Facts and figures
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Account Executives
01.07.2008 |
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The contenders
BMW 520d SE
List price £27,200 Target Price £25,280
Every 5 Series is a cracker, and the frugal and affordable 520d is our pick of the range
Volvo S80 2.0D SE
List price £23,995 Target Price £21,779
New, entry-level version of Volvo’s big saloon makes sound financial sense. That may not be enough
Big cars need big pay cheques, right? Not if these tax-friendly execs from BMW and Volvo are anything to go by.
IN TODAY’S BUSINESS world, nothing comes for free, and everything has to have a cost benefit. Thing is, you don’t need to spend a lot to bring some luxury to the daily grind, as the two cars here prove.
Volvo’s new S80 2.0d SE has a four-cylinder engine that cuts down your fuel and tax bills, all wrapped in a body that’s as big and safe as any pricier S80. The best news is it costs just £23,995.
The BMW 520d SE is more of a stretch at £27,200, but it’s our favourite in an impressive range. All the usual 5 Series qualities are present, and it has one of the most efficient diesel engines in this class.
What are they like to drive?
These cars’ four-cylinder engines are clean and frugal, but are they powerful enough to shift their sizeable bulk?
We think so. On paper, the S80’s 134bhp seems pretty measly, but in practice it’s up to the job. It rarely feels short of puff, but there are times when a bit more poke would be handy. You sometimes need to drop down a gear on the motorway, and overtaking on a country road requires lots of planning and space.
The BMW demands less effort because it has an extra 41bhp and 22lb ft of torque. Our figures show that the BMW is usefully quicker, going from 30-70mph three seconds faster than the S80. Who needs a thirstier, six-cylinder diesel when there’s this kind of performance on tap?
These cars are as refined as any executive saloon should be, so you can disregard the fact that they’re entry-level versions. The BMW’s engine is particularly easy on the ear and the car shuts out wind, road and suspension noise as well as any other Five. It’s a peaceful cruiser.
In the grand scheme of things the S80 is quiet, but it’s not as hushed as the BMW. You hear the suspension thumping over bumps and there’s more wind and road noise at speed. The S80’s engine is also noisier than the BMW’s and it’s not as smooth when worked hard.
The two cars are completely different to drive, too. The Volvo is the more remote, even soulless, companion, while the BMW forms a strong link between car, driver and road.
Both approaches have their merits. The Volvo’s suspension is forgiving over small bumps and rough roads, and its steering is light. As a result, the S80 is undemanding around town and it’s an effortless cruiser. The Volvo’s suspension shudders too easily over poor roads, however, and the steering feels numb.
Everything about the BMW is more immediate. Taut suspension and meatier steering mean it’s more agile and you get better feedback through the steering wheel and seat.
It’s not uncomfortable, however, and we think it strikes the better balance. Yes, the BMW’s steering is heavy at low speed, but it really talks to your palms, which means you can place the car with greater confidence on faster roads. The BMW’s suspension tells you more about changes in road surface, and yet it still manages to deals with bumps in a quieter, more composed way than the S80’s.
What are they like to live with?
These are big cars, with enough space for four fat cats to sit comfortably inside, but it’s the BMW’s cabin which is bigger in every direction and has more space for legs in the back. The boot is larger, too, with a capacity of 520 litres to the Volvo’s 422 litres. A wider opening means it’s easier to get things in and out of the BMW’s boot, but you pay £345 for folding seats, where they’re standard in the Volvo.
Both interiors have simple dash layouts and limited clutter. They’re mostly user-friendly, but the Volvo’ s push-button parking brake and the BMW’s iDrive system aren’t to all tastes.
Some drivers won’t be keen on the Volvo’s driving position, either, because you sit quite high. The BMW gives you a wider range of movement for the seat and steering wheel, and its front seats are more generous.
The BMW’s austere interior design isn’t to everyone’s taste, but it feels more luxurious than the Volvo’s. Both are plush and solid, but the BMW’s cabin is that bit classier.
Will they break the bank?
Whether it’s you or the company paying, the S80’s cheaper list price help to keep costs down. HSBC Finance quotes a monthly contract hire rate of £449 for the Volvo, but £547 for the BMW.
You shouldn’t have much trouble convincing the accountants that the 5 Series is worth the extra money, though. For a start, it’ll use less fuel: if you match the BMW’s remarkable combined figure of 55.4mpg, you’ll spend about £111 less on diesel every 10,000 miles.
The BMW’s efficient engine means that you’ll also pay less company car tax. Despite its higher price, CO2 emissions of just 136 g/km mean that higher-rate taxpayers pay £162 per month to run the BMW, but £5 more for the Volvo.
If you’re buying with your own money, the S80’s price is tempting – our Target Price shows you can whittle it down to less than £22,000. You can negotiate nearly £2000 off the 520d’s list price, but it’ll still cost over £25,000.
Despite this, the BMW is the better long-term investment. The 520d will be worth 55% of its original price after three years, but the Volvo will hold on to 46%. Using our Target Price as a starting point, your bank balance will be £441 better off overall with the BMW. Our Real Cost figures (which include fuel, depreciation, insurance and maintenance costs) emphasise the point: the BMW costs £16,333 over three years; the Volvo costs £1409 more.
Both cars have electric windows, air-con, alloys, front, side and curtain airbags and stability control. The BMW also has part-electric driver’s seat adjustment and front and rear parking sensors; these are extra on the Volvo.
BMW 520d SE List price £27,200 £25,280
FOR Refined; good to drive; low running costs; spacious
AGAINST Firm ride; iDrive not to everyone’s taste
VERDICT Higher price, but cheaper than V70 long-term
Volvo S80 2.0D SE List price £23,995 £21,779
FOR Low list price; contract hire rates; comfy cruiser
AGAINST Not as roomy, refined or as enjoyable as some
VERDICT Affordable and appealing, it’s our favourite S80
Whatcar? says…
This test proves you don’t need big money to run a big saloon. These entry-level execs are classy, refined and roomy, yet they’re affordable, too.
The S80 is at its best in 2.0D SE form and gives buyers a lot of car for comparatively little cash.
For us, though, the 520d is the clear winner. It costs more to buy or lease, but fuel and tax bills are lower and it’s superior in just about every area.
