[ShereKhan]

I'm looking at choosing my new car as i'm due replacement September.
Apparently I need to choose asap before my company scheme gets changed.

If I get a 320i/d to replace my 320si its going to cost me £30 p/m.
The company scheme is calculated in some bizarre way that no one know or understands.

I looked at opting out after reading NFS's AMAP information. But it looks as though I cannot claim any AMAP as my company has managed to get me to waive my rights to AMAP.

Anyhow here's my choices. I've not driven anything yet and may not have a chance to do so if I need to be quick to order so need some advice.

Mercedes C220 CDI SE Auto
(£20p/m less than what I pay now)

Mercedes C220 CDI Sport Auto
(£20p/m more than what I pay now)

Mercedes C280 SE Auto - the one with the AMG box
(£81p/m more than what I pay now)

BMW 325d SE
(£60p/m more than what I pay now)

BMW 520d Business Edn Auto
(£86p/m more than what I pay now)

I've enjoyed having my 320si (bar its problems) but i'm not sure if I want another 3. Quite like the idea of a 5.

But I have always toyed with the idea of a v6 engine (Merc C280). But it comes with poverty spec. I can't afford to add to it. I could go for the C220 CDI but there are loads of these on the roads compared to the C280. I can afford some options on the C220 CDI (SE and Sport) though (max £1k's worth).

The BMW 325d is an option as I'd like a softer ride (with good handling) than the M Sport suspension setup. But not sure if I want another 3.

The 5 is only on my list as it has lots of freebies (I know the car is being replaced next model year). My reservations are the 520d engine as i'm normally a petrol head not diesel. Again I cannot afford to add any options on top.

I've been to a few stealers to look at cars but have been suprised how interested they are in helping me to see the car I want to have.

Any views on my choices appreciated.

[creepy coupe]

If I needed a big car and don't fancy another 3 series, for me the 5 sounds a good choice, as it will have the 204 BHP diesel, which is a peach as diesels go.

[ShereKhan]

I thought the 520d had 177bhp engine and the 525d had ~200bhp.
BTW the 520d i'm looking at is SE spec.

[jjbirch]

i quite like idea of the c220cdi £20 a month cheaper to, my grandad has one of these and they are a nice drive, yes they have crap alloys maybe get some different ones, and little amg parts to tart it up a bit,

[ShereKhan]

The only prob with the £20 cheaper option by the time you tart it up you can have the Sport edition already tarted up. Same money.

[Dr.Crap]

Part of the problem with the 3 is that when you get rid of it after a while you want it back. Don't forget the 5 is being replaced in a year, I don't know how long you have to keep the car for but you will be driving an old 5 for maybe 2 years whereas the three is'nt being updated for a while still.

I'm going to not say any more than this sentence about the merc.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by ShereKhan

I thought the 520d had 177bhp engine and the 525d had ~200bhp.
BTW the 520d i'm looking at is SE spec.

You're right SK, take no notice of me, I'm talking Sh#@+

[TMP]

520d 177 is a great balance between everyday performance and economy. It's also really refined in the 5 due to all that soundproofing as well.

I do like those C220 Cdi sports auto though

[ShereKhan]

Originally Posted by Dr.Crap

Part of the problem with the 3 is that when you get rid of it after a while you want it back. Don't forget the 5 is being replaced in a year, I don't know how long you have to keep the car for but you will be driving an old 5 for maybe 2 years whereas the three is'nt being updated for a while still.

I'm going to not say any more than this sentence about the merc.

I have to keep the car for three years ~75k miles. I will miss the si engine note if I go for diesel hence why i'm looking at Merc V6....

I'm not too fussed if the car is being replaced as my 3 was "refreshed" a year later. If I get a 3 again i'm sure it will be "refreshed" again.

[ShereKhan]

Originally Posted by TMP

520d 177 is a great balance between everyday performance and economy. It's also really refined in the 5 due to all that soundproofing as well.

I do like those C220 Cdi sports auto though

The thing I like about the C220 Sport is the meanacing looking grille.
If I got an SE i'd just buy a new grill for it. Just the alloys would look out of place.

[Carrera RSR]

On my scheme the Mercs were far more expensive than my 3 and the 5 due to more CO2's and more expensive purchase costs. Nearly went for the 5 but it had to be M Sport not SE, couldn't stretch that far. I had a C220 Sport for the weekend from MB Bristol. Very nice, softer ride, but preferred the 320d M Sport as it had more toys standard and the MB upgrades are also expensive. The 3 is still the best value for money on a company lease scheme. Audi Bristol didn't want to loan me a car nor Audi UK when I phoned them. F**k em. The car was slated in the motoring press anyhow.

3 is more chuckable. The 5 is more sedate and comfortable.

If you want to try a 320d then you more than welcome a shot in mine.

My scheme is about to change as well. I reckon I may be in a Skoda Roomster in 18 months when I need to change.

[lolololol]

Quick point, Mercedes are doing a deal that if you buy / lease a C220 CDI you get the sports upgrade free which includes part leather, auto box, AMG styling including the wheels.
So my point is I dont understand why your company will charge your more when the Sport upgrade is free.

In direct answer to your question, I suppose it all depends how much more you want to pay above your allowance. If you can get the C22O CDi Sports for £20 p/m less than that is a good choice.

[NFS]

Wildcard ... VW Scirocco?

Of the cars you've listed I'd definitely go for the 520d. They don't weigh much more than the 3 series and it won't feel underpowered.

Specially if you remap it on the sly.

If you opt out I don't think that your company can 'waive your rights' to the HMRC approved mileage rates.

The only way you would end up being unable to claim MAR would be if your company already paid you 40p per mile as a tax free mileage rate ... in which case the MAR would be zero.

[edowen]

BIK tax rates on the Mercs are crap. I looked at this. Why not the 320d 177 - I went for this as it wasn't much slower than the 325d, is still amazingly quiet, 18% BIK, and allowed me to stick on logic7 and the amazing new media system.

[ShereKhan]

Originally Posted by omaragha

Quick point, Mercedes are doing a deal that if you buy / lease a C220 CDI you get the sports upgrade free which includes part leather, auto box, AMG styling including the wheels.
So my point is I dont understand why your company will charge your more when the Sport upgrade is free.

In direct answer to your question, I suppose it all depends how much more you want to pay above your allowance. If you can get the C22O CDi Sports for £20 p/m less than that is a good choice.

The way the scheme works is that they fix their prices twice a year so that we don't get trapped in a yo-yo - But the scheme seems to go up and down like a yo-yo anyway! The C220CDI SE sticks out like a sore thumb as an odd car so I think they have got a good deal from MB - hence no free upgrade.
BTW the prices I have quoted are already more than what I pay now for the Si.

i.e I pay £180 now add the above (£20-£86) to get what I will be paying overall - e.g. BMW = ~£265

[ShereKhan]

Originally Posted by edowen

BIK tax rates on the Mercs are crap. I looked at this. Why not the 320d 177 - I went for this as it wasn't much slower than the 325d, is still amazingly quiet, 18% BIK, and allowed me to stick on logic7 and the amazing new media system.

I don't pay tax on co car. I never have and never will. My company have a weird model which is HMRC approved. So BIK doesn't apply.

The 325d SE is only £15 more a month than the 320d SE.

[ShereKhan]

Originally Posted by NFS

Wildcard ... VW Scirocco?

It's more than the 520d on the scheme

Of the cars you've listed I'd definitely go for the 520d. They don't weigh much more than the 3 series and it won't feel underpowered.

Specially if you remap it on the sly.

If you opt out I don't think that your company can 'waive your rights' to the HMRC approved mileage rates.

The only way you would end up being unable to claim MAR would be if your company already paid you 40p per mile as a tax free mileage rate ... in which case the MAR would be zero.

NFS
I did think of the remap on the sly but wasn't sure if the engine is locked to do this or not. And what sort of money would it cost and can it be removed and added easily (without you know who knowing).

My company has worded their car scheme as so.

If you qualify for a comany car you agree for us to take the AMAP into your car benefit loan. If you decide to opt out then we will still claim AMAP on your behalf in the car benefit loan. I can send you the t&c's but somebody else has already hounded HR about it.

What is MAR? I get the fuel card for all fuel. Private fuel/mileage is paid by me not employer.

[edowen]

Originally Posted by ShereKhan

I don't pay tax on co car. I never have and never will. My company have a weird model which is HMRC approved. So BIK doesn't apply.

The 325d SE is only £15 more a month than the 320d SE.

Bizzare. In that case go 325d!

I don't get how you don't pay tax. I can only assume they are paying it for you.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by ShereKhan

NFS
I did think of the remap on the sly but wasn't sure if the engine is locked to do this or not. And what sort of money would it cost and can it be removed and added easily (without you know who knowing).

My company has worded their car scheme as so.

If you qualify for a comany car you agree for us to take the AMAP into your car benefit loan. If you decide to opt out then we will still claim AMAP on your behalf in the car benefit loan. I can send you the t&c's but somebody else has already hounded HR about it.

What is MAR? I get the fuel card for all fuel. Private fuel/mileage is paid by me not employer.

I'm not the expert on remaps, but you'd need to be a bit careful as you don't want to invalidate company insurance etc.

AMAP = Approved Mileage Allowance Payments

This is the maximum amount your employer can pay you tax free as a mileage allowance

MAR = Mileage Allowance Relief

This is the tax relief you claim if you receive less than the maximum AMAP allowance from your employer tax free.

Most people are faced with 2 options for company cars:

1. Company Car

In this case the company owns the vehicle and it is declared as a benefit in kind and HMRC tax you on this benefit through your tax code.

2. Opting Out

Most car schemes operate with a simple lump sum 'cash equivalent' payment, which is taxed as income and some sort of mileage related payment.

I suspect that you have a third option, where the company helps you purchase you own vehicle through some sort of loan mechanism. If they then pay a mileage allowance at the maximum (AMAP) level into your loan account and you are not taxed on this, then you will not be able to claim relief.

[ShereKhan]

Originally Posted by NFS

I'm not the expert on remaps, but you'd need to be a bit careful as you don't want to invalidate company insurance etc.

I suspect that you have a third option, where the company helps you purchase you own vehicle through some sort of loan mechanism. If they then pay a mileage allowance at the maximum (AMAP) level into your loan account and you are not taxed on this, then you will not be able to claim relief.

NFS
Yep i'm on this 3rd option. No relief if I opt out too - otherwise I cannot have car with company. The purchase is done through a lease company.

As far as I know the insurance applies to ALL vehicles under my control at the time of any incident. My employer pays upto the first 50k then an insurance policy kicks in.

Edowen I just checked the 325d SE 4dr this morning and its now £34 more than what I pay now...

[Carrera RSR]

Sounds like my scheme. As far as the tax man is concerned I don't have a car, no tax or benefit in kind to pay. I lease a car from Masterlease on a personal basis which is underwritten by the company. They pay a sum into my salary and then deduct the lease payment. The difference is what I pay. It is treated as a loan from the company to pay a lease off. All maintenance, servicing and tyres is covered by Masterlease. All fuel, insurance and repairs is borne by the company. It is not easy to follow, administer or explain. Hence we may be changing schemes by the time I reorder in 12 months time. I just hope I still have the choice and not have to pay more next time. Unlikely.

[mgarvey]

The C-Class would be my choice if you didn't want a 3. Nothing wrong with the 5, but I generally wouldn't buy a car that is about to be replaced - though I imagine the spec is pretty good right now.

As for which C, the Sport would be a much better bet than the SE (though personally I quite like the Elegance model between the two), and I'd probably have a C220CDI over a C280 unless you really dont have to worry about fuel and running costs (in which case yes get a V6).

If you do consider the 3, then the 325d is a good choice, but don't be fooled into thinking the SE has a better ride than the M-Sport - it is softer but not as well controlled so tends to be a bit unsettled. In terms of ride quality, the C wipes the floor with the 3, though it doesn't handle quite as well.