Ok looking to sell the vRS and take a company car. Makes sense as we are about to move house which means bigger financial commitment there etc etc.

Need an estate so choices are -

BMW 320d sport touring

Audi A4 2.0. Tdi s line (143)

Volvo v60 d4 r design

Other out there option is range rover evoque but very expensive on company car tax.

Any one with any experience of the above don't care about running costs etc it won't effect me. After experience of driving them, living with them space, how the trim wears etc

Thanks

Steve

You seriously considering a RWD car after the recent reminder that we do get winter occasionally?. Also prepare for a spine transplant if you want to do big miles in a BMW with sports suspension.

320d for me. Best to drive out of the three with the most power and decent build quality which will wear the miles very well (and the nicest seats )), although as with the Audi you'll probably be ticking quite a few of the option boxes to get the spec you want. Can't agree with the comment about needing a spine transplant with the sport suspension and my M-sport on 17" run-flats soaks up bumps and imperfections nicely whilst still offering a sporty ride. Of course, everyone has different opinions so you'll want to get a decent test drive in them.

Also not had any problems getting about this winter in the snow/ice on regular summer tyres, but you can always opt for all-season or winter tyres for the duration if that worries you. They would also be an advantage on the other two cars as well if you want to get about

Chris

320d is the front runner at the mo in my head.

RWD doesn't concern me I will have the car for the next 4 years. It's unlikely we will see more than 3 weeks of snow during that time so not basing the decision around this.

The wife has the current 1 series sport the ride doesn't seem to bad in that although I am not sure what difference there are between the suspension set up on the 1 series sport and 3 series sport.

The wife has the current 1 series sport the ride doesn't seem to bad in that although I am not sure what difference there are between the suspension set up on the 1 series sport and 3 series sport.

I believe the suspension is fairly similar, but the difference may be in the size of the wheels - if you go for 18" or 19" on the 3-series you may find the ride comfort is affected proportionally as the amount of tyre sidewall shrinks.

Chris

It would be the volvo for me. If you get the right colour and wheels they look stunning. 119 g/km of c02 is a bonus for company car tax as well as it is the lowest of all of them.

The 3-series have been getting better reviews than the A4. Go for that. My S4 has got trim and build quality issues which really annoys me. It's often in the dealers.

Volvo, needs no more input from here!

G

Volvo is a nice car. The cheapest on tax.

Looks the best of all of them from the rear by a long way, and also looks very good side on. Highest spec of the 3 without adding options (which I will have to pay for)

But not sure about the front and like the Audi compared to the BMW down on power by a long way.

Not expecting any of them to be quick but when loaded with camping kit, a roof box on and a big dog in the boot will make a difference.

I read on the Octavia forum a few days ago that the S-Line's suspension was pretty hard too?

They did say it was possible to order an S-Line with standard suspension as a no-cost option.

Not sure if this is still the case?

I'd vote for the BMW, the new one looks great, it's very spacious inside the car. But then again I'm biased working for BMW

BM or the Volvo if it were my BIK I was spending.

You seriously considering a RWD car after the recent reminder that we do get winter occasionally?. Also prepare for a spine transplant if you want to do big miles in a BMW with sports suspension.

This.

I had a 320d m-sport touring. Great car, great engine, terrible suspension and m-sport 255 wide rear tyres are comical in the snow.

Get an SE and these issues are sorted as the rear tyres are a more sensible section size and the suspension os softer and therefore better IMO.

Newer BMW's have the adjustable suspension i believe however this may be an optional extra but personally i would never run a BMW again with run flats and m-sport springs. Ouch.

I think I'd be tempted by the Volvo tbh. Just to be different if nothing else.

You don't say what sorts of roads you'll be driving on. If you do almost nothing but long dual cabbageway tags I'd take the Volvo; if you do mostly single carriageway driving, the BMW.

You don't say what sorts of roads you'll be driving on. If you do almost nothing but long dual cabbageway tags I'd take the Volvo; if you do mostly single carriageway driving, the BMW.

Will be used for a 10 mile trip to work and the rest will be personal at weekends/holidays etc.

Normally head up to Scotland at least once a year on holiday, some great roads up there. Remember the other year driving from Inverness to Ullapool was a great drive.

Looking like its going to be the BMW think it will be the most fun.

Will be used for a 10 mile trip to work and the rest will be personal at weekends/holidays etc.

Normally head up to Scotland at least once a year on holiday, some great roads up there. Remember the other year driving from Inverness to Ullapool was a great drive.

Looking like its going to be the BMW think it will be the most fun.

I actually live up that way, and yes I'd take the BMW of those 3 too when buying new (money permitting).

I'm sure you've realised this already, but the BM is more Focus sized inside than Octy. A tardis it aint.

I'm sure you've realised this already, but the BM is more Focus sized inside than Octy. A tardis it aint.

I was in a new 320d today getting a lift in to work after dropping SWMBO's 1 series off. I was surprised how big it was from the passenger seat, though I was in a 5 until I saw the boot badge.

Back seat and boot might give a different impression but it didn't seem small.

I was in a new 320d today getting a lift in to work after dropping SWMBO's 1 series off. I was surprised how big it was from the passenger seat, though I was in a 5 until I saw the boot badge.

Back seat and boot might give a different impression but it didn't seem small.

I found my 3 series comparable in the front and back seat areas but the 3 series boot was a lot smaller than my octy. Mine was the previous generation of 3 series, the E90, so not sure how much bigger then new one is. The main issue with the boot was how shallow it was due to RWD. My poor labrador had to crouch down when in it but in the octy he has heaps of head room. The BMW also had more leg room in the front but then BMW's tend to have more legroom than any other make of car as the front seats merely slide back further. Suited me though being a lanky bugger. Still prefer the octy in the front basically due to the foot rest for my right foot. VAG cars seem to be the only cars with this feature but its the single best thing about the car IMO.

Still prefer the octy in the front basically due to the foot rest for my right foot. VAG cars seem to be the only cars with this feature but its the single best thing about the car IMO.

Aye noticed this again this morning when stuck in roadworks. No where to put my muckle boot.

vRS went this morning.

BMW ordered this afternoon.

After reading a number of reviews decided to go with the BMW. Best of the bunch on offer.

Aye noticed this again this morning when stuck in roadworks. No where to put my muckle boot.

My Audi doesn't have this footrest and my Skoda did. One up there for the Skoda, I really miss the footrest.

My Audi doesn't have this footrest and my Skoda did. One up there for the Skoda, I really miss the footrest.

Yea my old A4 didnt have it either. The A3 does though. Had it in my golf and have seen it in Passats also. I cant understand why all cars dont have it, why would you not want it?? What else are you supposed to do with your right foot when cruis control is engaged?

In my BMW i had to remove my shoe and tuck my foot under the brake pedal but this was hardly an ideal scenario and i doubt the cops would take kindly to doing it but it was either this or serious cramp in my leg.

vRS went this morning.

BMW ordered this afternoon.

After reading a number of reviews decided to go with the BMW. Best of the bunch on offer.

Good choice - looking forward to seeing some pics when it arrives

Chris