Almost did Stevie........then backed out (had the spec dialled down and everything).
Nothing wrong with the BMW, really nice car and what the MK8 really should have been. I just had trouble reconciling my 2½ year old GTI which TBH, fulfils all my car wants and currently only has 14.5k miles on it, against paying £40k for something a little better built, better equipped with more tech. As I think I said before, the extra power wasn't a consideration, as if BMW had offered a 120i M-Sport with circa 230-260ps, that would have been my first choice. The AWD, would have been a nice to have (then never having it, I won't miss it). Also, other things (which may of may not be a consideration to others), were the nearly £500 per year VED, dearer insurance (by nearly £100 according to my current insurer) and worst fuel consumption (although for my small mileage, not a great consideration).
No, I think the M135i is catering for a certain Golf owner. One like yourself Stevie who is approaching the end of their PCP on their current R and there is no VW alternative at present to consider (as the performance MK8's wont be here until next year). Or someone who has a FWD hatch (GTI etc) who really wants an AWD fast hatch and can't wait 12 months for the MK8 R, or those that just don't like where the MK8 has headed (both looks and build / technology wise).
I can't deny it was super alluring but in the end, as I say, the GTI does everything I need of it for my meagre annual mileage (circa 6-7k per year). But who knows what the future will hold. I also have to say that whilst my job is currently safe (as far as I'm told), with the continued impact of COVID-19 on the worlds economy and the company I work for being a multi billion euro global unit, it did also cross my mind that now wouldn't be the most appropriate time to saddle myself with a new £40k motor (YMMV of course).
What I don't get though all being said and done, is why VW can't seem to get their act together and make the performance models available at launch whenever they launch a new version ? Especially as the GTI, GTD and R models account for a good big slice of all European Golf sales being the halo models. Surely they must know that if folk are looking for replacements for their existing MK7 and 7.5's (bearing in mind the early 7.5's are coming up to 4 years old now and the early MK7's 7-8 years old), that if there is a gap between the outgoing MK7.5 performance models and the new MK8 performance models, then people will look elsewhere and Mercedes Benz and BMW especially must be literally rubbing their hands together at VW's incompetence and missed opportunity (again).
Must admit, I never thought this thread would reach 15 pages !
