Hi
Both will be perfectly good for general use, neither suffer from problems in excess from model to model.
I will give you an unbiased opinion, and I will just put it in bullet points so its easier than me rambling on.
1: Petrol will be smooth on idle and feel more refined, but lack a little on the motorway due to the lack of torque
1: Diesel will be rattly on idle (it is a 3 pot oil burner) and feel agricultural but develop good torque for duel carriageway and motorway driving.
2: Petrol will do 50 mpg and a bit more but on average (including city driving) thats about the best
2: Diesel will do up to 60 mpg and on average 50 plus
Apart from that i wouldn't say there is a lot in it. The diesel is always more desirable (and cost more to buy) as all VAG group diesels are compared to the petrol equivalent, but i wouldn't let that put you off a petrol for your partner.
Stay away from the Sport unless you want to trade comfort for sports handling
Stay away from the Opensky roof system unless you really want it, as its just another thing to go wrong
All interiors are approx the same apart from the sport which has a 3 spoke steering wheel and sport seats.
Later ones had a few very minor improvements nothing that makes the early ones significantly troublesome but like always the newer you can afford the better
For a nice second car the 1.4 petrol SE or 1.4 SE Diesel would be fine.
One last thing, the 1.4 diesel comes in 75 and 90 hp versions the only difference is BHP and torque the interior is the same and mechanically its almost the same apart from the VNT turbo and clutch etc.
You can also buy the 1.6 FSI version it's pretty much the same as the 1.4 petrol for economy but with a bit more torque when rev'd, it can get through coil packs but ask a Renault driver about coil packs and its an all too familiar experience, not a huge problem, although i never new what the problem was with a single coil, leads and spark plugs in the traditional fashion, sorry rambling...
For me? I bought ours in 2004 and have the 1.4 Sport diesel custom remapped to produce more power, and if i had to buy another it would be the same.
However for someone that isn't fussed about the Sport, or torque or the 17" wheels and sports suspension i would buy which ever came along and with the best history, condition and low mileage, and not worry about the fuel type. A nice one lady owner with 45,000 miles and about 4 main dealer stamps would be nice:icon_thumright: