RS Grant

The time has arrived for us to buy our new "family" car...

We have been having problems with our A4 1.8 SE... Its an ex-demonstrator bought in June 1998 when 3 months old with 4,000 miles on the clock, it now has 89,000 miles and Full Audi History with the same garage...

Recently it has had:

1) Just out of warranty, a top end rebuild - £2000 (Audi Contribution 80quid Good Will)

2) The last 3 services have been £500+ the worst being a bill for £670...

It seems that once out of warranty you should get rid because when it goes wrong it is extremely expensive. Before people tell me that it would be cheaper to get it looked after by an independant specialist, the reason we keep up the FASH is because come re-sale/trade in time it does make a difference... Despite this we are still looking at Audi's as possible replacements for the current A4.

The cars that we are looking to replace it with are:

VW Golf GT TDi 150
New A3 2.0 TDi 140
BMW 320d ES/SE/Sport
BMW 320d Compact SE/Sport

Are there any other cars that people would recommend?

The car needs to be economical, have a good image, be enjoyable(ish) to drive and have a decent turn of pace (for an oil burner ) also got to consider the predicted resale value as well.

(Max budget is no higher than 20k)

Cheers,
Grant

Johnny50

Alright Grant...long time no speak.

Golf sounds good, thats what i was thinkin of before i got the Scoob remember.

Saab Turbo diesels are top notch too..my old man has one..fairly nippy too !

JOhnny

TaviaRS

How about an Octavia 1.9TDI PD, L&K?

RS Grant

Alright mate...

Its been ages mate, need to arrange a meet up sometime.

I like the new 9-3 and am trying to persuade her that its worthwhile going for a test drive!!

Cheers,
Grant

RS Grant

I totally understand that Skodas have moved on, and I really like the vRS however I KNOW that she wouldnt go for a Skoda after an Audi, and I probably wouldn't either, I'm afraid we are badge snobs!!

I have explained that you can now get the Octavia with the 130bhp PD engine and that its great value but all I get back is - "Its a taxi, I dont want to drive a taxi for 3 years" I see her point though, as the roads are stacked full of Octavia Taxis round here...

Cheers
Grant

Edited to be honest about our snobbery!!

[Edited by RS Grant - 05/06/2003 12:31:08]

Pie_n_Chips

New Honda Accord

Image can't be that important if your looking at VAG and BM stuff TBH

RS Grant

Ok what would you recommend for under 20k that has a better image than the new Audi A3 or a BMW 320d Sport??

Remember this must be ex-demonstrator or brand new...

Cheers,
Grant

Pie_n_Chips

It depends on what type of "image" your after?

Personally I buy cars on ability not pedigree

RS Grant

Well you never really answered my question... No suggestions then??

What I mean when I say good image is that I dont want to be driving a Proton/Kia, etc are cars with a bad image. Audi/BMW are cars with a good image, I listed the VW Golf TDi 150 purely because of its engine and I know of someone who recently traded in a 320d in for one of these and thinks that the Golf is a better car due to its engine, however, we have yet to test drive either of them...

To be honest, I think that you are hard pushed to find something that has a better "image" for under 20k than the cars I have listed, remembering the contraints and jobs that this car must deal with...

This is not meant to be a "weekend toy" it is meant to be a day-to-day car that is good to drive.

Cheers,
Grant

SirFozzalot

Golf GT TDi 130 is a good car...imagine the 150 is even better!!

SCOSaltire

Shame u cant get a Jag that cheap...

Picking up my focus tomorrow

Id go for the new A3... they are dead smart and being a new style will have a VERY good image.

Pie_n_Chips

"cough"

HONDA ACCORD

Pricing

[Edited by Pie_n_Chips - 05/06/2003 14:00:20]

RS Grant

lol...

Soz mate the Accord is a bit too big and no Turbo Diesel engine as far as I know!!

Cheers,
Grant

Johnny50

I think the Golfs gonna be a safe bet mate.

Although..what about a Bora ? Bit different, not sure if they do them as a 150 though.

Pie_n_Chips

Ooopppss apologies I didn't notice your penchant for the old DERV.

RS Grant

Yeah they do a Bora 150TDi Sport, but I think it costs a little more and the re-sale value is slightly less than the Golf 150TDi, does look nice though and is extremely similar in size to our current A4 so that might be something that we should have a look anyway!!

Cheers,
Grant

TopBanana

With that kind of mileage I don't think it'll matter whether you've got Audi or independant SH

RS Grant

Pie'n'Chips - No probs mate, its more of a forced decision, the mileage and long trips the car will do means that it has got to be an oil burner...

Cheers,
Grant

Pie_n_Chips

Then your shortlist seems bob on

But have you considered Fords TDCi Mondeo /Focus
Or
Peugeot 307 HDI

worley

I'm just about to get a Bora 150 PD sport on the company lease hire scheme.

I've tried all the competition and IMHO:

Audi A4 TDi Sport: Bland
Seat Leon 130: Not as good as the VW (build quality finish etc)
Skoda Octavia: Looks alone put me off, but OK to drive
FFFocus 115 TdCi: dodgy handling, nothing like the petrol version

Oh and someone mentioned a smartbox!
Oh and a £300/month surplus buys something nice

RS Grant

Just having a wee look around the VW website and the Bora is a really nice looking car, just a set of optional 17" alloys and sports suspension and its spot on!!

So far the details I have found so far are as follows:

Bora Sport TDi 150 PD:
150bhp @ 4000rpm
236lb/ft @ 1900rpm
0-62 - 9.0secs
Top Speed - 134mph
Combined MPG - 51.4
Insurance Group - 13
£18160 rrp

Golf GT TDi 150 PD:
150bhp @ 4000rpm
236lb/ft @ 1900rpm
0-62 - 8.6
Top Speed - 134mph
Combined MPG - 52.3
Insurance Group - 14
£17590 rrp

New Audi A3 2.0 TDi
140bhp @ 4000
239lb/ft @ 1750-2500
0-62 - 9.1
Top Speed - 130
Combined MPG - 51.4
Insurance Group - TBC (probably between 12 and 14)
£19180

Cheers,
Grant

Johnny50

Bora sounds good then...

Dont bother getting the 17's...just get the sports suspension and use your staff discount at work for a tasty set of 18" jobbies !!

Simon S3

Grant,

If you go for a Bora make sure it`s not new, the depreciation on them is crazy, if you check out the VW website the used car locator will confirm the price difference between Golfs and Boras of similar ages etc.

I`d personally go for a new A3 TDI (unless you really need 5 doors) purely due to the fact that the Golf is due to be replaced soon.

Also the 130bhp Golf/Bora is hardly slower than the 150bhp one but is slightly more refined.

The 320d is really good too.

Olly

Sounds a bit strange, a well serviced, well engineered car needing a top end rebuild at only 89K miles.

Could it be something to do with it being a ex-demonstrator (and therefore thrashed to within a inch from brand new to 4000 miles) perhaps?



[Edited by Olly - 05/06/2003 17:12:14]

GTI

Don't buy a BORA! Get a Golf instead, been in both alot recently and about same age, after same sorta miles and use, the Bora doesn't seem as chunky or as solidly bulit as the Golf.
Looses more money too! I would go for A3 as new Golf arrives in September ish.
Although the Golf TDI 150 is in my opinion the best diesel you can buy, looks best too!

RS Grant

Olly, thats what we tried to tell Audi UK when we complained about the fact that we were getting no contribution towards the repairs... However, I dont think it was a **** as 80quid I think it was more like 120-150 which when the final bill came through, was absolutely nothing, especially as we were looking for something along the lines of; if we pay parts the you pay labour or vice versa...

We got The Audi Magazine through the door today and there is a big review of the New A3 and although written by Audi Journo's it gives a good idea of the exterior, interior and gives good performance info for the TDi. It says that it feels quicker than the 2.0 FSi 150bhp petrol car due to the huge torque for low down...

Cheers,
Grant

AllanB

What about an Alfa 156 ? The new Fiat / Alfa turbo diesels are meant to be pretty damn good.

Surely more interesting than a bland VAG product or a common as muck 3 series.


AllanB

RS Grant

Yeah I have heard good things about the Alfa 156 2.4JTD engine, but as far as reliability goes I have known a few people who have unfortunately had alot of problems with theirs, and have also read posts on SN of people having probs too... Its a shame as they are really nice looking cars with a decent engine and good handling.

Cheers,
Grant

merlin

Personally I would avoid VAG right now as they do seem to be having their fair share of problems and that's coming from someone who owned a much loved mk2 Golf for 10 years. See http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=13405

Image is a tricky and expensive one. If it was my money I would be looking at something Japanese such as the Mazda 6.

Rich and Mini

I've only driven an auto 320d Saloon ( don't get a compact, dodgy image. More so ) and it was great. It'd be my choice out of your list.

Rich