MK7 GTI vs M135i

[p3asa]

Can you trust a grown man that still has a "teddy bear" to make an informed choice?!? 
That was a bit of a shocker mate 

Some good advice being given out but surely you are past the worst of it now having waited 4 months without a build date. Can it possibly be that long now?
The M135 sounds like a guaranteed licence loser if you want to use it anywhere near its capacity and if you don't is it really worth that extra over the GTI.
The thing with the GTI, is it has the ability to be driven normally as a daily just waiting for it to be let loose. For me it also carries a stature about it.
From your review it sounds like the BMW wants to be let loose all the time, that's maybe okay if you want to can your car every time you are in it but I think you would soon get bored with that. As for presence and stature I don't think it even comes close to the GTI.

Like everyone has said its your money and your choice, but coming from a Fiesta to a GTI or M135, i'm sure you will be pleased either way, however what is going to make you happy driving in the rush hour traffic going to and from work?

[Bill_the_Bear]

I'm abroad for the week so internet access is sporadic.  You are all making some good points here.

I'm really finding it hard to get the M135i out of my mind, really did make me smile!  I didn't feel in danger of losing my licence, but watching the speedo when near cameras is a must.  (EDIT: if. You're worried about this kind of thing you can set the car to alert you when you exceed certain speeds, say 30 and 70). I don't think it's credible to say the M-lite interior isn't as good as the GTI.  The Nav unit is a class above, the leather is great and the dashboard is significantly better.  That's not to say the GTI isn't great, but the M-lite has it beat on the inside in the same way the GTI wins out on the outside, it's hard to see how either of those could be up for debate really.

The thing is the M-lite has a bunch of down sides.  Fuel Eco, exterior looks, tire costs, insurance and tax, a little bit less space.  Does the sheer brilliance of its engine, rear wheel drive, 8speed auto and interior quality compensate enough?  Hmmm.  So top of the class in some areas, mediocre in others.

In contrast the GTI is a safe bet, it does everything well with no downsides...  Both cars average top scores, but the GTI does it by being jack of all, master of none.  the M-lite does it by mastering a few things and doing just enough to avoid a fail in others.  does that make sense?  But at the spec I ordered I'm struggling to feel the GTI is a good deal compared to the M-lite.  I could dump all my options bar the Nav unit, keyless and rear cam.  Alternately I could push BMW for a £30k deal and probably get it or close... I'd be driving away the next day.

I have to say guys it's a really tough choice.  Good thing the outcome is awesomeness in both cases!

@Jimble, I do my work in short, hyper-productive periods... Then I wait weeks for everyone else to catch up. that's how I'm telling it anyway, heh heh.

[drisser]

Bill

We must have driven different cars !

The things you say are good about the 135 put me off !!  Thought the interior was no way better than the Gti, the door handles were really plastic cheap feeling.  I agree the media unit is excellent but I did not feel it was a " nice " place to be v the golf.

As for the 8 speed auto.  Argghhh.   I must be an old purist from a past era.  It drove me nuts that auto box.. Yes it's fun banging the gears and its great tech, but hell you don't need those gears in a car with so much torque.  Half the time I had no idea which gear I was in and I got no pleasure from it compared to a nicely matched 3rd gear in a manual with that engine you can use the torque at low revs.  Just didn't feel the love for that box !

This is why I am looking at a 135 coupe this morning.  305 hp, better looks and it's a late 2010 model with xenons and 20k miles for £20k.  I'm hoping it will be a better drive.

Good luck with your decision though whichever way you go  ! 

[AAddict]

This is why I am looking at a 135 coupe this morning.  305 hp, better looks

Personally I think that 3 door saloon that BMW try to pass of as coupe is one of the ugliest recent (If you can call a 7 year old car recent) cars on the road, the newer F20/F21 is much better looking in my opinion. It will go well, but better looks? 

[Gryzor]

That's not to say the GTI isn't great, but the M-lite has it beat on the inside in the same way the GTI wins out on the outside, it's hard to see how either of those could be up for debate really.

It's all personal opinion of course, but I have to disagre on the interior. I haven't driven one, but I've sat in a 1 series and seen a lot of pictures, and while it's not ugly like the outside, I don't think it is as nice as the GTI/Mk7 Golf.  The GTI just feels like a cleaner, better laid out, nicer place to me.

Given the nature of the cars and your pros and cons, if you could have either car for £30k and drive it away tomorrow, which one would you have?  Be honest, is the toughness of the decision one of patience or relative value for money?

[Chunkstar]

I would wait for the m235i looks so much better !

Yes probs more money but it looks the part if the pics are true

[Bill_the_Bear]

The reason I say the interior is clearly better in the M is because of the leather, the infotainment system, the dashboard, they are all way more expensive in the M.  Regarding the layout the M felt a bit cramped, so that's something I could see opinions differing on.

Your auto comments worry me.  It's supposed to be the best box in the business is it not?  I didn't really like the manual, too stiff and hard to go into second, let alone reverse.  Perhaps practice is needed but the car is sold through its 0-60 as a main selling point and with the manual my changes would be far too slow.  I hated constantly using the clutch because my feet caught on the side wall and the brake pedal.  Auto or nothing, sounds like I need to ask to drive an 8 speed.

Gryzor... I don't know the answer!  I need to think hard.  Arrrrgh

[AAddict]

Your auto comments worry me.  It's supposed to be the best box in the business is it not?  I didn't really like the manual, too stiff and hard to go into second, let alone reverse.  Perhaps practice is needed but the car is sold through its 0-60 as a main selling point and with the manual my changes would be far too slow.  I hated constantly using the clutch because my feet caught on the side wall and the brake pedal.  Auto or nothing, sounds like I need to ask to drive an 8 speed.

The 8sp auto is indeed regarded as one of the best auto boxes available. The manual is a dry sump high performance gearbox taken directly from the 1M Coupe, very highly regarded too but I think it may have felt somewhat 'different' to what you're used to.

[Bill_the_Bear]

Your auto comments worry me.  It's supposed to be the best box in the business is it not?  I didn't really like the manual, too stiff and hard to go into second, let alone reverse.  Perhaps practice is needed but the car is sold through its 0-60 as a main selling point and with the manual my changes would be far too slow.  I hated constantly using the clutch because my feet caught on the side wall and the brake pedal.  Auto or nothing, sounds like I need to ask to drive an 8 speed.

The 8sp auto is indeed regarded as one of the best auto boxes available. The manual is a dry sump high performance gearbox taken directly from the 1M Coupe, very highly regarded too but I think it may have felt somewhat 'different' to what you're used to.

Perhaps I'm just too used to the light gear shifts from the various Fords I'm had, but I didn't have any issues with the GTI manual, it slotted in and out of the gears like a breeze.  The M's pedals though... Was constantly scrapping my foot.

[Marcus007]

I have been following this rather interesting thread.

2 months ago I was weighing up the GTI and M135i as a purchase and eventually plumped for the M135i.

For me it was a tough decision the GTI imo has a classier image and more 'heritage', it looks better on the outside and will be cheaper to run over a 3 year period.

The M135i on the other hand has a superior interior however the GTI especially with the lovely tartan trim is a great place to be. For me the clincher was the 'in another league' performance and the purer RWD setup.

IMO you could not knock any ones decision to purchase either product as they are both extremely good but the trouble is once you experience the M135i's performance it does become a heart over head decision. Good luck on whatever choice you make, but as a side I have heard people getting 15% disc on the BMW, I am not a good haggler and only got 10% and many are getting orders through in less than 5 weeks.