Petrolpusher

So, after a lot of digging around, I have found the WLTP emissions. 120g/km. Which means, post April 2020, none of the current Lexus range is viable as a company car. I hate BIK - I do 30-35k miles / year, less than 1k is private - yet my tax bill will run to nearly £330 / month to have a suitable company car. *sigh* Looks like it's the same as everyone else, then - a BMW 330e.

We always joke that we should be encouraged to order 5lt V8 Mustangs! If they weren't available for personal use, we could get away with nil BIK, too... However, the strangest thing is that we have a 120g/km CO2 limit on company cars as, although we are an oil company, we need to be seen to be 'responsible'.

I work for the world's largest oil company!

Mercedes were removed a couple of years ago when Lexus were added (Truly proving they are the 'Japanese Mercedes'!) - because they didn't offer any emissions and tax efficient 3 and 5 series sized cars. Whilst they do today, the prices push over £40k, which is making some cars prohibitively expensive once the lease company has added the extra VED to the monthly cost. However, the whole thing has backfired in a big way - Volvo and VW were added on the promise of PHEVs which help our fleet average CO2 and save end users significant money in BIK... but the monthly lease costs are so high, nobody gets to choose a VW or Volvo PHEV anyway! If the ES300h falls off our list, I'm back to a 330e as being the only choice. I could have a UX or IS, but recent monthly price rises have taken the specifications I'd have wanted out of budget (I had looked at the UX250h Premium+ Tech and Sound - can now only have Premium + or F-Sport Nav, similar story with the IS300h which was available as a Premium+, now only as comfort or sport) I have got an interview for a promotion in a week or so, should I land that, I guess an ES300h in Mesa Red will end up on my drive.

I would, if Toyota were on our list. We only have what the business consider 'premium' brands. Audi, BMW, Lexus, VW and Volvo.

Not had time to check with Lexus yet - the ES disappeared from our car list for a week... it's back now, but just 4p under budget. I get the feeling it may drop out of scope if I can't order it this month. This will push me to a BMW 330e Sport - my colleagues have all ordered the MSport, but I need lumbar adjust and just can't add it to an MSport as it goes over £40k. (When did such an ordinary, fairly cramped, saloon get to such silly money?)

I'm just embarking on my search for a new company car - currently in a very high spec. BMW 520d Luxury with a load of options. Most of my colleagues are going with the BMW 330e MSport for the BIK savings - but kit levels are relatively poor and I'd prefer to pay a little extra each month to get a bigger car with more of the luxuries I'm used to. Now Lexus have added CarPlay to the ES, it's shot to the top of my list. Down side is that BMW residuals and / or manufacturer support means the lease rates are more competitive than Lexus - even though the ES300h is £5k cheaper than the 330e, the lease cost is higher, so I would only be able to order a base ES and may not even get metallic paint (I want Mesa Red!). The BMW goes back first week of June - so I need to plan my order to ensure I get my new car in time, or I end up continuing to pay a lot of tax on a 100k mile car. Are lead times still crazy? - one of my colleagues says he ordered Spring 2019 and still doesn't have his ES!