Well it has been an emotional few weeks with pondering the gti order, then pondering the M135 and in the end deciding to go with a used 60 plate BMW 135m sport coupe.
After my first weekend since picking up the car I wanted to share some honest comparisons with the impressions I had of the gti, and whether. Have had any regrets or not.
Overall, no regrets I have to say. The deal really suited my position having had a good offer on my 330ci I decided to sell it and luckily the local dealer had allow mileage 135 coupe in. After 2 test drives and some discussion on the figures I put down a deposit on the BMW.
My thoughts on the M135 hatch are well documented on here ie no thanks, would take the GTi PP every day of the week. Why ? Don't like the handling or ride of the bMW, the looks, the interior quality didn't do it for me and it felt too "big".
I am really smitten with the 135 coupe. Personally i love the looks, it's very chunky and squat, everything the m135 isn't. The engine is a cracker and gives you 99% of the M135 performance for a better price. The driving position is very similar to the GTi, everything falls to hand and is very compact and close to you. This is what I loved about the golf and the 135 coupe, you feel part of the car. With the m135 I felt I was on the car and steering it. The coupe and GTi are much more intimate.
I averaged 33 mpg this weekend, amazing for something with over 300 bhp. It was mostly a long drive but with a few blasts, so can't complain. The engine is a belter it really is, mine has the single turbo 6 rather than the early twin turbo, there is zero lag and in any gear there is tonnes of torque. People who like cars know this car, you can tell by the looks it gets. Very similar to the looks I got in the GTi test drive - a "knowing " glance. With the M135 I just got not one single second look, very disappointing.
Brakes are awesome too, I didn't realize but it has 6 piston front calipers and boy do they work well.
So in summary, everything I liked about the golf I liked about the 135 coupe. How could the m135 hatch not do it for me ? I don't know but there is something very different about the whole experience of the way it drives and looks. I just didn't click like the golf and 135 coupe did.
Whilst I know this is a mk7 forum all I can say is if you like the golf, the 135 coupe would be much closer to your heart than an M135 hatch. That's my view anyway.
Message for Bill
I don't know why you are still pondering the m135 deal mate ! If you were smitten with the 135 powerplant drive a135 coupe with manual box if you like an analogue, involving experience. It even sounds like the noise hasn't been tampered with and piped into the speakers.
I do still ponder my poor cancelled carbon grey Gti but this was the right deal for me at under £20k. Good luck to all those waiting for their orders though.
