Both I'd say are an absolute must these days for almost any type of driving on public roads. +++
Modern auto gearboxes (especially the 8-speed or more versions) are seamless and typically more fuel-efficient than a manual.

If only you could retrofit adaptive cruise to a D2...… :love:

Thanks again Adrian & Andrew

Perhaps we should consider s-tronic then !
We will be looking at year 2017 cars, i.e. 'slightly used' lastest generation A3s.
Don't known how wife will test drive s-tronic though cause she never sat in car with automatic.

Golf looks appealing with adaptive cruise in GTI.
Should revisit this again.

Adrian,

Did Audi publish any statements about life expectancy of latest S-rtonics?
I know manual will probably outlast the engine, but how about the dual clutch thing? If serviced properly of course.
Also, can they be reconditioned like old ZF hydraulic gearboxes? Or are they ‘sealed for life’?

Almost the same issue here when test driving before buying our Volvo V40; the ONLY automatic SWMBO had ever driven in recent years was my old S8, and then very very rarely.

However, she was "on board" with the logic of getting an auto and soon got used to it. And she loves the ACC. +++

On the Golf there’s very little difference between our 2015 and the facelift that came out last year (referred to as Mk7 or Mk7.5) apart from the option for a bigger option nav screen. Ours has the biggest option screen for the time and has all the toys you’d want

My advice for novice auto drivers is always to forget you’ve got a left leg - you don’t need it! Driving s-tronic style boxes doesn’t really require a different technique to a normal auto

I’m not aware of anything published (they’d be risking claims for any car that failed to meet their expected lifespan if they did!)

Just to give you an indicator, mate has a Skoda Superb that he uses for airport runs. It’s coming up to 7 years old and has done near enough THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES with just routine servicing on the dual clutch box

Am I going to get lynched for suggesting you also look at a Volvo!? Possibly a V60?

Love our Volvo V40, but it's relatively small, so depending what you need a V60 sounds good.
Though, that said, an A3 was (for a short while) a similarly-sized contender for us. Lost out on lack of tech, which tells you a lot!

Plus points of V40 - really safe, top quality, lots of tech options. 5-door hatchback ONLY (no estate or saloon options).
Possible downsides - realistically 4 good seats; fitting 5 adults for a long trip is not a good idea (local trips are fine). Boot is quite small.

And for your budget you may be looking at an older one; the newer models with the VEA engine range are IMHO better.
Only the top-of-range T5 Cross-country (which we have) is 4-wheel drive and faster than my S8 (up to about 100mph). No longer available new, not that you would care.

Most autos have a 6-speed Aisin (Borg-Warner as was?) box, the T5 has a superb 8-speed one. The extra speeds are really "overdrive" ratios for relaxed cruising.

If you're bored (or intrigued) and want to read our tale of starting by test driving an A3 and ending buying a V40, look here: http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=11019

Team,

Thanks everyone for helping me!

Today drove all the way to King's Lynn (!!) Audi to view this car
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...01803064313334
and purchased it.

Lipstick red 2017 A3 Sport 2.0 TFSI 190hp
with S-tronic, Adaptive Cruise Control & Apple CarPlay
(the car which is only 7mm narrower than D2 mirror-to-mirror)

14,000 miles, £18,400

This was epic. Thanks again for all your help.

Low RPM @ 70mph :)

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1528905344

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1528905344