Hi Jim,

Quality is a subjective thing, of course, but we’d say the two upper-end Germans will feel the most special – it’s flip of a coin stuff as to whether you’ll prefer the Audi or the BMW, though – while the Golf is, in most people’s mind, a classier car than the Ford. However, you’ve picked the performance version of the Focus in the ST, so there’s every likelihood it will actually feel more special to sit in than any of the regular-model German cars you’ve mentioned.

In terms of longevity, again Ford has a reputation for less reliable cars than German makers, but Volkswagen is not as infallible as everyone seems to think. In truth, you’d be very unlucky – if you buy a good, solid, used example – to get a woefully unreliable example of any of the four cars. In our opinion, the BMW 220d is the strongest all-rounder, the Audi A3 Saloon is the best-looking and the Focus ST will probably be the most fun to drive, if not massively comfortable in and around town.