Golf R... Why buy a Golf GTI?

[matchboy]

You're getting the perfect spec then  . Make sure to post up plenty of pics pal.  . Tis scary where the time disappears

Hope so! 

I will mate, Instagram will be bored of me by the time I'm finished posting pics 

[scanesare]

My R with 18" Cadiz wheels has Bridgestone S001's, this is the same tyre I have had on my current and previous 320d.

I have no doubt there are better tyres out there (MPSS as an example) but for road use I haven't found the limitations of the tyre in either the BMW or the R.

When they do wear out I will try some alternates there for comparison.

It's a totally different thing. AWD can easily flatter a bad tyre. A powerful FWD though will easily bring up a tire's weaknesses not just during accelerations but (especially on a more focused chassis with increased grip and handling like the Clubsport) during hard cornering.

[drisser]

I must have missed this Mark. Have you ordered a new TTS?

I have mate!  Well, I've piggy backed on a car they already have in their system (saved me a wait!) - it's just about to go on the boat, so should have it in 2-3 weeks 

Have to say, can't wait to get it!

Managed to get 13% discount too...you've got to be tempted surely?!

interested to read the comments about the Porsche.  Have to say when I test drove the new 718 I was expecting big things of the new nav and infotainment but it was still like stepping back 2 generations from the BMW prof nav system.  Really disappointing so I can imagine the previous one was worse.

There are some good deals around on TT's too.  Was your 13% including the deposit contribution ?

[mjh_056]

Though this thread is about why buy a GTI thought add another element which closed the difference for company drivers in 'selecting'

The GTD % for BIK is 3% more for Diesels so that closes the gap down to BIK for the GTI/R (Petrol) being only 3% more than the GTD, as this year for example its 25% for the GTD and 28% for the R = About £34 a month extra

The mileage you have to take with a huge pinch of salt but for someone like myself where mileage has halved the Diesel real high mileage benefits have been dented even if still decent.

Fleet News has the difference between the GTD and R at 3.84 pence per mile more, which if do about 800 miles a month is about an extra £30 (Given my mileage has dropped and not really seeing the high mileage benefits of Diesel as well as the additional cost of premium diesel to unleaded premium, then think it may balance out to about this actually and no more than extra tank £50)

Company drivers do not have to worry about insurance so not a cost that have to factor.

So given the gap between a GTD and R is not a chasm, (GTI falls somewhere in between) it does add to the question as to why select (not buy) GTI under these conditions (of course many a good other reason been provided in this thread)

[fredgroves]

Hmmmm BIK...

Based on a 5 door manual version of each with no extras:

20% Tax    

R

2016-2017 £1,896
   
2017-2018 £2,022

GTI
   
2016-2017 £1,304
   
2017-2018 £1,413

GTD   

2016-2017 £1,177
   
2017-2018 £1,284


40% Tax    

R

2016-2017 £3,792
   
2017-2018 £4,044

GTI
   
2016-2017 £2,609
   
2017-2018 £2,827

GTD
   
2016-2017 £2,354
   
2017-2018 £2,568


I make that over a hundred quid a month come next April (at 40%, I'd guess you are a 40% payer if they are giving you a 30k car!) between an R and a GTD. Plus extra lease costs too.

The difference between GTI and GTD is a bit more moot, but if you said the GTI does 40mpg and the GTD does 50mpg.... thats a 25% increase in fuel costs - can be a lot if you do a lot of personal miles too.

Its all by the by for me anyway, we aren't allowed anything over 150g/km emissions in line with EU Co2 targets. GTD or nothing. Am hoping the 2017 target doesn't get noticed or I am driving a bloody Prius next time....*spit*

[mjh_056]

Hmmmm BIK...

Based on a 5 door manual version of each with no extras:

20% Tax    

R

2016-2017 £1,896
   
2017-2018 £2,022

GTI
   
2016-2017 £1,304
   
2017-2018 £1,413

GTD   

2016-2017 £1,177
   
2017-2018 £1,284


40% Tax    

R

2016-2017 £3,792
   
2017-2018 £4,044

GTI
   
2016-2017 £2,609
   
2017-2018 £2,827

GTD
   
2016-2017 £2,354
   
2017-2018 £2,568


I make that over a hundred quid a month come next April (at 40%, I'd guess you are a 40% payer if they are giving you a 30k car!) between an R and a GTD. Plus extra lease costs too.

The difference between GTI and GTD is a bit more moot, but if you said the GTI does 40mpg and the GTD does 50mpg.... thats a 25% increase in fuel costs - can be a lot if you do a lot of personal miles too.

Its all by the by for me anyway, we aren't allowed anything over 150g/km emissions in line with EU Co2 targets. GTD or nothing. Am hoping the 2017 target doesn't get noticed or I am driving a bloody Prius next time....*spit*

The 40% is only applicable if you already in that pay bracket, if the car element (allowance) takes you over the £43k threshold (£45k 2017/18) and into that bracket you obviously then have pay extra on that portion but it will not be the full 40% figures

Imagine someone getting a wage increase from £42.5k to £43.5k it really would not be worth it had to pay the whole 40%

[kalimon]

Reading this nonsense makes me so glad that I buy my vehicles outright

[fredgroves]

The 40% is only applicable if you already in that pay bracket, if the car element (allowance) takes you over the £43k threshold (£45k 2017/18) and into that bracket you obviously then have pay extra on that portion but it will not be the full 40% figures

I meant that you're probably a higher earner if the company is giving you a £30k Golf R and not making you drive an Astra 1.6... ;-)

[mjh_056]

Reading this nonsense makes me so glad that I buy my vehicles outright

To be honest its not that convoluted, you get an allowance which you can down (money back) or uplift (to set amount) depending on car select - so that's a clear cost right at outset

You have to work the potential fuel spend whether lease or purchase, so that's an equivalent

The BIK cost is pretty clear really at circa £160 a month for the R and about £130 GTD

You not have to worry on insurance so that is a  pain removed and the saving depending on how much would have to pay does offset the BIK cost mentioned above

[kalimon]

Reading this nonsense makes me so glad that I buy my vehicles outright

To be honest its not that convoluted, you get an allowance which you can down (money back) or uplift (to set amount) depending on car select - so that's a clear cost right at outset

You have to work the potential fuel spend whether lease or purchase, so that's an equivalent

The BIK cost is pretty clear really at circa £160 a month for the R and about £130 GTD

You not have to worry on insurance so that is a  pain removed and the saving depending on how much would have to pay does offset the BIK cost mentioned above

If only I knew wtf BIK meant I would be a bit wiser
Only joking, please don't tell me