Check out the M135i Hertsman.
The seats are better and the ride at least as comfortable.
It’s a fun drive as it feels more FWD than AWD and similar to the 128 the engine is a high torque output unit that goes well with the proper automatic that has better judged change points than DSG when you’re not driving flat out.
The interior is in a different league and the shell feels better braced making it feel quite luxurious for such a lively thing.
My only demerit is the steering feels a bit too sharp after many years of VW steering.
On balance I still prefer my Clubsport mk8 but that’s a deep rooted personal thing.
In your shoes I’d be looking closely at the Cupra Born
Have been looking at that Clubsport and actually not going to eliminate it, really like the looks, know it performs brilliantly, its just having to reconcile self with the interior, which as do not play with car at all once set up should be lesser of a thing for me, but do have an aversion to touch only environments, If still on sale when order, the 45 appeals also
Problem I have is my allowance has not moved but car prices have, so having to be more prudent though as stated previously the pricing makes no sense sometimes so not entirely sure what will see as available and affordable till get access in March. But do want a shortlist as will have little time to decide to meet lead times.
Have serious interest in the M135i but have a little bit of confusion on ride as the M135i has adaptive dampers on the 18" but not on the 19" which is where you suspect need it most, so how can ride be anything but worse on the 19" than the 128ti on the 18" though do understand that the 128ti is lowered 8% more than the M Sport Suspension.
Every M135i review that seen, most on 19" they state the ride is actually pretty good, and never ever see a mention is overly firm that you do see in some 128i reviews. The seats in the M135i do look immense and regularly receive good comments.
Do ride around in my TCR pretty much permanently on the Sport setting and its never felt anything but nicely connected to the ground but not crashing in anyway, which put down to the adaptive dampers still doing work, even in firmest setting.
The 128ti might end up at the sweet spot on price so will have to have at least a day with it to see how the ride compares to my TCR in sport.
With regards the Cupra Born, it looks the part and incentive wise it would be much cheaper, but not having a drive is hugely limiting and feel most can reach to is a hybrid at this stage though am investigating local charging options. Lease company insist you have an EV for at least a week on trial before ordering which indicates to me that many have selected but then found limiting.
This is going to be the hardest change yet, with EV and hybrid edging in, and the price increases making what cars will be available and affordable less obvious, its genuinely a mystery to me what will end up with,
