A4, 320d or Gti? Help me decide

Moe7

Hi Everyone,

I'm trying to spend within a budget of 7 - 9k , the voice of reason says buy a diesel (just sold my '03 impreza WRX for peanuts so I know what nasty fuel economy feels like). I was thinking an '05 320d or an '05 A4 2.0tdi, I've read about the issues with the A4s engine on this forum, I'm hoping I can get a hold of the 170hp version used in the octavia VRS and remap it, or alternatively an 05 320d has 163hp, that too can be remapped. My only issue is maintinence and space, the Audi strickes me as cheaper to maintain as its a VAG engine, and seems more spacious that a 3 series - I've got two car seats and a nanny to put in the back.

I would love some input from any owners out there.

That was the voice of reason, part of me wants to go out and buy a golf GTI (preferably with VAGs amazing DSG) but I'm worried about fuel economy, I do low miles but wonderig what MPG people are geting on an 05 MK5 GTI?

Thanks in advance all for your input!

useless

2 child seats & a nanny in the back? I'd wager you'll have difficulty fitting them all into the back seat of any of the options you're considering.

UK import 2.0 Touran with a DSG 'box maybe?

Moe7

useless wrote: »

2 child seats & a nanny in the back? I'd wager you'll have difficulty fitting them all into the back seat of any of the options you're considering.

UK import 2.0 Touran with a DSG 'box maybe?

Funny you should mention that, the Touran is where I sampled the DSG in the first place, yeah usually its the just the two kids, but I just wanted to emphasise that space is an issue and you sometimes want to shove a third person in there for short trips

Moe7

OSI wrote: »

If Fuel usage is a concern, stay away from the GTI. I average 250 miles to a tank and rarely see 300.

You'll also need to make a choice between the 2 kids or the nanny when ever you go anywhere.

Thanks OSI, that sort of fuel economy is in line with what I was getting on my WRX, thats all I needed to know, a diesel it is then.

gollywog

I have the audi a4 2.0 tdi s line. It's a beautiful car to drive and i love its looks and interior, but after reading about the problems online, although I haven't experienced any, i couldnt recommend it. Great fuel consumption too btw!

Kev.

My 06 Golf GTI costs 85 euro to fill up

This will last me 2 weeks or around 450 kms

If I drive sensibly I can average out at about 10 liters per 100Km-around 24 miles to the gallon

Hope this helps

Jimdagym

gollywog wrote: »

I have the audi a4 2.0 tdi s line. It's a beautiful car to drive and i love its looks and interior, but after reading about the problems online, although I haven't experienced any, i couldnt recommend it. Great fuel consumption too btw!

That's ridiculous tbh.

gollywog

Jimdagym wrote: »

gollywog wrote: »

I have the audi a4 2.0 tdi s line. It's a beautiful car to drive and i love its looks and interior, but after reading about the problems online, although I haven't experienced any, i couldnt recommend it. Great fuel consumption too btw!

That's ridiculous tbh.

What's ridiculous about it? Just my experience so far

Jimdagym

gollywog wrote: »

What's ridiculous about it? Just my experience so far

You experience has been good, that's what.

gollywog

Jimdagym wrote: »

gollywog wrote: »

What's ridiculous about it? Just my experience so far

You experience has been good, that's what.

So what's your point?

Jimdagym

gollywog wrote: »

So what's your point?

My point is that I think it's ridiculous that you own a car that you think is lovely to drive, love the looks and interior, and haven't had a problem with, yet wouldn't recommend

gollywog

Jimdagym wrote: »

gollywog wrote: »

So what's your point?

My point is that I think it's ridiculous that you own a car that you think is lovely to drive, love the looks and interior, and haven't had a problem with, yet wouldn't recommend

Oh sorry my bad, I misunderstood you... It's late!
Well my experiences so far have been positive, but I'm kind of living in fear of what MIGHT go wrong if that makes sense? But if I hadn't have read all the stuff online I would be recommending it highly.

Compton

Lifes too short to worry about the fact that your car may or may not break down! Just enjoy it!!

MuppetCheck

Kev. wrote: »

My 06 Golf GTI costs 85 euro to fill up

This will last me 2 weeks or around 450 kms

If I drive sensibly I can average out at about 10 liters per 100Km-around 24 miles to the gallon

Hope this helps

You're actually getting about 28mpg. You divide 282.5 by the litre per 100km figure to get it in miles per gallon.

Anan1

Compton wrote: »

Lifes too short to worry about the fact that your car may or may not break down! Just enjoy it!!

I enjoy lots of things that I wouldn't recommend.;)

Tea 1000

Coming from a WRX, I assume you're used to (and fond of) having a car that handles well. Therefore the A4 should now be crossed off your list, as it doesn't. A 320d does, and so does a GTi, but you'll get a 05 GTi for around 10k I'd say, but you'll pay more for a nice clean 320d that doesn't have high miles. And turbo's etc start to arrive on the horizon then.
Just something to think about, there's more to calculate than mpg!

gollywog

Compton wrote: »

Lifes too short to worry about the fact that your car may or may not break down! Just enjoy it!!

I am trying!

Compton

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Coming from a WRX, I assume you're used to (and fond of) having a car that handles well. Therefore the A4 should now be crossed off your list, as it doesn't. A 320d does, and so does a GTi, but you'll get a 05 GTi for around 10k I'd say, but you'll pay more for a nice clean 320d that doesn't have high miles. And turbo's etc start to arrive on the horizon then.
Just something to think about, there's more to calculate than mpg!

You'll get an 05 GTi for 7-8k I'd say.