Face lift A3 or MK6?

Chris344 · 8 Aug 2012 at 12:09

I am on the lookout for a new car and quite fancy the following;

Face lift Audi A3 2.0D S line 140
VW MK6 GT TDI 140

Both are nice but cannot decide.

I have heard horror stories about DSG boxes out of warranty going wrong, I did want a DSG due to London traffic however I don't want a 3-4k replacement bill if it goes wrong.

Due to budget the car will be up to 3 years old with around 40-50k

Chris344 · 8 Aug 2012 at 12:19

Just to add... I have always had VW's and I'm a fan, currently got a 06 Jetta but want something to slightly better fit my age

[TW]Fox · 8 Aug 2012 at 12:23

Go go the Golf - a generation newer than the ancient A3.

Chris344 said:
currently got a 06 Jetta but want something to slightly better fit my age

Eh what?

Because a diesel Golf is so youthful, right? :confused:

If you drive an 06 Jetta I wouldnt bother with either - certainly not the A3 it's fundamentally the same car.

Keep the Jetta until you can afford to upgrade to something genuinelly an upgrade.

Chris344 · 8 Aug 2012 at 12:39

Thanks TWFox,

I need a diesel as I am constantly up and down the motorway and do a fair few miles, the Jetta is now on 103k with a few potential issues due such as steering rack etc

I looked at the 1.4 160 TSI engine but the VW forums state they are full of issues

[TW]Fox · 8 Aug 2012 at 12:41

Nothing on the Jetta will cost more than buying an entirely new and fundamentally pretty much the same car.

Chris344 · 8 Aug 2012 at 12:59

I understand that nothing will cost the same amount as a replacement car, I have had the Jetta for nearly 4 years now and just fancy a change.

I would also consider a 1 series M Sport but not sure which engine and how problematic they might be?!

What are the auto's like on the 1 series range in terms of reliability?

[TW]Fox · 8 Aug 2012 at 13:00

The cars you have suggested are not really a change, that's my point.

Chris344 · 8 Aug 2012 at 13:03

Fair play, I am open to recommendations?

Must be decent on fuel, have a bit of grunt and looks decent.

Mon-Fri it will be used for 10 miles a day and every 3 weeks blasted up to Manchester

Minstadave · 8 Aug 2012 at 13:06

What's your yearly milage, that doesn't sound like a fair few miles.

Chris344 · 8 Aug 2012 at 13:10

I cover about 20k a year, I wouldn't want something that would be expensive around town.

rossk26 · 8 Aug 2012 at 13:24

Won't 10 miles a day in London Traffic be detrimental to a diesel engine?

You'll be surprised at how economical petrol engines are these days. With 2.0 engines able to get ~40mpg on a long run.

Chris344 · 8 Aug 2012 at 13:47

rossk26 said:
Won't 10 miles a day in London Traffic be detrimental to a diesel engine?

You'll be surprised at how economical petrol engines are these days. With 2.0 engines able to get ~40mpg on a long run.

Well 20 per day round trip and a blast to Manchester and back every three weeks.

I was considering the 1.4 TSI 160 engine but on the vw forums people are reporting that they are not reliable

rodenal · 8 Aug 2012 at 14:15

Wouldn't your yearly mileage be closer to 11/12k than 20?

20 miles x 5 days = 100 x 52 (obviously you dont work 52 weeks a year but for asusmptions sake lets say your weekend mileage makes up for it)

London to manchseter to london circa 400 miles every 3 weeks = (52/3)*400

Total about 12k - could you not consider something like a mk5/6 gti instead? At least that'd be worth changing for

rossk26 · 8 Aug 2012 at 14:17

rodenal said:
Wouldn't your yearly mileage be closer to 11/12k than 20?

20 miles x 5 days = 100 x 52 (obviously you dont work 52 weeks a year but for asusmptions sake lets say your weekend mileage makes up for it)

London to manchseter to london circa 400 miles every 3 weeks = (52/3)*400

Total about 12k - could you not consider something like a mk5/6 gti instead? At least that'd be worth changing for

^This

Howard · 8 Aug 2012 at 14:27

Chris344 said:
I was considering the 1.4 TSI 160 engine but on the vw forums people are reporting that they are not reliable

You make it sound like it is surprising that people who own certain cars flock to a forum relevant to that car make/model for advice and discussion when problems occur. It's about the most inappropriate way possible to determine how 'reliable' a car is.

NathWraith · 8 Aug 2012 at 14:30

The thing is the 1.4 TSI is unreliable. In supercharged, turbo form.

Minstadave · 8 Aug 2012 at 15:01

NathWraith said:
The thing is the 1.4 TSI is unreliable. In supercharged, turbo form.

Just too much to go wrong, the push from decent power from a small engine has been at the price of reliability.

NathWraith · 8 Aug 2012 at 16:07

Minstadave said:
Just too much to go wrong, the push from decent power from a small engine has been at the price of reliability.

Agreed. Despite the engine being pretty nice to use. A 1.4 power plant with a super charger and turbocharger on is a time bomb IMO, the higher powered 180PS versions come in DSG only which adds even more expense.

Chris344 · 8 Aug 2012 at 16:19

NathWraith said:
Agreed. Despite the engine being pretty nice to use. A 1.4 power plant with a super charger and turbocharger on is a time bomb IMO, the higher powered 180PS versions come in DSG only which adds even more expense.

This is the reason for not going for this engine. On paper it looks great

ahenners · 8 Aug 2012 at 16:26

Agreed on previous comments. Golf mk6 is newer, the a3 facelift looks decent from the outside but inside it hasnt changed and is looking pretty aged. As for diesel v petrol, it doesn't sound like you need diesel. My daily commute is 20 miles each way and I usually do a few miles most evenings and over weekends but I'd still take petrol.