In todays cash strapped ambulance service...

Which makes a Ford Focus and a Skoda Octavia Scout (rural coverages) a wise choice.

A BMW X1?

I've seen one around here near work (Durham) and everytime I see it I ask myself - why?

Also a paramedic here.

Agree with all that has been previously said, avoid it! Been well serviced but it has not been used in a manner that calls out long life!

Driven by a vast number of people, started from cold and driven harshly in a matter of seconds for obvious need. Lots of quick gear changes and high revs in low gears when getting through traffic (responsive gear). Close to the weight limit from the kit we carry and still driven like this.

Minor body work damage from narrow gaps/hedges when responding. (It's not our car so we will take it closer to things and away from other people's cars, so In narrow lanes down here in Cornwall, near side often in a hedge etc)

Great cars and well used, but unless price reflects its previous usage by a few grand off a similar age car then avoid!

Which makes a Ford Focus and a Skoda Octavia Scout (rural coverages) a wise choice.

A BMW X1?

I've seen one around here near work (Durham) and everytime I see it I ask myself - why?

BMW give huge discounts to the emergency services across europe, so why not here?

You might find that it's the best VFM by a long way.

If you did want to buy one, where would you look?

BMW give huge discounts to the emergency services across europe, so why not here?

You might find that it's the best VFM by a long way.

Suppose there must be some reason. And money is the most obvious. Not sure why else an X1 would be specified.

BMW give huge discounts to the emergency services across europe, so why not here?

You might find that it's the best VFM by a long way.

A huge discount on a BMW will put them on par with the mainsteam manufacturers then.

I don't see BMW proving themselves as being anymore reliable, in fact I'm suprised how poorly they scored in the recent JD Power Survey so I'd also question their VFM.

The only benefit of running BMW's is their higher resale values, great if you buy the car, but not so relevant on a lease as you'll pay more per month.

How does the NHS buy their cars/ambulances?

Given the used values of the Scout (even before production ceased) I'm struggling to see how an X1 would make a better choice based purely on financials. If the car was more capable or better met the needs of the role it was performing then fair enough.

Obviously the X1 must do something well as they wouldn't be running them on fleet, but what is it?

A huge discount on a BMW will put them on par with the mainsteam manufacturers then.

I don't see BMW proving themselves as being anymore reliable, in fact I'm suprised how poorly they scored in the recent JD Power Survey so I'd also question their VFM.

The only benefit of running BMW's is their higher resale values, great if you buy the car, but not so relevant on a lease as you'll pay more per month.

How does the NHS buy their cars/ambulances?

Given the used values of the Scout (even before production ceased) I'm struggling to see how an X1 would make a better choice based purely on financials. If the car was more capable or better met the needs of the role it was performing then fair enough.

Obviously the X1 must do something well as they wouldn't be running them on fleet, but what is it?

Speaking to somebody who worked for a police force, they were offered 1 series for less than anything else out there, but decided to go korean (next best) because of the perception that would be created.

Just because they sell them to me and you at a high RRP doesn't mean they can't offer huge discounts, where as others selling at a lower price have less margin to play with.

For example 20k skoda (vRS Octy) vs 30k BMW (125d or X1)

If skoda can give you 25-30%% off RRP, but BMW can give you 50 to 60% off, then there isn't much if anything in it. Maybe BMW offer a service package too, which makes them cheaper to run.

£30k - 60% = £12,000

£20k - 30% = £14,000

£30k - 50% = £15,000

£20k - 25% = £15,000

At the end of the day the RRP is only part of the story.

That plus maybe a well used BMW has more resale value than a used skoda.

The fact is that unless we have all the facts, you can't criticise an X1 over a skoda decision.

Not a new thing for manufacturers to do deals for emergency services. It's free advertising for them and will likely give a reassuring feel to the buying public, if police/ambulance are using them.

If skoda can give you 25-30%% off RRP, but BMW can give you 50 to 60% off, then there isn't much if anything in it.

So the price works out the same, assuming of course BMW do in fact offer larger discounts than VAG. If I were to choose which brand I thought would offer the biggest discounts it would be VAG via their 'value' Skoda brand and not BMW.

Taking into consideration that, as you say, we don't have all the facts, me questioning the choice to run a brand of car with a higher perceived value over one that is widely regarded as being a budget choice is quite plausable.

All things being equal in terms of cost the BMW will be less reliable and may be more likely to convey the wrong message to the public.

I guess we'll never know but the only way in my eyes you'd choose an X1 over a Scout (or a Q3 for that matter) is if it was cheaper, or as mentioned earlier was more suited to the job.

Whatever it is as long as it arrives as quickly as possible after dialling 999 then that's what really matters, not the badge on the bonnet!

You have got it really, the main thing is price... Although suitability also part of my local ambulance service, I can't speak for others however I'm sure majority do what we do and have test days where they invite all manufactures to show us what they got and have staff test them and offer opinions... But as I say, it's mainly cost in this day and age of the NHS. All out of a budget, and a tight one at that!

We have skoda skout s here, however as production has stopped for the new octy to be released. It looks like are next car is going to be a Volvo, unsure of model or spec yet. These are used in south east.

Interior space is quite important to us due to the need to carry a lot of kit, but also wishing to convey a patient if a normal ambulance not needed. And from looking at x1, from the outside, that is all I have seen, it looks like it might have quite a bit...

We have the X1 because of the 4wd and alleged problems getting the Scouts.

The X1:

Poor visibility, especially out the back. ( no reversing sensors or cameras either)

smaller in back seats than the focus

Smaller boot than the focus

horrible obstructive gearbox

Poor support from seats

Lifeless steering that is heavy at low speed

Feels big for how little usuable space it has

Strong, smooth engine

Good traction, but it doesn't handle. That may sound strange, but the feedback isnt great and the focus feels better.

Our cars are a mixture of lease and purchased. Don't know what the BMW are.

Skoda have released the Yeti, presumably as a replacement until the Octy3 Scout arrives.

Other points to consider about RRV cars. The amount of times they are up and down curbs, the doors and boot are opened, etc. As already mentioned the cars are very heavy on brakes, they don't get much chance to bed in and they are asked to do repeated stops from speed.

Edited 29 November, 201213 yr by P20

I would suspect that should read 170,000 miles

Mike

#I thought that but he said the car is only 4 months old.

Speaking to somebody who worked for a police force, they were offered 1 series for less than anything else out there, but decided to go korean (next best) because of the perception that would be created.

I heard the same thing but the lowest quote was from Audi and the reason it wasn't taken was the perception of the police having "flash" cars, and it cost them more to take the Korean cars.

I heard the same thing but the lowest quote was from Audi and the reason it wasn't taken was the perception of the police having "flash" cars, and it cost them more to take the Korean cars.

It's that jealousy thing again.

People see and assume.

If Audi offered the all-road for less than an Octy Scout, with the same engine, would people expect the force to pick the Skoda for more money?

It's just daft.

In the absence of the Octavia Scout and the potential pretentiousness of a BMW/Audi then I'm suprised the new VW Passat Alltrack doesn't make an appearance...

In the absence of the Octavia Scout and the potential pretentiousness of a BMW/Audi then I'm suprised the new VW Passat Alltrack doesn't make an appearance...

Please wash your mouth out! VW indeed :rofl:

Medic999 guessing you have the same naff mondeos that we have in Suffolk then that are nothing but trouble & light on the front due to the amount of kit wedged in the boot. We had a vrs estate on trial for a while & it was much better

I was lucky enough to buy a 57 plate 140pd black scout with only 40000 on it a couple of months ago for only 10k. Dealer wouldn't shift on price at all. I'm very pleased with it, but am looking for a rear wiper motor already!