New car, B&O upgrade?

[SBL]

Well I've finally decided to purchase the A4 saloon, 2.0TDi (170) SE and get the 18" 5 spokes on it. Would have loved to buy the S line but my max list price from work would only allow the 1.8T and the MPG was too low for me to seriously consider.

Most of the upgrades that I like the look of are a bit excessive on cost so has basically boiled down to the B&O upgrade but I've never heard it.

For those of you that have taken this, and preferably had to pay for (my company car scheme works on me being given a set amount of money to purchase the car) is it really worth the extra over the standard issue speakers?
Works out around £17 a month more which when your already paying £670, well it all adds up.

Opinions appreciated.

[satsu]

It was a must-have for me as we're both music fans and my previous volvo had a similar umpteen-speaker surround system. I certainly don't regret spending the money on it - I find it powerful and clear at all speeds. However, I can't compare it to the standard system as the demo I drove also had B&O. If it's really bugging you perhaps a local dealer might have one of each to try? Preferably on a drive to see how they sound at speed.

Personally I would (and did!) go for it. If you get it then at worst you kick yourself for wasting the money (200 quid / year is a fair bit, but not compared to the 8k for the car). On the other hand if you don't get it the risk is that every time you get in the car and put the stereo on you sigh and wish that you had. :)

Hope this helps.

[onemanparty]

It was a must-have for me as we're both music fans and my previous volvo had a similar umpteen-speaker surround system. I certainly don't regret spending the money on it - I find it powerful and clear at all speeds. However, I can't compare it to the standard system as the demo I drove also had B&O. If it's really bugging you perhaps a local dealer might have one of each to try? Preferably on a drive to see how they sound at speed.

Personally I would (and did!) go for it. If you get it then at worst you kick yourself for wasting the money (200 quid / year is a fair bit, but not compared to the 8k for the car). On the other hand if you don't get it the risk is that every time you get in the car and put the stereo on you sigh and wish that you had. :)

Hope this helps.

Completely agree if you can I would. I have a demo A4 without B&O and the sound was good but not as good as B&O.

Just up to you if you want to pay for it.

Good luck anyway. You will I am sure enjoy the car which ever way you go ! :beerchug:

[Ramon959]

What does the £670 cover? Is that a lease cost including VAT?

My car came out at £587+VAT over 3 years.

I got the B&O too...

[mkc]

Surely you should also get the option of paying for the B&O yourself up front. So as long as you dont ask your company to go over the lease price they want to pay ask if you can pay for it up front from your own pocket. You probably wont save anything over the 3-4 year lease but might make the monthly outgoings a bit easier each month. They will then gain (if any) when it comes to resale

[Red 2]

Surely you should also get the option of paying for the B&O yourself up front. So as long as you dont ask your company to go over the lease price they want to pay ask if you can pay for it up front from your own pocket. You probably wont save anything over the 3-4 year lease but might make the monthly outgoings a bit easier each month. They will then gain (if any) when it comes to resale

Not a company car driver myself (grabbed the car allowance) but my last company limited your contribution to £250. Didn't allow you to buy a lot.

[SBL]

What does the £670 cover? Is that a lease cost including VAT?

My car came out at £587+VAT over 3 years.

I got the B&O too...

That's the car with 18" wheels, full maintenance, tax etc. Also includes redundancy fee's etc, all items that my company state we MUST take.

With regards to paying for options myself, unfortunately we can't do that. We are given a maximum list price and that is what we can spend, optional upgrades included. Can't even really consider putting the wheels on as aftermarket as they won't match up for the service and maintenace side.

[Ramon959]

I am in the exact same boat - I was allowed £35k earlier last year, but due to the downturn, this was adjusted to £29k no budging and no negotiating on extra's etc..

I consider myself quite lucky as any cars coming up for renewal in 2009 have been extended by 12 months.

The figure I quoted - £587 was for the car as indicated in my signature - and full maintenance etc.. and that is on a 3+33 not the usual 3+35 and also with 25k miles per year included - yours sounds a bit high!

[SBL]

Sound like very similar schemes.
My contract is through Pro Vecta on 3 years. Hard to see how, or at least why it can be so much more expensive than yours.
Simple enough principal of borrowing the difference between the purchase price and the retained value/ballon payment at the end (we just hand back) plus fee's. We are being given 11.5% off list as well so not a bad deal, I think!
Never mind, I don't have the option of going elsewhere so just got to get on with it.

[hawkesbaynz]

I paid for the car with my own cash...............:aargh4:

Got the B&O system which is very good. However on balance the standard is okay (it is a car audio at the end of the day) and could have got a very decent Home HiFi for the difference.

Consider the Servo Assisted Power Steering. I find it much preferable to the standard on my S-line.

[AndyH123]

I'm fussy about my sound and love the B&O in mine, it's really good. Perhaps the only drawback is the occasional post drive headache when I realise I've had it going so loud for so long. Sign of a good hi-fi is one you want to keep turning up. Wanting to turn it down is a bad sign!

That said, I had a non B&O A4 for a day or two and I'd say it's a 7/10 to the B&O's 10/10. In other words, not bad at all!