As some of you know I'm now driving an Elise 111s, which I love and will continue to be my daily driver, however my new employer is generously offering me a company car as well, which will be mostly for my wife.
The only two on the offer list which have appeal are:
1 - My01 Imp turbo
2 - BMW 328Ci
Now, as an STI ex-owner my heart says Impreza, however the BMW 328Ci does look fantastic, is appointed like a dream (costs a lot more too), and is not too slow apparently. The wife of course wants the BMW, but I just don't know; the brain says BM, the heart Sub. ANyone here has driven the latest 328Ci? Apart from looking beautifully luxurious and stylish inside and out, does it actually go? Local mags have it at 0-60 in 6.8 and 155 top speed. How is it in real world driving? How much does it give to the Subie?

Thanks for the advice,

wall

 

No question - get the beemer!!
MY01 looks crap - sad to say
or get the Mazda 626 MPR wowie!!
If its for a woman then its Beemer - women drive Beemers.Men drive the real muscle cars
Pete

 

That's poo man!
Scooby eats 328ci and digests the driver!

Stef.

 

As from this year the tax payable on company cars (ie out of YOUR pocket) is based on more than just the value of the car & mileage.
Have a look at the emissions tables released by the IR before you dive in, they're both nice motors, but this is a long term T*X (excuse the swear word).
It's up to you!!!

 

Fair point Stef, but, with due respect to Wall's wife - I don't think she drives like you (Correct me if I'm wrong Wall ).

Guy at work has just picked up a 323 Ci. Now I know that my car leaves him standing and he's nowhere near on the twisty stuff, but the BMW is an impressive car. The build quality is outstanding (not a Scooby strong point). It's amazingly quiet, rides the bumps well (even on 18 inch wheels with very low profile tyres) and has a stonking sound system.

Can't help feeling that the BMW would be the better bet to have as the less extreme 'practical' car. I know that they have an image problem in the UK, but it is still a quality motor.

Chris

 

Well, just decided on the BMW actually, the 323Ci to be precise so that the wife can have more toys (top stereo, sunroof, leather, etc.) as she will be driving it 90% of the time (don't care about the fact that she is only really supposed to be the second driver, nobody gets me out of my 111s to drive that luxo-barge ).
I'm in Italy where BMs actually have a great image, and no, the wife does not drive like Stef from what I hear about him on the bbs
And I hope she doesn't ever try to either, she's scary enough doing the shopping runs (darling, in case you are reading this it's only a joke ....).

wall