Question MK5 2.0 TDI 4motion vs Audi A3 1.8t fsi

Hi guys,

My current car, a 2000 MK4 Golf 1.6se seems to be reaching the end of its life span now...

I've had it for 5 and a bit years, since I picked it up at 18,000 miles on the clock and have now only just passed 45,000 miles. Admittedly I've absolutely loved it as a car and I've had 4 and half years of trouble free motoring, but now lots of little niggling things are going wrong, and I've reached the point where I don't want to spend out anymore and am ready to move onto something new!

I've lost count of the amount of hours searching through trader sites at alternatives, speaking with friends and trawling through the forums reading about the positives and negatives of all the models I like the look of, but I'm pretty set on either going with another Golf or going over to Audi and getting an A3 sportback.

My budget would be £7500 at the very most and I wouldn't want anything with more than 60,000 miles on the clock.

So far I really like the look of the following and I wondered if anyone was able to offer up any further advice, things to look out for etc? It seems like both come with positives and some level of high risk.

- 2006 Mk5 2.0 TDI 4motion Golf - grey - 50,000 miles, FSH - 5dr, Leather interior, heated seats, auto lights, rain sensing wipers, tow bar fitment.

- 2007 Audi A3 1.8T FSI Sportback - black - 49,000 miles, FSH, cloth interior, rear parking sensors, auto lights, rain sensing wipers, auto dimming mirrors.

i've also looked at some 2.0t FSI A3's of the same era, as well as the GTI, but am slightly put off by the potential high fuel bils and the reports of high oil consumption.

Any my help would be brilliant - feel free to school me a bit if you think I'm being daft, I won't be offended!

Cheers!