Change to Mk7 Golf from BMW 330d?

[jlwhitworth1]

Hi all!,

New to the forum and want abit of advice. I'm considering swapping my current car (60' BMW 330d coupe) for a mk7 performance golf (GTD, GTI, R). All would be DSG by the way!

My current car has done over 90k miles, whilst not a great amount for a diesel, I'm getting worried about potential future issues over 100k miles (turbo, gearbox issues, etc) and with me covering a few miles like I do, I wouldn't mind 3 years of warranty (already had the rear differential go in the last 6 months at a total cost of £2200!) So over the last couple of days I've been considering ordering a mk7 golf gti PP. I do about 20,000 - 25,000 miles per year, mix of motorway, A's and B's, so the GTD could make more sense but would love to own a petrol again (especially if I'm going from a 6 cylinder to a 4 pot!). Plus I get a fuel allowance from work and reckon I could match the current 330d mpg with the golf GTI.

Another spanner in the works is do I go all guns blazing and get a R? Are they really that much better than the Golf GTI PP? Price wise I think I would be paying circa £100 a month more for a R over the GTI, and the GTD also works out a little bit more expensive than the GTI (for some reason I can get more money off the GTI and the interest rate is better).

Any thoughts would be appreciated?

Kind regards, Jake

[CraigW]

It really depends where your priorities lie. The GTI is probably the best value for money. It offers you 90% of the performance of the R and is all you would need for everyday driving. It probably lacks the sheer thrill of the R and of course it isn't awd but it's certainly good enough. The GTD will obviously give you better fuel economy but for the number of miles your driving I don't think that would be a major concern. My long term average for the GTI is 36mpg which is pretty good. You should probably go and test drive them before making a decision 

[Watts]

If you are prepared (as you sound to be) to take a hit on the fuel cost comparec to a GTD then I'd thoroughly recommend a GTI PP. What a fantastic all rounder! I'm getting 31mpg on regular short journeys but on long runs (being careful) up to 45mpg. I love the interior, the red tartan seats are not only comfortable but make an otherwise dull interior special. Given the discounts available, I think it excellent value for money combined with very reasonable running costs. If I were you, I'd get a test drive booked!

[remlapeel]

Having owed a both a GTI and an R I would recommend the R. Immense power and traction in any weather. As your coming from a RWD the FWD traction will drive you nuts. It drive me crazy enough to trade it in and get an R. Other than that the GTI is a great car

[Bungleaio]

25k in an R will cost a lot in fuel! I think the GTD would be the best option but the GTI will give reasonable returns, I am 1700 miles into mine and I got 37mpg on the motorway last week. I'm averaging around 31mpg overall thought.

I came (in a round about way) from a E93 325i, the quality of the interior is just as good in the BMW too.

[jlwhitworth1]

I have actually been out in a GTI, albeit not with the PP, but it was a very short drive on a busy Friday tea time, so didn't really get to witness it to its full potential! Although on burying the foot it did seem to wheel spin a hell of a lot? It was quite damp though to be honest!

Is the R a hell of a lot better? The deals on the GTI are fantastic at the minute! 5 door DSG in White with PP, Nav and Pan Roof after taking over £5k discount off comes in at just over £26k! Whereas the R is over £30k with the same spec (not PP of course) after discount.

One thing which puts me off the GTI is the standard wheels, but I would want the pan roof which means I can't spec the optional 19inch Santiago wheels! Dilemnas!

[jlwhitworth1]

What are your drives like in the GTI to get the mpg you are getting? I get around 35mpg around town in my 330d and about 41mpg on the motorway (not really sitting at the speed limit though)

What mpg do you get in you're R? And what type of driving?

[Watts]

Even with my slow driving I have noticed that even a small amount of water will hamper traction so if that bothers you and you're prepared to pay the extra purchase price and running costs then the R may well be the best choice. I wasn't and the interior really swung it for me plus the heritage. I love my GTI

Having said that, I would give serious consideration to a DSG equipped R for my next car.

[remlapeel]

Yeah the R is a lot better performance wise. The traction light was a frequent occurrence on my GTI. Whereas I have only seen it twice in the R, and both were my fault lol.

Traction is the single biggest weakness in the GTI, throw in the rain and some part worn tyres and you'll be pulling your hair out.

I average 30mpg in my R with it mapped

[Mark V GTD]

The GTD will obviously give you better fuel economy but for the number of miles your driving I don't think that would be a major concern.

Craig - the OP is doing over 20k a year! An R will use twice as much fuel as a GTD so potentially up to 2k a year more in fuel costs....