issue as my company car is up for renewal early next year, and I also have the benefit of a fuel card. Whilst I went with a lot of posters' suggestion last time round and went for a 118d (which was about the only engine in the entire BMW range that came under the all important 119gms/km threshold at the time - about 3 years ago), the change in the emissions thresholds next year are making me SERIOUSLY consider a hybrid, which is a phrase I never thought I'd hear myself utter.
The changes mean that the average BMW 2 litre diesel, the company car driver's default weapon of choice, is going from a BIK of 13% up to 19-21%. This applies to the ED versions as well, and the further bad news is that the BIK rates increase by a further 1% in 2013, and the Government's not saying which way it's going after that (but take a wild guess).
In contrast, hybrids will be a BIK of 10% for the next 3 years, with the new plug in Prius and Vauxhall Ampera coming in at 5%. At a marginal rate of 40%, the difference to net income is >£200/month.
Whilst I like my cars as much as the next petrolhead, I also dislike paying any more tax to the government than I absolutely have to, which is why I'm giving it serious consideration. A difference of approximately £10K in net pay over a 4 year lease is not to be sniffed at (ironically, it's about the same as the child benefit I will lose from next year so they still win).
Whilst the Prius doesn't really float my boat, the Lexus ct200h and new Citroen DS5 are bearable for what will be a motorway muncher for the most part. BMW are going to be hit hard by these changes as the tax system starts to make their current line-up look very expensive in terms of BIK without a hybrid to get the emissions down. I suspect there will be a LOT more hybrids appearing on our streets from April next year onwards.
The changes mean that the average BMW 2 litre diesel, the company car driver's default weapon of choice, is going from a BIK of 13% up to 19-21%. This applies to the ED versions as well, and the further bad news is that the BIK rates increase by a further 1% in 2013, and the Government's not saying which way it's going after that (but take a wild guess).
In contrast, hybrids will be a BIK of 10% for the next 3 years, with the new plug in Prius and Vauxhall Ampera coming in at 5%. At a marginal rate of 40%, the difference to net income is >£200/month.
Whilst I like my cars as much as the next petrolhead, I also dislike paying any more tax to the government than I absolutely have to, which is why I'm giving it serious consideration. A difference of approximately £10K in net pay over a 4 year lease is not to be sniffed at (ironically, it's about the same as the child benefit I will lose from next year so they still win).
Whilst the Prius doesn't really float my boat, the Lexus ct200h and new Citroen DS5 are bearable for what will be a motorway muncher for the most part. BMW are going to be hit hard by these changes as the tax system starts to make their current line-up look very expensive in terms of BIK without a hybrid to get the emissions down. I suspect there will be a LOT more hybrids appearing on our streets from April next year onwards.
If you are in for a 320ed but are limited on monies/options then look at the 318d. I went for the MSport as whilst it's still a 3-er it at least looks a fraction different to all the 320ed you see, the BIK is pretty much the same, you get a few extra options over the 320ed (although to be perfectly honest I hardly use the cruise and I don't know any different than the sports seats). Just hit 20k since May in mine and it's been pretty decent overall.
gansstraat said:
The changes mean that the average BMW 2 litre diesel, the company car driver's default weapon of choice, is going from a BIK of 13% up to 19-21%. This applies to the ED versions as well, and the further bad news is that the BIK rates increase by a further 1% in 2013, and the Government's not saying which way it's going after that (but take a wild guess).
Have you got a link to this, as the tables I have seen suggest a 2012/13 increase to 18% for a Diesel with emissions of 116-120 g/km.Typcially, the people most affected are those who had cars in the 116-120g/km bracket, as they see a 5% increase. I'm assuming the government noticed that too many company car users were opting for cars in this bracket were therefore denying the government coffers some much needed cash. Vehicles with higher CO2 emissions don't see such a large increase.
plfrench said:
gansstraat said:
The changes mean that the average BMW 2 litre diesel, the company car driver's default weapon of choice, is going from a BIK of 13% up to 19-21%. This applies to the ED versions as well, and the further bad news is that the BIK rates increase by a further 1% in 2013, and the Government's not saying which way it's going after that (but take a wild guess).
Have you got a link to this, as the tables I have seen suggest a 2012/13 increase to 18% for a Diesel with emissions of 116-120 g/km.Typcially, the people most affected are those who had cars in the 116-120g/km bracket, as they see a 5% increase. I'm assuming the government noticed that too many company car users were opting for cars in this bracket were therefore denying the government coffers some much needed cash. Vehicles with higher CO2 emissions don't see such a large increase.
The 2012 tax/BIK increase on the 320d SE NON 'ED' model is a smaller jump, so I decided that as I can't have a saloon (company rule) I might as well have the 320d as it still works out less than I'm currently paying for my '58 A4 Avant (120HP). On BMW's website there is a tax calculator and it worked out that even with the tax increases it's only going to cost me another £10 a month by year 3. I'll have had a couple of pay rises by then, so really it's not worth worrying about in my case. Chosing the 318d would be slightly cheaper this year, but next year there would be little in it, so what the hell...
I can't grumble being able to have a 320dSE for £85 a month (no fuel card and I'm slightly in pocket for business mileage anyway), so I can't be bothered trying to find a sub 115g/km alternative just to save a little bit more, but I can understand 40% tax payers in 4x4s being more interested.
I can't grumble being able to have a 320dSE for £85 a month (no fuel card and I'm slightly in pocket for business mileage anyway), so I can't be bothered trying to find a sub 115g/km alternative just to save a little bit more, but I can understand 40% tax payers in 4x4s being more interested.
But the irony is that, the supposedly 'dirty' 4x4's etc will see a much smaller increase(or nothing at all if currently 225g/km or above). The ones most hit with the biggest rise are those in the 116-120 bracket going from 13% to 18% in relative monetary terms, that is a 38% increase in tax going out of their pockets.
Just shows it is all about the money rather than the environment
Just shows it is all about the money rather than the environment
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