Audi A3 2009 Diseal vs Petrol

Laura.2222

I've looked at the other threads on this topic so apols if repeating but don't have a clear answer for my situation.
I'm looking to buy an Audi A3 & do less than 8,000 miles a year. There is really no major difference in price between the two when buying, as Petrol if anything seems more difficult to come by. I plan on keeping it for about 5yrs & always have my car serviced yearly. Because of the low mileage I do the saving on actual fuel is not a big deal to me as opposed to the possible cost of low mileage on the engine.
If I buy diseal am I setting myself up for costly mechanic bills in the future or is that a concern of the past?
thanks in anticipation of advice from those wiser than me.

bazz26

You will have to work out the maths. There can be a huge difference in the purchase price between a petrol model and similar year diesel model. Work out how long it would take you to make that difference in purchase price back in fuel fills. At 8k miles per year my guess is that it may take you more than 5 years to make it worth your while going diesel. On a certain budget you may also find that going diesel means that you will most likely be buying a car with alot more mileage on it.

BTW have you looked at a Golf? There tends to be more options in petrol models and engines than the A3 and pretty much the same car underneath.

mickdw

bazz26 wrote: »

.......the same car underneath.

Yes but the A3 is a nicer place to sit.

bazz26

I don't know about that, most Irish spec A3s are pretty grim places to be on the inside. The OP would surely get a MkVI Golf for similar money which had a much improved interior, whereas the A3's interior hasn't changed much since it's launch back in 2003.

166man

Laura.2222 wrote: »

I've looked at the other threads on this topic so apols if repeating but don't have a clear answer for my situation.
I'm looking to buy an Audi A3 & do less than 8,000 miles a year. There is really no major difference in price between the two when buying, as Petrol if anything seems more difficult to come by. I plan on keeping it for about 5yrs & always have my car serviced yearly. Because of the low mileage I do the saving on actual fuel is not a big deal to me as opposed to the possible cost of low mileage on the engine.
If I buy diseal am I setting myself up for costly mechanic bills in the future or is that a concern of the past?
thanks in anticipation of advice from those wiser than me.

If the diesel and petrol were the same price then I'd be having the diesel. Nicer car to drive I'd imagine if comparing a 1.6 petrol and 1.6TDI and it will be more economical in general just not by as much.

Should hold it's value better in the long run too.

EDIT: Bazz is right though, have a look at a Golf, should get more Golf for your money than an Audi and it's all much of a muchness when it comes to comparing the two IMO.

Mycroft H

Diesel is going to depreciate less too. Something to add to the equation

MuppetCheck

If you're looking at a 2009 A3 you should be able to pick up the 1.4tsi. It's nicer to drive than the diesel, more powerful and probably cheaper.

You're thinking is correct for small mileage - the diesel may cost more. I can't see why it would be preferable to the petrol given your mileage like 166man has said.

AltAccount

For that mileage you should definitely choose the 1.4tsi.

R.O.R

AltAccount wrote: »

For that mileage you should definitely choose the 1.4tsi.

Or the 1.8TFsi! http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A3/1.8-TFSI/7113389736550930/advert?channel=CARS

1.4TFsi http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A3/1.4TFSI-/34213612105260890/advert?channel=CARS not as high spec as the 1.8 above, but does have an armrest

I'd avoid the 1.6 as it's not as good as the newer engines. Not sure if there is a difference in tax cost between the 1.4 and 1.8 TFSi engines. The 1.4Tfsi was costing €156 up until this year.

Laura.2222

Hi All & thanks for the really great responses. Would you believe it I'm going to be trading in an old Golf for the Audi so ready for a change but have to agree the golf are great.
I checked out both URLs mentioned & great cars but I'm looking for a 5 door & a royal blue colour but they were great to compare against.
From what I'd seen so far not a big difference between teh cost of the petrol to diseal cars when 2009 so my only concern was long term costs ie would my low mileage damage a diseal engine?

MuppetCheck

At 5k miles a year I'd go petrol, and bargain hard on them. They will be harder to sell so use it to your advantage when buying.

Cash is king

bazz26 wrote: »

I don't know about that, most Irish spec A3s are pretty grim places to be on the inside. The OP would surely get a MkVI Golf for similar money which had a much improved interior, whereas the A3's interior hasn't changed much since it's launch back in 2003.

The poverty spec one is awful too. I would prefer a Highline Golf or something along those lines.

George Dalton

bazz26 wrote: »

I don't know about that, most Irish spec A3s are pretty grim places to be on the inside. The OP would surely get a MkVI Golf for similar money which had a much improved interior, whereas the A3's interior hasn't changed much since it's launch back in 2003.

I couldn't agree more. The top spec A3 interior is nice, but it isn't any nicer than a Highline MkVI. We have a 2009 MkVI Highline for sale at the moment and it is a lovely car to be in. Alcantara seats, climate control, sat nav radio, multi-function wheel etc. You won't find too many A3s with an equivalent spec that's for sure.

Laura.2222

thanks Muppetcheck will see whats out there.

Definitely not going Golf as have one already so time for a change to the Audi, thanks anyhow.

Ronnie Beck

Laura.2222 wrote: »

... so my only concern was long term costs ie would my low mileage damage a diseal engine?

It's more the type of driving than the mileage that can damage a diesel. Frequent short trips, heavy traffic and general urban driving suit a petrol engine better whereas if your not using the car during the week and doing a 150 mile round trip at the weekends a diesel engine would be fine.

Mycroft H

Ronnie Beck wrote: »

It's more the type of driving than the mileage that can damage a diesel. Frequent short trips, heavy traffic and general urban driving suit a petrol engine better whereas if your not using the car during the week and doing a 150 mile round trip at the weekends a diesel engine would be fine.

That's the truth. It's an awful misconception that low mileage damages diesels. Style of driving does.

Laura.2222

Great thanks

Laura.2222

great replies, thanks everyone

Tell ye what, how about you drive the petrol and the diesel than decide ?

my bet would be the petrol any time over a noisy rattle box farmer diesel.

Seriously with your mileage a diesel is a waste and you'll only end up paying more with higher mileage.

The 1.4 tsi would be the most sensible. I believe the supercharged versions were trouble so stick with the 120 hp engines.

MuppetCheck

You can only get the turbocharged version in the a3.

Laura.2222

thanks guys