Conundrum: 125i or 125d

[Sidewindow]

I am looking at company car options and can choose any car i like as long as it's a 5 door BMW, with no options! I have shortlisted the 125i and 125d (both M Sport automatics) and am struggling to work out which to go for. I see the pros and cons for each having read countless reviews.. they both have near identical power output and 0-60 times but the 125d has a slab more torque as you would expect. The 125i however has petrol engine characteristics, so revvy and a better noise? They are otherwise both identical. The monthly BIK costs for standard cars for 2017-18 are:

125d M Sport £271.18
125i M Sport £244.04

Business mileage is expensed and I pay for my own private mileage, living in London i don't drive to work so private mileage is probably around 6k per year. So MPG is a factor but not a huge one.

I nearly put an order in for a 420d Gran Coupe M Sport for the vastly better standard equipment but then put my PH hat on and realised warm hatches are more attractive and what I want to be driving, the luxo-barge can wait 4 years!

Any advice from owners of either model would be greatly appreciated.

[Loyly]

Automatic only? Diesel it is then. Don't lumber that nice petrol engine with a slusher.

[Sidewindow]

Auto preferred however the ZF 8 speed 'sport' gearbox is supposed to be a cracker

[SWoll]

The ZF 8 Speed is a fantastic gearbox.

The additional torque of the diesel is great around town, the extra range per tank is always useful and it suits the auto really well.

The 420D GC is a much nicer car both inside and out than the 1 series and over a 4 year period the additional kit will be well worth having, as will the extra practicality. It is also a long way from being a 'luxo barge'.

[Sidewindow]

Thanks SWoll and point well made about the 4GC, hence my original choice. Affordability is a concern hence looking for cheaper best options. The BIK costs for comparison for 2017-18 are:

125d M Sport £271.18
125i M Sport £244.04
120d M Sport £236.52
320d M Sport Saloon £290.21
420d M Sport Gran Coupe £297.04

[mini95]

I would go for the petrol, especially if expensed and not too much different on the tax. The new BMW auto box is really good in both.

I have a company car and will be going petrol next time, I do wonder with the current way of thinking on diesel emissions that the tax will change so you could be stuck with higher BIK on a diesel car.

[talksthetorque]

Is the 330e on the list? (£102/month)

[bigmowley]

Make sure you drive the 125D. I did and was very disappointed, the one I tried was very gruff and quite noisy, significantly worse than the 120D. The power band and was quite narrow as well. The auto is a peach especially on the paddles.
Go petrol you know you want to

[Sidewindow]

Yes who knows about future BIK and what will happen to company car tax in general with the way things are going.

The 330e is on the list however I've discounted it as I would be unable to charge it anywhere and don't fancy driving around in a heavy 2 litre petrol. As it will be my only car I want something enjoyable to own/fun to drive.

[SWoll]

Sidewindow said:

Thanks SWoll and point well made about the 4GC, hence my original choice. Affordability is a concern hence looking for cheaper best options. The BIK costs for comparison for 2017-18 are:

125d M Sport £271.18
125i M Sport £244.04
120d M Sport £236.52
320d M Sport Saloon £290.21
420d M Sport Gran Coupe £297.04

If affordability is the main concern then I'd be comparing the 125i with the 120D based on the figures above then. The jump up to the 125D for nothing more than a few extra BHP seems significant.

Out of interest, have you tried using one of the company car tax calculators online to see what the real difference would be to your monthly income based on each model?

http://comcar.co.uk/newcar/companycar/taxcalc/

Also, how many business miles do you do a year?

[CaptainMorgan]

I took my mates 140 out yesterday, I was seriously impressed with the gearbox (which I assume is the 8 speeder mentioned), I'd go for the petrol I think.

[Sidewindow]

Interesting Bigmowlay and yes I do want petrol deep down but also like a bit of economy for trips to the continent.. just worked out very roughly that for £6k miles a year the additional fuel cost for a 125i would add up to the extra BIK for a 125d, so might just be talking myself into the 125i!

[Sidewindow]

SWoll I have looked at that site which is definitely the best I have found. Mileage wise it varies but estimate £10k business miles and 6k private per year.

120d is a consideration yes, just a bit boring perhaps?

[SWoll]

If a 1 series is what you want then I'd agree with the above posters and go 125i.

I would say though that based on those figures the difference between it and the 420GC from a monthly cost perspective would lessen considerably once fuel is taken into account, and for me the $20GC is a far more attractive, comfortable and well equipped car to spend 16,000 miles a year (and trips to Europe) in for the next 4 years.

It's a priorities thing I suppose, but good luck with whatever you do choose.

[SteveS Cup]

I'd go for the 320d M Sport.

[Mr Tidy]

In 2004 I got a car allowance (as an alternative to a company car as in 1.9 diesel Golf!) so I bought a 320td, and in 2008 followed it with a 123d.

Now business miles aren't a factor I have a 325ti as a daily and I have realised that I should have bought a 325ti and followed it with a 130i.

So you probably should be looking for a 135i or 140i to avoid years of misery!

[TonyG2003]

The 125i is a 2.0l turbo petrol and the newer BMW are twin scroll is it will have plenty of torque (although not quite as high as a 125d) but over a much broader spread of revs. I'd personally go for the petrol - newer turbo petrols like the 125i are very good and have as much driveable torque as many diesels. MrsG Merc as 280lb/ft at 1300rpm from a 2.0 petrol turbo.

[Debaser]

I'd go for the petrol. I prefer the driving characteristics, and as a bonus you don't have to use the (usually filthy) diesel pump when filling up.

[philmots]

125i

It may not have the torque peak of the 125d but it will hold what it does have over a wider range. It'll be more fun and the zf8 will work great with it.

[anonymous-user]

Assuming I haven't missed it, why not the petrol 3 or 4? Out of budget?