Commercial SUV vs Diesel Saloon

marko_eire

Jesus my head is fried reading this thread i only came on to check what implications buying a commercial jeep (x5) and using it for domestic use would have and i'm still as confused as when i first logged on. My situation is this i have a guzzler (320i) at the moment and i'm looking to get a diesel preferably something with comfort and power and i'm looking at an X5 commercial. My question is this can one buy a commecial jeep and use it privately without having to worry about getting stopped or having to provide tax certs etc as i'm not self employed.I'm not bothered by not having back seats as i've no kids. I just want to pay less road tax and get a vehicle that looks nice and has a bit of power like everyone!

I have spoken with axa who will ensure me on commercial vehicle but i heard that there is some riduculous legislation that you cannot drive a commercial within certain hours and the Garda can take the jeep off you . I'm sure the answer is somewhere in this thread but haven't got the patience for searching through every post! Any advice is appreciated

Thanks!


<modnote: Posts moved from Commercial Motor Tax thread so that we can explore Marko_eire's options without taking the thread off-topic>

-Chris-

marko_eire wrote: »

Any advice is appreciated

Thanks!

My only advice is not to buy the X5. If you're switching away from the 320i for running cost reasons, then an X5 (or competitor) is not the solution imho.

PaddyBloggit

marko_eire wrote: »

I'm sure the answer is somewhere in this thread but haven't got the patience for searching through every post! Any advice is appreciated

All answers in the thread .... best advice is to start reading.

The whole thing has been discussed to death.

marko_eire

PaddyBloggit wrote: »

All answers in the thread .... best advice is to start reading.

The whole thing has been discussed to death.

That's my point there seems to be so many conflicting opionions that just confuse me. not to worry i'll continue to look

marko_eire

-Chris- wrote: »

My only advice is not to buy the X5. If you're switching away from the 320i for running cost reasons, then an X5 (or competitor) is not the solution imho.

What would you suggest chris do you think it's worth considering the commercial option or should i continue to look at a 2.0D equivelant? i do mainly motorway miles and i've again heard that the X5 can do between 25-33 mpg and the 520D 35mpg. i've driven a couple of mitsubihi's / toyota's and even a suzuki but none compare to my current car hence the reason for sticking with the BMW.

Thanks for the reply

PaddyBloggit

Have you a use for a commercial?

If you don't ... stick with a car. It ain't worth the hassle.

marko_eire

Not really to be honest more the fact that it's a 4X4 which would have come in handy with this weather !! the reason i was looking at the X5 was that the road tax on commercial was something like 288 as opposed to 1200(+/-) but i'm now aware of the need to DOE it every year so there are definately pro's and con's which i needed clarification on. So you would recommend sticking with a car of same engine size.. what do you think of the 520D? tax is around the 600 mark but if i can justify some savings on diesel then i would consider it. sorry if i'm off topic slightly !

so my options are.. X5 commercial cheap tax but a bit heavy on the juice tax vs fuel consumption may still save me some monies. But will have to DOE every year & still not sure on rules for using a commercial.

Vs

520D better fuel consumption to what i currently have but no savings on yearly tax rate. still a bit 50/50 would you agree?? again apologies if i'm asking Q's not specifically related to this thread topic.. i now see how easy it is for these Q's to manifest.

thanks.

-Chris-

marko_eire wrote: »

What would you suggest chris do you think it's worth considering the commercial option or should i continue to look at a 2.0D equivelant? i do mainly motorway miles and i've again heard that the X5 can do between 25-33 mpg and the 520D 35mpg. i've driven a couple of mitsubihi's / toyota's and even a suzuki but none compare to my current car hence the reason for sticking with the BMW.

Thanks for the reply

What Mpg do you get from the 320i?

marko_eire

about 26-28 :eek: especially when i'm around the city it's drinks the juice if i just do motorway miles then i can get about 320 miles out of 80euro. i have it 3 years now and only moved to the coutry in the past year so really noticing the consumption. i put 80euro a week easy into it sometimes 100 depending on where i have to drive. the more i'm typing the more the 520D seems to be the best option

marko_eire

Apologies for going off topic thanks Chris / paddy

bazz26

If you are only buying a SUV because it has 4wd but don't have any other use for a SUV then why not look at the Subaru Legacy diesel? It has 4wd but is a conventional saloon or estate. They are available since 2008 so motor tax on the diesel is only €302 per year.

thenashlegend

I'd be inclined to go with the likes of a Passat,A4, 320D perhaps?...yes I know everyone will say there are too many of those cars on the road.:o
But from my experience an A4 TDi will give much better MPG than any of the options mentioned above!
I filled my A4 today from the red to full for €70 but I'll get near 700 miles to that ....yes it might be a common car but to choose a petrol guzzler is only cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Best of luck in the car hunt!:)

bladespin

Can't imagine an X5 would cost less than the 520, the tax would be more unless you were only going to use it for commercial purposes, personal use would mean it would have to be taxed privately. They're seriously heavy on juice too and aren't really practical, a touring would have as much if not more space inside IMO.

That said I've always liked them and if I was you I'd buy one (even just for the year) purely to see.

J77

marko_eire wrote: »

What would you suggest chris do you think it's worth considering the commercial option or should i continue to look at a 2.0D equivelant? i do mainly motorway miles and i've again heard that the X5 can do between 25-33 mpg and the 520D 35mpg. i've driven a couple of mitsubihi's / toyota's and even a suzuki but none compare to my current car hence the reason for sticking with the BMW.

Thanks for the reply

Surely better than 35mpg from a 520d?

CoDy1

From what I understand, if you are going to be using it privately you will need to tax it privately.

So if you are stopped outside business hours and you have the X5 taxed commercially, you can be done for not displaying proper tax.

-Chris-

As above, you'll have to pay the private tax on the X5 if you're using it as a family car.

If you're worried about general drive-ability in the snowy conditions, you should look at a front wheel drive car rather than the rear wheel drive Beemers. RWD is less suited for snowy/icy conditions.
If you're worried about proper drive-ability in the snow, definitely go for a 4-wheel drive, but maybe throw your net a bit wider than the X5.

You'll definitely get 40mpg+ from a 520D, 320D or any of their competitors.
If you're seriously considering the X5, check out the other running costs - you could find yourself replacing the tyres once a year at €1,200 a go (actual X5 owners will hopefully confirm or deny this bit). That on top of the lower fuel economy, higher motor tax, lack of rear seats all add up to a lot of expense for a less practical car, albeit one that's more competent in slippery conditions.

marko_eire

-Chris- wrote: »

As above, you'll have to pay the private tax on the X5 if you're using it as a family car.

If you're worried about general drive-ability in the snowy conditions, you should look at a front wheel drive car rather than the rear wheel drive Beemers. RWD is less suited for snowy/icy conditions.
If you're worried about proper drive-ability in the snow, definitely go for a 4-wheel drive, but maybe throw your net a bit wider than the X5.

You'll definitely get 40mpg+ from a 520D, 320D or any of their competitors.
If you're seriously considering the X5, check out the other running costs - you could find yourself replacing the tyres once a year at €1,200 a go (actual X5 owners will hopefully confirm or deny this bit). That on top of the lower fuel economy, higher motor tax, lack of rear seats all add up to a lot of expense for a less practical car, albeit one that's more competent in slippery conditions.

And that just about sums it all up Chris !! i think the X5 is now a non runner with all that in mind. I'm now considering the A4 2.0tdi but will be waiting until feb/mar of next year just want to see how the market reacts after christmas. woul you believe a friend has said his garage has an 03 with a bit of milage 120K for 9k ! a couple of weeks ago i would have creamed myself and just jumped at the offer but if it's too good and all that..... with all expenses considered including the whopping tax of a SUV i won't be considering it anymore although they are lovely to look at

to all who gave advice many thanks !! cheers Mark