BMW 730d, vs 520d Touring vs A6 Avant 2.0

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As title really, i am buying my own company car, and have shortlisted these three cars (as well as a Discovery Sport, but that's a compromise).

All (apart from the 730d) can be new, or <2 years old (ie ~£37k new or ~£25k used).

If used they will be low mileage (<30k) and the BMWs will be M Sport, the Audi S Line type spec level.

I struggle to see why a used 730d would be significantly more expensive to run than the 5 or A6 (unless it's "because!" it's a 7 the price goes up?) as mpg figures are not wildly different, tyres maybe more (servicing? infrequent)...

Is it just servicing and repairs that will go up, or is this a misnomer? I need to check insurance.

My lifestyle is 70% lone driving, 20% family (2 young kids), 10% towing a caravan (this is why i dismissed the Jag XJ), and all 4 of these would be great (the disc better towing, less enjoyable for the lone driving).

Any comments, stories/suggestions appreciated as to why these (and which) are good/bad?
 
The 7-Series warranty is significantly more expensive than the 5-Series, and BIK will be significantly higher.
 
Secondhand a 530d is of course a possibility, initially with the A6 & 5 series i was only thinking new though, and the 30d is a fair but more new...

Good to know about the servicing, i'll look into that, has that been going a while though, as mine wouldn't be new?

Don't think there are BIK complications here - i am not receiving the benefit of a car, just the cash amount, which is being taxed...

As for Merc, sure why not, and anything else, as long as it's tow capable, spirited to drive and good ooking (with room for kids).
 
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I'm not sure I really understand the shortlist.

If you are happy with a 4 cylinder diesel, the 520d is excellent and offers outstandingly good value for money in the segment and especially against it's 6 cylinder alternatives where it's often much cheaper. But if you are happy with that why would you consider a used 730d?

The 7 Series and the 5 Series are two very closely related cars - by 2012 they were all but mechanically identical with the same gearbox, same engines (Where applicable, no 2 litre in the 7), same electornics systems etc. So in reality you are right, there isn't much apart running costs wise except for these few points:

a) The 7 Series is heavier - so its a bit slower and more thirsty than the 5 Series equivilent
b) The 7 Series has '7 tax' applied to its warranty. The warranty on the 7 Series is so expensive it makes no credible sense, double that of a 5 Series which is already hardly cheap

Everything else is largely similar.

Another car you may want to consider is the 5GT - a more practical version of the 5 Series with a similar interior layout to the 7 Series. You can buy a good 15 plate 530dGT M Sport with good spec for around £30k.

btw, a brand new 530d M Sport Touring is £5k more than a brand new 520d M Sport Touring when sourced through somebody like Broadspeed. There is an £11k saving on list of the 530d but only an £8k saving on the 520 which brings the difference down. You get a little more equipment with the 530, too - Extended climate and ambient lighting package.
 
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Out of the options you've laid out, and based on your post, I'd opt for the 730D. More relaxing, bigger, argubly more toys and should tow better given the larger engine.
 
snapdragon69 said:
I'd go for the 730D, it's not just a bigger 5 series, it's a different class/segment.
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Actually technically speaking the 5 Series is a smaller 7 Series, they share much of the platform.

The 7 has a slightly more dated yet better appointed interior by virtue of the fact the 7 is always the first car released in any new BMW generation, so is therefore the 'older' design.

ie at the moment the new 7 Series is the only car of the next generation, everything else in the range is a generation behind.
 
Everything I've read suggests the 5GT just isn't very good...

What don't you understand about the shortlist? I either buy new (budget only permits 5/A6/XF - one I forgot to mention, though the sportbrake is discontinued). Dropping down a few years old means I have the option of a car previously unavailable to me, which is decidedly a class up. Why wouldn't it be in the list? Granted it's not an estate, but it's plenty bug enough still.

I haven't included the A8 as I don't like it, considered the 3GT but towing (specifically nose weight of the van) is to high, for all 3's
 
[TW]Fox;29124276 said:
Another car you may want to consider is the 5GT - a more practical version of the 5 Series with a similar interior layout to the 7 Series.
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I see you dropped the 5gt and 7 are the same chassis or what not line :p
 
Pug said:
Everything I've read suggests the 5GT just isn't very good...
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It's a very good car, just like the 5 Series and 7 Series to which it is related. There is nothing fundamentally different about it that would make it 'not very good'. It has challenging looks, sure, but thats subjective.

What don't you understand about the shortlist?
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It's quite disparate and misses out obvious alternatives. 520d Touring or 730d Saloon. Why no 530d Touring or 530d saloon? etc. A 7 Series might be a large car but it won't come close to offering the practicality and convenience of the Touring. The 7 suggestion sits alone in a list of 4 pot estate cars, you can see why that might look unusual :p

I think really the first question is 'Do I want an economical and practical estate car' or 'Do I want a large and refined luxury saloon'. Once this question is answered you can then do the new v used thing.

Personally, I'd have a 5 over a 7. If you can put up with a 520d then do so because you get much more car for the money - newer - though watch for the annoying spec omissions like the basic climate control.
 
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