Golf GTD / 1 series diesel / A3 diesel. £12.5k
Discussion
Dear readers,
I need to buy a work car for myself in the next 4-6 weeks and something which isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg to run/tax/insure etc (goodbye s3)! Therefore I am leaning towards a diesel (I'd say averaging between 150-250 miles a week). My budget was c.£10k but I can stretch up to £12.5ish if really needs be. I am thinking of either an A3 TDI, 120d BMW or the VW GTD. The latter seems to have the best spec for the price but quality wise is the BM and Audi leagues above VW? Over the years I have owned a Mk 4 Golf 1.6, 2003 A3 2.0FSI and 2012 BMW 116. The latter two being company cars.
I would love to hear your thoughts/feedback on the above vehicles? There are so many diesel engines it seems to choose from! I love driving and am fussy when it comes to buying as I try my best to look after my cars and like to do a lot of research! A good spec is important and want to enjoy every time I step into the 'cockpit' as will be using it a lot for work. The GTD looks a good 'all rounder' and 180bhp doesn't seem slow in my opinion. I recall back in the day when the TDI PD 150 PS felt rapid at the time! I don't need race car/hot hatch acceleration/handling but would like something which has the power to shift as and when needed and not burn a hole in my wallet.
Thank you and looking forward to hearing your thoughts/comments.
I need to buy a work car for myself in the next 4-6 weeks and something which isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg to run/tax/insure etc (goodbye s3)! Therefore I am leaning towards a diesel (I'd say averaging between 150-250 miles a week). My budget was c.£10k but I can stretch up to £12.5ish if really needs be. I am thinking of either an A3 TDI, 120d BMW or the VW GTD. The latter seems to have the best spec for the price but quality wise is the BM and Audi leagues above VW? Over the years I have owned a Mk 4 Golf 1.6, 2003 A3 2.0FSI and 2012 BMW 116. The latter two being company cars.
I would love to hear your thoughts/feedback on the above vehicles? There are so many diesel engines it seems to choose from! I love driving and am fussy when it comes to buying as I try my best to look after my cars and like to do a lot of research! A good spec is important and want to enjoy every time I step into the 'cockpit' as will be using it a lot for work. The GTD looks a good 'all rounder' and 180bhp doesn't seem slow in my opinion. I recall back in the day when the TDI PD 150 PS felt rapid at the time! I don't need race car/hot hatch acceleration/handling but would like something which has the power to shift as and when needed and not burn a hole in my wallet.
Thank you and looking forward to hearing your thoughts/comments.
Buy a Focus or Astra, even better a Kia Ceed.
There is no difference between the A3 and Golf they all suffer the same mechanical issues as the parts are the same, the BMW may have the N47 that suffers from chain issues depending on age. If it has to be out of those 3 then BMW would be my choice although based on that mileage i'd look towards a 118i petrol. In fact if your spending 6k to save a few quid on fuel you may want to rethink. If your just covering a few extra miles per day then a diesel won't save you anything, they need a good long run to start showing high mpg.
There is no difference between the A3 and Golf they all suffer the same mechanical issues as the parts are the same, the BMW may have the N47 that suffers from chain issues depending on age. If it has to be out of those 3 then BMW would be my choice although based on that mileage i'd look towards a 118i petrol. In fact if your spending 6k to save a few quid on fuel you may want to rethink. If your just covering a few extra miles per day then a diesel won't save you anything, they need a good long run to start showing high mpg.
Hello,
I have considered buying all 3 in the past, but only bought the Golf.
Looked at 120d’s, but the 1 series is simply too small. The rwd packaging further compromises cabin space and boot space.
The problem with the A3’s was the majority of the 184 models were top spec and top money. There were lower spec 184’s out there but they very much looked lower spec and didn’t appeal.
Have you considered 184 Leon’s?
If you could survive with the 150 ps models in the VW group then that opens up more model/spec availability.
I have considered buying all 3 in the past, but only bought the Golf.
Looked at 120d’s, but the 1 series is simply too small. The rwd packaging further compromises cabin space and boot space.
The problem with the A3’s was the majority of the 184 models were top spec and top money. There were lower spec 184’s out there but they very much looked lower spec and didn’t appeal.
Have you considered 184 Leon’s?
If you could survive with the 150 ps models in the VW group then that opens up more model/spec availability.
I'd say a nicely spec'd diesel is well within reach you'll want a ULEZ compliant one so you're future proofed the car with the best fit & finish hatchback wise is the Infiniti Q30 (this is the same car as the previous Gen A Class but with a nicer interior) 2.1d in Sport spec. The bonus with these are Nissan servicing costs or even better a good Indy.
Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...
Premium Tech
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104061...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103130...
V40 D4 R design Pro
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012056...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103270...
R Design Nav
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...
Alfa Giulietta 175 QV Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011065...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103310...
DS5 Elegance 180 underrated but these are a very nice place to be & as reliable as any of the Germans you've listed:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008102...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
Now a leftfield option is to almost halve your budget (which may allow you to turn the S3 into a weekend to) & get a proper ULEZ compliant car with sensible miles on the clock.
Insignia Elite good cars built for soaking up miles & you'll get one with less than 65k on the clock for around 6k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104061...
Spec wise the one above is pretty much loaded with Adaptive Cruise/Nav/bluetooth streaming etc.
SRI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011216...
308 Allure
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011216...
Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...
Premium Tech
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104061...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103130...
V40 D4 R design Pro
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012056...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103270...
R Design Nav
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...
Alfa Giulietta 175 QV Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011065...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103310...
DS5 Elegance 180 underrated but these are a very nice place to be & as reliable as any of the Germans you've listed:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008102...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
Now a leftfield option is to almost halve your budget (which may allow you to turn the S3 into a weekend to) & get a proper ULEZ compliant car with sensible miles on the clock.
Insignia Elite good cars built for soaking up miles & you'll get one with less than 65k on the clock for around 6k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104061...
Spec wise the one above is pretty much loaded with Adaptive Cruise/Nav/bluetooth streaming etc.
SRI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011216...
308 Allure
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011216...
Hi Steve, my mileage does vary from week to week depending on how busy work is etc. Thanks for your comments. I am leaning towards the GTD as seems to be the best 'all rounder' for me. If money was no object then the BMW probably would be the one to go for but as we know compromises have to be made..
stevemcs said:
Buy a Focus or Astra, even better a Kia Ceed.
There is no difference between the A3 and Golf they all suffer the same mechanical issues as the parts are the same, the BMW may have the N47 that suffers from chain issues depending on age. If it has to be out of those 3 then BMW would be my choice although based on that mileage i'd look towards a 118i petrol. In fact if your spending 6k to save a few quid on fuel you may want to rethink. If your just covering a few extra miles per day then a diesel won't save you anything, they need a good long run to start showing high mpg.
There is no difference between the A3 and Golf they all suffer the same mechanical issues as the parts are the same, the BMW may have the N47 that suffers from chain issues depending on age. If it has to be out of those 3 then BMW would be my choice although based on that mileage i'd look towards a 118i petrol. In fact if your spending 6k to save a few quid on fuel you may want to rethink. If your just covering a few extra miles per day then a diesel won't save you anything, they need a good long run to start showing high mpg.
Good to hear, thank you. GTD seems to be on the top of my list.
Sensibleboy said:
Having owned a Golf and then having a 1 series as a hire car I didn't know why somebody would choose a lower powered 1 series variant over the Golf.
The cabin felt tiny in comparison and for an everyday car the RWD was of no benefit. The packaging of the Golf was much better.
The cabin felt tiny in comparison and for an everyday car the RWD was of no benefit. The packaging of the Golf was much better.
Hi thank you for your reply. Your right with the A3 and their PS. I have not considered Leon's and prefer to keep it that way to be honest.
It would be great if you could kindly DM me your thoughts and feedback RE the golf as I have seen one which has just been listed for sale for approx £12k.whcih has the DSG. I am assuming you have owned the GTD version?
It would be great if you could kindly DM me your thoughts and feedback RE the golf as I have seen one which has just been listed for sale for approx £12k.whcih has the DSG. I am assuming you have owned the GTD version?
Drive Blind said:
Hello,
I have considered buying all 3 in the past, but only bought the Golf.
Looked at 120d’s, but the 1 series is simply too small. The rwd packaging further compromises cabin space and boot space.
The problem with the A3’s was the majority of the 184 models were top spec and top money. There were lower spec 184’s out there but they very much looked lower spec and didn’t appeal.
Have you considered 184 Leon’s?
If you could survive with the 150 ps models in the VW group then that opens up more model/spec availability.
I have considered buying all 3 in the past, but only bought the Golf.
Looked at 120d’s, but the 1 series is simply too small. The rwd packaging further compromises cabin space and boot space.
The problem with the A3’s was the majority of the 184 models were top spec and top money. There were lower spec 184’s out there but they very much looked lower spec and didn’t appeal.
Have you considered 184 Leon’s?
If you could survive with the 150 ps models in the VW group then that opens up more model/spec availability.
I currently own an X5 but would like to buy a second hand S3 (for my work car) but their £300 odd to tax p/a and rather thirsty on fuel. Crap economy it seems too. As much as they are great cars it would probably bankrupt my finances!
My mileage can vary from week to week but the main reason for diesel is they are more economical and get more miles to a tank
My mileage can vary from week to week but the main reason for diesel is they are more economical and get more miles to a tank
Krikkit said:
250 miles a week is too much to stomach with your S3? That'll be miserable in a diesel ecobox.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101127...
I'd still go BMW,
For the GOlf, make sure you try the DSG in parking situations as thats when they are at there worst, DSG filter is due every 40k, cambelt every 5 years, make sure the lights work, the modules that control them are known to fail and are £600 upwards to fix. Get the cambelt changed earlier than recommended too we have seen a couple where the waterpump has failed and takes the engine with it. Also check the mot history for advisories on the shock absorbers as they seem to eat them.
I'd still go BMW,
For the GOlf, make sure you try the DSG in parking situations as thats when they are at there worst, DSG filter is due every 40k, cambelt every 5 years, make sure the lights work, the modules that control them are known to fail and are £600 upwards to fix. Get the cambelt changed earlier than recommended too we have seen a couple where the waterpump has failed and takes the engine with it. Also check the mot history for advisories on the shock absorbers as they seem to eat them.
Thank you Steve and for the AT link. Not sure I could manage driving a car that colour unless it was a Ferrari ! The BMW spec seems so much more basic for the same price though.
Much appreciate your tips to check when buying a GTD. When you said 'make sure the lights work' which lights are you referring to exactly? Before I buy I certainly want to be thorough with the history and check list.
Much appreciate your tips to check when buying a GTD. When you said 'make sure the lights work' which lights are you referring to exactly? Before I buy I certainly want to be thorough with the history and check list.
ugene425 said:
It would be great if you could kindly DM me your thoughts and feedback RE the golf . I am assuming you have owned the GTD version?
Yeah, I've got a GTDIt's a great all rounder. I need one car to do everything so it fits that.
I've now covered 30K miles in 18 months and the only thing required outside normal servicing and consumables was a glow plug.
500 miles to a tank, £30 road tax. Heated seats are excellent, as are the headlights with the proper cornering function. Both are not something I was particularly looking for but they are very good.
I'm not a fan of the diamond cut wheels but I do run winter wheels so that should protect them from the road salt. When looking at GTD's lots had scabby wheels.
The only other negative point when buying was the majority were standard, 5dr and black. I had to look a bit longer and further to find something a bit different.
ugene425 said:
Thank you Steve and for the AT link. Not sure I could manage driving a car that colour unless it was a Ferrari ! The BMW spec seems so much more basic for the same price though.
Much appreciate your tips to check when buying a GTD. When you said 'make sure the lights work' which lights are you referring to exactly? Before I buy I certainly want to be thorough with the history and check list.
The main headlights, there are two control modules for the AFS active steering headlights, when turning the ignition on if it has AFS you should see the light beam raise lower and then settle and then turn left and then right then settle. If you DSG then you really need to try the car for an hour, make sure you get to do low speed stuff and park with it. I absolutely hated my DSG.Much appreciate your tips to check when buying a GTD. When you said 'make sure the lights work' which lights are you referring to exactly? Before I buy I certainly want to be thorough with the history and check list.
PS the BMWs do come in other colours and spec wise they are pretty comparable.
I ran a GTD for 3 years as my company car and clocked up 85k miles. They are a great all rounder.
I considered the 1 series but rejected it due to space .
I also looked at the Leon FR 184 . As a new car the GTD lease rates were similar but the Leon makes a good used car and you could buy a significantly newer and lower mileage car for the same money as the GTD.
As much as I liked my GTD it did have a few issues, mainly electrical gremlins, such as ACC sensors, electric handbrake sticking on, infotainment screen going blank plus it had suspension creaks , the bonnet cable broke, it used oil and paint quality wasn’t that great.
I now have a car allowance and use that to run a Clubman Cooper SD which has clocked up 35k miles so far and has been brilliant.
Surprisingly the Clubbie has similar interior space to the Golf. It has the same 187bhp as the 120d so is deceptively rapid.
The GTD is probably the better all rounder but the Clubbie is more fun.
I considered the 1 series but rejected it due to space .
I also looked at the Leon FR 184 . As a new car the GTD lease rates were similar but the Leon makes a good used car and you could buy a significantly newer and lower mileage car for the same money as the GTD.
As much as I liked my GTD it did have a few issues, mainly electrical gremlins, such as ACC sensors, electric handbrake sticking on, infotainment screen going blank plus it had suspension creaks , the bonnet cable broke, it used oil and paint quality wasn’t that great.
I now have a car allowance and use that to run a Clubman Cooper SD which has clocked up 35k miles so far and has been brilliant.
Surprisingly the Clubbie has similar interior space to the Golf. It has the same 187bhp as the 120d so is deceptively rapid.
The GTD is probably the better all rounder but the Clubbie is more fun.
Edited by Alfa Pete on Saturday 10th April 07:49
ZX10R NIN said:
GTD's are good but I'd be buying the Q30 or V40 over it.
I considered a V40 but boot is small and they don’t steer as well as the Golf.Shame as I love the styling the D4 engine is strong and cabin is superb.
I don’t know if I have ever seen a Q30 , let alone driven one so can’t comment on those!
250miles a week is 13k miles a year - as you say your miles. An flex but clearly I’ve done 250x52=13,000 assuming zero holidays
Let’s even call it 15,000 a year.
The diesels will be 45mpg door to door average and I’ll wager your S3 is 32-35mpg? Let’s call it 30mpg
As it’s a company car business miles are paid to you at a rate likely £0.11 diesel and £0.18 petrol per mile and then you claim the tax back on the difference between those values and the £0.50 HMRC rate.
Why don’t you start running the S3 say 1-6 months in this new job settle in and get used to the miles before chopping and changing cars which will mean you lose money on that front and the saving in fuel well that would only be for your commute which you find the rest the company does.
Let’s even call it 15,000 a year.
The diesels will be 45mpg door to door average and I’ll wager your S3 is 32-35mpg? Let’s call it 30mpg
As it’s a company car business miles are paid to you at a rate likely £0.11 diesel and £0.18 petrol per mile and then you claim the tax back on the difference between those values and the £0.50 HMRC rate.
Why don’t you start running the S3 say 1-6 months in this new job settle in and get used to the miles before chopping and changing cars which will mean you lose money on that front and the saving in fuel well that would only be for your commute which you find the rest the company does.
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