Audi a3 or VW golf

[Nasty Doorman]

I have currently got a astra 1.6 sxi plate with the full irmscher kit on..

I am looking at getting either a A3 or golf...prob a diesel about 1.9 or 2.0l but torn between the two..i have about 7k to spend...what do you think are the pros and cons on these two...

[VAG1]

ive got the golf, its a brilliant. The A3 and the golf are the same car but the a3 has a more upmarket feel and look to it. feel free to ask me about the golf.

[sleep envy]

had the same dilemma last year - went for the A3 in the end as I'd be sat in it for hours on end and hated the golf interior

[steebo888]

between the golf 140 and a3 140 the a3 looks much better with more class but the golf is faster.

[brisel]

Eh? How so?

The engines, monocoques and kerb weights are the same.

The only way there will be any difference is if a MAF sensor is faulty or the engine running in methods were very very different!

[sleep envy]

as if it makes any difference whatsoever...

[Gazzab]

I think the Golf looks much better and classier. The A3 just looks like it is trying to be something and fails.

[VAG1]

you could go for a golf GT TDI

[Trikster]

Both times I've been through this dilemma and have test driven the two equivalent models I've always frond the Audi's suspension damping too jarring so make sure you test the relevant models back to back... had a couple of Mk5 Golfs over the past few years as my 'everyday' car - GT TDi (140) and more recently the GTi.. and of all the cars I've ever owned (and there have been some nice ones) the GT TDi probably beat the 'expectation' I had of the car by by far the most - a fantastic all round mile muncher with some good performance to match...

Like the Audis too - but watch that suspension....

[Yugguy]

Neither - get a Bora, far rarer, better looking IMO and you'll pay a grand less than you would for the equivalent Golf.

[J400uk]

No, don't get a Bora. That would be silly. It is based on the MK4 Golf, so will therefore drive and handle much worse than the MK5 Golf and Audi A3.

My vote would be a 1.9 TDI Sport or a older 2.0 TDI GT Golf. Both deliver a nice blend of running costs and performance. Test drive both and see which you prefer. Audi is not really worth it as you wouldnt get a great example for that sort of money.

[DirtyHarry88]

A3 every time for me.

Better looking, better interior, classier.

And I like golfs so I'm not saying that in a malicious way.

[khevolution]

i had a test drive of both, as i was in the same boat early this year and i found the audi interior a much nicer place to be, and as for the driving, it is true that the audi doesn't really drive the same as the golf, but you must remember that the audi A3 was first built for the reps who want to look executive and spend half there life on the motorway so the handling refects that, in the end i went for the audi and i loved every moment of it, and will one day buy another one!

[00161wj]

Audi look after you with customer service, volkswagen are fking wk! Golf feels like your driving a fiesta with all the cheap plastic, A3 feels like your driving a bmw etc if you get a decent spec. Had the oppurtunity to go to a MK5 GTI from a 2.0 tdi A3 and although was attracted by the speed, i just couldnt do it as it felt like such a downgrade!

[Pickled Piper]

Bought a Golf earlier this year for my wife. Personally, I find the interior feels too cheap and the car is quite boring to drive. In hindsight we should have bought the Audi for the more impressive interior look and feel or gone the other way and bought a Seat.

pp

[Yugguy]

J400uk said:

No, don't get a Bora. That would be silly. It is based on the MK4 Golf, so will therefore drive and handle much worse than the MK5 Golf and Audi A3.

My vote would be a 1.9 TDI Sport or a older 2.0 TDI GT Golf. Both deliver a nice blend of running costs and performance. Test drive both and see which you prefer. Audi is not really worth it as you wouldnt get a great example for that sort of money.

Drive and handle much worse??? That could be described as bks.

[J400uk]

Yugguy said:

J400uk said:

No, don't get a Bora. That would be silly. It is based on the MK4 Golf, so will therefore drive and handle much worse than the MK5 Golf and Audi A3.

My vote would be a 1.9 TDI Sport or a older 2.0 TDI GT Golf. Both deliver a nice blend of running costs and performance. Test drive both and see which you prefer. Audi is not really worth it as you wouldnt get a great example for that sort of money.

Drive and handle much worse??? That could be described as bks.

Ill rephrase then - Dosen't drive and handle quite as well as a MK5 Golf or Audi A3. No offence was meant in my post, I was just pointing out the Bora isnt based on as new technology. VW make significant changes with the introduction of the MK5 platform 5 years ago.

[steebo888]

J400uk said:

Yugguy said:

J400uk said:

No, don't get a Bora. That would be silly. It is based on the MK4 Golf, so will therefore drive and handle much worse than the MK5 Golf and Audi A3.

My vote would be a 1.9 TDI Sport or a older 2.0 TDI GT Golf. Both deliver a nice blend of running costs and performance. Test drive both and see which you prefer. Audi is not really worth it as you wouldnt get a great example for that sort of money.

Drive and handle much worse??? That could be described as bks.

Ill rephrase then - Dosen't drive and handle quite as well as a MK5 Golf or Audi A3. No offence was meant in my post, I was just pointing out the Bora isnt based on as new technology. VW make significant changes with the introduction of the MK5 platform 5 years ago.

second that on the mk5 handling. i have a mk4 golf gt tdi and have driven the mk5 tdi for a few days. even on fifth gear they rated the handling on the tdi mk5 as better than the best mk4

[Yugguy]

Filth gear are wrong then if the Passats and A4s I've driven are anything to go by.

And I reckon 7k would get you a low-end Mk5 but a highend Mk4.

But I am slightly biased as I love my mk4 bora...

[VAG1]

7k will get you a mid-range MK5. Which is still brilliant