Went to have another look at the 120d and also at the 520d, V50 and Jag X-Type 2.0D today.
The 120d is growing on me. ES spec. with 'Dynamic' pack is quite nice and only needs cruise adding to put it at the spec. I'd want. quite tempting.
520d. Have to pay extra for this, and I'm not sure it's worth it. Great image, but ultimately, far too big for me. Don't like the dash, either.(What annoys me is that, even if I pay extra, I can't get a 320d SE Auto..... the only 3-series on either list are the 318d SE and 325d SE, both of which are manual only)
V50. I know I like this one, but Katie wasn't too sure, until I spotted an S40 with the R-Design kit to give her an idea how much better the R-Design cars look than the standard ones. Still a very strong temptation that one.
Biggest surprise of the day was the X-Type. If I can get over the 'MkIII Mondeo' link, it would be a great car to have. Jaguar appear to have thrown the entire options book at the base spec. cars (half leather seats, power seats, dual zone climate, premium audio pack etc), making them very attractive for the company car driver. Shame they don't offer a slushomatic on the 2.0D - you have to get a 2.2D for that, which pretty much rules it out. I'd happily pay extra for a 2.2D Auto, but the only X-Type on my list is 2 bands up and is the X-Type 2.2D Sovereign Estate - with a manual box, ffs!
Ultimately, I still haven't narrowed things down to my 3 nominated 'extended' test drives. I feel I may have to ask for quotes on cars that aren't technically on my list before making a decision.
One that I spotted from the band above me that would tempt me, though, is the V50 D5 SE Sport R-Design Auto.....
Argh!