mjheathcote
Centenary Club
- Messages
- 9,046
I need to get myself a new daily before the end of next week.
I've now officially finished with my old employer handing back the company car today, and start my new job week on Monday.
As I get a car allowance, I'm free to choose.
As posted previously I did get the somewhat wild idea of an Abarth 595, but really, they are too small, doing probably 20K a year.
Was also considering an Alfa, but again, concerned over reliability for the mileage, and the residual value with high miles.
So having one great Italian car as a toy, and something German for the daily, is probably sensible...
I've had BMW company cars for the last 13 years, always diesel, MSport models, and I do prefer the rear wheel drive compared the front wheel drive the Mrs has.
As i'm no longer constrained to BIK, can be petrol or diesel, and greater than 2lt. Yippee!
Don't want a lease (new job, not sure on the actual mileage a year)
Don't want a PCP for the same reason.
So looking at something approx a year old having lost the initial depreciation, plenty of warranty left, and buying partly cash/loan, budget max around £20-25K
Regarding BMW's, i'm finding the following interesting:
M140i 3 door. The smallest option, insanely quick, straight six twin turbo, over 300BHP, and probably the last time I could have such a car as a daily while the kids are relatively smallish. Danger that it could be a better drive than the Maser though...
335d X-Drive Touring. The sensible choice. I've always had Tourings, although not as big inside as you would imagine. Again insanely quick, 4x4, but another soot chucker!
4** Grand coupe. Half way house maybe?
Given a free hand makes the decision more difficult!
I could, surprisingly, buy an early Maserati Ghibli for £25K it appears, but that would be silly, right? (running cost, warranty etc)
I am really drawn to the M140i though. Incredible VFM second hand...
I've now officially finished with my old employer handing back the company car today, and start my new job week on Monday.
As I get a car allowance, I'm free to choose.
As posted previously I did get the somewhat wild idea of an Abarth 595, but really, they are too small, doing probably 20K a year.
Was also considering an Alfa, but again, concerned over reliability for the mileage, and the residual value with high miles.
So having one great Italian car as a toy, and something German for the daily, is probably sensible...
I've had BMW company cars for the last 13 years, always diesel, MSport models, and I do prefer the rear wheel drive compared the front wheel drive the Mrs has.
As i'm no longer constrained to BIK, can be petrol or diesel, and greater than 2lt. Yippee!
Don't want a lease (new job, not sure on the actual mileage a year)
Don't want a PCP for the same reason.
So looking at something approx a year old having lost the initial depreciation, plenty of warranty left, and buying partly cash/loan, budget max around £20-25K
Regarding BMW's, i'm finding the following interesting:
M140i 3 door. The smallest option, insanely quick, straight six twin turbo, over 300BHP, and probably the last time I could have such a car as a daily while the kids are relatively smallish. Danger that it could be a better drive than the Maser though...
335d X-Drive Touring. The sensible choice. I've always had Tourings, although not as big inside as you would imagine. Again insanely quick, 4x4, but another soot chucker!
4** Grand coupe. Half way house maybe?
Given a free hand makes the decision more difficult!
I could, surprisingly, buy an early Maserati Ghibli for £25K it appears, but that would be silly, right? (running cost, warranty etc)
I am really drawn to the M140i though. Incredible VFM second hand...