Company cars - 320d ED standout?

[CraigyMc]

Is it just me or is there nothing at all that can get near the BMW320d (Efficient Dynamics version) in terms of power versus emissions?

163bhp, 0-60 in 8.1s, 140mph flat out - but 109gCO2/km, 68.9mpg combined.

I can't find anything else that gets near these figures.

On my company car scheme, it makes this car extremely cheap (unlimited mileage/insurance/servicing/repair included, about £350 a month).

Is there anything else to compare?

C

[RobCrezz]

Interested in this thread. My brother is going the company car route I think.

[Riyazc]

I had this car for a 3 day test drive from BMW.... and bar the stop-start feature (which can be disabled) i really cant fault it!

It pulls very well and as its been lowered (better aerodynamics) it also corners rather well too!

In terms of company cars there really isnt anything out there which can touch it in terms of performance and emmisions - and as a result BMW are shifting a load of them!

The demo i had was base spec car - still had bluetooth and rear sensors on it.

My only issue is that it comes as manual only - had it been an auto it would have been a no brainer.

The only other car of a similar class which is worth a glance is the Audi A4 2.0 tdie. Its 136bhp and felt a fair bit slower then the 320ed, but under the 'Teknic' spec comes with a load of toys making it a lovely environment to be stuck in.

[excel monkey]

Riyazc said:

My only issue is that it comes as manual only - had it been an auto it would have been a no brainer.

An auto would have screwed up the CO2 figures and pushed the car into a higher BIK rate band, defeating the object of the 320ED model.

[Riyazc]

I would have pushed it up one band.... still a lower rate then the existing 320d engine, but opening up the car to a larger audience.

[Doofus]

Surely the pertinent question is "Is there anything else on my company car list to compare?

[CraigyMc]

Doofus said:

Surely the pertinent question is "Is there anything else on my company car list to compare?

I suppose that's fair enough. I think I explained where I was coming from

[CraigyMc]

excel monkey said:

Riyazc said:

My only issue is that it comes as manual only - had it been an auto it would have been a no brainer.

An auto would have screwed up the CO2 figures and pushed the car into a higher BIK rate band, defeating the object of the 320ED model.

Not an issue for me as I hate slushboxes anyway. I'm doing a back-to-back test of the 320d ED vs. the 520d - both are manual 'boxes.

C

[ITP]

I think there is a saab 9-3 TTid that is similar performance and emmisions for less cash no doubt, probably with more kit aswell.

[CraigyMc]

ITP said:

I think there is a Saab 9-3 TTid that is similar performance and emmisions for less cash no doubt, probably with more kit aswell.

The BMW is 109g/km of CO2, the Saab is 129. The Benefit in kind classes are totally different. The fact that the saab has a slightly lower list price is more than obviated by that.

C

[ITP]

I'd check that again.
I'm pretty sure all new 9-3 diesels are now rated at 119 co2 (even the 180bhp model), which i believe is the magic figure for the company car users trying to save a few quid

[CraigyMc]

ITP said:

I'd check that again.
I'm pretty sure all new 9-3 diesels are now rated at 119 co2 (even the 180bhp model), which i believe is the magic figure for the company car users trying to save a few quid

You're right. http://www.saab.co.uk/gb/en/start#/world/news-and-... says it's 119.
The reason I had the wrong figure is because the saab website has another figure (129) in some places, including the place I happened to look.
Screen cap added for info:


It looks like the lower CO2 figure is only for the more base-spec 9-3's? (I notice that the aero rides on bigger wheels amongst other things..)

C

[ITP]

It looks like the Aero model is a bit higher. But that is like a well specced M-Sport BMW anyway which you can't get with the 3 series ED model. It is probably due to bigger wheels and not having energy saving tyres etc.

The other models seem pretty well equipped anyway though. The 'turbo edition' has leather interior, heated seats, climate control, 17" alloys, parking sensors etc. Not bad.

[CraigyMc]

ITP said:

It looks like the Aero model is a bit higher. But that is like a well specced M-Sport BMW anyway which you can't get with the 3 series ED model. It is probably due to bigger wheels and not having energy saving tyres etc.

The other models seem pretty well equipped anyway though. The 'turbo edition' has leather interior, heated seats, climate control, 17" alloys, parking sensors etc. Not bad.

Thanks for the info. I'm going to toddle off to Saab to see what it's like in the flesh. I'd never have though of them otherwise.

C

[Dracoro]

CraigyMc said:

Doofus said:

Surely the pertinent question is "Is there anything else on my company car list to compare?

I suppose that's fair enough. I think I explained where I was coming from

Following from that, it may help to list what else is on your company car list, we're not mind readers

[Escort2dr]

Other downside for me was that there isn't a Touring version, hence I'm stuck with a 318d, if it ever arrives.

[CraigyMc]

Dracoro said:

CraigyMc said:

Doofus said:

Surely the pertinent question is "Is there anything else on my company car list to compare?

I suppose that's fair enough. I think I explained where I was coming from

Following from that, it may help to list what else is on your company car list, we're not mind readers

Every car on sale in the UK today, with the exception of anything made by Lotus or caterham (or similar specialists). Yes, that means Ferrari and Porsche are available.

The "sample car" list is 9000 rows of a spreadsheet. We also get to spec them basically whatever way we want.

C

[CraigyMc]

Escort2dr said:

Other downside for me was that there isn't a Touring version, hence I'm stuck with a 318d, if it ever arrives.

I realised the touring isn't available in that model. What's the leadtime like on a BMW at the moment? (This is something the leasing company ought ot be able to tell me..)

[Escort2dr]

CraigyMc said:

Escort2dr said:

Other downside for me was that there isn't a Touring version, hence I'm stuck with a 318d, if it ever arrives.

I realised the touring isn't available in that model. What's the leadtime like on a BMW at the moment? (This is something the leasing company ought ot be able to tell me..)

I was told 6-8 weeks but it would take longer to get discount terms in place. At the moment, I placed order with leasing company on 13/09 and it is due at the dealer in mid-Dec. However, our leasing provider stated that they don't register their cars in December due to the "book price disadvantage" and that it would be Jan delivery... hopefully I have persuaded them otherwise with mine.

Factory closures over winter are going to lengthen lead times however, but they are still nothing like VAG. Even VX lead times are long.

[CraigyMc]

Escort2dr said:

CraigyMc said:

Escort2dr said:

Other downside for me was that there isn't a Touring version, hence I'm stuck with a 318d, if it ever arrives.

I realised the touring isn't available in that model. What's the leadtime like on a BMW at the moment? (This is something the leasing company ought ot be able to tell me..)

I was told 6-8 weeks but it would take longer to get discount terms in place. At the moment, I placed order with leasing company on 13/09 and it is due at the dealer in mid-Dec. However, our leasing provider stated that they don't register their cars in December due to the "book price disadvantage" and that it would be Jan delivery... hopefully I have persuaded them otherwise with mine.

Factory closures over winter are going to lengthen lead times however, but they are still nothing like VAG. Even VX lead times are long.

Interesting news.

I was told the other day that the company I work for runs the largest company car fleet on the planet. We actually have a choice of suppliers for company cars internally (Leaseplan & Alphabet). I understand Alphabet are part of BMW and since I'm thinking of buying one, I wonder if that could help somewhat...

It seems to have helped with regard to testdrives - I'm having BMWs (2 of, 520d & 320d ED) from Thursday this week to Monday next.

C