MK7 GTI vs M135i

[Gung-Ho]

I just arranged a test drive for this afternoon.

Don't forget to report back Bear, I'll be very interested in what you think of it.

Yes me too!! The last BMW I had was a 335i and although I loved the car the ride for me was overly firm to the point of being uncomfortable at times. Be very interested to see what you think

Hey John... I'm guessing you had the M-sport with the runflats. I didn't have a problem with the ride quality on my SE, even though I was running on the 19" 230 Style Alloys.  Yes it was 'slightly' on the firm side, but definitely not uncomfortable.

The ride quality of the M135i I test drove earlier in the year was sublime! Nicely damped & not overtly firm whatsoever. The Adaptive Suspension made a big difference though, plus the fact it was fitted with the Michelin Super Sports...

[matchboy]

The ride quality of the M135i I test drove earlier in the year was sublime! Nicely damped & not overtly firm whatsoever. The Adaptive Suspension made a big difference though, plus the fact it was fitted with the Michelin Super Sports...

Am I right in assuming the Adaptive Suspension is the equivalent of the ACC on the golf?

[Bill_the_Bear]

The ride quality of the M135i I test drove earlier in the year was sublime! Nicely damped & not overtly firm whatsoever. The Adaptive Suspension made a big difference though, plus the fact it was fitted with the Michelin Super Sports...

Am I right in assuming the Adaptive Suspension is the equivalent of the ACC on the golf?

Yes.  Its cheaper than the VW though.

Not sure if it works on the same principals though.  My GTI test drive (such as it was) was on an ACC equipped car.  I'll review the M135i as a comparison when I'm back (2 hours until drive).

[Gung-Ho]

The ride quality of the M135i I test drove earlier in the year was sublime! Nicely damped & not overtly firm whatsoever. The Adaptive Suspension made a big difference though, plus the fact it was fitted with the Michelin Super Sports...

Am I right in assuming the Adaptive Suspension is the equivalent of the ACC on the golf?

Yes mate!!! I haven't had the opportunity to drive a Golf with the ACC so I can't make a direct comparison, but changing between comfort & sport on the M135i made a big difference. Sport was rather too firm for every day use, however I found Comfort probably the best setting to leave it on for everyday driving.

I believe it works similar to the Golfs ACC in that sensors continuously measure data and control the shock absorber valves in the dampers according to the driving situation and road conditions.

[monkeyhanger]

Not sure why VAG developed 2 adaptive suspension set-ups (the other being Audi magnetic ride) - which one is best? I've got the MK1 ACC on my Scirocco, but never tried the magnetic ride out (it's about the same price as ACC if I remember rightly).

[CraigW]

I have ACC andi must say I can't tell that much difference

[monkeyhanger]

I have ACC andi must say I can't tell that much difference

I can definitely tell the  difference with ACC modes - Comfort for when you know there are potholes about, Sport for everything else and normal is like a bag of hammers (it doesn't know what it wants to do). This is all based on the original set-up and not taking into account any improvements VW have made for the MK7 Golf.

The standard GTD set-up was more than good enough for me. I might miss comfort in pothole season, same as for 1 week of the year I wish I had 4WD.

[JohnP]

Hey John... I'm guessing you had the M-sport with the runflats. I didn't have a problem with the ride quality on my SE, even though I was running on the 19" 230 Style Alloys.  Yes it was 'slightly' on the firm side, but definitely not uncomfortable.

The ride quality of the M135i I test drove earlier in the year was sublime! Nicely damped & not overtly firm whatsoever. The Adaptive Suspension made a big difference though, plus the fact it was fitted with the Michelin Super Sports...

Yes it was M-Sport with run flats and put me off the faster BMWs. Very interested to see your thoughts on the M135i suspension. Suspension is generally a compromise between comfort and handling but Adaptive suspension/ACC seems to give the best of both. I think I'm like most in that I want a car that is comfortable when I have to drive and one that has great handling when I want to have fun!!

[matchboy]

I just arranged a test drive for this afternoon.

Don't forget to report back Bear, I'll be very interested in what you think of it.

Where is Bill, I want to know what this motor was like! 

[Gung-Ho]

I just arranged a test drive for this afternoon.

Don't forget to report back Bear, I'll be very interested in what you think of it.

Where is Bill, I want to know what this motor was like! 

Bills probably filling out a new order form as we speak!