Company Car choice..

[Teebs]

Hi All,

The time is coming closer for when I will need to order my new company car.

Currently in a 2019 VW Arteon 1.5Tsi DSG Elegance with 39k on (Covid killed my annual mileage like many people!). I have shortlisted it to 2/3 cars;

• BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 218d M Sport Pro

Would need to add adaptive cruise & larger fuel tank as options which keeps it within budget but pushes up the BIK. Can't spec the upgraded lights or auto high-beam assist due to current processor issues

• Audi A3 35Tfsi "Vorsprung"

Comes absolutely loaded with everything including Matrix lights, adaptive cruise & Auto high-beam assist - concerned it might be a touch too small (we have a 5 year old) - The engine and gearbox are what I have now and it's fine

• BMW 128Ti Auto

Would need to add adaptive cruise, concerned about MPG on a long trip as we only recieve the advisory fuel rate of 12/13p mile. Interior might be too small also.

Couple of points

• We don't have any options for EV / Electric or cash allowance, at all.
• Have a regular 215 mile M1 journey every 2 weeks or so, rest of the mileage is local trips, days out etc
• Usually, pre-covid, take an annual Holiday in Europe and drive so long distance capability is key (hence adaptive cruise requirement)
• BIK is pretty similar across all the cars
• Will struggle to test-drive the actual car, although i've not test-driven my last 4 company cars
• Last few cars - VW Arteon (current), Skoda Superb (65 plate), 1 Series 116d
• Wife has a 20 plate Toyota Corolla Hybrid (does that even matter?!)

If I could get the high beam assist on the BMW then that would prob win, but it's a requirement for me.

Thoughts?

[jonwm]

Id probably go for the gran coupe with my sensible head on.

I really want a 128ti so with my heart I'd take that!

I always wanted a golf GTi. They were on my company car list in the last job but never had one as I couldnt justify the BIK

[Teebs]

jonwm said:

Id probably go for the gran coupe with my sensible head on.

I really want a 128ti so with my heart I'd take that!

I always wanted a golf GTi. They were on my company car list in the last job but never had one as I couldnt justify the BIK

The Gran Coupe is the sensible choice....

[ZX10R NIN]

Have you looked at more mainstream options something like a new shape 508 in GT spec means you'll get the adaptive cruise laser lights etc & still keep sensible BIK numbers:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

[georgeyboy12345]

Out of those, I'd go for the 128ti

[Teebs]

ZX10R NIN said:

Have you looked at more mainstream options something like a new shape 508 in GT spec means you'll get the adaptive cruise laser lights etc & still keep sensible BIK numbers:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

Thanks but it has to be BMW / VW / Audi...

Have looked at a Passat but so dull.

[Teebs]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Out of those, I'd go for the 128ti

Yeah, the more I think about it, the less it appeals. Prob too small and uncomfortable for regular 200+ mile drives.
Would be fun though...

[ZX10R NIN]

Teebs said:

Thanks but it has to be BMW / VW / Audi...

Have looked at a Passat but so dull.

The 218d GC is the pick then but in truth it'll be no more interesting than the Passat & probably a little slower smaller as well as being less well equipped.

What about a newer version of what you have now?

[Teebs]

ZX10R NIN said:

The 218d GC is the pick then but in truth it'll be no more interesting than the Passat & probably a little slower smaller as well as being less well equipped.

What about a newer version of what you have now?

That is true on all counts but a new Passat won't feel too much different from my Arteon, which in all truth, is just a slightly tarted up Passat.
Equipment levels on the M Sport pro are ok and I can add adaptive cruise, lumbar support and a larger fuel tank within allowance.

218d GC is the one then..

[Canon_Fodder]

I've got an F22 218d coupe with the 150hp diesel lump and it's quite slow and quite rough. Car is quite heavy and feels underpowered and not very 'grunty' in the way a diesel should.

Settles down OK on the motorway but is quite noisy from the run flat tyes (it's an M-sport). Does 60mpg at 75 through which gives a 600 mile range which is nice.

I'm presuming the same engine in the GC?

[Teebs]

Canon_Fodder said:

I've got an F22 218d coupe with the 150hp diesel lump and it's quite slow and quite rough. Car is quite heavy and feels underpowered and not very 'grunty' in the way a diesel should.

Settles down OK on the motorway but is quite noisy from the run flat tyes (it's an M-sport). Does 60mpg at 75 through which gives a 600 mile range which is nice.

I'm presuming the same engine in the GC?

I think so. I currently have the 1.5Tsi petrol in the Arteon so the 218d will feel like a rocket ship, trust me...

[Canon_Fodder]

Teebs said:

I think so. I currently have the 1.5Tsi petrol in the Arteon so the 218d will feel like a rocket ship, trust me...

It's more 'ship' than 'rocket' in my experience... Do they do a 220d in the GC? I really think that would be much better

[Teebs]

Canon_Fodder said:

It's more 'ship' than 'rocket' in my experience... Do they do a 220d in the GC? I really think that would be much better

The do but it's quite a bit more expensive and heavier on BIK.
Thanks!

[Teebs]

To finish this off, I will be ordering:

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe M Sport Pro 218d

• Snapper Rocks Blue
• Adaptive Cruise
• Adaptive LED lights
• Larger fuel tank
• Lumbar support

I can't get the 220d and all the options within budget (the above is circa £37k) and the 218d is £70/month cheaper overall.

Cheers.

[anonymous-user]

Teebs said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Have you looked at more mainstream options something like a new shape 508 in GT spec means you'll get the adaptive cruise laser lights etc & still keep sensible BIK numbers:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

Thanks but it has to be BMW / VW / Audi...

Have looked at a Passat but so dull.

Exactly, what would the neighbours think if there was some ghastly French tat on the drive rather than some aggressive German metal with the four rings of success on the front?

[Teebs]

Joey Deacon said:

Exactly, what would the neighbours think if there was some ghastly French tat on the drive rather than some aggressive German metal with the four rings of success on the front?

Moron. It has to be a VW / Audi or BMW as per the lease company rules. FWIW, i ran a Skoda Superb for 3 years and 100k so i'm not adverse to something a little different..

Edited by Teebs on Friday 8th October 09:30

[exelero]

ZX10R NIN said:

Have you looked at more mainstream options something like a new shape 508 in GT spec means you'll get the adaptive cruise laser lights etc & still keep sensible BIK numbers:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

Peugeot really stepped their game up didn’t they? I like it

[Dohnut]

Teebs said:

Joey Deacon said:

Exactly, what would the neighbours think if there was some ghastly French tat on the drive rather than some aggressive German metal with the four rings of success on the front?

Moron. It has to be a VW / Audi or BMW as per the lease company rules. FWIW, i ran a Skoda Superb for 3 years and 100k so i'm not adverse to something a little different..

Edited by Teebs on Friday 8th October 09:30

I see by his user name he likes to mock the inflicted too. So, trying to claim some imagined moral high ground over people who drive german cars yet thinks its fun to use the name of someone who lived and died with cerebral palsy.

[Canon_Fodder]

Teebs said:

To finish this off, I will be ordering:

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe M Sport Pro 218d

• Snapper Rocks Blue
• Adaptive Cruise
• Adaptive LED lights
• Larger fuel tank
• Lumbar support

I can't get the 220d and all the options within budget (the above is circa £37k) and the 218d is £70/month cheaper overall.

Cheers.

I'm sure you'll like it OP - they're nice looking cars

[alfabeat]

That Peugeot looks fantastic compared to the others. Shame the lease company are so inflexible.