With my lease up in October and having to choose replacement by May had a serious look over the fence versus a replacement MK 7.5 R
The car mainly looked at was the A35 AMG which feel is a really good stab at the 300 BHP, AWD demographic and I could definitely see myself driving one.
Opposed to much of what you see, the lines on the A35 are long, smooth and sleek and the interior, though not to everyone taste is definitely a huge lift from the previous A series and its a really nice cabin to sit in.
My issue was firstly cost, as to have the car you would want, you would need to add the Aerodynamic Kit and at least the middle premium pack plus the must have adaptive suspension (consensus on the AMG forum is standard ride is quite hard) and that alone tops £40,000 and thats with leaving options like car play (media pack is £600) off.
You could push £50,000 if went for everything on offer.
The main issue being reported is build quality, rattles, poor fitting as well as some software updates required for tech glitches (which is no surprise given the tech fest of the cabin - which maybe an early view to what the first MK 8 may go through with all the mooted added tech?)
But really like the A35 AMG, has all the elements you would want and think in its next evolved version it will be a good sound purchase
I would have looked at the new BMW given it was going FWD and AWD (never considered previously as not at all comfortable with performance BMW RWD on UK roads, and thats from experience of being a passenger many times, the back sliding out and rear end wiggles at speed might be fun for a journo, its last thing I want to feel happening)
Personally ok with the new BMW but the M kits seem an absolute must and pretty sure they will drive well also. Doubt would have been enough to turn my head this time around, but think 3 years from now the BMW will be a viable option.
Looked at the Hyundai 130 N briefly, and have nothing against it at all, think its an excellent entrance into this arena, and think the next version, if they take some of the wide ranging comments on board in terms of interior, could really put itself in the frame.
Never looked at the Honda Type R, far too shouty
Audi are not an option at the moment as they change to their next generation and would have looked at whatever the latest performance option would be. Looking at the new A1 then little nervous to how the new A3 would look as not a fan of the new A1.
Did look at a Focus ST and immediately shook head and got out of it - quite like the design but interior leaves me cold
Despite looking over the fence my thoughts kept coming back to fact that the MK 7 R and GTI were still being talked about glowingly against these new cars, and that at 7 years, the MK 7 was not an ageing platform in decline, but has set the curve these others are being judged against still and not beating.
The revolution came in the MQB MK 6 > MK 7, the MK 8 will be evolution in the driving experience at best and the revolution (or regression) will come in the technical dept.
So with that as thinking it was quite an easy decision to stay with firstly an R and then when the TCR came along, a change to experiencing some of the GTI heritage for the first time - basically same fun, just a different flavour
There was comment to 300 BHP being the seemingly accepted benchmark and though know many do map beyond that, I think 300 BHP will always be enough for me, and by going to the TCR have readily lost a second 0-60 on the R as was pretty sure my road experience is not going to be too dissimilar as there is going to be plenty of pace on tap for whenever want to utilise it.
This all circles back to the fact that at 7 years and against present and upcoming opposition (including the MK8 ) the MK 7.5 is still hugely relevant and if want to save some money and even get a bargain, then selecting a MK 7.5 GTI/R that dealers are trying to clear off forecourts might be the best decision made for a while.
