MK7 GTI vs M135i

[drisser]

Guys

Just returned from a 1.5 hour test drive of the 135, as most now I had a cracking deal on the table.

Did I sign up an order ?

NOPE. I have one word to sum up the 135. FRUSTRATING.  The 8 speed gearbox.  Frustrating.  The ride quality. Frustrating. The acceleration, so quick it's frustrating.  I got annoyed with this car to be honest.

A quick spin a week ago I was sold but today on a range of roads,it was just plain annoying. I drove the same piece of road I drove the gi on when I ordered it and i don't believe I could rive it any quicker in the 135.

When I stopped and really looked at the interior, sorry Bear I don't agree it the same quality as the golf, there are some very nasty plastics going on, I kid you not my 330 ci is better made.

You just can't use more than 60pc of the performance more than 20 pc of the time.  Here is why.  I pulled onto the a14 dual carriage way, booted it past a 1.2 corsa and then got stuck in traffic, then it cleared, booted it, then stuck in traffic, corsa up my arse, then boot it, more traffic, corsa up my arse. Grrrr.

Sorry but the golf thrills you 90 pc of e time whether you drive it 90 Pcp or 50 pc.  The only reason you buy a 135 is the 0 to 60 time and that isn't enough for me.  I drove through bury st edmunds and not one ,  mean not one single person gave it a 2nd look.  I like understated but he'll for 30k I want a bit of jealousy o ?

So I am back to square one, not sure about the golf due to my work situation. I am pondering a used 135 coupe because for 17k I can get most of the performance in a better looking body. 

My advise to anyone sitting on the fence, I really think now having driven both cars for 2 hours n the same roads, the golf is by far the better car.  How they got it to ride so well on bad roads yet handle amazingly is simple unreal.  The 135 ride is just too hard for me, it shakes over roads the golf glided over, yet on the twisty stuff the golf was as fast and that was the non PP car.

I would tire of the 135 performance after a month and then the golf everyday usability comes through. At 8 speed auto box, man it was annoying.  I mean who needs 8 gears with 300bhp and 300b of torque.  God I want a really long their gear that uses all that power and will haul me from 30 to 100 without changing gear, no sooner have you changed from 3 to 4 you are bouncing off the limiter.

Funny when I came back to the dealer, they couldn't believe my comments about the gearbox and the fact e performance is frustrating.  Said I was the first person who didn't like it !

Oh well, I am striking off the m135.  Maybe a 135 coupe is better for me for half the money, or he'll I might stick with my golf order.. But if I had a PP golf on order, I would wait for it, that's my advice.
Cheers
Andy 

[matchboy]

Thanks drisser, nice write up. It's an interesting point you make regarding the speed - can you actually use that much power on a daily basis? Not really, given the amount of traffic around. Plus if you ever do get round to having a clear road you run the risk of losing your licence!

My brother once traded in his Porshe Turbo S because of this very reason - it was too quick (if that makes sense).

[drisser]

Exactly the point

When you are not flat out you are just annoyed.  I can't out my finger on it but I remember driving the golf and it just had the magic, light, nimble, perfect size, fast enough, everything balanced.

The m135 is just engine engine engine.  Sorry but my £3500 worth of 330ci from 2004 is a nicer drive, slick manual box, lovely engine, low driving position. And it gives me more fun, pulling third gear in that is a pleasure as the revs slowly climb and the engine builds

In the 135 the engine dominates everything.  I really get why someone would buy it, but its not for me, a used 135 coupe is 99% as fast, half the price and better looking.

I urge any one pondering this car, or any golf alternative, for god sake drive it for 2 hours on roads you know and love so you compare them back to back ..

[Gryzor]

Nice balanced second opinion there, and I can relate to pretty much all of it without even having driven one.  I absolutely do not need that much power in my everyday car.  I've already aired my views on the exterior looks, but I dislike the interior too.  Having said that, I do like the 1-series coupe in terms of body shape, so can understand you considering that.

[Gung-Ho]

Some good valid points there drisser.... Saw my first Mk7 GTD this morning (in carbon grey) and thought to myself....... "I'm so glad I ordered the Golf over the BMW!!"... The new Mk7 looked  absolutely 'Stunning' on the road 

[Exonian]

Fascinating reviews there.

Having not driven either but would happily live with either I must doff my hat to the BM but to me the GTI with a touch of ECU trickery would be my choice all day and all night.
However if I were to actually drive the 135 then just maybe...


... nah, even at £30k it's well over my self imposed budget.

Big respect to anyone who buys one, it's the car equivalent of Viz's Buster Gonad, and even bigger respect to BMW for building something that mad at an almost affordable price in this age of increasing suffocation from both pollution, resources and those who wish to instil their political agendas down our throats.

[Snoopy]

I read this entire thread this morning.
This afternoon I read a thread on audi-sport.net comparing the GTI to the S3
Very similar replies on both threads. That one bias to the S3 this one bias to the GTI.
Your asking people on a specific forum who have made the choice to admit they may have made the wrong choice.
Only you can decide whats right for you.
Dont let anyone make your mind up. Make your own decisions.

[Chief1337]

Not sure if I'm missing something here, but a few people have been talking about "potentially" cancelling their GTi orders and going for a M135i instead.

Surely, if you did this you'd lose your deposit on the GTi? Or are people willing to just take that hit as they are fed up of waiting?

[Snoopy]

A lot of the time they will give you back the deposit. Especially in these types of circumstances.

[Chief1337]

Hmmm - When I ordered they 'estimated' I wouldn't have the car until early-mid November. So unless I get delayed into December, I don't have much to go on I guess?

Not really looking to change, just nice to have the option available. Waiting no where near as long as some on this forum, but when hearing 6 week lead times for other cars in this class, it's frustrating.