Which is the best company car to go for?

cpja

Hi, long time lucker here. I would like to tap your expert opinions on what car I should go for.

Basically I'm up for a company car. It must be a bmw, audi, vw or merc. I was told I would be eligble for a6 or 5-series (lower spec and based on co2 emissions). My priortised criteria are performance, spec, prestige, praticality.

I'm leaning to an a6 but my head is saying the 3 series based on some surfing and looking at aggregators like carbuzz. I'm not so sure about the suv types. I think I should steer clear of them.

At a personal level I'm in a relation but no kids.

Thoughts very welcome?

colm_mcm

The bm should be the best drive, the merc the most comfy and the Audi best equipped.

Drive them all and see which one you like the best

R.O.R

Is BIK a big issue for you or are you doing big enough mileage?

Guy:Incognito

Drive them all and see what one you prefer. Your not paying for it so reliability, depreciation etc are not really your concern.

What model of 3 series are you considering? Dunno would I fancy one over an A6 or a 5 series really.

cpja

Yeah bik should not be an issue. Doing the test drives might be a problem as I'm working a lot for the next while and I have to pick before Mar 1st so I think I will be picking off paper and based on opinions and reviews.

As for the version of the 3 series. It would be the latest 2012 version. Oh and it needs to be a diesel. Prob a 320.

R.O.R

New 320d is very nice to drive, very similar to the 5. If a 5 is on offer you should be able to get a 320d luxury which looks pretty decent.

mickdw

The E class if in budget seems to have a far improved basic spec & appearance for 2012.

R.O.R

mickdw wrote: »

The E class if in budget seems to have a far improved basic spec & appearance for 2012.

From the first post, I didn't get the impression its the op's last car before retirement, so that pretty much rules the Merc out.

mickdw

Im 33 and if I could get a sport or avantgarde spec(yes outside budget here), I would have it above an A6 or any equivalent engined 5 series.
The 5 series is now a clumsy looking thing imo. The rear in particular.

cpja

I'm early 30's too. I would have thought the E class is our of range. I will check up a little more. I think I just barely make the band for the a6 and 5 series. I wonder if a higher spec'ed 3 series or a4 would be a better option

mickdw

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201146205595752

E class coupe even?

cpja

Not a chance I'd say.

They have some strange rules. No coupe's and only certain colours. But you can use the excess to add extra's.

ninty9er

Does it have to be a Passat if it's a VW?

The Jetta Highline 2l DSG is approx €32k on the road. That leaves huge room or the options list for spec based on how much a lease on an E-Class would cost and it's a pretty decent car by all accounts.

-Corkie-

mickdw wrote: »

Im 33 and if I could get a sport or avantgarde spec(yes outside budget here), I would have it above an A6 or any equivalent engined 5 series.
The 5 series is now a clumsy looking thing imo. The rear in particular.

Im the same age as you and I think the E class is a grandads car. I cannot warm to them for some reason.

cpja

Thanks for the replies. I've been doing thinking/surfing and its prob the a6 vs the 5 series. Any opinions? I'm leaning to the a6.

Berty

I personally don't like the A6 and I think even the entry level spec of the 5 series BMW is good.

I haven't seen the new 3 series in person but the price is insane as well as the spec.

I would try to go for either:

Audi A4 170bhp S-Line
BMW 320d Luxury (I would have said the M-Sport but it no longer exists - I think)

I think the new A6 is odd looking and just appears too big on the road. A guy near me has the new 2012 in white but its entry level and just looks silly as all the great aspects of the new shape A6 from the brochure are ripped off the car to make it cheaper to buy and tax.

unkel

cpja wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I've been doing thinking/surfing and its prob the a6 vs the 5 series. Any opinions? I'm leaning to the a6.

The BMW is probably the best allrounder this side of €50k, is a far better drivers car than the A6, but this is not important to most people

Why don't you take both for a test drive, as others said, and decide which you'd prefer? And if I were you, I'd test drive the E-class too. Easily beats the others if comfort is your highest priority

Gerard93

cpja wrote: »

I'm leaning to the a6.

I would be too!