Golf GTD or ???

[CAT MATT]

Looking at a 5 door GTD or an Audi A3 of similar spec for the better half's company car. The Audi is slightly more expensive(£30 a month) on a personal lease. What are people paying for the above cars on a 30 k a year lease, has anyone had experience of both or strong opinions of one.

Is the Merc A Series worth considering

All of the above cars need to be auto with easy to operate sat nav usage would be mostly motorway miles but be able to provide enjoyable driving for us both at weekends due to other cars at home being a 90 Defender and Caterham R300 which is normally sorned for winter

Any thoughts help or ideas gratefully received

[Plipton]

Before you hand over any dosh, try a Leon (or even an Octavia). I nearly bought the Leon but space dictated the Octy estate was the car for us.

[JackReacher]

The obvious rival is a 120d, similar performance and economy. But if you like driving and if it doesnt have to be a diesel, I'd thoroughly recommend the Golf 1.4ACT, should be cheaper company car due to lower list price. It's a cracking engine and much lighter to drive, whilst still getting 45-50mpg.

[CAT MATT]

Sorry is does have to be a five door and a diesel

[AJB88]

MK3 Leon FR (2.0 CR184) 5 door or even estate..

[va1o]

I'm thinking of doing similar in the new year as I'll probably trade in my current 2011 Golf once its 4 years old. Like you it will be for doing up to 30k miles per annum.

The A3 2.0 TDI 184 Quattro S-Tronic is favourite but the GTD comes with more equipment as standard. I'm also thinking the BMW 125d will be worth a look. Only thing I'm conscious of is the current A3 and 1-series are approaching that point in their lifecycle that a facelift may be due.

Leon is better value for money but the interior quality is disappointing, and for doing big miles you really want something as comfortable as possible.

[russ_a]

I had the A class (only the 1.5D though) for a month before the GTD and would chose the GTD everytime.

The Merc did seem to be bigger inside though..

[Pixelpeep7r]

Girl mate of mine, encouraged by my recent Golf R lease went and bought a Mk7 GTD with 8000 miles on the clock.

187bhp, £20 road tax and she's getting an average of 60mpg with mixed driving - i think its an amazing car.

plenty of room in the back too.


Scope for tuning with a simple map shows 230bhp and 470nm too if you are that way inclined.

[JackReacher]

va1o said:

The A3 2.0 TDI 184 Quattro S-Tronic is favourite but the GTD comes with more equipment as standard. I'm also thinking the BMW 125d will be worth a look. Only thing I'm conscious of is the current A3 and 1-series are approaching that point in their lifecycle that a facelift may be due.

Leon is better value for money but the interior quality is disappointing, and for doing big miles you really want something as comfortable as possible.

I had an A3 184 Quattro S-tronic as a courtesy car earlier in the year, lovely car but very expensive and not especially well equipped for the money. The ride was also quite firm and I didn't get great mpg out of it, but then I was enjoying the quattro/torque combination. But if money is no issue, then it is a great choice.

I don't find the Leon interior disappointing at all, and I came from an Audi. It's very comfy and the interior is a nice enough place to spend time. It isn't Audi standard, but it's definitely worth a look and it kicks the A3 and Golf in terms of value for money.

[russ_a]

Not sure how she is getting 60mpg. I do 100 miles a day and can only squeeze 50mpg with a good tail wind!

[SteBrown91]

russ_a said:

Not sure how she is getting 60mpg. I do 100 miles a day and can only squeeze 50mpg with a good tail wind!

Cos computer says so (even though it fibs)

Mine always says mid 50s on the computer but real world is about 45 on my mk6 gtd

[Tahiti]

The GTD is a really great package, but book MPG figures are optimistic to say the least.

[jwo]

120d auto..... Had same predicament recently - I was choosing between 120d, GTD, A3 180bhp diesel sport back or merc a class 220d (or something similar!) - only difference was my own money all coming in about £30k once optioned to similar levels... Went for the bmw and haven't been disappointed!

[jim3000s]

Chose an A3 184 TDI Sport back in May, and loving it so far. Almost 2.5k of options to get the bits you need / want, but not too bad. Alternative for me was a GTI, but looking a bit Max Power these days (IMHO), especially with PP red calipers. I have a mate who specced an A3 S-Line Quattro S-Tronic with the same engine and a few more ticks on the options list for a stonking 6.5k more than my car.

[Cagey]

Tahiti said:

The GTD is a really great package, but book MPG figures are optimistic to say the least.

Mines getting closer to the claimed figures since changing over to skinny winter tyres on 16" steelies!