Teddy, I have driven BMW, (5 series) a company car, I didn't find it that much better than the Escort estate I had before it, and I much preferred the Citroen BX19 diesel that followed it, and would not swap my current or previous Mazdas for one either.
Lars, VW are not quite the prestige/status symbol over here as the Porsche, BMW, Merc and Audi, my rant is aimed more at the wannabes who are influenced by those perceived as being "leaders of fashion" and what are the brands that they "must have" without taking into consideration costs nor suitability for use on UK roads and their own needs (like who needs a large SUV to take a 5 year old half a mile to school and a weekly trip to the shops).
I don't need to be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 in single figure seconds, nor cruise at over 100MPH as so many drivers seem to find essential; I don't see the point of paying excessive road tax or driving something that uses a lot of fuel; to me a car needs to be able to get me from A to B in reasonable comfort in a reasonable time and economically my 9 year old Mazda2 hatch back does that for me; comfort means I arrive at my destination not feeling completely shattered, no aches or pains due to poor driving position, no muzzy head from excessive noise or poor ventilation; economically includes purchase price, as well as running costs.
