Audi A3 or Mercedes A Class?

R.O.S.S.I

R.O.S.S.I

R.O.S.S.I

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Hi all, the Mother has whittled down her new car choice to between these two. Personally I think they're both great looking cars and the only thing left for her to do now is go and test drive them both.

If you could choose out of an 1.4 Audi A3 Sport or a Mercedes A180 Sport both petrol which would you go for?

She's getting it on Motability so she won't be getting an S Line or an AMG variant as they aren't available I don't think.

Is there anything the Audi's do better than the Mercs or vice versa, are any better spec'd as standard? Just looking for some opinions really! (but please don't bother replying though if you are just going to say "they're both **** get this instead" or such like!)
 
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I've had a couple of new a3's and they're pretty decent cars tbh. I like the look of the merc too but the Audi has a nicer interior, I suspect ( though don't know for sure) the a3 is a bit more useful space wise too
 
The new a3 interior is one of the best you can get and you would have to spend thousands to get better. Its a fantasic drive as well although I drove yhe quattro version.
 
Giggz said:
Indeed someone I used to work with got his car through the a government scheme and had to trade it in every 3 years

I'd go for the a3
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That's outrageous. Mobility schemes should provide a car at the absolute lowest cost to the tax payer while fitting the requirements of the claimant. Not providing the option of two premium cars that ordinary people have to work hard for.
 
There's a big assumption there (which may well be correct) - you don't actually know what the cost delta between an A3 and say a Kia cee'd is to the scheme funding.

If it's set up like most lease deals then cars like the A3 can easily cost little more than or even less than the likes of Kia/Hyundai due to the purchasing deals the lease company gets and the relatively low depreciation projections
 
rodenal said:
There's a big assumption there (which may well be correct) - you don't actually know what the cost delta between an A3 and say a Kia cee'd is to the scheme funding.

If it's set up like most lease deals then cars like the A3 can easily cost little more than or even less than the likes of Kia/Hyundai due to the purchasing deals the lease company gets and the relatively low depreciation projections
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Agreed, if an Audi A3 is costing the tax payer less than a Kia ceed over the 3 year term, then it makes sense. However, in terms of social 'fairness' benefit claimants shouldn't have access to premium goods because it makes people angry!
 
Always been the same its total life cost which counts. Years ago when I ran a car fleet mercedes always worked out way cheaper per mile than Peugeots over 3 years despite costing up to 10k more.

And then manufacturer s do promotions. Merc clk amg softops can be had for 250 a month on lease atm.a fulky loaded e class can be had for less than a basic passat
 
zegna said:
Agreed, if an Audi A3 is costing the tax payer less than a Kia ceed over the 3 year term, then it makes sense. However, in terms of social 'fairness' benefit claimants shouldn't have access to premium goods because it makes people angry!
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It makes them almost as angry as me when I see a disabled badge on a 4x4 that i'd find it awkward to get into. ;)
 
Had my new A3 1.4 Stronic Sline for near 4 months now and yes the interior is very very nice and been very happy with the car so far been getting around 450 miles on a 50 litre tank doing mostly back road driving to work and back.
 
zegna said:
The government pays/subsidises this? wtf
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Disabled people get a mobility payment, they can either have that payment or use it on a car. If they want a nicer car then they have to pay the excess that the payment does not cover.

I would have got the Merc if you could get the AMG but seeing as the sport is the best one I would get the A3.
 
zegna said:
The government pays/subsidises this? wtf
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No, they don't. Motability receives nil government subsidy.

zegna said:
That's outrageous.
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It would be if it were true.

The reality is that person A, with no car, Person B, with a 2001 Ford Fiesta and Person C with a 2013 car on Motability, all with exactly the same disability, have exactly the same cost to the taxpayer.
 
My sister gets this for her disabled daughter and all you have to do is pay the deposit and that's it. It's like a just add fuel scheme!

The best deal they had yet was a brand new top speed grand scenic for the grand total of £350!

Bargain
 
Go for the A3 Saloon 1.4 COD Sport or S-Line, It looks better than the hatch and more practical..
 
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