Can't believe it's nearly 4 years since I ordered the last one.
Currently doing 30-35k miles / year.
The government is really hammering diesel drivers - a like for like replacement of my 520d would cost £410 / month in BIK tax.
Shortlist at the moment...
BMW 330e MSport. Can't add anything, due to the £40k 'luxury car VED' which bumps costs by £25/month if you spend £40,000 rather than £39,999. Only get the best from it if you plug it in overnight, which, frankly, is never going to happen. On the positive side, you do get a burst of
290bhp (non boosted is around 250bhp) if you have a decent charge in the battery. BIK £160 / month.Lexus ES300h. Lots more kit - most importantly, lumbar support and electric adjustment of the seats. Also comes with a decent Pioneer audio system vs. the awful BMW standard system. Doesn't need plugging in, but 'only' has about 240bhp. BIK £280 / month.
I like the saving on the 3-series... but they feel a bit pokey and cheap after running a 5 for the last 100k miles.
We're limited to Audi, BMW, Lexus, VW and Volvo - but VW and Volvo hybrids have awful residuals, so a Passat GTE is out of my lease banding by £50 / month, meaning it's £100 / month more to lease than a 520d MSport!
The alternative is to hold on and see if the new BMW X1 hybrid is any good. But that's just a jacked up Mini.
What woudld you do?