At the summit of the picturesque fens
I was cleaning both cars yesterday and was thinking.......
We have an Audi A4 avant registered in November 2024 which we have had since new
We also have a Ford Focus ST registered in December 2024 which we have also had since new
Strangely enough they were both very similar RRP when new. Around £42k (a lot for a Focus I know).
Within 500 miles, they have both done the same mileage and done the same journeys, as my wife uses them alternately to commute.
Both are cleaned usually at the same time, so the same frequency.
As I was cleaning them I thought of the above, so I compared various things on the two cars to see whether the perceived Audi quality really was true compared to a low-rent Ford.
Paintwork.
The Audi definitely has better quality (thicker) paint. The odd stonechip on each proves this, as the Ford's are much larger and go down to the metal.
Plastic mouldings.
The rear bumper/ valance on the Ford is very flimsy and wobbles around when cleaning. The Audi's is as solid as a rock.
Wheels.
Both have black painted alloys, althought the Ford's are forged 10 spoke and the Audi's are 5 spoke with a diamond cut face. Brake dust has already ingrained into the Ford's front wheels and has started to pit them. The Audi wheels have none of this, with brake dust cleaning off easily with no marking. This could be down to other factors like different types of pads and the Ford does have HUGE Brembo calipers on the front. But I am going with a cheaper paint finish.
Interior mats.
The Ford's driver's side floor mat is wearing through already. It almost has a hole where the right heel sits. The Audi's are all still perfect.
The Ford needs an oil change every 12 months; the Audi every 2 years. Servicing prices are not a lot different, so the Audi is cheaper to run.
So it looks as though Audis are indeed made much better than a Ford of the same age, with higher quality materials.
However.........the Audi's 2 litre turbo 4 cylinder engine has used over a litre of oil in 10,000 miles. The ford's 2.3 litre turbo 4 cylinder (with 80 more BHP) hasn't used a drop in the same mileage.
We have an Audi A4 avant registered in November 2024 which we have had since new
We also have a Ford Focus ST registered in December 2024 which we have also had since new
Strangely enough they were both very similar RRP when new. Around £42k (a lot for a Focus I know).
Within 500 miles, they have both done the same mileage and done the same journeys, as my wife uses them alternately to commute.
Both are cleaned usually at the same time, so the same frequency.
As I was cleaning them I thought of the above, so I compared various things on the two cars to see whether the perceived Audi quality really was true compared to a low-rent Ford.
Paintwork.
The Audi definitely has better quality (thicker) paint. The odd stonechip on each proves this, as the Ford's are much larger and go down to the metal.
Plastic mouldings.
The rear bumper/ valance on the Ford is very flimsy and wobbles around when cleaning. The Audi's is as solid as a rock.
Wheels.
Both have black painted alloys, althought the Ford's are forged 10 spoke and the Audi's are 5 spoke with a diamond cut face. Brake dust has already ingrained into the Ford's front wheels and has started to pit them. The Audi wheels have none of this, with brake dust cleaning off easily with no marking. This could be down to other factors like different types of pads and the Ford does have HUGE Brembo calipers on the front. But I am going with a cheaper paint finish.
Interior mats.
The Ford's driver's side floor mat is wearing through already. It almost has a hole where the right heel sits. The Audi's are all still perfect.
The Ford needs an oil change every 12 months; the Audi every 2 years. Servicing prices are not a lot different, so the Audi is cheaper to run.
So it looks as though Audis are indeed made much better than a Ford of the same age, with higher quality materials.
However.........the Audi's 2 litre turbo 4 cylinder engine has used over a litre of oil in 10,000 miles. The ford's 2.3 litre turbo 4 cylinder (with 80 more BHP) hasn't used a drop in the same mileage.
North West Surrey
