choices choices ........... need help

[jonathon555]

I have to choose a new company car, I currently have a E90 3 series 320D 163 BHP company.

I have narrowed it down to the following choices, I do alot of motorway miles so I am looking for good top gear motorway shove.

1. Audi A4 SLINE 170

for. Bixenons, nice seats, decent wheels.

Against, numb steering, annoying clutch position (my foot keeps catching the foot rest, bumpy ride


2. Passat CC GT 170

for. Very Quiet, nice trim, adjustable ride

against. The one i test drove the dash was rattly, unsure about the engines performance, no heated cloth option.

3. BMW 320d se

for. performance, handling,

against. crap stereo, small wheels as standard, poor headlights



Ilike a car with good headlights as my last 2 cars have been very poor Golf MK4, BMW. I am looking for a good cruiser that makes you feel fresh after a 3 hour drive, I sometimes like to push on on a fast moor road so like to have confidence in the handling.


I need some input guys as this choice is hard, What are the standard lights like on the CC, has anyone driven a 170 yet.

[Cylon2007]

Try the Audi and Passat with the DSG box seeing as you do mainly Mway miles.

[mhurer]

My wife had the BMW 320d SE as a company car, and although it was a nice drive the car is looking a bit dated now. She now has the A4 S-line, which overall I think is a better car. It looks better, feels solid inside and out and has the performance. I do find the ride a little hard, but you get used to it. I also struggled at first with the position of the clutch. However, the BMWs engine did seem a bit more refined and seemed to have better economy. But the A4 still gets my vote when compared to BM.

I have the Passat Saloon 170 SEL, so cannot comment on the CC as I have never driven it, but looks fantastic.

I would eliminate the BMW and look at either CC or A4.

Good luck.

[Lemonslap]

I had a 320D SE E90 as a company car about 2 years ago, I agree that is is starting to look abit dated (Although there has been a facelift within th last 6 months) BUT if you like a drivers car then the BMW is hard to beat being rear wheel drive. Have you thought about a 320D Motorsport its only a £1000 more and comes with bigger alloys and a body kit which makes it look alot more upto date, its also worth remembering that the 320D engine has been uprated too with 173BHP and emmisions of only 128co2 g/km its a no brainer for me but the chocie is yours

[drmartin]

My desision process:

Merc C class - not bad, but poor seating position and poor performance, factory sat nav a nightmare!

BMW 320D - very cramped interier with limited storage, no room in the back, especially with me in driving seat, standard HiFi very poor. Engine ok though

Mondeo - good, but noisy, seats not comfy for 100 plus miles.

Passat - I have one now and its ok, good choice and goes very well, just bored with it, its dull, magnolia! ok but dull.

Tried Passat CC, kept hitting my head on the lowered roof line, usual dash rattles, ajustable ride is ok as toy, in reality it just get set to normal and left, good sat nav, seats etc, if it were in estate form may have considered it

A4 - TDI170 in SE trim is rapid but without the ride compromise of the S-line, well thought out (rear heated screen stays on longer in the cold) nice options, feels solid and robust. great options. Footwelll and offset peddles are a problem initially, but after a weekend with one got used to it.

Besides the passat which is my regular ride, all the others were 48 hour demos (thanks to my leasing company) I was sorry to see the A4 go back, hence ordering one!

m