Help choose new car 320D M Sport/ A4 S Line / C220D Sport?

golfpaul

So it's time to change car again and I'm finding it hard to decide between the 3. It is a company car and I currently have an A4 black edition which I am pretty happy with. I know the BMW is due a slight face lift in the coming months but I think this is only LED lights. I think it looks great in the Estoril blue colour. The new model A4 is due the end of this year which I am willing to hold out for but I have no information on. The Merc is a new model and I quite like the look of it. I will be holding onto the car for 4 years which is why I want the newest model. Your thoughts?

mickdw

As the line up stands right now, the merc is a no brainer for me if your budget allows proper spec. They really look fantastic with correct spec. I dont think the facelift bmw will do much in terms of appearance while I dont think the next A4 goes far enough in terms of design.
Id go for the merc and its the first C Class Ive ever liked.

bazz26

The 3 Series gets the new B47 engine also, not just a cosmetic facelift.

What about the new Jaguar XE? Would stand out in the company car park full of standard German metal.

Tea 1000

The 3 has a host of upgrades, the exterior is the least changed in the upcoming facelift. It'll be a good car.
Personally, I'd always discount the A4, they're dull to drive and I can't see why anyone would have a car worth that much money with FWD. I'd go for the C220 CDI. If you can get a nice blue colour and a bright interior with some extras they're really a hard car to beat.
Alternatively, like Bazz said, the Jag XE is definitely worth a good look. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, you could hold out for the Alfa Giulia.

golfpaul

Tea 1000 wrote: »

The 3 has a host of upgrades, the exterior is the least changed in the upcoming facelift. It'll be a good car.
Personally, I'd always discount the A4, they're dull to drive and I can't see why anyone would have a car worth that much money with FWD. I'd go for the C220 CDI. If you can get a nice blue colour and a bright interior with some extras they're really a hard car to beat.
Alternatively, like Bazz said, the Jag XE is definitely worth a good look. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, you could hold out for the Alfa Giulia.

Where did you get the info on the upgrades? The sales guy told me it was only cosmetic and I wouldn't really notice it on MSport version.
I'm going to try test drive the C Class and Jag this weekend.
I didn't know Alfa were to launch the 159 replacement, looks interesting.

bazz26

golfpaul wrote: »

Where did you get the info on the upgrades? The sales guy told me it was only cosmetic and I wouldn't really notice it on MSport version.
I'm going to try test drive the C Class and Jag this weekend.
I didn't know Alfa were to launch the 159 replacement, looks interesting.

Sales people in most cases will tell you what you want to hear, probably trying to shift current stock. The 3 Series is getting the new B47 engines that the other models started getting since the start of this year. Also worth noting that all BMWs including the 3 Series will be getting factory Sat Nav as standard later this year too.

Tea 1000

golfpaul wrote: »

Where did you get the info on the upgrades? The sales guy told me it was only cosmetic and I wouldn't really notice it on MSport version.
I'm going to try test drive the C Class and Jag this weekend.
I didn't know Alfa were to launch the 159 replacement, looks interesting.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2015-bmw-3-series-facelift-revealed-exclusive-studio-pictures

Stallingrad

Another left field suggestion, New Discovery Sport? Much more interesting than that humdrum list!

Tea 1000

Stallingrad wrote: »

Another left field suggestion, New Discovery Sport? Much more interesting than that humdrum list!

I wouldn't consider a Chelsea tractor less humdrum than an Alfa Guilia!

golfpaul

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I wouldn't consider a Chelsea tractor less humdrum than an Alfa Guilia!

Neither are on the list I have to pick from.
I drove the BMW and was very impressed with the drive but I can't figure out if I'm a huge fan of the exterior tbh.
I tried to test drive the Merc but the only 220 was in Dublin and I couldn't travel that far. It looks great from the outside but that screen on the dash looks out of place and ruins the interior for me. Also the engine hasn't been changed for years and really let's the car down with both power and emissions.
I'm going to try and wait a few months to see if Audi release any photos of the new A4 as I'm really impressed with the interior of the new TT which I'm told will be similar on the A4 with the digital screens.
If possible I would take the exterior of the Merc, engine and drive of the BMW and interior of the Audi.

mickdw

golfpaul wrote: »

Neither are on the list I have to pick from.
I drove the BMW and was very impressed with the drive but I can't figure out if I'm a huge fan of the exterior tbh.
I tried to test drive the Merc but the only 220 was in Dublin and I couldn't travel that far. It looks great from the outside but that screen on the dash looks out of place and ruins the interior for me. Also the engine hasn't been changed for years and really let's the car down with both power and emissions.
I'm going to try and wait a few months to see if Audi release any photos of the new A4 as I'm really impressed with the interior of the new TT which I'm told will be similar on the A4 with the digital screens.
If possible I would take the exterior of the Merc, engine and drive of the BMW and interior of the Audi.

I agree re the merc screen. I don't know what there were thinking.
One thing I would add, the larger audis have the pop up screen and while I thought it would be quite cool, one day with it annoyed the hell out of me.

Comhrá

I'm going to try and wait a few months to see if Audi release any photos of the new A4 as I'm really impressed with the interior of the new TT which I'm told will be similar on the A4 with the digital screens.
If possible I would take the exterior of the Merc, engine and drive of the BMW and interior of the Audi.

New Audi A4 seen undisguised. Nothing very exciting to look at from these photos anyway. Might be great to drive, with a brilliant interior though.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/115060594875/2016-audi-a4-spied-undisguised-10-photos

mickdw

Oh god. That's a terrible looking thing.

carsfan

That A4 looks like an A3 saloon x1.25 on the photocopier.
Audi design except for TT and R8 is incredibly conservative and derivative but as has been said will likely have a very premium interior that will again look just like a slightly larger A3 interior.
The BMW 320d is a nice car and the facelift with the new engine would probably be my choice of the three mentioned.

JohnCleary

I had the same issue 2 years ago, went with the C220 (avantgarde) - never looked back.

RedorDead

tippman1 wrote: »

New Audi A4 seen undisguised. Nothing very exciting to look at from these photos anyway. Might be great to drive, with a brilliant interior though.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/115060594875/2016-audi-a4-spied-undisguised-10-photos

First images of the new A4 will be out right at the end of this month. Looks a lot better than this. This car still has camo on it and has all trim removed and no badging.

Comhrá

RedorDead wrote: »

First images of the new A4 will be out right at the end of this month. Looks a lot better than this. This car still has camo on it and has all trim removed and no badging.

Have you had a chance to get a sneak preview somewhere?

RedorDead

tippman1 wrote: »

Have you had a chance to get a sneak preview somewhere?

If i told you this i would of course had to kill you! PM me if you need specifics.

golfpaul

Decided to go for a BMW420D MSport, hopefully have it early January.

Zurbaran

golfpaul wrote: »

Decided to go for a BMW420D MSport, hopefully have it early January.

Cracking car.

Out of the original choices I'd be swaying towards the c class just because there are less of them about and are prettier than the 3 series and a 4.

bazz26

Good choice, maybe interested in a used 4 Series Gran Coupe myself but they are still pretty expensive.