Help! 320d Coupé vs Leon FR (What car thread)

[zredarb]

Guys,

So I've just been given a car allowance at work, and I will be changing my car in the next couple of weeks.

I do A LOT of miles with my job, approx 2000-3000 a month, then social on top.

I'm looking to spend somewhere around 9k-11k ideally. I need something that is reliable, over 50mpg, and would like something relatively fun and comfortable on 200 mile+ commutes regularly.

So far I am looking at a 320d coupe and Leon FR.

Can anyone give any thoughts on these as used in above scenario? Or any other suggestions?

All help greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[Dunclane]

I would suggest that the Leon might be a little firm for all those motorway miles. I have an Octavia vrs and that's a bit softer and reasonably comfortable, I've done Birmingham to Glasgow and back in a day with no problems.

[Welshbeef]

E90 330d m sport with pro nav blue tooth and you'll see mid to high 40's easy.

[thetrash]

I've recently brought a Leon FR and driven a previous shape 320d. The BMW is more comfortable, the Leon is more fun plus I can fit my Kitesurf kit,bike and surfboard in. They are both similar on fuel consumption IME.

[Welshbeef]

One is a c£18k car one is a c£30k car.

Frankly though you should base a notable amount of the decision in how much tax you will pay the BMW could cost you less even though its a much more expensive car.

You will notice a significant difference in the interior quality between the two night and day.

[Condi]

Mileage on the BMW might be a bit high at that money? From what Ive been reading they are quite expensive to get from 100-150k miles. Doing 30,000 miles a year you dont want something which is going to potentially give you big bills at a time when your job depends on it.

[zredarb]

Thanks for your help so far.

I guess that is my question though. The sort of Leon I would be looking at would be maybe a 10 plate with 40-50k on the clock, whereas the BMW more like 07-08 with something like 70k.

With this in mind is the BMW worth the premium?

[philmots]

Can you not get an actual car rather than an allowance?

Is the allowance enough to cover the purchase and more to the point the depreciation on any car you could be putting 30k a year on - never mind servicing etc?

[Condi]

If your doing 30,000 miles a year it either wants to be a massive car allowance or a company car. I would try and get something below 80,000 miles otherwise I think you are setting yourself up for an expensive bill. I was faced with the same choice, but only doing 10k a year for work and decided that a high mileage 3 series wasnt the best option. Its a lot of money for the car.

Why not get a brand new car and put a long manufacturers warranty on it? If your doing so many miles for work surely the main concern should be cheap, reliable motoring? In which case a new Skoda/Dacia/Vauxhall with 100,000 mile warranty is surely the sensible choice. Otherwise use a company car and just pay the £100 month in tax and let someone else worry about it. Depends on the size of the allowance I guess.

[Welshbeef]

On that route why not a Kia Cee'd?

[stuart-b]

They are quite different cars, I would always pick the BMW, but then again I'm biased

[VinceFox]

Diesel OR coupe. Theyre the transexual of the car world.

[FamilyDub]

Golf GTD has good residuals, so lease deals were pretty attractive?

If it's a straight up choice between the Leon & 320d, i'd have the BMW & a set of winter tyres.

[FamilyDub]

VinceFox said:

Diesel OR coupe. Theyre the transexual of the car world.

No, my friend, that is the 4-pot diesel *convertible*.

[FamilyDub]

VinceFox said:

Diesel OR coupe. Theyre the transexual of the car world.

No, my friend, that is the 4-pot diesel *convertible*.

[morgrp]

If you like spending hundreds on replacing fuel injectors then go for the BMW, if like wonky Spanish interior fit and finish go for the Seat. If you like neither of these things, as mentioned already, go for an Octavia VRS TDI