Audi A3 Sportback - New Car for Motorway Driving

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Mon 4 Apr 2011 22:43
Audi A3 Sportback - New Car for Motorway Driving - Robide82

Hi all,

Looking for a bit of advice. I'm looking to sell my much beloved Z4 in order to free up the equity to buy a house, and instead move across onto a Personal Lease to get a car for 2 - 3 years until the house is bought, and I can buy something fun again.

I've been thinking about my practical needs, and the list I have is:

- Decent boot with good access for suitcases. (I tested a 2.0 TDI Scirocco, and whilst I loved the car, the boot was terrible for getting things in and out of!)

-Comfortable for long range driving (I do 200 mile round trips at least once a week)

-Mainly for use on the motorway, so picking up speed between 50 and 80 is very important to me

Those are my main concerns. Fuel economy is a bonus, but not essentail as I am fortunate enough to have a Fuel card.

At the moment, I am thinking about a Audi A3 2.0 TDI, a VW Golf 2.0 TDI and a BMW 118d.

Does anyone else have any recommendations on cars to look at or avoid?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 4 Apr 2011 22:53
Audi A3 Sportback - New Car for Motorway Driving - Avant

If you're happy with a Golf, I doubt whether the A3 is worth the extra cost unless image is important to you (and even then the Golf image isn't bad). The 118 you'll either love or loathe, so make sure you get a long test drive.

If you can get a Golf with the 170 bhp TDI engine, this'll be particularly good for picking up speed on a motorway. I value that quality highly too: both Octavias (first a diesel vRS and now a petrol vRS) have it, and my old 2.2 litre Z3 has it in spades.

It's worth mentioning that as well as the Octavia, the SEAT Leon and Altea can have that same 2.0 TDI engine.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 4 Apr 2011 23:09
Audi A3 Sportback - New Car for Motorway Driving - MikeTorque

The new Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi, ultra refined, comfortable, superb to drive, roomy, large boot space, economical to run.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 4 Apr 2011 23:09
Audi A3 Sportback - New Car for Motorway Driving - Pat L

I looked at the Golf and A3 a few months ago (new) and the difference in price for equivalent spec was about £300 via drivethedeal. However, the A3 looks quite dated now imo, and the new model is apparently due in the next few months.

The Golf is nice, if a bit staid. I'd wait to see the new A3.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 4 Apr 2011 23:49
Audi A3 Sportback - New Car for Motorway Driving - Boulder2k9

How about something rare and with a bit of style such as a Alfa Giuletta diesel?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 7 Apr 2011 22:23
Audi A3 Sportback - New Car for Motorway Driving - mwahahaha

I've just moved on from a '59 plate A3 Sportback with the Sport equipment level. It's was a very nice car indeed, returned 40-50mpg according to the computer and was very comfortable. Other people at work have the same 1.6tdi (Great engine) in the Golf Bluemotion, I think the Audi's interior is better than the Golf but that's just a personal opinion.

in 18 months I had 2 issues -
One morning it wouldn't start - engine warning lights all on, the Audi Assist came out and plugged in the laptop but didn't have the softeware for the 1.6TDi engine as it was new. The fault luckily seemed to clear itself and he thought it could have been a loose battery terminal.
Second fault was a rattle from the interior lighting surround, I was going to flag it at the service but it's gone to another employee now.

Sport spec was good - climate, hi-line computer, sports seats (Very supporting) metal interior trim. Only problem - bone crunching suspension and understeer - typical sport trim Audi!

I've switched to a car allowance as the mileage rate on the company car scheme was low and I'd rather work paid for an asset I'll end up owning rather than just renting a car from them (Just tax contributions)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

It's FREE to list your classic car on Honest John Classics and promote it to thousands of classic car buyers, owners and enthusiasts on what is one the UK's biggest classic car sites.

Sell Your Classic Car For FREE