Should I buy the Audi A3 Sportback or the BMW 320d?

My company car list has arrived and, having looked at the options available, this is where I am. A new Audi A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI - the MPG is 70+ (claimed) and I only have to put £40p/m to it from my own pocket. Or BMW 320d (as recommended by you) but this, with no add-ons, will cost me £175 p/m from my pocket. Is it really worth that extra bit of money or would you be opting for the Audi? The reviews are great.

Asked on 2 February 2013 by CJ, via email

Answered by Honest John
I don't think you'll get 70mpg from the Audi without suffering. The point about the 320dED is that it does 64mpg without suffering. It's still a quick and powerful car. That said, it's not £135 a month better than that A3. And if the A3 is under 100g/km you pay a lower per cent BIK than you would for the BMW.
Similar questions
It’s time to replace my noble BMW 520iSE manual saloon, now with 96,000 on the clock and it has not missed a beat. The big question is whether anything has arrived to rival the new model? I’m tempted to...
I want to buy a FIAT 500 and decided that the 100PS 1.4 engine should provide the kind of performance I am looking for. FIAT has now produced the 85PS 'TwinAir'. Should I consider this, as FIAT claim,...
After much deliberation and, endless reading of specifications, I have more or less made my mind up to buy a car some might seem strange. What do you think? I wanted a sporting, high performance, enjoyable...
Related models
Brilliant to drive, powerful and fuel-efficient engines, good interior space and practicality.
More practical version of the A3 has more passenger space and a larger boot. Wide choice of engines including impressive 1.4 TFSI. Well-equipped as standard.