Decision time

[pb8g09]

Hi, I've put a couple of these over the last year but I think I'm now about a week away from 'pulling the trigger' and having some final jitters with a budget around £16k.

Driving about 8000 miles a year (80 miles of A roads in rush hour x2 a week and weekend amusement), I've narrowed down my search to 3 and struggling to decide on which to go with. Is there an obvious reason why I should rule any of the below out? Any owners of each model comment on their findings?

- BMW 435i (2014 auto, high spec) - are these fun or a bit bargey?
- Audi TT (2015 230bhp, auto, virtual cockpit) - had originally thought S1, but these seem to have everything and more on top.
- Audi S3 (manual, 2015) - can't get an auto in budget

Ruled out - Golf R (can't get the spec I want in budget), Audi S1 (seems too dated and above options trump it on everything?)

Yes, all German I know, but I don't get on well with FWD and want a decent cabin to sit in if sat on motorway traffic.

[ninjag]

pb8g09 said:

(80 miles of A roads in rush hour x2 a week

If the rush hour drive is going to involve a lot of creeping it's worth noting that the DSG transmission isn't ideal for this and better to go with a regular torque convertor.

[anonymous-user]

Personally I would go for the BMW due to having a proper automatic, but I don't think this is going to fulfil the fun weekend car role.

[Pistonheader101]

ninjag said:

pb8g09 said:

(80 miles of A roads in rush hour x2 a week

If the rush hour drive is going to involve a lot of creeping it's worth noting that the DSG transmission isn't ideal for this and better to go with a regular torque convertor.

DSG is perfect for this. theres a reason why loads of taxis are vw dsg's

[pb8g09]

Thanks for the replies thus far - bit of debate on the auto boxes!

I should have mentioned, that I'm also considering an M135i - though I must admit clicking through dozens of dealer pictures to play 'spot the ProNav' is making this tedious!

[ninjag]

Pistonheader101 said:

ninjag said:

pb8g09 said:

(80 miles of A roads in rush hour x2 a week

If the rush hour drive is going to involve a lot of creeping it's worth noting that the DSG transmission isn't ideal for this and better to go with a regular torque convertor.

DSG is perfect for this. theres a reason why loads of taxis are vw dsg's

Constantly moving from 1st to 2nd and lots of stationary pull offs etc will wear the clutches out faster, whereas a torque convertor is just fluid slooshing around. It can get jerky after a while of slow moving traffic as well, maybe due to heat and it protecting itself or perhaps for some other reason.