Hi,
Yes I've sold the Audi. I sold it before deciding on the Golf though.
The Audi's fuel economy was atrocious, even on a long steady motorway run I couldn't crack 25mpg, and whilst I didn't expect great fuel economy that was worse than I could live.
Plus the dealership I bought it from Amersham Audi, were shocking and I didn't live local enough to them to be able to go in and complain very easily. Within a week of me having it a new radiator was required. I can't believe they didn't notice the speed with which it was losing coolant so feel they sold it to me knowing about the fault. Luckily it was fixed under warranty by the local Audi dealer.
Furthermore the Rear Parking Sensors which I got Amersham Audi to install as part of the purchase deal, behaved erratically. When I asked the local dealer to fix they refused nor would they communicate with Amersham Audi on the matter. Local dealer said it would be a massive job requiring panels being removed and would only undertake at their usual labour rates and it was for me to get Amersham Audi to agree. Sales Exec I bought car from said I needed to speak to his Sales Manager. From that moment on everytime I called for the Sales Exec or the Sales Manager the Receptionist would find an excuse not to put me through nor would my calls ever be returned.
Interestingly What Car magazine are quite negative about Amersham Audi this month when talking about their Long Term Q7.
The clincher for me though was when a colleague at work wanted to try my car as he was considering buying a diesel DSG Audi, so we went for a spin and he offered to buy mine for what I'd paid on the forecourt. Whilst the car in itself was great, the issues so early on in its life had totally spoilt the whole ownership experience for me.
Plus my girlfriend at the time also had a 3.2 Quattro DSG so I was still able to take that out to play when I wanted to.
The Golf was really a process of elimination than a first choice:-
I wanted a performance car - So thats a Vaux VXR, Ford ST, VW GTI, Merc C230K Coupe, BMW 330Ci and many more
Wanted an automatic - Thats a BMW, VW, Merc
Wanted a Hatchback for the dog - Thats the VW or Merc
Wanted a Performance car - Merc just too slow.
Result - Golf GTI
I have to admit that now I have it I love it and think I've made a very good choice.
With regards the R32 - well I would've had the same economy issues as the Audi. More expensive. And when the new congestion charge kicks in their values are going to suffer because anyone that travels in to the CC zone regularly will drop their R32 and buy a GTI because the R32 incurs the £25 a day charge and the GTI doesn't. Increase in supply + Drop in demand = Fall in value.
Sorry about the essay but I'm sat at work bored.
