Broadstraik
Registered User
I have owned both a 1.4TFSI (older 8P chassis) and now a 2.0TDI (8V) if it was purely down to performance I would go for the 2.0TDI every time...quicker from a standing start, much higher torque and therefore better in gear acceleration and pulling power when fully loaded, just need to get the revs in the sweet spot (same for any diesel). That said Sport spec is better than SE IMHO, especially as you get climate control on the Sport...tough choice.
You do really need to test drive, phone round a couple of dealers but dont tell them you are going to lease as a company car, give them the impression you will buy and i am sure they will find a trst drive for you.
Either way both will be better than the BMW's you have been offered (performance and kit)
'COD is Great'
Do not make your decision until you have driven the 1.4 COD, it is a revelation!
It is quieter and more refined than the diesel and is quicker to 60mph by 0.3 secs too. Yes, the diesel has more torque that is not disputed, 320nm vs 250nm but all of its extra 10bhp will be used to haul the extra 65kg in weight of the diesel engine. Coming from a 168bhp diesel Passat, I have no regrets about moving back to petrol and am getting more mpg than I did with the Passat. I have averaged 43 mpg overall on the 1,200 miles covered so far and have achieved up to 52mpg. These figures do not match the A3 diesel but the COD was £1,500 cheaper to buy and petrol is about 6p a litre cheaper and doing a small mileage and the superior refinement of the petrol engine I am happy I chose the COD having test driven both engines.