Help me choose... which one of these would you have?
Help me choose... which one of these would you have?
Author
Discussion

NotKenBlock

Original Poster:

7,540 posts

213 months

Monday 27th June 2011
quotequote all
Long story but im getting a new family motor and narrowed it down to the following 2 models:

59 plate 318d Msport Touring, 24k on the clock. £0 Deposit and £398 a month for 36 months
or
Brand new Mazda 6 TS2 hatch (mid range spec). £1000 desposit and £430 a month

So both work out pretty much the same on the monthly plan (Going for a PCH) but obviously the Mazda 6 has the £1000 deposit.

So what do you choose?

I do roughly 30k miles a year so running costs need to be low (hence low powered diesels, the MX5 is for the fun stuff!)

On the face of it the 3 series is the better car, but its difficult to get away from a brand new motor as opposed to a second hand one already with 24k on the clock.

Bit stumped really, I guess theres no right or wrong.. just wanted opinions?

Thanks

Piepiepie

1,347 posts

183 months

Monday 27th June 2011
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As much as i love the 3 Series M Sport,(even more so, the touring), the 318d figures make woeful reading.

(Edit: Seeing as it's a newer M Sport, its actually not bad).

Make sure it has the bigger wheel upgrade, and make sure its blue biggrin


hornetrider

63,161 posts

234 months

Monday 27th June 2011
quotequote all
If you are concerned with costs why the new cars? Makes no sense to me. Get your arse in the barge bargains thread.

SD1992

7,278 posts

187 months

Monday 27th June 2011
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Why not a used 320d? From what I have heard it is a much better engine and it doesn't cost all that much more.

NotKenBlock

Original Poster:

7,540 posts

213 months

Monday 27th June 2011
quotequote all
hornetrider said:
If you are concerned with costs why the new cars? Makes no sense to me. Get your arse in the barge bargains thread.
Costs are not the overriding factor.. but of course i need to work to a budget. This is a company car replacement (now got a car allowance) so I have a set monthly budget. Also with the mileage I do, i need reliability and efficiency im afraid. I have a weekend toy for the fun stuff.



Jayho

2,413 posts

199 months

Monday 27th June 2011
quotequote all
Not Ken Block would = a Evo with Red Bull decals, no?

smile I'd probably go for the 3 series tbh. You may aswell have a very nice place to sit in while you're doing the boring mile crunchers.

20+ K miles on it is actually a bonus if you think about it, the engines nicely worn in and is ready to offer all it has. wink

Deluded

4,968 posts

220 months

Monday 27th June 2011
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Mazda.

Someone in the family has one, although I don't know what spec level it is. Its one of the diesel variants and is a superb car.

soad

34,652 posts

205 months

Monday 27th June 2011
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Jayho said:
I'd probably go for the 3 series tbh. You may aswell have a very nice place to sit in while you're doing the boring mile crunchers.
Fair point. I'd pick beemer too

NotKenBlock

Original Poster:

7,540 posts

213 months

Monday 27th June 2011
quotequote all
Interesting..

Just went to sit in the Mazda 6 and its pretty nice to be fair.. wouldnt already have some other blokes snot rockets wiped under the seat... wink

Interesting theres a split though.. its how I feel, really can't decide frown

Alfanatic

9,339 posts

248 months

Monday 27th June 2011
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Jeez, this is the second time in a week I am going to suggest a 3 series, and I don't even like them!

Reason is, it's not new. I just don't think new cars are good value in the UK. Or rather, I think used cars are very good value.

On the other hand, with the mileage you're doing they'll possibly both be worth peanuts by the time you've paid them off, and the first two years depreciation won't matter.

Isn't the 6 supposed to be a very nice steer? I can't imagine either of these being the wrong choice really, I just get a mental block when thinking about spending thousands of pounds on a new car and watching the value drop through the floor in the first two years.

EDIT: Does the PCH kind of make the depreciation irrelevant?

Blakewater

4,544 posts

186 months

Monday 27th June 2011
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Does depreciation really matter to you if it's a company car? The Mazda 6 is a good car that's often overlooked and seen as a leftfield choice but the BMW has the badge snobbery and is a well put together car and nice to drive. To be honest, I'd probably go for the BMW. If the new Mazda has been sitting in the showroom you'd be suprised what could be in it.

va1o

16,113 posts

236 months

Monday 27th June 2011
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What would it cost for a new 3-series? Those monthly figures you've quoted sound a tad high

Bonefish Blues

36,507 posts

252 months

Monday 27th June 2011
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Blakewater said:
Does depreciation really matter to you if it's a company car? The Mazda 6 is a good car that's often overlooked and seen as a leftfield choice but the BMW has the badge snobbery and is a well put together car and nice to drive. To be honest, I'd probably go for the BMW. If the new Mazda has been sitting in the showroom you'd be suprised what could be in it.
Yes - OP's taken a car allowance, not a co. car.

nottyash

4,671 posts

224 months

Monday 27th June 2011
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I reckon a 59 plate Mazda would be a lot better value. Mazdas dont keep their value so why buy a new one?

Jayho

2,413 posts

199 months

Monday 27th June 2011
quotequote all
Blakewater said:
Does depreciation really matter to you if it's a company car? The Mazda 6 is a good car that's often overlooked and seen as a leftfield choice but the BMW has the badge snobbery and is a well put together car and nice to drive. To be honest, I'd probably go for the BMW. If the new Mazda has been sitting in the showroom you'd be suprised what could be in it.
The thing which has put me off the 6 Series is that I have two close family friends who both had one (54 plate IIRC), 1 diesel and 1 Petrol one, both of very high spec when bought. They both suffered from unusual/premature rusting, which is probably brought by the usually thinner paint work offered in Jap cars. Plus when things went wrong it was actually quite costly to fix.