Help me choose my next company car (all estates)

[SidJames]

People,

A long time ago when our company car list consisted of Rover 600's and and Ford Mondeo's only, I decided to opt out and took an allowance.

I bought a 2001 Mustang, and happily used my company fuel card to fund the beast.

Well over time the business changed the rules, and I was left with little option to ditch the Mustang and have been running an X-Type estate for a couple of years. Then thet decided to trim the allowance, and increase the width of the car list.

Meanwhile, I've managed to get based from home, so I think it's time for me to ditch the fuel card and go cost per mile, and opt back into the scheme.

I've only done the bare bones research on the cars listed, and the only one I've driven is the 5 series, which I found the most uncomfortable car I'd ever driven.

Things that the car must be :

a)Estate
b)Diesel
c)Auto
d)Comfy seats
e)Fast as it can be
e)Reasonably well equipped

Please let me know your thoughts.

[KTF]

What about the tax implications. Should that be taken into account as well?

Edit: Voted XF to make a change for the usual German option.

[iva cosworth]

Why is the 5 series still on the list if it's " the most uncomfortable car you've ever driven" ?

Haven't voted ,yet.

[SidJames]

KTF said:

What about the tax implications. Should that be taken into account as well?

Edit: Voted XF to make a change for the usual German option.

The tax implications are all roughly the same.

[SidJames]

iva cosworth said:

Why is the 5 series still on the list if it's " the most uncomfortable car you've ever driven" ?

Haven't voted ,yet.

Because I'm interested in other peoples opinions of their experience.

[JimPetrol]

I'd avoid the XF, as the balance of performance vs emissions (and therefore BIK tax) tips the balance towards the Germans.

I'd probably avoid the Volvo for the same reason - the emissions are horrendous on those, especially with auto box.

[iva cosworth]

SidJames said:

iva cosworth said:

Why is the 5 series still on the list if it's " the most uncomfortable car you've ever driven" ?

Haven't voted ,yet.

Because I'm interested in other peoples opinions of their experience.

There is no point in having the "most uncomfortable car" on your shortlist.

I'm out....

[SidJames]

iva cosworth said:

There is no point in having the "most uncomfortable car" on your shortlist.

I'm out....

I accept your offer....

[va1o]

BMW as its the only with a 6-cylinder engine. Just make sure you spec the Pro Media pack.

To be fair none of those are bad cars though and you won't really go wrong whichever you choose.

[Chr1sch]

They're all nice cars and you would get better mpg from a 4 cylinder but honestly test drive a 2.2d jag and then the BMW 3.0 lump and you'll have an easy decision to make

6 cylinder every time!
Plus new 5 is a nice place to sit too...

[edo]

Which seats did the demo BMW have in?

I'd say it needs the sports seats adding if you are going SE..

[Fox-]

Can everyone who voted for a 4 pot diesel over the 6 cylinder 5 Series please hang up your PH badge on the way out?

The 530d has probably the worlds finest 6 cylinder diesel engine under the bonnet mated to the worlds finest torque converter automatic gearbox, the awesome ZF 8 speed unit.

It's the clear choice, you'd need to really, really hate BMW to pick a 4 cylinder thing over it.

Edited by Fox- on Sunday 4th August 12:40

[philmots]

530d for the engine and 'box

[leafspring]

XF all the way.

[Fox-]

leafspring said:

XF all the way.

6+ year old design, 4 cylinder diesel engine... it might be possible to make a case for it on other attributes but its hardly the no brainer you imply!

[CYMR0]

Jag for the interior, if you can get over the emissions.

E250 if you can't.

530d if it weren't for the seats thing - no point in having a car you can't get comfortable in - but can you try/spec it with comfort seats or does that break the rules? You can specify comfort seats on the BMW approved used search, so it shouldn't involve too much trawling to find one near you.

[Phil117]

Out of those, Jaguar every time. I personally would look at an Evoque over an XF however.

[Contigo]

XF all the way as all the others are just a bit meh!

[B17NNS]

BMW 330d xDrive M Sport Touring not available?

[SidJames]

Phil117 said:

Out of those, Jaguar every time. I personally would look at an Evoque over an XF however.

The Evoque is on my list (it's the cheapest of the lot!), but it's not really an estate, more of a hatch.

I have been to have another look at my shortlist cars this morning (The XF and the 530, and it's a difficult choice. The 530 engine is stonking, but as I have a plaything for that type of stuff I'm more inclined to have better spec.

Both interiors very nice, the comfort seats in the 530 quite nice, but the XF seats are really nice.!

Just reading up the spec lists now to make sure I haven't missed anything. (It does appers that in the last couple of weeks BM have given the 530 a mild facelift, and upped the interior spec a bit, as you now have "business" Sat Nav as standard. Basically you get a standard nav system and a "radio" based traffic system that didn't sound that great.