Moving on from my GTI....

[Yusee]

Mine has a small aftermarket tilt roof, which is much better- in my view- than the large factory fit sliding roofs. They were vacuum opened, and you’re right, I think most 205s were specced with the roof.

[Exonian]

Yes, mine had a factory roof, as did my colleagues Kevin and Keith who also had 205 GTIs back in the day.
Just something else to rattle and squeak 

[Yusee]

My first one had the factory roof. May have been popular from factory but 30 years down the line, owners take great pride in advertising their cars as “ non sunroof!”

[DaveA]

Panoramic roof is one thing I would avoid on these hatchbacks. Complaints about them seem far too common. And all that weight on the roof.
Works well in my mpv, but I really wouldn’t have one in a hot hatch.

Let's put it this way, the M135i has not been specified with a panoramic roof... 

It's an odd one, really, as when I bought the Golf I was not looking for one with a Pano roof, but you know how it is with stock cars, sometimes you find one with the bits you do want and it has something else, also... In reality, and maybe partly in hindsight, I should have not taken the stock car and just ordered one exactly to the specification I was looking for, but, you know, we make the decisions we make, don't we...

[Gtiless]

I  dont think you will be disappointed with the M135, its a great car IMO. Mine is Misano Blue with Tech pack and M pack, so the 19" 557M wheels.

It is quick, handles well, comfortable, well equipt and random people are always commenting on it when out and about.

Im a big fan of the Golfs but I think you will like it.

[fredgroves]

The m135i is a lovely car. In the end a toss up between that and the mk8 gti. Different beasts really but the BMW really is very nice.

It's certainly very much quieter than a mk7 or mk8 gti. Very much so.

I'm sure you'll be happy.

[DaveA]

When I drove the 135 it was immediately apparent that it does not seem to let as much "road noise" into the car compared to the Golf...

To be honest, it was not really the road noises that was off-putting to me, but more the rattles etc that were pretty distracting... I mentioned before that I do not have the experience to say whether or not this is a characteristic of the vehicle, but it was not what I was expecting... But am sure my car's new owner, whoever they may be, will thoroughly enjoy it...

[Crockers]

I must have been lucky. 2016 car with Pano roof & leather and no rattling. Phew. I hate rattles

[Adam T7]

Ditto on the rattles - I had a 318 years ago from new with a rattle on the drivers B pillar - drove me to distraction - according to the BMW specialist that that the dealer eventually wheeled in it was due to the over use of wash / wax shampoo hardening the door seals, seals replaced, rattle gone - I’ve always lubricated door seals with Gummi Pflege since.
GTI has been great, I personally think the build quality is better than the BMW / Mercedes / Land Rover Discoveries I’ve had over the past 20 years.
However, my mates wife has a M135i and it is a lovely car, feels rock solid, I don’t think you will be disappointed (and it hasn’t got a sunroof😄)
I’ve always had an itch for a GTI from being 15 when they were first launched and now I’m fortunate enough to have one. Working from home with no kids and associated crap to ferry around anymore it’s just used for fun, which is great.

[DaveA]

Just a quick update... The M135i is still due into production end of May (there have been some issues with the semiconductor crisis, but nothing we have been unable to yet sort out amicably)...

Since I did the deal, however, the "We buy any car" price for my golf has increased over 11%... Suspect a by-product of the semiconductor thing... so I have reset the BMW deal to finance only, taking out the trade-in of the Golf, and am bunging it through WBAC on Monday...

Just hassle free and even renting cars to bridge the gap, I am still better off than I would have been...