BMW M140i Vs. VW Golf R - Any Experience?
Discussion
QuattroDave said:
I test drove an A45, really didn't get on with the power delivery, far more turbo lag than I'd expect from a modern day car (not far off my ur quattro for nothing nothing nothing EVERYTHING!). Also really disappointed with the build quality, the two year old one i had a test drive in rattled like crazy in the cabin, loose B pillar trim - apparantly a known issue. Wasn't impressed with the engine sound either.
Focus RS - drove nice, interior functional, looked good but didn't feel "special" enough to me - not that it isn't a special car i just didn't gel with it, plus I couldn't wait 1 year as i needed to move on from my A8.
Audi S3 - I've done Audi's to death and with the exception of my urquattro have all been dull to drive, zero engagement and all look very similar to each other.
Golf R - Just couldn't bring myself to ever buy a golf, never had one, never will. Consider them to be too dull to look at and sit in. It may well be the best drive in its class but I'll still never own one Plus - one exhaust per cylinder is just silly!
Test drove an M235 and immediately loved the engine and its sound. I gelled with the interior too. Loved the auto box and the power delivery. ultimately I opted for the M140 which I took delivery of 650 miles ago.
Then there's the price, as I would have specced them:
A45 - £45k (approx £42k after discounts)
Focus - £35k (£35k after discount!)
Audi S3 - £38k (approx £34k after discounts)
M140 - £37k (£29k after discounts)
Finally (more for curious interest than a deciding factor for most!) on the test drives I noted the following mpg:
A45 - 22mpg
Focus - 22mpg
M140 - 28mpg (averaged 32.4 over my first 650 miles)
Hope the above helps
Hi Dave yes it does enormously !Focus RS - drove nice, interior functional, looked good but didn't feel "special" enough to me - not that it isn't a special car i just didn't gel with it, plus I couldn't wait 1 year as i needed to move on from my A8.
Audi S3 - I've done Audi's to death and with the exception of my urquattro have all been dull to drive, zero engagement and all look very similar to each other.
Golf R - Just couldn't bring myself to ever buy a golf, never had one, never will. Consider them to be too dull to look at and sit in. It may well be the best drive in its class but I'll still never own one Plus - one exhaust per cylinder is just silly!
Test drove an M235 and immediately loved the engine and its sound. I gelled with the interior too. Loved the auto box and the power delivery. ultimately I opted for the M140 which I took delivery of 650 miles ago.
Then there's the price, as I would have specced them:
A45 - £45k (approx £42k after discounts)
Focus - £35k (£35k after discount!)
Audi S3 - £38k (approx £34k after discounts)
M140 - £37k (£29k after discounts)
Finally (more for curious interest than a deciding factor for most!) on the test drives I noted the following mpg:
A45 - 22mpg
Focus - 22mpg
M140 - 28mpg (averaged 32.4 over my first 650 miles)
Hope the above helps
I also drove the focus and after being immediately sold on it I decided to look elsewhere at better quality offerings .
The focus I get is bult to a budget and it'll be great fun but for everyday the interior is just like being sat in a any Zetec.
Also through ford there is zero discount and with a 12 month wait list i lost interest .
Looked at the 240I but prefer the 140 shape and I felt the 240 is really in no mans land .
Just been let down yet again on the sale of my Cayman, another dreamer, so I can't order just yet .
Thinking of just selling to a dealer I'm that bored of the tyre kickers out there .
FocusRS3 said:
Goater2 said:
I have an m135 and my wife has an R. Both super cars, love the engine in the beemer but the R is incredible ply capable. Would be happy with either.
Great combo mate will potentially do the same v shortly Oh and I now have an M2 as well which is my favourite.
Just ordered a M140i for March delivery £300 arrangement, 3+23, 10k @ £274 + VAT.
Coming to the end of a Golf R two year lease and had a M3 E46 which went earlier this year.
Golf, in the real world, on real roads is possibly the fastest car I have had (see garage, there have been a few quick ones
). It was unflappable and genuinely surprising in all weathers. But, and it is a rather large BUT, it is just a little sterile, it just does every thing with no drama, quickly.
Not driven or been in a one series so nothing to add.
Coming to the end of a Golf R two year lease and had a M3 E46 which went earlier this year.
Golf, in the real world, on real roads is possibly the fastest car I have had (see garage, there have been a few quick ones
). It was unflappable and genuinely surprising in all weathers. But, and it is a rather large BUT, it is just a little sterile, it just does every thing with no drama, quickly.Not driven or been in a one series so nothing to add.
Edited by Frenchda on Tuesday 8th November 16:49
Frenchda said:
Just ordered a M140i for March delivery £300 arrangement, 3+23, 10k @ £274 + VAT.
Coming to the end of a Golf R two year lease and had a M3 E46 which went earlier this year.
Golf, in the real world, on real roads is possibly the fastest car I have had (see garage, there have been a few quick ones ). It was unflappable and genuinely surprising in all weathers. But, and it is a rather large BUT, it is just a little sterile, it just does every thing with no drama, quickly.
Not driven or been in a one series so nothing to add.
Tks . Have you considered a A45 AMG?? Coming to the end of a Golf R two year lease and had a M3 E46 which went earlier this year.
Golf, in the real world, on real roads is possibly the fastest car I have had (see garage, there have been a few quick ones
). It was unflappable and genuinely surprising in all weathers. But, and it is a rather large BUT, it is just a little sterile, it just does every thing with no drama, quickly.Not driven or been in a one series so nothing to add.
Edited by Frenchda on Tuesday 8th November 16:49
FocusRS3 said:
Frenchda said:
Just ordered a M140i for March delivery £300 arrangement, 3+23, 10k @ £274 + VAT.
Coming to the end of a Golf R two year lease and had a M3 E46 which went earlier this year.
Golf, in the real world, on real roads is possibly the fastest car I have had (see garage, there have been a few quick ones ). It was unflappable and genuinely surprising in all weathers. But, and it is a rather large BUT, it is just a little sterile, it just does every thing with no drama, quickly.
Not driven or been in a one series so nothing to add.
Tks . Have you considered a A45 AMG?? Coming to the end of a Golf R two year lease and had a M3 E46 which went earlier this year.
Golf, in the real world, on real roads is possibly the fastest car I have had (see garage, there have been a few quick ones
). It was unflappable and genuinely surprising in all weathers. But, and it is a rather large BUT, it is just a little sterile, it just does every thing with no drama, quickly.Not driven or been in a one series so nothing to add.
Edited by Frenchda on Tuesday 8th November 16:49
I had a Golf R for two years, just switched into an M240i, so can probably offer some insight.
Positives for the Golf are the all weather performance that is just on tap no matter the circumstances. Even with a tune, with a good set of tyres you could attack just about any corner with abandon, but it was much more then a simple point and shoot weapon - could even get it to rotate slightly if you really wanted to. On the road I really can't imagine it being more then a coat tail off of just about anything this side of a GTR on a wet B road.
I drove mine to the Nurburgring and back, the NC500 and countless other road trips and it never had a single problem, it even dispatched the daily commute without any dramas. I liked the fact that if I hadn't washed it for a while and the (rather silly) 4 exhaust tips had become rather sooty it just looked like any other golf parked on the street.
Having spent just over 3 weeks with the BMW M240, the first thing that stood out was the jump up in the quality of the interior. The golf wasn't all that shabby, but the BMW has a more driver focused interior, and you sit a lot lower in the car so it feels a bit more special. The new idrive system is far superior to the Golfs touchscreen offering. I have an M Performance Exhaust fitted to my car, but even without the sound of the car from the outside is leaps and bounds over the Golf. They both have a bit of fakery going on with the in car noise, but I don't mind either. I've just ran the BMW in, so it's still very much early doors but to drive the BMW certainly feels more lively. It won't allow you to thrash it the same way the R will, but it certainly feels more rewarding.
Sorry this post got a bit longer then I thought!
Positives for the Golf are the all weather performance that is just on tap no matter the circumstances. Even with a tune, with a good set of tyres you could attack just about any corner with abandon, but it was much more then a simple point and shoot weapon - could even get it to rotate slightly if you really wanted to. On the road I really can't imagine it being more then a coat tail off of just about anything this side of a GTR on a wet B road.
I drove mine to the Nurburgring and back, the NC500 and countless other road trips and it never had a single problem, it even dispatched the daily commute without any dramas. I liked the fact that if I hadn't washed it for a while and the (rather silly) 4 exhaust tips had become rather sooty it just looked like any other golf parked on the street.
Having spent just over 3 weeks with the BMW M240, the first thing that stood out was the jump up in the quality of the interior. The golf wasn't all that shabby, but the BMW has a more driver focused interior, and you sit a lot lower in the car so it feels a bit more special. The new idrive system is far superior to the Golfs touchscreen offering. I have an M Performance Exhaust fitted to my car, but even without the sound of the car from the outside is leaps and bounds over the Golf. They both have a bit of fakery going on with the in car noise, but I don't mind either. I've just ran the BMW in, so it's still very much early doors but to drive the BMW certainly feels more lively. It won't allow you to thrash it the same way the R will, but it certainly feels more rewarding.
Sorry this post got a bit longer then I thought!
Lites said:
I had a Golf R for two years, just switched into an M240i, so can probably offer some insight.
Positives for the Golf are the all weather performance that is just on tap no matter the circumstances. Even with a tune, with a good set of tyres you could attack just about any corner with abandon, but it was much more then a simple point and shoot weapon - could even get it to rotate slightly if you really wanted to. On the road I really can't imagine it being more then a coat tail off of just about anything this side of a GTR on a wet B road.
I drove mine to the Nurburgring and back, the NC500 and countless other road trips and it never had a single problem, it even dispatched the daily commute without any dramas. I liked the fact that if I hadn't washed it for a while and the (rather silly) 4 exhaust tips had become rather sooty it just looked like any other golf parked on the street.
Having spent just over 3 weeks with the BMW M240, the first thing that stood out was the jump up in the quality of the interior. The golf wasn't all that shabby, but the BMW has a more driver focused interior, and you sit a lot lower in the car so it feels a bit more special. The new idrive system is far superior to the Golfs touchscreen offering. I have an M Performance Exhaust fitted to my car, but even without the sound of the car from the outside is leaps and bounds over the Golf. They both have a bit of fakery going on with the in car noise, but I don't mind either. I've just ran the BMW in, so it's still very much early doors but to drive the BMW certainly feels more lively. It won't allow you to thrash it the same way the R will, but it certainly feels more rewarding.
Sorry this post got a bit longer then I thought!
Pls don't apologies I was thoroughly enjoying reading your early thoughts . Positives for the Golf are the all weather performance that is just on tap no matter the circumstances. Even with a tune, with a good set of tyres you could attack just about any corner with abandon, but it was much more then a simple point and shoot weapon - could even get it to rotate slightly if you really wanted to. On the road I really can't imagine it being more then a coat tail off of just about anything this side of a GTR on a wet B road.
I drove mine to the Nurburgring and back, the NC500 and countless other road trips and it never had a single problem, it even dispatched the daily commute without any dramas. I liked the fact that if I hadn't washed it for a while and the (rather silly) 4 exhaust tips had become rather sooty it just looked like any other golf parked on the street.
Having spent just over 3 weeks with the BMW M240, the first thing that stood out was the jump up in the quality of the interior. The golf wasn't all that shabby, but the BMW has a more driver focused interior, and you sit a lot lower in the car so it feels a bit more special. The new idrive system is far superior to the Golfs touchscreen offering. I have an M Performance Exhaust fitted to my car, but even without the sound of the car from the outside is leaps and bounds over the Golf. They both have a bit of fakery going on with the in car noise, but I don't mind either. I've just ran the BMW in, so it's still very much early doors but to drive the BMW certainly feels more lively. It won't allow you to thrash it the same way the R will, but it certainly feels more rewarding.
Sorry this post got a bit longer then I thought!
I'm also thinking the other alternative to the golf or 140 could be an a45 Amg for its all year round capabilities , no idea if you have any experience or thoughts on those ?
How happy are you with the sports exhaust option ?
I agree on the your interior observations of both cars having sat in both . The Amg interior is beautiful too, I'm just slightly concerned about running costs of the Amg vs the other too.
Regards
Edited by FocusRS3 on Friday 11th November 06:31
FocusRS3 said:
Lites said:
I had a Golf R for two years, just switched into an M240i, so can probably offer some insight.
Positives for the Golf are the all weather performance that is just on tap no matter the circumstances. Even with a tune, with a good set of tyres you could attack just about any corner with abandon, but it was much more then a simple point and shoot weapon - could even get it to rotate slightly if you really wanted to. On the road I really can't imagine it being more then a coat tail off of just about anything this side of a GTR on a wet B road.
I drove mine to the Nurburgring and back, the NC500 and countless other road trips and it never had a single problem, it even dispatched the daily commute without any dramas. I liked the fact that if I hadn't washed it for a while and the (rather silly) 4 exhaust tips had become rather sooty it just looked like any other golf parked on the street.
Having spent just over 3 weeks with the BMW M240, the first thing that stood out was the jump up in the quality of the interior. The golf wasn't all that shabby, but the BMW has a more driver focused interior, and you sit a lot lower in the car so it feels a bit more special. The new idrive system is far superior to the Golfs touchscreen offering. I have an M Performance Exhaust fitted to my car, but even without the sound of the car from the outside is leaps and bounds over the Golf. They both have a bit of fakery going on with the in car noise, but I don't mind either. I've just ran the BMW in, so it's still very much early doors but to drive the BMW certainly feels more lively. It won't allow you to thrash it the same way the R will, but it certainly feels more rewarding.
Sorry this post got a bit longer then I thought!
Pls don't apologies I was thoroughly enjoying reading your early thoughts . Positives for the Golf are the all weather performance that is just on tap no matter the circumstances. Even with a tune, with a good set of tyres you could attack just about any corner with abandon, but it was much more then a simple point and shoot weapon - could even get it to rotate slightly if you really wanted to. On the road I really can't imagine it being more then a coat tail off of just about anything this side of a GTR on a wet B road.
I drove mine to the Nurburgring and back, the NC500 and countless other road trips and it never had a single problem, it even dispatched the daily commute without any dramas. I liked the fact that if I hadn't washed it for a while and the (rather silly) 4 exhaust tips had become rather sooty it just looked like any other golf parked on the street.
Having spent just over 3 weeks with the BMW M240, the first thing that stood out was the jump up in the quality of the interior. The golf wasn't all that shabby, but the BMW has a more driver focused interior, and you sit a lot lower in the car so it feels a bit more special. The new idrive system is far superior to the Golfs touchscreen offering. I have an M Performance Exhaust fitted to my car, but even without the sound of the car from the outside is leaps and bounds over the Golf. They both have a bit of fakery going on with the in car noise, but I don't mind either. I've just ran the BMW in, so it's still very much early doors but to drive the BMW certainly feels more lively. It won't allow you to thrash it the same way the R will, but it certainly feels more rewarding.
Sorry this post got a bit longer then I thought!
I'm also thinking the other alternative to the golf or 140 could be an a45 Amg for its all year round capabilities , no idea if you have any experience or thoughts on those ?
How happy are you with the sports exhaust option ?
I agree on the your interior observations of both cars having sat in both . The Amg interior is beautiful too, I'm just slightly concerned about running costs of the Amg vs the other too.
Regards
Edited by FocusRS3 on Friday 11th November 06:31
I've been told the fakery is set to 2/5 from the factory so I might also look at upping that a bit to see if it bridges the gap!
FocusRS3 said:
Lites said:
the all weather performance that is just on tap no matter the circumstances.
an a45 Amg for its all year round capabilitiesnickfrog said:
My M135i had superb all year round capabilities and all weather performance with the occasional help from winter tyres. IME, 4WD doesn't work when you're off the throttle so on the road for me that equalises both configurations as I can think of other limiting factors first.
Must get winter tyres for my M140i. traction control was behaving like it was at a rave the other day 3degrees and frosty!I test drove the R and a 135 before buying the BMW..
No doubt about it, 4wd is an advantage, but I kind of feel that its the only real plus point of the Golf.
The weird thing is on paper the golf is pretty much what I'd ask for, but it just didn't add up. I thought the interior was a bit meh, I found the seats a bit cheap looking for one thing, the plastics naff, non tactile touchscreen plain daft. The driving position felt like I was sat on a seat, too high in the car. It went well but I'd have never guessed it was 280lb/ft.
In comparison I thought the BMW was a nicer place to sit, more comfortable and it felt like I was sat in the car, two big gauges in front of you, I liked the engine/drivetrain more, just seemed better all round. I would have gone for an x-drive version if it was available, but 4wd didn't make up for all the golfs downsides for me.
No doubt about it, 4wd is an advantage, but I kind of feel that its the only real plus point of the Golf.
The weird thing is on paper the golf is pretty much what I'd ask for, but it just didn't add up. I thought the interior was a bit meh, I found the seats a bit cheap looking for one thing, the plastics naff, non tactile touchscreen plain daft. The driving position felt like I was sat on a seat, too high in the car. It went well but I'd have never guessed it was 280lb/ft.
In comparison I thought the BMW was a nicer place to sit, more comfortable and it felt like I was sat in the car, two big gauges in front of you, I liked the engine/drivetrain more, just seemed better all round. I would have gone for an x-drive version if it was available, but 4wd didn't make up for all the golfs downsides for me.
Interesting posts .
So I've just driven the 140 and my observations are this-
The acceleration is outstanding for a sub 30k car, the gearbox you'd swear in sport mode was DCT as I even felt the occasional thump when I shifted up .
The interior is way better than the golf no question but I'd want more exhaust note.
You can really feel it's not as planted as the Amg or the golf but then that depends on preference feel . No question it's a bargain compared to the Amg that will lose lots more cash in depreciation and running costs with mileage .
They said only about 5% of buyers opt for adjustable dampers so not sure what to do in this regard ?
I'll probably go light on other options so I'm thinking M sports exhaust is a must .
So I've just driven the 140 and my observations are this-
The acceleration is outstanding for a sub 30k car, the gearbox you'd swear in sport mode was DCT as I even felt the occasional thump when I shifted up .
The interior is way better than the golf no question but I'd want more exhaust note.
You can really feel it's not as planted as the Amg or the golf but then that depends on preference feel . No question it's a bargain compared to the Amg that will lose lots more cash in depreciation and running costs with mileage .
They said only about 5% of buyers opt for adjustable dampers so not sure what to do in this regard ?
I'll probably go light on other options so I'm thinking M sports exhaust is a must .
Yeah you can liven it up with the backbox, they were only about £600 for the 135, but I know the 140 one is a different part.
I'd got the adaptive dampers, personally I think its worth it over the passive car, quite a few people have them on babybmw I think.
Do note that (rather surprisingly) the car doesn't have cruise control, so be sure to tick the option if you want it. Comes in a a pack with reverse sensors IIRC.
I'd got the adaptive dampers, personally I think its worth it over the passive car, quite a few people have them on babybmw I think.
Do note that (rather surprisingly) the car doesn't have cruise control, so be sure to tick the option if you want it. Comes in a a pack with reverse sensors IIRC.
Crafty_ said:
Yeah you can liven it up with the backbox, they were only about £600 for the 135, but I know the 140 one is a different part.
I'd got the adaptive dampers, personally I think its worth it over the passive car, quite a few people have them on babybmw I think.
Do note that (rather surprisingly) the car doesn't have cruise control, so be sure to tick the option if you want it. Comes in a a pack with reverse sensors IIRC.
Cruise id never use so naturally id not even look for it.I'd got the adaptive dampers, personally I think its worth it over the passive car, quite a few people have them on babybmw I think.
Do note that (rather surprisingly) the car doesn't have cruise control, so be sure to tick the option if you want it. Comes in a a pack with reverse sensors IIRC.
My thinking spec wise is- Adaptive dampers, Sports exhaust, heated seats (keep the wife happy) and really that's about it
FocusRS3 said:
Cruise id never use so naturally id not even look for it.
My thinking spec wise is- Adaptive dampers, Sports exhaust, heated seats (keep the wife happy) and really that's about it
If only I could have been so light on the options.My thinking spec wise is- Adaptive dampers, Sports exhaust, heated seats (keep the wife happy) and really that's about it
Mine ended up with;
Valencia orange;
Pro media (RTTI concierge online search - all have been very useful in the first month)
Harmon Kardon;
Sport auto;
Lumbar support;
heated seats
Adaptive led's
f&R parking
Cruise
I didn't spec a few things I'll later get
Sun protection - aftermarket professional tint is half the price and darker
Comfort access - removed at last minute as £350 to keep key in pocket seemed unnecessary!
Adaptive suspension - deleted a day before it went into build on advice from four separate dealers and babybmw where the consensus was aftermarket kit is a better spend - it's a little bouncy occasionally but not uncomfortable
I wish I'd specced the rear camera and the sunroof would have been a nice addition but couldn't justify the extra.
At some point I'll beef up the exhaust and get the alcantara steering wheel (again aftermarket place that has a very good reputation and is a quarter of the BMW price!)
Edited by QuattroDave on Friday 11th November 18:11
FocusRS3 said:
Gets to the options page but not to a final price if that's what you were looking for it to do?I used these guys and got nearly £8k off list. Then went to local stealers and whilst they couldn't beat it (they were £80 more expensive) I saved a train journey to gatwick, the fuel cost getting home, full tank of fuel, use of a loan car for a week with free fuel and to top it off they couldn't bear to see me with an Audi card wallet so they bought me a leather bmw wallet!
Mine with the above spec came in at pretty much £29k on the button! 3 door
QuattroDave said:
Gets to the options page but not to a final price if that's what you were looking for it to do?
I used these guys and got nearly £8k off list. Then went to local stealers and whilst they couldn't beat it (they were £80 more expensive) I saved a train journey to gatwick, the fuel cost getting home, full tank of fuel, use of a loan car for a week with free fuel and to top it off they couldn't bear to see me with an Audi card wallet so they bought me a leather bmw wallet!
Mine with the above spec came in at pretty much £29k on the button! 3 door
I recon we on the same page Dave. i did hit final price if that's what u meant? My local dealer is Coopers, dunno if they price match coast2coast thou?I used these guys and got nearly £8k off list. Then went to local stealers and whilst they couldn't beat it (they were £80 more expensive) I saved a train journey to gatwick, the fuel cost getting home, full tank of fuel, use of a loan car for a week with free fuel and to top it off they couldn't bear to see me with an Audi card wallet so they bought me a leather bmw wallet!
Mine with the above spec came in at pretty much £29k on the button! 3 door
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