Golf Mk7.5 GTI to a BMW 128ti

[symonh2000]

I am a big fan of BMW's

But I couldn't bring myself to buy a 4 cylinder one as apart from a couple of examples (E30 M3 and a certain F1 engine) BMW 4 cylinder engines have been historically very average.

Also the newer 1 series is auto only and the auto box isn't anything special.

I do quite like the looks and the interior is nice though.

One other thing to watch is that if you go for a 320i they are fitted with relatively weak pistons and they don't take too well to remapping. Those in higher powered variants such as the  B48 125i, 330i and 128Ti have stronger items.

[Exonian]

Purchase wise, I'm honestly not sure.

Heart says get the 128ti, head says 320i.

Once or twice a year, we struggle to get all our stuff in the boot of the Golf, false floor in the lowest position and loaded up so you cannot see out the back, 2 adults and 2 teenagers.

This is the dilemma at the moment. I've not driven a G20 3 series yet though.
It won't be anything above a 320i though as the 330i and M340i are both in the luxury tax bracket. As we have 2 cars, trying to keep below that threshold on both.
Ideal world, one of each would be nice 

Thanks for the tip on the Mk8 R's.

Going to get a few valuations for our Golf GTI (22k miles, FSH, Leather interior and genuine 18" Prets) - WBAC and whoever else is worth a look. We could get by with just one car for a few months, whilst looking.

I’d sacrifice a bit of a struggle a couple of times a year to not have to drag the weight of a big under-engined car around the rest of the year. Been there and indeed done exactly that before they flew the nest.
I’d definitely pick the 128ti as a slightly quirky but charismatic hot hatch over a 3 series unless it had a 6 cylinder. No, in fact I’d take the 1er anyway.

As for the Golf, I’d actually keep that in your shoes but here’s a useful guide to selling a car via the online trade buyers on the assumption that it’s legit.
https://youtu.be/fv9eOnUIRYA?si=ZhaWbSecAnwvswDI
Worth a watch.

[bogwoppit]

Thanks for all the advice.

The 128ti is winning over the 320i at the moment.
Interesting that the 320i has weaker internals than the others, that kills my I'll remap it later argument.

[symonh2000]

How much extra would a 330i be compared to the 320i? I understand that they are relatively rare though.

[bogwoppit]

How much extra would a 330i be compared to the 320i? I understand that they are relatively rare though.

Looking at 2nd hand ones up to 2 years old, both same year, similar mileage and spec, I'd say the 330i is roughly £3-£4k more.
That's for an M-sport car with hardly any options.
On a car of that age the 330i's will incur the luxury tax whereas a 320i will only have luxury tax if it's been heavily optioned.

On a brand new 3 series, they are all luxury tax at the moment apart from a Sport spec in white (£39,605).

[willni]

The 330i is still a 4 cylinder fyi, they changed it back in 2018 i think.

[symonh2000]

330i is the same engine as the 320i but has stronger, lower compression pistons that can handle more tuning.

Both suffer LSPI in certain circumstances.

[fredgroves]

"thought he'd buy a hot hatch, ended up with a family saloon" 

You have my sympathies.

[bogwoppit]

https://youtu.be/fv9eOnUIRYA?si=ZhaWbSecAnwvswDI
Worth a watch.
[/quote]

Thanks for this link Exonian, it was quite interesting.
I used Motorway and I found the service really good and so was the price.

If anyone is a well looked after GTI Performance, manual, 19 reg, 22k, indium grey, vienna leather and genuine 18" pretoria's, my old one is for sale at a garage in Kings Lynn.

Oh, and I still have no idea what to replace it with

[Hertsman]

https://youtu.be/fv9eOnUIRYA?si=ZhaWbSecAnwvswDI
Worth a watch.

Thanks for this link Exonian, it was quite interesting.
I used Motorway and I found the service really good and so was the price.

If anyone is a well looked after GTI Performance, manual, 19 reg, 22k, indium grey, vienna leather and genuine 18" pretoria's, my old one is for sale at a garage in Kings Lynn.

Oh, and I still have no idea what to replace it with
[/quote]

Purchased a 19 plate Golf R for the wife recently and now having the ability to move between the 128Ti and the Golf R would say that the Golf R definitely wins on the drive, and the interior aspect is not as wide as imagined, the MK 7.5 cabin is equally a nice place to be, its just different really, and about the only thing would genuinely miss is the wireless Car Play.

Think the 128Ti is lift on the standard MK 7.5 GTI but falls behind the TCR and well behind the R.

Still find the 128Ti lively and fun, but its still little vague at speeds, not giving full rock solid confidence to push on certain roads, and still has random torque steer moments.

If I was buying at this very moment for myself, the cars be looking at are MK 7.5 R an S3 or a M135i in that order.

Would maybe look at a late MK 8 R in 2 years time when 128Ti goes back to lease company if as it seems these later models are the ironed out stable versions.

Hugely depending on finance, but would also look at a 20/21 plate RS 3 in 2 years time,