What Car Hot Hatch Test

[DougL]

Published today. Golf GTi PP DSG, Merc A250, BMW M135i Sport Auto. Winner BMW 5*, Golf 4*, Merc 3*.

Summary:

BMW
For:  Outrageous pace, thrilling handling, pliant ride, surprisingly competitive running costs.
Against: Pricey to buy initially, could be better equipped.
Verdict: Not without fault, but it is all you could want from a fast hatchback, and a little bit more.

Golf
For: Huge grip, neutral handling, good standard spec, excellent running costs
Against: DSG gearbox can be frustrating, falls short of claimed economy in real-world use.
Verdict: Close to perfection, but not the vivid, engaging driver's tool that some will want.

Mercedes
For: Accessible handling, attention grabbing looks, tight body control, low emissions
Against: Firm ride, hesitant gearbox, poor resale values make it expensive to own
Verdict: Appropriately fun, but hard to justify in this company, given its greater flaws.

The more I read the above verdicts the more I think they have it arse over tit. They're saying the Golf is the better car but have given the win to BMW? Again a nonsense from the Autocar/Autoexpress/ Whatcar tribe....

I wonder if the manual would have done better and been more engaging? I still think the BMW is pig ugly and has an awful ride.

[DougL]

Other info

Best cabin: Golf
Cheapest to own: Golf
Best dash: BMW

Driving: BMW 5*, Golf 4*, Merc 3*
Inside: Golf 5*, BMW 4*, Merc 3*
Cost: Golf 5*, BMW 4*, Merc 3*

[drisser]

Used 135 values are also dropping fast already and reflected  by BMW GFV for the model - nearly new ones are already showing a GFV much lower than the golf despite costing a lot more..

I think in 2 to 3 years used values of the 135 will be lower than the equivalent gti, punters will be put off but the possible high running costs once out of warranty..

Much as I love 6 cyl cars, and drive one, 4 cyl turbo is all the market seems to want now..

[matchboy]

Yet again they are comparing the wrong cars. The GTI is comparable to the A250; however the M 135i should not be compared to these two as its performance is streets ahead of the other two.

A better comparison to the GTI and the Merc would be the 125d. The 135i is comparable to the S3, the R and the A45.

Do these "journalists" actually know what they're talking about??

[DougL]

The "true MPG" figure looks like a load of nonsense too

Golf GOV 44.1, True 31.5
BMW GOV 35.3, True 33.9
Merc GOV 45.6, True 33.5

Yeah, right.

Also

Golf 5* ratings x 4, 4* ratings x 6 TOTAL 44
BMW 5* ratings x 4, 4* ratingsx 4, 3* ratings x 2 TOTAL 42
Merc 5* ratings x 1, 4* ratings x 1, 3*ratings x 7, 2* ratings x 1 TOTAL 32

I rest my case. They are complete numpties....

[DougL]

Do these "journalists" actually know what they're talking about??

I think that's the point. I would never describe them as journalists. Someone like Georg Karcher from Car magazine is though...

[Gung-Ho]

I'll have to pay my local WH Smiths library a visit this weekend & have a good proper read for myself... but I'm not a big fan of 'What Car' magazine personally. Its like the 'Readers Digest' of the motoring world and besides they're a little late coming to the party with this review.

It's incredulous that the M-lite got top honours from Autocar when it was first launched (4.5 stars), only to be demoted to fourth spot in the latest edition of Autocars hot hatch table... Only now for 'What Car' to jump on the bandwagon (albeit a little late) and give top honours back to the M135i again!!!

Do these journo's actually know what they're on about?

[GolfTi]

I would agree with the 'close to perfection' comment.

Very, very close.

[DougL]

I would agree with the 'close to perfection' comment.

Very, very close.

Abso-f****ing-lutely! Those "journos" obviously don't proof read their own copy, or else they'd see how stupid they look. It is quite clear from a) their comments and b) their ratings, which car is the winner. How they managed to change the ranking in the ultimate verdict is beyoned me.... (unless the weighting is heavily biased to ultimate performance, in which case they do indeed need to compare like with like. The BMW is ultimately about £8k more expensive if you buy a manual, discounted, non-PP Golf GTI, so really a ridiculous comparison.

[Gung-Ho]

Is the DSG box on the Golf that bad & frustrating?.... I've only tested the DSG on a Mk7 GT and didn't have a problem with it, but maybe I should've tried the auto on the GTi before committing to it....

I'm getting that sinking feeling I should have stuck with the 'Manual'....