Audi A3 2.0 Sport or A4 2.0 S-Line?

[Jay]

I am looking for a decent, safe, motorway car (I was going to sell the MX5 a while back bit didn't) and I can't decide between an 07 A3 or an 07 A4.

Insurance is about the same but is there anything I need to look out for when buying these cars? As I do a lot of miles I am thinking of buying a mid milage car (around 40 - 45K)

[Barakka]

Diesel ?

What sort of motorway mileage are we talking per month ?

[kalniel]

I'd take the A4 S-line each time, but I prefer that size of car.

[Jay]

Diesel ?

yes

What sort of motorway mileage are we talking per month ?

Probably about 1300+

This is the A4 I am looking at

[badass]

Take the A4. You get less **** from other drivers.

[Barakka]

I'd also be going for the A4 over the A3 for that amount of mileage - purely because I know the amount of variations in conditions you encounter driving on motorways a lot and the A4 will be hopefully more comfortable and more stable. The A3 would probably be more fun to drive off-motorway but if you kept the MX-5 then you don't need that.

I'd have a look into the SE model too as the S-Line has Sports seats and Sports suspension - i've not tried an S-Line but I know VW Sports models had pretty firm seats and suspension - not ideal for high mileage and long journeys.

Also, if you're likely to be doing any regular long journeys (100 miles+) have you considered the A6 2.0 TDI - bizzarely a very similar price on the 07 plate, a big comfortable car, and probably similar MPG to the A4 for long journeys. Big cars depreciate quicker and I know someone who picked up an ex-demo A6 2.0TDI for an unbeliveable price not long ago.

[Jay]

A4 it is then, i'm going to have a look on Saturday

[eshrules]

I'd also be going for the A4 over the A3 for that amount of mileage - purely because I know the amount of variations in conditions you encounter driving on motorways a lot and the A4 will be hopefully more comfortable and more stable. The A3 would probably be more fun to drive off-motorway but if you kept the MX-5 then you don't need that.

I'd have a look into the SE model too as the S-Line has Sports seats and Sports suspension - i've not tried an S-Line but I know VW Sports models had pretty firm seats and suspension - not ideal for high mileage and long journeys.

Also, if you're likely to be doing any regular long journeys (100 miles+) have you considered the A6 2.0 TDI - bizzarely a very similar price on the 07 plate, a big comfortable car, and probably similar MPG to the A4 for long journeys. Big cars depreciate quicker and I know someone who picked up an ex-demo A6 2.0TDI for an unbeliveable price not long ago.

re the A6 suggestion, this man speaks sense. Bigger cars do depreciate quite a bit quicker than their smaller counterparts (look at the 2nd hand values of A3s vs A6s)

I don't think the suspension will make all the difference, in all honesty, the higher up the chain you go, the better the seats will be, they're what matters the most, so make sure you get in one, test drive it and get it on the motorway. See how it feels, how it holds the road for you.

I'm guessing with that many miles being covered, you'll be wanting cruise control too, make sure it's fitted (some don't choose it).

[Jay]

ok I have found one

Audi A4 S-Line

06 plate

2.0 TDi

36,000 miles

Full dealer history

Perfect body apart from a tiny dint in the door (that they said they will remove before sale)

Full leather interior

Alloys (in perfect condition, not even a scuff)

12 months MOT

Tax off my current car (that I am trading in)

All documentations (including a receipt for some soft of leather conditioning?)

10 Speaker stereo

Totally mint condition

£13,800.

[handscombmp]

I'd have a look into the SE model too as the S-Line has Sports seats and Sports suspension - i've not tried an S-Line but I know VW Sports models had pretty firm seats and suspension - not ideal for high mileage and long journeys.

Listen to this man!

Make sure you test drive the car at both low and high speeds as my Audi S5 can get painful on the suspension side.

You may think that you could live with it but after a while it can become wearing. Trust me.

[Jay]

yes, I will try both, I have eyed up an SE as well.

[Behemoth]

The people that live across the road from me have just taken delivery of a brand spanking new A4, it's a really horny looking car, was very tempted to buy their old one at one point. But I think in the end they traded it in for what they have now.

The only thing I don't like about their new one, it's white

[Jay]

oh dear, I have seen loads of white cars, its such a fad that will kill the resale price of the car!

[Butcher]

I'd have a look into the SE model too as the S-Line has Sports seats and Sports suspension - i've not tried an S-Line but I know VW Sports models had pretty firm seats and suspension - not ideal for high mileage and long journeys.

S-line suspension is actually a bit lower and stiffer than sports.

That said I've done a 6 hour run to Scotland in my A3 s-line and it was plenty comfy enough (as much as a 6 hour journey can be anyway).

[abaxas]

As a driver of a 2.0TDI A3 sport , I can only recommend that model.

However the engine has more than enough grunt to pull anything and everthing. It's torque tastic!

I'd look into the a4/a6 ahead of the a3 if you plan to do long journeys. But saying that an SE spec A3 might be fine with it's softer suspension.

[muppet_hat]

yes



Probably about 1300+

This is the A4 I am looking at

Take this one : )

Well I like 4 door sedans over 2 door hatches or 4 door hatches, whichever A3 you're receiving as an alternative. I think the A4 looks nicer too : )