New car dilemma: E90 320d efficydynamic or F10 520d msport?
Discussion
Hi all.
Noobie here, please be gentle lol! I would hugely appreciate some opinions on my next car. Thank you in advance.
Currently have an e46 M3 for the last 6 years. Previously had a golf vr6 for 4 years. Somehow always thought I would have a better/more powerful car with each change. However needs must and I am currently driving about 25k miles per year and putting in approx £500 per month in petrol alone is getting crazy. So hence thinking about a good efficient diesel saloon for the next 5 years (have 2 young children now as well).
I have narrowed my choice down to either the E90 320d efficient dynamics model or the F10 520d m sport. Additionally BMW are offering an attractive 5year service inclusive deal for £350.
E90 320d ed (economical choice with the head)
For: Broadspeed price with 1k options comes to £23500 (approx 5k discount from list price). Less expensive - My accountant states I can claim 100% writing down allowance first year if I bought it through my limited company. Low BIK 13%, combined mpg 68.9 allegedly, 109g c02. Cheap to run.
Against: a bit boring maybe. Relatively old looks/technology. Low spec. new 3series will be out next year.
F10 520d msport (vanity choice with the heart)
For: New technology. Great looks. Bigger car. More kit as standard (leather idrive etc). Again Broadspeed price with low options £30000 (approx 3k discount list price). My accountant suggests I would need to fund this privately since its co2 is 129g. Claimed mpg of 57.9.
Against: More expensive to buy and run. Heavier depreciation curve perhaps?
I have driven both and engine wise they are similar. I am not sure I will enjoy driving either of them as much as my previous cars but they will be much cheaper to run. My accountant said that I would be silly not to buy the 320ed since that is using pre-tax income from my company and with the 100% WDA + low BIK would be very cost efficient for me, but the F10 would be much more expensive since I have to pay privately with post-tax income (does that make sense?).
Any thoughts?
Jay
Noobie here, please be gentle lol! I would hugely appreciate some opinions on my next car. Thank you in advance.
Currently have an e46 M3 for the last 6 years. Previously had a golf vr6 for 4 years. Somehow always thought I would have a better/more powerful car with each change. However needs must and I am currently driving about 25k miles per year and putting in approx £500 per month in petrol alone is getting crazy. So hence thinking about a good efficient diesel saloon for the next 5 years (have 2 young children now as well).
I have narrowed my choice down to either the E90 320d efficient dynamics model or the F10 520d m sport. Additionally BMW are offering an attractive 5year service inclusive deal for £350.
E90 320d ed (economical choice with the head)
For: Broadspeed price with 1k options comes to £23500 (approx 5k discount from list price). Less expensive - My accountant states I can claim 100% writing down allowance first year if I bought it through my limited company. Low BIK 13%, combined mpg 68.9 allegedly, 109g c02. Cheap to run.
Against: a bit boring maybe. Relatively old looks/technology. Low spec. new 3series will be out next year.
F10 520d msport (vanity choice with the heart)
For: New technology. Great looks. Bigger car. More kit as standard (leather idrive etc). Again Broadspeed price with low options £30000 (approx 3k discount list price). My accountant suggests I would need to fund this privately since its co2 is 129g. Claimed mpg of 57.9.
Against: More expensive to buy and run. Heavier depreciation curve perhaps?
I have driven both and engine wise they are similar. I am not sure I will enjoy driving either of them as much as my previous cars but they will be much cheaper to run. My accountant said that I would be silly not to buy the 320ed since that is using pre-tax income from my company and with the 100% WDA + low BIK would be very cost efficient for me, but the F10 would be much more expensive since I have to pay privately with post-tax income (does that make sense?).
Any thoughts?
Jay
I faced a similar choice 6 months ago.
I plumped for a 320 efficient dynamics, loaded with extras.
(Note I loaded it with extras, I couldn't cope with a standard one)
Whilst the F10 520 is nice, it's not nice enough to make me want to pay more in tax.
I'm liking the 320ED well enough, it's a fine car.
And this is me coming from an Alpina D3.
I expected to think the 320ED was a slow, wobbly jelly in comparison.
Well it isn't, it goes well and it handles well.
And it's a much better motorway cruiser than the Alpina was.
My only concern is that the F30 3-series isn't that far off.
And I like the sound of the proposed 3-cylinder/150bhp/99gkm diesel.
If that engine is available in any trim, I can see an M-sport version of one those for me next.
I plumped for a 320 efficient dynamics, loaded with extras.
(Note I loaded it with extras, I couldn't cope with a standard one)
Whilst the F10 520 is nice, it's not nice enough to make me want to pay more in tax.
I'm liking the 320ED well enough, it's a fine car.
And this is me coming from an Alpina D3.
I expected to think the 320ED was a slow, wobbly jelly in comparison.
Well it isn't, it goes well and it handles well.
And it's a much better motorway cruiser than the Alpina was.
My only concern is that the F30 3-series isn't that far off.
And I like the sound of the proposed 3-cylinder/150bhp/99gkm diesel.
If that engine is available in any trim, I can see an M-sport version of one those for me next.
This is no dilemma at all - buy the F10 and dont look back. The F10 is an absolutely stunning car, the E90 is coming to the end of its life and it's beginning to show. If you have the opportunity to go for the F10, grab it. The E90 makes sense if you cant afford the F10, but if you can, no comparison.
And before I get jumped on for that - I'm going for an E92, but only because I can't afford the F10 I really want
And before I get jumped on for that - I'm going for an E92, but only because I can't afford the F10 I really want
I agree that if money isn't an issue, go for the F10.
I wanted to pay the least BIK tax I could though (for a given level of spec).
So a fully-loaded 320ED made more sense than an F10.
An F10 would have had me paying more tax now, and increasing every year.
Whereas the 320ED stays at 13% for this year and next, rising to 14% or 15% in 2013.
I wanted to pay the least BIK tax I could though (for a given level of spec).
So a fully-loaded 320ED made more sense than an F10.
An F10 would have had me paying more tax now, and increasing every year.
Whereas the 320ED stays at 13% for this year and next, rising to 14% or 15% in 2013.
Many thanks for the helpful replies!
Marcus - what's the real life mpg like on the ed?
I am leaning towards the f10 now but it is a tough choice since the 320ed is in many ways currently is the perfect company car car. My only reservation with the 320ed is that there will be a new f30 next year whereas the f10 is at the beginning of it's life cycle and will be the current shape for the next 6 years.
Money is not the biggest factor but I quite like the thought of paying less initially and then the good tax incentives with the ed.
Bolide - there are not many used f10 on the market and of those that are they are similarly priced to brand new ones.
Marcus - what's the real life mpg like on the ed?
I am leaning towards the f10 now but it is a tough choice since the 320ed is in many ways currently is the perfect company car car. My only reservation with the 320ed is that there will be a new f30 next year whereas the f10 is at the beginning of it's life cycle and will be the current shape for the next 6 years.
Money is not the biggest factor but I quite like the thought of paying less initially and then the good tax incentives with the ed.
Bolide - there are not many used f10 on the market and of those that are they are similarly priced to brand new ones.
jsk said:
Marcus - what's the real life mpg like on the ed?
I'm getting 48mpg, driving it hard.I don't make any attempt to stick to the economy-driving recommendation, like the OBC change-up prompt.
Although the car is able to pull high gears at ludicrously low revs, I'm not prepared to.
But I didn't buy the car for economy.
I bought it for the low BIK tax.
Magnus Barelegs said:
But I didn't buy the car for economy.
I bought it for the low BIK tax.
Me too, and very impressed I am, especially with the ride/handling setup compared to my Dad's 330i Sport (on runflats). It's a great all rounder. Mine's averaging 47 in very urban use and has averaged mid-60s on a decent run. You can spec it to the hilt and because of the low CO2 it doesn't have a huge impact on the BIK.I bought it for the low BIK tax.
RicksAlfas said:
You can spec it to the hilt and because of the low CO2 it doesn't have a huge impact on the BIK.
Precisely.What spec did you go for?
I've got (deep breath)
Leather
Sports seats
Heated seats
Professional satnav
Upgraded speakers (business, I think)
Adaptive headlights
USB music interface
Sports steering wheel
Cruise Control
Auto wipers
I think that's about it.
But even with all that equipment, the BIK is still less than a standard F10 520D SE.
And it remains more constant, where the F10 BIK rises every year.
My only 'gripe' is that it really doesn't look much on the outside.
I went for white, and it really looks like a base-spec 3-series, sadly.
Edited by Magnus Barelegs on Tuesday 26th April 14:34
I would go F10, that is a nice comfy cruiser and a really, really nice place to spend some time.
Get a 520d Auto with Nav, business speakers and the iphone/smartphone integration and you will be away.
Some nearly new ones at around £26k after haggling with decent spec.
I think you would get bored of the 320d ed, nice enough car, but manual diesels just aren't my thing at all and they start to annoy me after the new car thing has worn off.
And in 2 years when the new 3 series is on the used market the 320d will be the one that has lost loads.
Get a 520d Auto with Nav, business speakers and the iphone/smartphone integration and you will be away.
Some nearly new ones at around £26k after haggling with decent spec.
I think you would get bored of the 320d ed, nice enough car, but manual diesels just aren't my thing at all and they start to annoy me after the new car thing has worn off.
And in 2 years when the new 3 series is on the used market the 320d will be the one that has lost loads.
Magnus Barelegs said:
Precisely.
What spec did you go for?
I've got (deep breath)
Leather
Sports seats
Heated seats
Professional satnav
Upgraded speakers (business, I think)
Adaptive headlights
USB music interface
Sports steering wheel
Cruise Control
Auto wipers
I think that's about it.
But even with all that equipment, the BIK is still less than a standard F10 520D SE.
And it remains more constant, where the F10 BIK rises every year.
My only 'gripe' is that it really doesn't look much on the outside.
I went for white, and it really looks like a base-spec 3-series, sadly.
Wow, that's quite a list. I've got...What spec did you go for?
I've got (deep breath)
Leather
Sports seats
Heated seats
Professional satnav
Upgraded speakers (business, I think)
Adaptive headlights
USB music interface
Sports steering wheel
Cruise Control
Auto wipers
I think that's about it.
But even with all that equipment, the BIK is still less than a standard F10 520D SE.
And it remains more constant, where the F10 BIK rises every year.
My only 'gripe' is that it really doesn't look much on the outside.
I went for white, and it really looks like a base-spec 3-series, sadly.
Metallic black with poo coloured leather
Gloss black trim
Sports wheel
USB
Prof nav
Sunroof
Servotronic steering
Heated seats
I wish I'd gone for the sports seats, fold down rear seats and cruise control but overall I'm very pleased with it.
I've even got an iPhone app to un/lock the doors and tell me where I've parked it in amongst all the other 320EDs...
Thanks again for the useful input.
Well I went to the dealer this morning and luckily they had both cars in the showroom in Alpine White. In terms of looks and interior the 5 series wins no question. The ED wins though financially, but to me it just looked looked a little plain and dated (maybe I have just seen too many 3 series on the road now). Thinking that this is going to be a keeper for 5 years plus, I've ordered the F10 520d M Sport with very light options of just M sport spoiler, external folding mirrors, loudspeaker system. Managed 10% discount with the dealer (played them against broadspeed) and will expect delivery end of June. I shall be running it through my company and although I know it will be more expensive with BIK at 18%, I just felt the F10 to be the better car for me.
p.s. Magnus - many apologies for calling you Marcus!
Well I went to the dealer this morning and luckily they had both cars in the showroom in Alpine White. In terms of looks and interior the 5 series wins no question. The ED wins though financially, but to me it just looked looked a little plain and dated (maybe I have just seen too many 3 series on the road now). Thinking that this is going to be a keeper for 5 years plus, I've ordered the F10 520d M Sport with very light options of just M sport spoiler, external folding mirrors, loudspeaker system. Managed 10% discount with the dealer (played them against broadspeed) and will expect delivery end of June. I shall be running it through my company and although I know it will be more expensive with BIK at 18%, I just felt the F10 to be the better car for me.
p.s. Magnus - many apologies for calling you Marcus!
Interestingly I also discussed with the dealer whether to wait for the new F30 3 series but he indicated that it would be well into 2012 before that arrived. Also that the lauch models invariably would be SE models and the new efficient dynamic or 3 cylinder diesel would be much later and likely not to be discounted as yet.
jsk said:
Interestingly I also discussed with the dealer whether to wait for the new F30 3 series but he indicated that it would be well into 2012 before that arrived. Also that the lauch models invariably would be SE models and the new efficient dynamic or 3 cylinder diesel would be much later and likely not to be discounted as yet.
Thanks for the info on that.My 320ED will be due for replacement around September 2013, so that may be good timing for an F30 M-sport with the 3 cylinder diesel.
BTW @ Jsk.
I would urge you to conside the adaptive headlight pack, if the F10 doesn't have those already.
The single best option I went for, they're (literally) brilliant!
Worth it for the LEDs that shine down from the door handles when you unlock it at night alone.
I didn't even know the pack came with that, but it's really, really cool.
Makes going to the car look like you're entering a posh restaurant.
Edited by Magnus Barelegs on Tuesday 26th April 17:10
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