Talk some sense into me...

[am1w]

For the fourth year running the BMW 3 Series has been ranked as the most reliable company car. The second most reliable company car is the Golf and the third is the Audi A4. A company car can either be used by reps or directors and there is nothing wrong in being a rep. However, most reps have poverty optioned BMW 3 Series.

Top 10 most reliable company cars:
1 BMW 3 series
2 Volkswagen Golf
3 Audi A4
4 Honda Civic
5 Honda Accord
6 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
7 Audi A3
8= BMW 1 Series
8= Ford Focus
10 BMW 5 Series

Top 10 most reliable manufacturers:
1 BMW
2 Audi
3 Honda
4 Volkswagen
5 Toyota
6 Ford
7 Skoda
8 Mercedes-Benz
9 Nissan
10 Volvo

http://www.parkers.co.uk/company-cars/news-and-advice/latest-news/2012/november/the-uks-most-reliable-company-car-is/

It really annoys me hugely when people denigrate a fabulous car like the BMW 3 Series or the BMW 5 Series. IMO they are talking out of a body part which ejects human refuse and which sees very little sunshine.

I am not a rep and I am the proud owner of a BMW 3 Series. In fact, we have two highly optioned ones in our family. My BMW is amazing with fabulous ride and handling and has been bank vault solid and totally reliable, something that cannot always be said for a Golf. The Golf and all its variants, lets call a spade a spade or even a shovel, is a buzz box in comparison to a BMW 3 Series.

So lads and lasses, please try and temper your BMW bashing and accept the fact that these are fantastic cars which well deserve all the plaudits that are heaped on them.

[dubber36]

I am not a rep and I am the proud owner of a BMW 3 Series. In fact, we have two highly optioned ones in our family. My BMW is amazing with fabulous ride and handling and has been bank vault solid and totally reliable, something that cannot always be said for a Golf. The Golf and all its variants, lets call a spade a spade or even a shovel, is a buzz box in comparison to a BMW 3 Series.

This begs the question why are you changing you BMW for a Golf then?

[am1w]

I am not a rep and I am the proud owner of a BMW 3 Series. In fact, we have two highly optioned ones in our family. My BMW is amazing with fabulous ride and handling and has been bank vault solid and totally reliable, something that cannot always be said for a Golf. The Golf and all its variants, lets call a spade a spade or even a shovel, is a buzz box in comparison to a BMW 3 Series.

This begs the question why are you changing you BMW for a Golf then?

As you've begged, I will answer.

I wish to downsize my personal transport. I don't anymore require all the space that the BMW 3 Series provides. Besides, we have just taken delivery of our new BMW 330d M Sport. So we will have one bigger car and one smaller car, one petrol and one Diesel, one RWD and one 4WD. This I feel covers all bases and is eminently more sensible for our requirements.

I hope this answers your enquiry.

[Exonian]

I think the real reason is that all of the posters on the BMW forums are as dull as shi!t* and wear shiny suits because it makes them feel important - so therefore you missed us all on here terribly, so had to sell your soul to get back into the Golf club...

Just a thought mind...   





* Excluding Martin who's still one of us at heart and anything but dull

[monkeyhanger]

I don't feel like i'm a BMW basher (except the 1 series, but that is purely about the looks). The 3 series is seen by many as the rep-mobile of choice (myself included). From new, there aren't that many bought privately, it is bigger than I need it to be, they're generally far less generously equipped than a high end Golf (optional equipment has a huge depreciative hit on a new car), and the residuals of BMWs themselves are not what they used to be.

That makes them an expensive car to run. As much as I like VWs, if they went ugly (like BMW did for a spell, and continue to do for the 1 series), or started to depreciate heavily I either wouldn't be buying a new one, or wouldn't be buying one full stop.

Perhaps it is the rep-mobile image that makes it less desirable to me as a privately owned new car?

Mechanically they're up there (I have far more respect for BMW engineering than lower end Merc engineering) with the best - except where they refuse to acknowledge common faults (my mate was a swirl flap victim 4 months out of warranty).

[am1w]

Andy/Exonian:
The BMW forum is excellent and the guys on it are terrific. No, I did not miss this or any other VW forum, if truth be told. I miss nice people, not forums. But I missed you and Martin/MAW73. I restarted posting as I will be getting another Golf. I hope this is ok!

monkeyhanger:
Well, according to Parkers the Golf is also ranked as a popular company car and hence could also be classed as a repmobile, but lower down in the pecking order.

[Exonian]

You're not wrong Asker, there seem to be low spec MK7's and GTD's everywhere that clearly aren't owned by real people, it's very rare to even get eye contact from the average GTD driver particularly from a certain demograph as they're just not interested in the car the way us forum dwellers are.

(and yes, I was very much joking about BMW forums as I know a lot of BM owners are a pretty good bunch)



So yep, Golf and 3 series are just boring rep mobiles, you've now made my mind up for me - I want a Scirocco
I bet Scirocco drivers don't thumb their noses at other Scirocco owners, they just admire each other's arch gaps and fat rumps and feel harmonious like Bini drivers do.

[monkeyhanger]

Yeah (especially the trusty GTD no doubt), but I bet that the % new Golfs that are privately owned rather than company cars are a lot higher than the 3 series. The 3 series screams comfortable motorway cruiser to me, rather than an everyday all rounder that the Golf is. If I was after a motorway cruiser i'm sure i'd find a 330d/335d more fitting. Horses for courses, but the 1 series is closer to delivering what i'm looking for form a car, but I can't forgive its looks. There's no denying that those HUKD prices are great for those BMW 3/5s if you're in the market for one.

After a staid 15 year history with TDIs, i'm hoping to find a bit of a hooligan in the R that can still be sensible when I want it to be - perhaps i'm just scratching an itch.

[monkeyhanger]

So yep, Golf and 3 series are just boring rep mobiles, you've now made my mind up for me - I want a Scirocco
I bet Scirocco drivers don't thumb their noses at other Scirocco owners, they just admire each other's arch gaps and fat rumps and feel harmonious like Bini drivers do.

The Scirocco is a great car, my 170TDI was far more fun than my GTD is, the car itself (regardless of what's under the bonnet) was a joy to look at when it was new out and the cloners hadn't got in on the act.

I would definitely consider a MK4 Scirocco - it needs the MQB treatment and an updated interior.

[Exonian]

Yeah (especially the trusty GTD no doubt), but I bet that the % new Golfs that are privately owned rather than company cars are a lot higher than the 3 series. The 3 series screams comfortable motorway cruiser to me, rather than an everyday all rounder that the Golf is. If I was after a motorway cruiser i'm sure i'd find a 330d/335d more fitting. Horses for courses, but the 1 series is closer to delivering what i'm looking for form a car, but I can't forgive its looks. There's no denying that those HUKD prices are great for those BMW 3/5s if you're in the market for one.

After a staid 15 year history with TDIs, i'm hoping to find a bit of a hooligan in the R that can still be sensible when I want it to be - perhaps i'm just scratching an itch.

Definitely not directly comparable cars, the 3 goes up against the Passat in reality and the 1 goes up against the Golf.
The 3 would get the nod ahead of the Passat from most buyers as it's a pretty ubiquitous car in that segment and the Golf would get the nod over the 1 series from Mr Average for the same reason. Horses for courses and when it comes to company cars it depends possibly on other factors such as current best lease deal and how much tax they have to pay out of their salary vs. other image factors or general interest in cars if any at all.

I can see the R being a short term itch relief for you. I'd put money (and I'm far from a gambler) that it won't become a long term love affair for you.

So yep, Golf and 3 series are just boring rep mobiles, you've now made my mind up for me - I want a Scirocco
I bet Scirocco drivers don't thumb their noses at other Scirocco owners, they just admire each other's arch gaps and fat rumps and feel harmonious like Bini drivers do.

The Scirocco is a great car, my 170TDI was far more fun than my GTD is, the car itself (regardless of what's under the bonnet) was a joy to look at when it was new out and the cloners hadn't got in on the act.

I would definitely consider a MK4 Scirocco - it needs the MQB treatment and an updated interior.

You've scratched your Scirocco itch where as I never have!
Having now spent over 12 months with an MQB car I'm not convinced on the benefits as an end user aside from the improved electronics in the graphic display and door lighting.
The handling IS improved but then again the mk5 chassis was pretty darned good and just improved with age as each revision came in but lost any rawness.
In contrast the panels are now thinner and you can see where money has been saved in hidden areas.

Aside from the huge domed instrument binnacle I've always loved the Scirocco interior.
The extra dials in the facelift one I drove looked a bit naff in a way but suit the car in the way that a Mini can get away with quirky things.
I just think the Scirocco is a bit overpriced for its old tech.