Chris L

This is all a bit 'what if' at the moment, but I might be changing jobs soon and I'm seriously thinking of going back to a company car. I've been using the Scoob for commuting for the last few years and it has been great, but I'm racking up too many miles. In theory I should be able to keep the Scoob and go for a 'sensible' co. car

I've looked around and I keep coming back to the BMW 3 series - very predictable I know, but it does seem to make the most sense. I was looking at a 320 D Coupe Sport. In my ideal spec, it came out at 33K . Now I wouldn't pay this if it was my money, but based on what it would cost me in tax, it looks a bargin! I've been working out my tax on the basis of a worse case scenario (i.e. 40% tax payer, no contributions for fuel and no one off capital contribution).

Question is - anyone got one? What alternatives should I look at (I've done the obvious Audi, Alfa etc). I guess it has to be diesel to keep the monthly costs sensible, but I'm open to ideas.

Cheers
Chris

mikeesingh

iTrader: (3)

im looking to get a diesel as a second car in a few months
having looked and driven a few i cant find one better than the 320d yet
im hoping to get a touring one

mikee

Boarder1

My g/f has one on order as a company car, and we took quite a few for a test drive before making the decision.

They are nice and quiet,very good MPG, very smooth (better than the merc equivelant) and at only 15% company car tax, a real bargain.

Get one!!

workshy_fopp

What kind of spec gets it to 33K? - you could have a 330d with toys for less than that. I can get a new Audi S4 for that much.

Chris L

All the toys basically. Go through the BMW site and use the configurator. Do a decent colour, with the good quality leather interior, electric / heated seats, sat nav, HK sound system, xenon headlights etc etc and it soon adds up. 330d starts at around 29K, so that adds up even faster

S4 is a great car, but being petrol, it makes it expensive for tax.

Chris

sti-04!!

a friend uses the 330d as his day to day car (R34 GTR as his weekend) an he finds it easy to live with !
was thinking going the same route myself, & will be going looking this week but as yourself it will be the 320d, i will let you know.

sti-04!!

Glenn_R

I looked at one last year before opting out of the co car scheme. Of the choice of cars it was the best I drove and the sensible choice when u consider tax. Would also consider the new Audi 2.0FSi as the tax was even lower than the BM - and it's got 150bhp and no smelly fingers when u go to the pumps

MattOz

Chris,

320d Sport coupe would be great. Have not driven one, but have heard good things about them. I've still got the BM diesel bug, and am back in a 330d Sport! This time, I specced it up myself and I could have had an boggo M3 for the same price! Still, the 330d suits my needs better. The tax element seems pretty good too.



Matt

Chris L

Thanks guys. I'm still open to ideas Matt are you going M5 chasing at The Ring again?

Any ideas when the 330D Coupe comes out (saw one a couple of weeks ago in Monanco at the Rally)?

Chris

zax

A friend here in Finland has had one since January, didn't know they weren't around in the UK yet. He replaced a 330d wagon - lost some luggage space and two doors but gained an extra gear ratio and some horsepower

Excellent car. I'd have one tomorrow if I had the cash...

MattOz

The 330d Coupe will be available in the UK from March/April time. Likely to be similar in price to the saloon models. The Sport models have different spring rates to the Sport saloons and tourings. It's meant to be a fantastic car. You could always wait for one Chris!

Matt

P.S M5 chasing will commence on April 10th! LOL Are you coming over?

Chris L

Very tempting Matt - I think I'll need to sort out the job and a few other things first though...

March / April availability sounds interesting, although I suspect there will be a waiting list.

Thanks guys

Chris

5 Type R

I have an A4 Avant TDI Sport (130) as my daily drive and its a top drive.
Then have the tuned Type R to play at weekends.

paulr

My brother in law has a 320d tourer as a company car.77,000 miles and only a switch gone wrong.
Great mpg,he loves it.

Phil M

The sport coupe/convertables do not have different spring rates from the saloon/touring but they all ave different spring rates to the non sport se models.

The 330d sport coupe will be a fiver more than a 330 sport coupe, as the 330d saloon is a fiver more than the 330 petrol.

320d is great car though, saw one in at my local dealers a few months a go in silver, looked really well. and are quite quick, 150bho and lots of torque, would cip to 180.190 easily