So, why did we go go for the GTI over the 135i?

[Exonian]

Following on from the Harris review and the debate on here and over on mk5golfgti.co.uk - why did we actually plump for a 100bhp less car for a couple of grand less?
GTD owners are still entitled to an opinion btw although I'll guess the majority or them are buying derv due to company car rules(?)
And just as much, I'd like to hear from those going the other way. I'm genuinely curious.

No rational reason for me. I've got GTIs in my blood, simple as that, if VW make a poor GTI I'll take the SEAT equivalent if it's better thanks to the same DNA. Yes that might be silly but I'm only human!!!
I am also of the opinion that the GTI is best left with minimal spec above that which it came out of the factory with in mk7 guise. If you spend more than a couple of grand on it you're getting dangerously close to the 135.
To be quite honest, if VW had not specced xenons and 18 inch alloys as standard I'd have just kept my very sorted mk6 quite happily for another few years until a decent spec mk7 came up at the right money (or I may have bought a year old 135 just to see what they're like and run it for a year or so).

So in short I just had an inkling that the mk7 GTI was going to be a bit special to drive and its heritage. Nothing more than that. I didn't even consider a 135 for a second.

[Sootchucker]

Funnily enough, I test drove a 135i in Jan the year when I started the new car search. My god it was fast and made a stunning noise, but other than that it left me a bit cold.

For the times when you can use the power, I'm sure there's little else (if anything) in its price bracket to touch it, but (personally), I found the interior boring although very well screwed together and the seats though supportive, quite hard.

Ultimately for me it's biggest floor (in hatchback guise), was the looks. No matter which angle I viewed it from, it just didn't do anything for me and actually bordered on ugly. The coupe version was much prettier, but to be honest is effectively a 2 seater as the rear legroom is non existent. I know we buy cars with our heads as well as our hearts, but I just thought when the power giggles had worn off, the fuel bills and insurance mounted, I would still be left with a car that had a super engine and drivetrain, but a car that looks wise I just didn't connect with, if you know what I mean.

[AAddict]

1: Looks
2: Price (Performance Pack 3DR cost me £25k)
3: Size - Cramped interior on the 1 Series, much less usable rear seats and hatch/boot.
4: Pushed myself to get to GTI price, anything more expensive was out of the question.
5: VAG fan.
6: Interior quality of the 1 seems some way behind the MK7 (only been in a GT).

[Jimble]

I'm with you on the heritage mate, i've fallen head over heels in love the the GTI brand which is a bit daft but i think you get more than just a car when you buy one, my mk6 is my first GTI and without doubt the best car i've ever owned and i have no doubt that the new one will be better especially with the standard features and options i've added, the 135i is without question a fantastic bit of kit but it just isn't the completely well rounded package that the GTI is, if you NEED rwd in your life to enjoy driving then you can't do much better when buying new imo than the BMW, there is not enough room in the back or boot to make me even consider it and there are a couple of little annoyances with the design like not being able to see the computer between the dials when the steering wheel is in my position, and the rear wheel arches take up too much of the rear seats!

Plus when specced to the same level as the GTI i've ordered it's nearly 3.5k more, just not worth it for the compromises i'd be making.

Unless my new mk7 is a complete pup then i can't see myself going to another marque anytime soon.

[carotino]

Who needs oversteer when you least expect it.

Better package the Golf - enough go everyday on the road.

[Gryzor]

To be honest, the 135i didn't even enter into the equation, but if I had to list reasons, it would be similar to AAdict:

- Looks
- Price
- Not a great all-rounder like the GTI
- It's not a GTI 

[Chriscav]

I went for a gti as I felt overall the golf is the more well rounded package and I didnt even contemplate the BMW at all.
Dont think my funds would have stretched to an M135 anyway.
And if the power difference is an issue then its easily tuned!

[mcmaddy]

Never been a fan of BMW,s period. I'm getting the gtd not for company car reasons but because I like diesels over petrols. Not even the gti can come close to fuel consumption of the gtd plus it's cheaper to tax and insure. Economic sense over heart I suppose and to be honest the gti and gtd are virtually the same car.

[Bill_the_Bear]

A friend of mine refers to BMW as a stupid rich man's car, as he thinks you can get as good as for a lot less money so only stupid rich men would buy one.  No offense meant to any beemer owners here 

That said I worked at a car auction place once and BMW was second only to jag in driving terms.  The was one other car there that could give BMW a run for its money.  Prizes for guessing what it was!

[Andy B]

I won't be picking the 135i because:

-I really don't like the way it looks. I don't want to approach my car and wish it looked different.
-It doesn't have enough space inside. I can get 2 people, two mountain bikes, and luggage for a 2 week holiday in the Edition 30 - which we're doing next, week to go on our holidays to France, thank you for asking.
-Absolute performance doesn't matter to me. I could spend 100 grand on a car and still be beaten off the lights by a souped up saxo. I want effortless power and great delivery of that power on the road, and I don't need a BMW for that.

Having said all of that, I'm still not sure if the next car will be a golf or a sportback a3 yet. All the options I want to try out aren't available yet, so it'll probably be next year when I get the chance to look at everything.

P.S. I have no problems with others thinking the 135i is their dream car... each to his own!