What would you choose

JLR1969 · 09-07-2010, 08:07 AM

I have a choice of a new company car that I will only drive for business, will use the Merc for private driving to avoid paying BIK tax.

Will cover only 20k a year.

The 3 series can be either SE or M-Sport.

davyk31 · 09-07-2010, 08:15 AM

Are you allowed any options, so would it be a poverty spec 5 series compared to a well specced 3 Series.

If its only for work purposes ask them to buy a cheaper car and give you more in salary !

To answer your initial question, possibly the 5 as its the newest model.

Em135eye · 09-07-2010, 08:26 AM

Bin the A4 idea - slow and grotty to drive.

I'd 3 series it - reckon the 20d struggles a bit in a heavier 5 series.

davyk31 · 09-07-2010, 08:39 AM

Agree the 5 is probably a bit under powered but he has a nice powerful toy for the weekend to give him his thrills.

creepy coupe · 09-07-2010, 09:04 AM

Does the 320d Business edition have nav?

JLR1969 · 09-07-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyk31

Are you allowed any options, so would it be a poverty spec 5 series compared to a well specced 3 Series.

If its only for work purposes ask them to buy a cheaper car and give you more in salary !

To answer your initial question, possibly the 5 as its the newest model.

I could add extras but dont want to spend any money on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Does the 320d Business edition have nav?

Its has business nav so I think its not as good as the pro-nav

JLR1969 · 09-07-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335diesel

Bin the A4 idea - slow and grotty to drive.

I'd 3 series it - reckon the 20d struggles a bit in a heavier 5 series.

The SE is standard but I could pay a bit extra for the M-Sport. Trouble is it will be all show and no go

willhollin · 09-07-2010, 09:33 AM

Get the 520d.

creepy coupe · 09-07-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLR1969

I could add extras but dont want to spend any money on it.

Its has business nav so I think its not as good as the pro-nav

Still not bad though and if it's just a business tool defo worth having IMO the business nav in our company 520 touring is an added bonus and got me round Europe very nicely.

peterg1965 · 09-07-2010, 09:38 AM

F10 520d - newer model, highly regarded.

creepy coupe · 09-07-2010, 09:40 AM

I can't find a 520d SE in the new 5 series range, starts at 523d

Found it

Em135eye · 09-07-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLR1969

The SE is standard but I could pay a bit extra for the M-Sport. Trouble is it will be all show and no go

Correct

kaishang · 09-07-2010, 09:49 AM

The 5-series is about 150kg heavier, or about 3 of your standard issue concubines plus their handbags inside if you are driving a 3-series. However the 5-er does have an 8-speed transmission if you get the auto which is significantly better than the 6-speed auto in the 3-er.

Overall, if you are getting the manual I'd go for the 320d SE or the 520 if you are getting an auto. Can't comment on Audis.

I'd never get an M-sport if I was cost limited, there are other far more useful uses for the cash, like leather seats or a sunroof.

xenon · 09-07-2010, 10:06 AM

The 520d has over 180bhp so whilst it won't be a rocket-ship it will be perfectly adequate as a mile muncher and the 8-speed box is pretty good. I remember when the nanny state was getting in a flap about the "insane" RS Cosworth which had a huge 16bhp more. Lighter, I grant you, but the 520d is a nice drive.

Don't get 335d started on about all show and no go again, ffs.

creepy coupe · 09-07-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

Don't get 335d started on about all show and no go again, ffs.

Heavens no, I mean it's not like he's a show off or anything

vikzE92 · 09-07-2010, 10:58 AM

go for the 5 series thats what I am opting for when the company car comes along

jjbirch · 09-07-2010, 11:02 AM

could allways map it,as other people have said it has the new 2.0d engine with 180bhp you get get upto 230bhp easy with a map

Em135eye · 09-07-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Heavens no, I mean it's not like he's a show off or anything

Ah yes but am I all show and no go?

Ermmm - maybe I shouldn't ask that one here...

creepy coupe · 09-07-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335diesel

Ah yes but am I all show and no go?

Ermmm - maybe I shouldn't ask that one here...

JLR1969 · 09-07-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Heavens no, I mean it's not like he's a show off or anything

Yacht are you on about

creepy coupe · 09-07-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLR1969

Yacht are you on about

Very good

Em135eye · 09-07-2010, 11:17 AM

Yes I know you were referring to that pic but what has all show but no go got to do with that photo?

As well as being mega buff, I'm also well 'ard, won a triathlon last year, am a ninja, a near pro surfer, a great runner, can do millions of press ups/pull ups/gymnastics, etc so have loads of go and never ever ever try and show off...

I'm crap at driving boat though - soon after that pic was taken I got a wee bit close to an oncoming motor yacht... It's not my yacht - it's the inlaws. I have zero credit involved in it's purchase.

View Poll Results: Which car should I choose
BMW 320D SE Business Edition	10	30.30%
BMW 520D SE	20	60.61%
Audi A4 S-Line 2.0d (143)	3	9.09%
Voters: 33. You may not vote on this poll

09-07-2010, 08:07 AM	#1
JLR1969 Major General 1882 Rep 7,000 Posts Drives: Kubota GR1600 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England iTrader: (1)	What would you choose I have a choice of a new company car that I will only drive for business, will use the Merc for private driving to avoid paying BIK tax. Will cover only 20k a year. The 3 series can be either SE or M-Sport.
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09-07-2010, 08:15 AM	#2
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	Are you allowed any options, so would it be a poverty spec 5 series compared to a well specced 3 Series. If its only for work purposes ask them to buy a cheaper car and give you more in salary ! To answer your initial question, possibly the 5 as its the newest model.
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09-07-2010, 08:26 AM	#3
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	Bin the A4 idea - slow and grotty to drive. I'd 3 series it - reckon the 20d struggles a bit in a heavier 5 series.
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09-07-2010, 08:39 AM	#4
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	Agree the 5 is probably a bit under powered but he has a nice powerful toy for the weekend to give him his thrills.
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09-07-2010, 09:04 AM	#5
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Does the 320d Business edition have nav?
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09-07-2010, 09:33 AM	#8
willhollin Major General 268 Rep 9,915 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Get the 520d. __________________
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09-07-2010, 09:38 AM	#10
peterg1965 Brigadier General 164 Rep 4,190 Posts Drives: F30 335d M Sport, F15 X5 40d Join Date: May 2007 Location: The place of dark satanic mills, UK iTrader: (0)	F10 520d - newer model, highly regarded.
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09-07-2010, 09:40 AM	#11
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	I can't find a 520d SE in the new 5 series range, starts at 523d Found it Last edited by creepy coupe; 09-07-2010 at 09:55 AM..
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09-07-2010, 09:49 AM	#13
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	The 5-series is about 150kg heavier, or about 3 of your standard issue concubines plus their handbags inside if you are driving a 3-series. However the 5-er does have an 8-speed transmission if you get the auto which is significantly better than the 6-speed auto in the 3-er. Overall, if you are getting the manual I'd go for the 320d SE or the 520 if you are getting an auto. Can't comment on Audis. I'd never get an M-sport if I was cost limited, there are other far more useful uses for the cash, like leather seats or a sunroof.
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09-07-2010, 10:06 AM	#14
xenon Major General 1397 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry iTrader: (0)	The 520d has over 180bhp so whilst it won't be a rocket-ship it will be perfectly adequate as a mile muncher and the 8-speed box is pretty good. I remember when the nanny state was getting in a flap about the "insane" RS Cosworth which had a huge 16bhp more. Lighter, I grant you, but the 520d is a nice drive. Don't get 335d started on about all show and no go again, ffs. __________________ Ian Current: 2021 G21 330i M-Sport Previous: 2018 A6 Avant S-Line MMI+, 2014 F31 320d M-Sport, 2013 F10 520d M-Sport, 2011 F10 530d M-Sport, 2008 320i M-Sport Coupe, 2002 325i, 2001 318i valvetronic, 1998 318i, 1996 525i, 1990 Porsche 944S2
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09-07-2010, 10:58 AM	#16
vikzE92 First Lieutenant 17 Rep 361 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Carbon Black Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bedfordshire iTrader: (0)	go for the 5 series thats what I am opting for when the company car comes along
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09-07-2010, 11:02 AM	#17
jjbirch Banned 75 Rep 2,927 Posts Drives: E60 530D M SPORT Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: england iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 320d m sport [0.00]	could allways map it,as other people have said it has the new 2.0d engine with 180bhp you get get upto 230bhp easy with a map
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09-07-2010, 11:17 AM	#22
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	Yes I know you were referring to that pic but what has all show but no go got to do with that photo? As well as being mega buff, I'm also well 'ard, won a triathlon last year, am a ninja, a near pro surfer, a great runner, can do millions of press ups/pull ups/gymnastics, etc so have loads of go and never ever ever try and show off... I'm crap at driving boat though - soon after that pic was taken I got a wee bit close to an oncoming motor yacht... It's not my yacht - it's the inlaws. I have zero credit involved in it's purchase.
	Appreciate 0 Quote