[Oli]

After a couple of weeks with the BMW 320ED, I've decided to get one, not for me personally but for my rental fleet. We have been thinking about branching out into 'prestige' rental for a while, (there is no one in our area that does this) and this seems a good way to start it. The residuals are going to be rock solid, 100% write down in the first year, and coupled with a nice leather interior, should make for a nice alternative to the usual Mondeos, Focus's and Fiesta's that we hire out.

If you've not driven one I suggest you do, they are an absolute revelation, not at all boring like you think, lots of power, very comfortable, and great fuel economy! This car is going to knock the company car market for six!

I'm thinking either Alpine white with black leather or Bluewater with Oyster leather. I'm just waiting for my dealer to get back to me with a build slot, so I can confirm.

I'll keep you posted. And if you know someone that wants to hire a LCI 320ED, you know where to send them.

[F31-340i]

Interesting - when you say 100% write down in yr1, does that mean you expect it to "earn" its £27k purchase price in 1 year (at 100% hire in 365days, thats £70/day?) Or is the hire % much lower - 40-60-70% needing more income/day?

Is it hard to get high hire usage rates on premium stuff?

Had a look on BMW site and the 335d SE is seemingly no more, plus the normal 320d now has 184bhp.

[Oli]

No you can write the total cost of the vehicle off against your corporation tax in year 1 of ownership!!!(business ownership obviously) The residuals will be so good, for this reason and the fact that for the company car driver the BIK is only 13%. Its a no brainer for us - It will cost less than a mondeo to own and run!

Ref the charge out rates, we will probably only charge £15-£20 a day more than a top spec mondeo, but you'd pay it wouldnt you?

[F31-340i]

Well being a Yorkshire type I usually end up with 1.1 litre puntos as hire cars when I'm paying! But I like the idea of hiring a 320ED. What do you charge for a Mondeo, and hence a 320ED?

What are your util rates for hire cars - I've always wondered - will understand if this is commercially sensitive though.

PS Will AW be OK for resale on a 320ED? I think bluewater always looks good, if a tad girly. Is oyster leather safe in a hire car - or do you sell them before they get too worn/dirty though use anyway?

[Oli]

Rates for all my vehicles can be found here;

http://www.bmvs.co.uk/rental (shameless plug.....)

Our fleet is approximately on a 65-70% useage, but this is anbaverage for the whole year, holidays etc we are literally running at 95% - Its a real juggling act!!!

And reference colours, either will work well, and with white, still being the colour of the moment, people will really enjoy hiring it, and buying it at the end!

We only keep our cars for approx 1 year or so, and they are cleaned weekly, so well before any major wear and tear happens.