Golf TDI 150 vs A3 TDI 130 quattro

[ben.p]

Hi Guys

I'm looking to buy a (used) car and I'm still deciding on which is best out of the two

On one hand I'm thinking that the golf is cheaper to run, service, insure. Its also faster in a straight line and with a chip will remain faster (like for like)

On the other hand I'm thinking that the a3 is a bit (dare i say it) classier, understated and refined. It's slower in a straight line but point to point probably the same. Especially in the wet. I also think that these may have been looked after a bit better

What do you guys think? What would you recommend?

[jvaughan]

I chose the Golf, IMHO, the A3 was over priced. The trim, again IMHO wasnt as well put together than the VW.

on other side, I like the idea of the Quattro, the bigger diesel engines will spin poor fwd cars very easily. quattro gives the enge on getting the power down

[PJLarge]

I chose the A3 TDI Sport Quattro and it's a great car. The interior is nicer than the VW - not massively but it's the little details that make the difference. The Quattro system really helps on wet days, the car feels really planted. I also get 48 MPG out of it which is pretty damned good.

It'll actually be getting advertised in the next week or so as I'm going back to an Elise for the summer. Keep an eye on the A3 section in the classifieds (or send me a PM)

Phil.

[smp]

PJLarge said:

I chose the A3 TDI Sport Quattro and it's a great car. The interior is nicer than the VW - not massively but it's the little details that make the difference. The Quattro system really helps on wet days, the car feels really planted. I also get 48 MPG out of it which is pretty damned good. It'll actually be getting advertised in the next week or so as I'm going back to an Elise for the summer. Keep an eye on the A3 section in the classifieds (or send me a PM) Phil.

Totally agree with Phil.

I've recently swapped a Bora 130 TDI for an A3 2.0 TDI Quattro. It's now done 10K in 3 months and already giving 46+ MPG average.

You won't particularly notice the straight line speed difference but the grip level when it's vaguely damp out is something else - it really is awesome.

Interior finish is better quality and sound deadening is also improved.

The only thing to watch for is if you need to use the full boot capacity on a regular basis, the quattro system means you lose about 70 litres capacity.

Simon.

[alfaspiderman2]

you must drive like a nun then - my 2wd 2.0 TDi A3 only averages 44mpg

[SMP]

alfaspiderman2 said:

you must drive like a nun then - my 2wd 2.0 TDi A3 only averages 44mpg

Not now it's run in . . . .

[alfaspiderman2]

as I was left for dead by a 4yr old Bora 1.8T this week, I'd suggest neither

get a 1.8T Golf would be my recommendation

[AndyAudi]

I ran a Golf TDI130 for a few years chipped to about 175bhp, fairly quick but traction did suffer after chipping. For the last year I've had an A3 2.0TDI Quattro Sport which, I think, is the better car, although not nearly as quick as the golf (yet) which could regularly embarass my mates Audi S3. My Avg MPG in the Audi is around 38 (all A roads & town)

[mojocvh]

A3 TDI Sport Quattro

It's
Not
A
quattro

but a fwd biased (90/10%)"part time" system.
I should know, the V70 (2.5, 20v, Turbo)does the same thing!! I think the last "quattro" for road use were the early A4's (but am willing to be corrected)

cheers

MoJo

[PJLarge]

Well, that's as maybe but the fact of the matter is that the 'Quattro' system employed in the A3 is a damn site better than nothing! Pulling out of T junctions and the like it does make a huge difference. It also has the added benefit that it's not as heavy on tyres as a full time 4WD system

Phil.

[agent006]

mojocvh said:

A3 TDI Sport Quattro It's Not A quattro but a fwd biased (90/10%)"part time" system. I should know, the V70 (2.5, 20v, Turbo)does the same thing!! I think the last "quattro" for road use were the early A4's (but am willing to be corrected) cheers MoJo

It's only the transverse engined cars that have halded systems. A4/6/8 still have torsen systems.