mums looking for a new car again,wants a smallish 3 dr hatch,european,diesel around a year old,has her eye on an 06 plate A3 tdi,what other cars fit the bill,the 1 series bmw looked cheap inside,i dont think much of the audis interior either but apart from the merc c220 coupe,cant think of anything else really

 

I`d try to steer her away from an A3 to be honest.

They really are style over substance, I ran one for 20,000 miles and it was hardly a joy. In the 18 months I owned it I had two steering racks, a set of rear suspension bushes and a new ac compressor. I bought mine from new.

Servicing is expensive and dealers can be hit and miss.

Unless she really wants German I`d look at a 2.2 Civic to be honest.

 

My brother in law loves his A3 140, I quite like it, seems a bit dour on the inside and generally a bit bland but a solid and well built car, he hasnt had any issues but he doesnt do much mileage.

 

It`s not a bad car, I just think there are better ones out there, especially for A3 money.