A3 Tdi Quattro or Focus ST

ohreally

I'm considering a car, the choice (atm) being between the above two.

The a3 is the 170 version. I'm aware of oil pump issues due to balance shaft problems, is there any way for me to establish if the pump/ shaft has been changed (seller doesn't know - kind of car supermarket).

The ST is a private sale.

Any one driven both cars and can offer an opinion on driving enjoyment from them.

JustinR1979

Driving enjoyment? One's a 4wd diesel and other's fwd - Did you mean enjoyment?

DUTR

ohreally wrote: »

I'm considering a car, the choice (atm) being between the above two.

The a3 is the 170 version. I'm aware of oil pump issues due to balance shaft problems, is there any way for me to establish if the pump/ shaft has been changed (seller doesn't know - kind of car supermarket).

The ST is a private sale.

Any one driven both cars and can offer an opinion on driving enjoyment from them.

What is it you are changing from?
I had use of a 4wd TT diesel quattro last year for 3 weeks, couldn't see the fuss compared to the Golf petrol.
My mate has an ST and says he gets 250 miles from a tank.
I'd feel an A3 is the longer term choice even though it's at a premium compared to the ST, but it's your money and your choice.

Johnmcl7

What age are the cars? If the A3 is a model with the older PD170 diesel engine rather than the newer CR170 engine I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. I've not driven the Focus but I'd have thought it would be the obvious choice for driving enjoyment, depending on which version it is the A3 isn't even that frugal either.

John

Johno100

ohreally wrote: »

The ST is a private sale.

What age and mileage are you looking at, there's a lot of difference between the present Mk3 and the original ST 170 Mk1?

ohreally

I'm not changing, the car is an addition. I already own a 4x4 and an auto Beetle.

The a3 is 2011 and the ST is 2010.

With a petrol engined 4x4, fuel consumption on these two isn't an issue.

Spicy_McHaggis

ohreally wrote: »

I'm not changing, the car is an addition. I already own a 4x4 and an auto Beetle.

The a3 is 2011 and the ST is 2010.

With a petrol engined 4x4, fuel consumption on these two isn't an issue.

Well in that case buy the Focus and you'll never be away from the pump.

Ford detuned the Volvo engine in fear of it shredding drive shafts, so that could me an issue. However Mountfield managed to get it up to 320bhp.

Johnmcl7

ohreally wrote: »

I'm not changing, the car is an addition. I already own a 4x4 and an auto Beetle.

The a3 is 2011 and the ST is 2010.

With a petrol engined 4x4, fuel consumption on these two isn't an issue.

The choice of cars seems a bit odd in that case particularly the diesel Audi A3 (I know Audi have won Le Mans many times with diesel but that's a slightly different setup), are you needing the practicality of a hatch?

John

kev25v6

Audi S3 maybe?

Johno100

ohreally wrote: »

I'm not changing, the car is an addition. I already own a 4x4 and an auto Beetle.

The a3 is 2011 and the ST is 2010.

With a petrol engined 4x4, fuel consumption on these two isn't an issue.

So a Mk2 facelift model, just like I have. Had it two years and not had any problems, servicing not much more than a standard Focus, handles very well, torque steer gives it character but means you can expect to get through front tyres quite regularly.

Fuel consumption wise, driving 'enthusiastically' around town you will do well to get 20mpg, drive on the motorway conservatively and you might get 25-26mpg.

Sorry I've never driven the Audi so can't comment on it.

Spicy_McHaggis

I've driven both and can't say the Audi wasn't enjoyable, whether I'd choose to spend my money on a Volvo powered Ford is another matter. If I wanted a five cylinder Volvo powered car I'd probably by a Volvo for the extra 30bhp.