New company car

[fredgroves]

A BMW 340 or a Supercharged Jag or a Audi S4 though are not what our friend is looking for...

He's looking for something fun with a lowish BIK...

I'd been round this one loads and loads before I decided on my GTD. The GTD does meet all of these requirements for me, but my children are both grown up and I no longer need to think about how to stuff all those prams/bikes/whatever into my car so was able to go from a large rep mobile down to a go-kart and enjoy the freedom and have a few quid in my pocket.

If I need the trash hauling capability, I'd be looking at either a Passat estate or a BMW of 3 series of some kind. Seem to remember the new bi-turbo on the Passat is highly rated by fellow 'dubbers on here.

[ffrank]

Ooh now it really does sound like we've got similar thoughts here. I'm very intrigued by the XE-S too. I love the exterior design and love the engine, but I sat in the back of one (or tried to) with the seat in my driving position and I just don't think it's big enough for my needs. I do keep thinking about them though, if they did a Sportbrake I'd be very interested.

I've seen a 340i with some M-Performance goodies on the road, not up close but I followed one for a bit. Sounded stunning and the new LED rear lights looked ace.

I've sat in an XE and a new 3-Series back to back though, and I must admit I preferred the BMW thanks to it's better driving position for my 6' 1" frame (could get the drivers seat lower and steering wheel reached out further to me) and also the media screen is at a higher level which makes looking at the screen easier whilst driving. I also prefer iDrive to the touch screen.

New Audi S4 will be worth a look too, generous spec, good looking, quattro and the MQB II chassis. Promises to be a superb car.

Ha, similar indeed! Interesting to hear your thoughts on the interiors. the only time I sat in the back of the XE was in one of the showroom models, so the driver chair may have been too far forward for me (I'm also 6'1!) but it seemed ok. Have seen it is definitely less space than the BMW though. Yes, wasn't a big fan of the screen in the Jag - found it all a bit distracting to look at.

S4 could well be a contender, and then there's the C450!

I think I would prefer the 340i out of the lot though, I like it's sleek but understated looks and biggest thing for me - a gear stick

A BMW 340 or a Supercharged Jag or a Audi S4 though are not what our friend is looking for...

He's looking for something fun with a lowish BIK...

I'd been round this one loads and loads before I decided on my GTD. The GTD does meet all of these requirements for me, but my children are both grown up and I no longer need to think about how to stuff all those prams/bikes/whatever into my car so was able to go from a large rep mobile down to a go-kart and enjoy the freedom and have a few quid in my pocket.

If I need the trash hauling capability, I'd be looking at either a Passat estate or a BMW of 3 series of some kind. Seem to remember the new bi-turbo on the Passat is highly rated by fellow 'dubbers on here.

Yes, we are a bit off topic sorry, but we did offer some XE experiences first

[matchboy]

My 'car allowance' is effectively 0% personal tax rate as it paid through a dividend, which makes it hard to beat!

However, you must bear in mind that the rules relating to dividends are changing from 6th April 2016, so you'll only be getting £5,000 'tax free' instead of the current rules whereby you can effectively earn up to the higher rate of tax and pay no tax.  Massive change, and worth consulting your accountant about. 

[CraigW]

My 'car allowance' is effectively 0% personal tax rate as it paid through a dividend, which makes it hard to beat!

However, you must bear in mind that the rules relating to dividends are changing from 6th April 2016, so you'll only be getting £5,000 'tax free' instead of the current rules whereby you can effectively earn up to the higher rate of tax and pay no tax.  Massive change, and worth consulting your accountant about. 

Are you touting for work again? 

Oh, and where's the pics of the Cayman Mark? How you finding the Porsche compared to the R?

[matchboy]

Are you touting for work again? 

Oh, and where's the pics of the Cayman Mark? How you finding the Porsche compared to the R?

Ha ha  no, just offering some free advice!  However, should anyone want a more detailed consultation... 

They're on my twitter/instagram!  I can't remember how to post pics in here 

Some interesting differences actually.  Firstly, it feels a lot quicker.  Don't know if that's the placebo effect as it shouldn't really be quicker, but it does feel it.  May be because of the longer gearing, I don't know.  But I've obviously tested it full beans on roads I know (it is second hand so no need to run it in), and its a monster and tears through the tarmac much quicker than the R.  And, obviously the noise is much, much better - very addictive and people can hear me coming a mile away  Grip in the dry is phenomenal!

However, its also a lot different in the wet - maybe it's cause I've only had it a few weeks, but the confidence levels at speed when driving when its hammering it down is a lot less than in the R - basically, didn't matter what the weather was like, the R was planted; the Cayman S is a lot different, you really have to pay attention (and not be an idiot basically) - however, some may say that's more fun (had the back end come out slightly which was great!) but on the flip side after a long day at work you sometimes just want to drive home and not have to worry about being that engaged in the drive.

Inside, obviously visibility is reduced compared to the R, however its still fine.  I will say the infotainment side of things - easier in the R, but still usable.  I find some of the buttons are in the wrong place, however its probably cause I've been in a VW for so many miles, and I have only had it a few weeks so still getting used to it.  Steering wheel isn't as good as in the VW either.  Driving position is spot on, seats are incredibly comfy, and even as a daily drive its more than usable.  Consumption wise, I'm getting average 24-26, and I was only getting 28 in the R, so happy with that!  Materials inside of are of higher quality, but then you'd expect that.

Overall, its amazing - looks great, sounds great, and is great fun to drive!  Very pleased I changed as never had anything like this before, and I love driving it.  I'd highly recommend anyone thinking of getting one to do so!

[ffrank]

My 'car allowance' is effectively 0% personal tax rate as it paid through a dividend, which makes it hard to beat!

However, you must bear in mind that the rules relating to dividends are changing from 6th April 2016, so you'll only be getting £5,000 'tax free' instead of the current rules whereby you can effectively earn up to the higher rate of tax and pay no tax.  Massive change, and worth consulting your accountant about. 

I know, thanks matchboy, and cheers Osbourne you £$%"! My accountant has sent a couple of emails on it but the last one stated it was still subject to consultation, but seems likely to be happening?

Nice to read your thoughts on the Cayman, love that car. If I wasn't thinking of keeping practicality (4+ doors) it would be top of my list! Yeah, get some pics up

[remlapeel]

I test drove an XE today manual R Sport 180bhp. Lovely refined car, extremely comfortable and quiet. Engine is excellent. Obviously slow compared to the R but enough poke to get the job done. (7.4 is the 0-62). They have one sat in the dealership brand new I want to take off their hands.

Heated seats
Rear view camera
Keyless entry
Front and rear parking sensors
Sat nav
Intouch connected app connect
Heated steering wheel
Heated front screen
Two tone leather heated seats
Panoramic sunroof
Blind spot monitor
Memory pack
10 way electric seats
Power tailgate


The list goes on and on. Just need to sort the finance side of things. It's December so I reckon I could squeeze a good deal. They have thrown together a 3+35 at 10k coming in at £430

[fredgroves]

Have you tried to put baby stuff into it?

Make sure you try that...

[remlapeel]

Yeah I took the wife and toddler with me, put the car seat and out and put the buggy in the boot. The boot is massive! 455litres compared to the R 340litres. The wife who is extremely keen on this one.

[remlapeel]

Ok I have jumped with the XE, I take delivery of it next week. Outstanding company car, unsure if I will keep the R as a toy or not. I will keep it until the new year to let the Jag settle in and see if the power satisfies me or not.

It has some cracking features on it.

iPhone app to start the car and turn on heating inc front and rear heated screens, locate car, check its locked, preload navigation into the car, check fuel levels etc.

Heated steering wheel
Blind spot monitor to help you reverse out of a bay.
Rear view camera ( had this on my GTI and loved it)
Heated and cooled leather seats with 10 way electric adjustment and 4 memory functions
Keyless entry
Traffic sign recognition with automatic speed limiter (why you would use the speed limiter is beyond me)
Voice control and text to speech system
A jaguar version of carnet....ish


Plus lots of other really clever crap. I'll upload photos etc when it arrives but it will look like this