I love to read the TDI versus GTI debates. You can always spot the guys with an oil burner, when they harp on about 30-50 acceleration times and remaps. Blah blah. At the end of the day, it's still only a diesel.

You might have guessed that I've got a DSG GTI. I've also got a big Audi diesel and I've been driving with smelly stuff for 10 years. I've got grey hair, so I'm not some spotty kid who thinks he's Lewis Hamilton and 0-60 doesn't float my boat that often nowadays.

Bottom line is....... the GTi is a better car in all respects. Period. Unless you want to tow a caravan.

But here's the important bit. I break out the champagne if I get over 30mpg. Around town 25mpg is worth celebrating.

If your employer is paying for all your fuel and you do enough private miles to make it worth paying the taxman all that wonga, get a GTI. But unless that's the case, go for the TDI and you still won't be unhappy. A TDI ain't far short, and it's head and shoulders above an oily Focus or an Astra.

p.s. I nearly went for the Seat TDI, but wanted the DSG so ended up in the Golf camp. You won't be dissappointed, the box is amazing and the interior is better.