What would be the best from my shortlist?

[gejones]

Hello,

First let me name the cars on my shortlist:
BMW 120d auto,
Audi A3 TDI,
Mercedes A220,
VW Golf GTD.

I want a car that's great on diesel, a very low tax rate, a fairly pokey engine with lots of torque, & a really nice interior with all the bells & whistles. 1 last major point is I need a good boot with folding rear seats as I have a dog that's 74kg's.

I'd love to hear from owners & people that have driven the above cars to give me an honest assessment, one that isn't biased to a certain marque. What would you go for & why?

Thanks,
Gray.

[campionissimo]

well, i wouldn't go diesel.....modern petrol engines are pokey, economical and kinder to the planet.

and how f*%$ing big is a 74kg dog?? he/she/they might struggle for space in the back of all of those cars!!!

[gejones]

A 74 kilo dog is pure muscle, so he's about 3ft at the top of his head. It's his width that gives the weight.
I'm with you, I much prefer petrol, but these diesels do amazing mpg. And £30 a year on tax, I have a Civic 1.8 hatch, tax is £215. True long run mpg is about 50, but around town it gets 30 to 35. The BMW 120d auto is supposed to get 70mpg. It has around 188 bhp & 300 nm's of torque. So it's more frugal than the Honda & a damn sight cheaper to run. I nearly went the other way when I looked at the 135i, but even though I'm 55 the insurance & tax along with the mpg is horrendous. I can happily buy a rapid hatch, but running costs are way too high. So I want a low co emission but high torque engine.

[Unknown_User]

<ALERT> If the OP doesn't post a photo of his dog, this thread will be reported to the mods <ALERT>

ETA -

Edited by Unknown_User on Wednesday 11th August 16:27

[ZX10R NIN]

gejones said:

Hello,

First let me name the cars on my shortlist:
BMW 120d auto,
Audi A3 TDI,
Mercedes A220,
VW Golf GTD.

I want a car that's great on diesel, a very low tax rate, a fairly pokey engine with lots of torque, & a really nice interior with all the bells & whistles. 1 last major point is I need a good boot with folding rear seats as I have a dog that's 74kg's.

I'd love to hear from owners & people that have driven the above cars to give me an honest assessment, one that isn't biased to a certain marque. What would you go for & why?

Thanks,
Gray.

How much are you looking to spend? As that will determine which model you're looking at.

I'd recommend one of these (it's exactly the same car apart from the sheet metal as the GLA/A220d AMG Line) the interior is actually a little bit nicer than it's A Class cousin & they come loaded with spec (Bose stereo 360 cameras pano roof heated AMG Front seats DAB etc) so you'll want for nothing.

Also because it's all Mercedes servicing isn't an issue either & the boot will be fine for your dog.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107014...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107285...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...

My other pick would be the V40 D4 R Design Pro

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106063...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108055...


Both of these would get the nod over the cars on your list even if one of them is technically a car on your list.

[gejones]

Dog: Caucasian Shepherd, or Russian Bear dog.

[A500leroy]

By the size of the dog you need a hi-lux.

[gejones]

ZX10R Ninja.
I have to say the Volvo looks very sleek. Then I looked at the power, perfect for me. The mpg amazed me, 76 on a run. I looked at both D4's which strangely cost less to tax & run than the D3. I have a Volvo dealer in town so I will be going for a look, if it's better in the flesh, it's going on my list, even the pictures look good from every angle. I'd even be happy to pay the higher tax which still falls below my current £215.
Didn't enter my mind to look at Volvo's. So thank you for the recommendation. PS: I'm an R1 owner.

[gejones]

A500leroy,
I had the Japanese Hilux Surf a few years ago. Now that was a superb vehicle. But it ate fuel for fun.
The model was the 3 litre intercooled job. I miss that do it all 4x4 badly.

[MattsCar]

gejones said:

Dog: Caucasian Shepherd, or Russian Bear dog.

That ain't going to fit in the boot of a 1 series, surely?

[Fermit]

campionissimo said:

well, i wouldn't go diesel.....modern petrol engines are pokey, economical and kinder to the planet.

and how f*%$ing big is a 74kg dog?? he/she/they might struggle for space in the back of all of those cars!!!

That is a fking huge dog! My Dobe x Viz is 6 stone, half of that. My late Dobe Dane was 'only' 8.5 stone. Sod getting a car, just ride the dog to work.

Edit, he's a gorgeous brute!

[stevemcs]

I think you need a van, forget about the mpg, think of the dog !

[ZX10R NIN]

gejones said:

ZX10R Ninja.
I have to say the Volvo looks very sleek. Then I looked at the power, perfect for me. The mpg amazed me, 76 on a run. I looked at both D4's which strangely cost less to tax & run than the D3. I have a Volvo dealer in town so I will be going for a look, if it's better in the flesh, it's going on my list, even the pictures look good from every angle. I'd even be happy to pay the higher tax which still falls below my current £215.
Didn't enter my mind to look at Volvo's. So thank you for the recommendation. PS: I'm an R1 owner.

Someone has to be lol that's a nice fishtail very clean.

The Volvo's are nice both inside & out with a nice amount of go as I said the Infiniti is the only other one I'd consider, but if you have a dealer down the road it makes sense.