Audi A3 OR CLK, which on would you buy on a budget?

[shakka219]

I am 26 and have a history of buying expensive cars, generally Audi's, however, due to a change in personal circumstances I need to get rid of my finance mobile! (currently an Audi A5 Cabrio 2.0 TDI).

I don't want to spend any more than £2,500 (bit of a jump down, I know) but really going on a budget here, in addition coming from a long line of flash cars I don't want to get too depressed driving an old tin pot car, so i've gone for a little bit of luxury on a budget!

I have narrowed it down to 2 cars available locally, an Audi A3 2.0 TDI 5 Door and a Mercedes CLK Coupe C220CDI.

Both are pretty basic specs, except the Merc comes with leather as standard etc.

Basically, it comes down to looks and driving pleasure, both have similar mileage and are a similar age and in good condition.

I like the drive of both, as an Audi fan I am leaning towards the A3, however, I do like coupe's I can't tell whether I love the way the merc looks or if it looks a little dated compared to the Audi, which seems to still look and feel like a modern car!

Clearly, the Audi gets better fuel economy but no SO much that it would sway me, what are your thoughts, purely on looks!

Images of both attached!

[Plate spinner]

They are both common run-of-the-mill cars IMO, so I would buy the one with the best history / condition / was local to me.

[shakka219]

Fair enough! No thoughts on them looks wise then?

[anonymous-user]

A3 is a dull boring hatchback, CLK is at least a good car in terms of drivetrain / engine.

Neither are ‘flash’ then again nor is a A5 so not sure what you mean by a step down, older perhaps.

A diesel convertible? Why I’m earth would someone buy one of those.

[shakka219]

Lord.Vader said:

A3 is a dull boring hatchback, CLK is at least a good car in terms of drivetrain / engine.

Neither are ‘flash’ then again nor is a A5 so not sure what you mean by a step down, older perhaps.

A diesel convertible? Why I’m earth would someone buy one of those.

No neither are flash, but at least they are a little more luxurious than picking up an old golf/fiesta etc.

I'd class my A5 as pretty flashy tbf, it has the 19" alloys, cream interior, xenons etc it really does look the part, bought the diesel for the added fuel economy, but with the added weight of the roof mechanism it barely exceeds the equivalent petrol, wouldn't buy another diesel soft top.

By step down I do mean older, clearly both the A3 and CLK are the previous Gen of car to my A5, they are a little tighter inside and have smaller seats, older components etc, although after test driving the CLK it drives really well, not far off the comfort of my A5 in honesty.

However, the A3 whilst boring does seem a little bit more modern. If I had the opportunity for a black CLK i'd have bought it, but in silver I am not sure whether I prefer it to an A3 or not :/

[edd344]

If youre on a budget, but you have some spare time then get yourself on ebay and have a look for a salvage car.. If you dont have the time then have a look for a repaired one. This way you can still drive something nice, but wont have the price tag with it

[Rawwr]

If I was on a budget; neither. I'm not sure if that helps or not.

[shakka219]

edd344 said:

If youre on a budget, but you have some spare time then get yourself on ebay and have a look for a salvage car.. If you dont have the time then have a look for a repaired one. This way you can still drive something nice, but wont have the price tag with it

Not a bad shout. By "repaired" do you mean Cat C & D?

[shakka219]

Rawwr said:

If I was on a budget; neither. I'm not sure if that helps or not.

I earn more than enough to cover proper maintenance, servicing, fuel etc just don't want to spend TOO much on the car, i've basically deduced these as the cars I like the most with reasonable age, mileage and economy for my budget.

[edd344]

shakka219 said:

Not a bad shout. By "repaired" do you mean Cat C & D?

Yeah or Cat S and Cat D under the new system. You can get a car for around half the cost of a non damaged one if youre willing to do the work, I do it for money on the side - for example my current one is a 218i, to the same spec, age and mileage can cost around 18k, I will have it repaired for 8... I would be careful buying already repaired ones though because I know lots of people cut corners. I'd ask for pictures of the damage and heavily inspect those areas, if people take offence to you doing so then I wouldn't bother dealing with them.

[shakka219]

edd344 said:

Yeah or Cat S and Cat D under the new system. You can get a car for almost half the cost of a non damaged one if youre willing to do the work, I do it for money on the side - for example my current one is a 218i, to the same spec, age and mileage can cost around 18k, I will have it repaired for 8... I would be careful buying already repaired ones though because I know lots of people cut corners. I'd ask for pictures of the damage and heavily inspect those areas, if people take offence to you doing so then I wouldn't bother dealing with them.

I see, it would have to be an already repaired one as I need a car asap really once my A5 goes. I don't have the mechanical ability yet to take a project like that on myself, maybe something to consider for the future though!

[edd344]

shakka219 said:

I see, it would have to be an already repaired one as I need a car asap really once my A5 goes. I don't have the mechanical ability yet to take a project like that on myself, maybe something to consider for the future though!

A quick autotrader search for an a3 on your budget doesn't look to appealing...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-60-AUDI-A3-1-8T-FS...f:0

You could have that repaired for £500 tops if you source parts yourself

[mwstewart]

The CLK is a fantastic car and its build is leagues ahead of the Audi - in fact it's more solidly put together than MB's current A,B, and C offerings, let alone the lower segment cars put out by Audi. It is also a very nice looking car.

A few thoughts:

- Neither are drivers' cars but the A3 will fill more nimble, so it depends on what is your priority;
- The MB 2.1 4 cyl Diesel engine ruins the car somewhat - it isn't on par with the refinement of the rest of the package;
- The Avantgarde or Sport spec in the CLK brings sports suspension, which is worth having. The Sport also has better brakes;
- Parking sensors are worth having in the CLK.

[Plate spinner]

shakka219 said:

Fair enough! No thoughts on them looks wise then?

Obviously it’s personal preference so your opinion about the looks of your next car are more important than mine!

All things equal, it’s natural to pick the car that makes look out the window at it and think ‘mmmm, I’m glad that’s mine’ for whatever reasons are most important to you.

[Nickp82]

edd344 said:

Yeah or Cat S and Cat D under the new system. You can get a car for around half the cost of a non damaged one if youre willing to do the work, I do it for money on the side - for example my current one is a 218i, to the same spec, age and mileage can cost around 18k, I will have it repaired for 8... I would be careful buying already repaired ones though because I know lots of people cut corners. I'd ask for pictures of the damage and heavily inspect those areas, if people take offence to you doing so then I wouldn't bother dealing with them.

Just to be pedantic, it is Category 'N' or 'S' now.

[edd344]

Nickp82 said:

edd344 said:

Yeah or Cat S and Cat D under the new system. You can get a car for around half the cost of a non damaged one if youre willing to do the work, I do it for money on the side - for example my current one is a 218i, to the same spec, age and mileage can cost around 18k, I will have it repaired for 8... I would be careful buying already repaired ones though because I know lots of people cut corners. I'd ask for pictures of the damage and heavily inspect those areas, if people take offence to you doing so then I wouldn't bother dealing with them.

Just to be pedantic, it is Category 'N' or 'S' now.

You've spotted my mistake.. thanks

[Test driver]

Merc clk 55 amg, bargain nowadays and what an engine!

[300bhp/ton]

shakka219 said:

Fair enough! No thoughts on them looks wise then?

Both dull, the Audi a lot more so. Also most Audi's seem to be driven by complete twunks.

[Rawwr]

300bhp/ton said:

Have you considered a Corvette?

[shakka219]

mwstewart said:

The CLK is a fantastic car and its build is leagues ahead of the Audi - in fact it's more solidly put together than MB's current A,B, and C offerings, let alone the lower segment cars put out by Audi. It is also a very nice looking car.

A few thoughts:

- Neither are drivers' cars but the A3 will fill more nimble, so it depends on what is your priority;
- The MB 2.1 4 cyl Diesel engine ruins the car somewhat - it isn't on par with the refinement of the rest of the package;
- The Avantgarde or Sport spec in the CLK brings sports suspension, which is worth having. The Sport also has better brakes;
- Parking sensors are worth having in the CLK.

Good points, I previously had a W203 with a 270CDi engine and although it had some grunt the economy wasn't great, i'm hoping the C220CDI performs better in this respect, likely that I would also remap the car at some stage.