New Car Musings

[McSwede]

My C220d Bluetec AMG Line Premium Plus is about to hit its mileage limit and I've been approved to order something new. Allegedly I can order whatever I like so long as it isn't a coupe or convertible and is within the set monthly budget so I am looking at the following.

• M140i Shadow Edition
  S3
  Alfa Giulia Specialé oil burner
  330e

Quite fancied looking at a 330i but they have gone of the BMW configurator now. I'm not looking for deals just suggestions on anything I've missed and a little info on people who've any real world experience with any of them. Demo's will hopefully be arranged next week for the coming couple of weeks.

M140i is current favourite prior to a drive and seeing if it fits with our lives as well as running costs compared to what I claim back for mileage. Real world MPG info on this would be much appreciated.

[Zonda_]

I wouldn't be considering a diesel of any kind. Can't give you info on the 140 but my 135 wasn't great round town.

[Rich B]

Company car?

[McSwede]

Yes.

[Rich B]

So does BIK not factor in your equations?

[Rich B]

Quick check on a online tool - 330e would cost you about £2k a year whereas a m140i would cost you £5k a year.

[McSwede]

So does BIK not factor in your equations?

Funnily enough the S3 & M140i with plenty of spec are (give or take a little) the same monthly tax buggering as the Merc. 330e would be considerably less but not sure if I'll actually be able to get hold of one from conversations I've had recently. A big part of me wants something fun before our evil overlords change the car policy

[GG.]

Plus the 330e has a 4cyl donkey for a petrol engine.

Do the right thing and get a 140i

[Mito Man]

I think the 330i is also a 4 banger now.

[IanF]

0% interest on lots of BM’s at the moment (inc M140i SE). And 6 series should be getting cheap with the 8 series replacement announced... maybe not GC though.

[McSwede]

Just been quoted 3+23 at £1500 and £500 per month +VAT for an M140i Shadow Edition with extras inc, metallic paint, lumbar support, through loading, heated seats, changed interior trim and professional nav. Comes standard with some nice kit like Harmon Kardon and full black panel display.

Just waiting to find out when I can have one for a couple of days.

[Jobbo]

Is that coming out of your pocket? It’s about 50% pricier than the recent lease deals on an M140i.

ETA, maybe quite a bit more than 50% now I’ve noticed it’s plus VAT.

[Rich B]

Yeah, that’s pretty expensive. Shouldn’t be too hard to get under £5k a year all in.

[McSwede]

It's just a quote to show interest so I can get a demo for a couple of days.

It is £2.5k more than a base M140i and has £2075 of extras to spread over the contract length also. Only one on contracthireandleasing.com based upon the quote terms is £409+vat with no extras. They add up to £80 a month.

Anyway it doesn't really matter as the company is paying and the real haggling will begin when a choice is made by me.

[McSwede]

3+35 quote has just come back at £1285 & £428 a month which I don't think is too bad. Collecting a demo tomorrow morning for a couple of days and I'm looking forward to it.

Had a run out in a Guilia today too which was nice. Seemed a nicer steer than the 3/4 series or C Class but a little smaller inside. The diesel engine is quite gruff and unrefined. Boot opening is tiny too! They look great though.

[Jimmy Choo]

Had a run out in a Guilia today too which was nice.

Given that all the press cars kept breaking down, I'd want to check how important regularly arriving at work at the intended time actually is.

[McSwede]

Had a run out in a Guilia today too which was nice.

Given that all the press cars kept breaking down, I'd want to check how important regularly arriving at work at the intended time actually is.

When running an Alfa I'd assumed it was a given that a little unpredictability or mild peril might be involved

I might also add that the sports seats are a little on the snug side for those of us who are a little more broad of beam

[JLv3.0]

Had a run out in a Guilia today too which was nice.

Given that all the press cars kept breaking down, I'd want to check how important regularly arriving at work at the intended time actually is.

You've changed, man

[Jimmy Choo]

Had a run out in a Guilia today too which was nice.

Given that all the press cars kept breaking down, I'd want to check how important regularly arriving at work at the intended time actually is.

When running an Alfa I'd assumed it was a given that a little unpredictability or mild peril might be involved

I might also add that the sports seats are a little on the snug side for those of us who are a little more broad of beam

What's the driving position like? Short legs and long arms were definitely a bonus when driving the 155 and 166.

[McSwede]

They seem to have improved somewhat and finally understood human anatomy.