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

[Gung-Ho]

Probably one of the most difficult car choices I've had to make as I'm 'both' a huge fan of GTi's (having owned 3) & BMW's (having also owned 3).

Having not driven the new Mk7 GTi I can't really compare what they're like to drive back to back, but what I can say is that the M-lite is pretty faultless when it comes to its driving dynamics.  In terms of quality there really isn't much in it between the two. I've only got the Mk7 Golf GT as a comparison, but both cars werent perfect when it came to perceived cabin quality.  I could find faults with both truth be told. In some ways the BMW was the more shocking as its considered the more premium brand!

Yes the 1-er is not a very pretty car, but its looks definitely grow on you over time (a bit like when the Chris Bangle E60 5-series was launched).  I think my biggest gripe with the 1 series was with rear legroom, which I expected with a RWD configuration. Ok it was a lot better than the old model, but I would really struggle getting my less than agile old grandparents in.

As I mentioned in another thread, there was only a £3k price difference between a similar spec'd GTi & similar spec'd M135i, which in the scheme of things not a "Huge" price difference. So what made me choose the GTi in the end???

At the end of the day it was BMW's arrogance which swung it for me.  Even after 10 years loyalty to the brand, they werent able to offer me a deal whatsoever. In fact they were taking the p@ss! They refused to offer me any discount off the list price but the biggest insult was the £3k below book value price they offered on my part-ex. I suppose I could have shopped around, but to be perfectly honest I didn't like it that much to wasting my time shopping around.  And besides it put a sour taste in my mouth with regards to BMW dealerships!!!

[Whiteshirt]

Had a 1 series coupe before.
One of the most uncomfortable cars I have driven . The run flats with the Sport suspension, were unforgiving.
The seats are low and uncomfortable and the pedals offset.

On a long journey I ended up with back ache and wanted to get out of the thing.

The Gti s I have had have always been very comfortable  and I have always wanted to continue driving whatever the distance I had travelled.

[Gung-Ho]

Forgot to mention... Got a fantastic deal on the new GTi that would have been 'stupid' not to accept!! 

[GtG]

I'm a massive BMW fan.. have had three M3's... and love the Golf GTI.. (thus why I'm ordering another one) I wouldn't rule out getting another M3 in the future, but can guarantee I will never ever own a 1 series BMW! Just drive one.. that's all the answers you need!

[TurboTrev]

VW brand blind, call me a fool but I don't even look at other makes.   Had every Golf GTI going, Mk1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, including Mk1 campaign, Mk3 anni, Mk4 anni, Mk4 R32, Mk5 Ed30, Mk6 Ed35 and Mk6 R.

[Gung-Ho]

I'm a massive BMW fan.. have had three M3's... and love the Golf GTI.. (thus why I'm ordering another one) I wouldn't rule out getting another M3 in the future, but can guarantee I will never ever own a 1 series BMW! Just drive one.. that's all the answers you need!

But that's the problem.... I DID just that!!! And after the test drive I was utterly smitten... Ok it's not as dramatic as my M5, but boy does it go...

[GtG]

Step away from the 1 series! it's social suicide, like owning a C-Class Mercedes... you just don't!

[Exonian]

Interesting that the replies so far are pretty unanimous in that the 135 wasn't even properly considered.

I can relate to the cost issue too. Although the prices are fairly close on paper after options and discounts (and I'm led to believe BMW do cracking finance deals and hence why there are a million low spec black 1 series on a nearby housing estate) the GTI just hit my personal ceiling of cost give or take (ok a bit over but forgiven due to high standard spec).

[MAW73]

Personally I think the 125i M Sport is more comparable model to the GTi and the M135i is more comparable to the R.

I loved my Mk6 Gti and it was a tough call switching from the car and brand to something else. However, having owned a Mk5 GT also, I fancied a change as much as anything. 6 months into ownership and I would safely say I would buy another. Although it pains me to say, probably an M135i as the fuel economy isn't massively different to the 125i which wasn't what I was expecting. Although doing 14k a year it feels like I'm forever filling up my car at the moment, so maybe a 125d might be a more sensible option. But when does sense ever come into buying cars.

This isn't to say I wouldn't buy another golf again. If the mk7 Gti was out at the time of trading up then it could very well have been a different story. I have no doubt it will great car.

As others have pointed out boot and rear space is much better on the golf so if family practicality is what your after than then the golf wins hands down. I rarely use mine as a family car so this doesn't concern me. The wife has a little 5 door corsa for such duties anyway.

The ride comfort is much improved on the latest 1 series especially with the adaptive suspension option spec'd as I have on mine. Even the standard suspension is good now on run flats.

Performance wise the car feels quicker to me than my mk6 and the handling is sharper. However, out and out performance isn't something that particularly bothers me. The BMW auto box also feels better in comparison to the dsg. Gear changes feel quicker, more seamless with the 8 speed ratios feeling spot on.

My 1er seems to be a stone magnet which is bloody annoying. I have invested in the chipex system to tackle some of these. DanJ who proffessionally detailed my car commented that the paint is hard but very thin. Modern paints are so poor. Wish I had invested in getting the 3m paint shield across on the front end and wings especially as my commute involves a lot of motorway driving. I said the same when I got the golf.

I can see why people don't like the shape of the 1er. I love mine from certain angles and loathe it from others but this qwerkiness keeps me interested in the car in a funny sort of way.

Some may find the BMW a little too refined for their liking compared to the GTIs also.

Although reading the above posts you guys favour the mk7 as expected on a GTI forum, there are plenty of people on 1 series forums that have switched from vag cars with many of them having owned GTIs in recent years.

[matchboy]

Just did a quick configuration on the bmw website - the m135i with the same spec as my GTI comes to minimum 5 grand more expensive - and that's before adding 19" alloys (which aren't an option).  So, although its a lot quicker than the GTI that's about the only advantage I can see to be honest - and that's not worth 5 grand.  If you're that interested in that level of speed, you can pick up a second hand m3 or m5 for that money - which are far superior cars.