Five door fun - 130i or mk5 GTI?
Discussion
I looked at both & went for the Golf. The slight improvement in the drive of the 130 (E87) was offset by the space in the rear - my 5'7" wife could barely fit in the seat behind me (I am not a feeder BTW) and a rear facing seat would be wedged in. Probably not so much of a problem with kids on booster seats.
If I didn't need the rear space then it would have been 130 as a preference.
Not sure how a 6'2"er sat behind another 6'2"er but where there is a will there is a way!
If I didn't need the rear space then it would have been 130 as a preference.
Not sure how a 6'2"er sat behind another 6'2"er but where there is a will there is a way!
bga said:
I looked at both & went for the Golf. The slight improvement in the drive of the 130 (E87) was offset by the space in the rear - my 5'7" wife could barely fit in the seat behind me (I am not a feeder BTW) and a rear facing seat would be wedged in. Probably not so much of a problem with kids on booster seats.
If I didn't need the rear space then it would have been 130 as a preference.
Not sure how a 6'2"er sat behind another 6'2"er but where there is a will there is a way!
Quite easily. He folded the seat forward, I got in and got comfy. Seat was put back and we drove to Bruges. Don;t get me wrong it was tight, but definitely not uncomfortable. It was certainly more comfortable than being in the back of an E36 for a similar journey. If I didn't need the rear space then it would have been 130 as a preference.
Not sure how a 6'2"er sat behind another 6'2"er but where there is a will there is a way!
Had both.
Ed30 - nice, safe, rattly.
130i (LE) - different class. Feels like it has the engine of a much bigger car in a small car body. Pretty reliable also. Still own this car, can't think of anything to replace it with that does not cost twice as much, but can't imagine being twice as good.
Easy choice.
Ed30 - nice, safe, rattly.
130i (LE) - different class. Feels like it has the engine of a much bigger car in a small car body. Pretty reliable also. Still own this car, can't think of anything to replace it with that does not cost twice as much, but can't imagine being twice as good.
Easy choice.
DoubleSix said:
That does run counter to my actual daily experience, and I have a bloater of rear facing seat.
As for "slight" improvement in drive, I'd say they are worlds apart in terms of driving pleasure.
We have different actual, real experiences. Me in driving seat with cabriofix behind = wedged cabrio fix. I have no doubt that a driver who needs the seat further forward (I am 6'1") would find it less of a problem. As for "slight" improvement in drive, I'd say they are worlds apart in terms of driving pleasure.
bga said:
DoubleSix said:
That does run counter to my actual daily experience, and I have a bloater of rear facing seat.
As for "slight" improvement in drive, I'd say they are worlds apart in terms of driving pleasure.
We have different actual, real experiences. Me in driving seat with cabriofix behind = wedged cabrio fix. I have no doubt that a driver who needs the seat further forward (I am 6'1") would find it less of a problem. As for "slight" improvement in drive, I'd say they are worlds apart in terms of driving pleasure.
But why on earth do you have to put the seat behind the driver?
I owned a 5 door 120d for 4 years.
They are absolutely fine for 2, but they really are cramped in the back. I’m 6’0, and there was very little leg room behind my seat. The doors are also small, which I imagine would make getting kids into and out of car seats a nuisance. The Golf would be a much more practical car.
I’m not knocking the 1-series, but I would say that the 3 door versions made more sense. In all other respects it was excellent, and I would have loved a 130i if my daily commute had been shorter.
They are absolutely fine for 2, but they really are cramped in the back. I’m 6’0, and there was very little leg room behind my seat. The doors are also small, which I imagine would make getting kids into and out of car seats a nuisance. The Golf would be a much more practical car.
I’m not knocking the 1-series, but I would say that the 3 door versions made more sense. In all other respects it was excellent, and I would have loved a 130i if my daily commute had been shorter.
The wife had a 1 series when our first was born and it was passable in terms of getting a rear facing seat behind me (i'm 6ft) and all the other baby necessities in the boot.
The Mk5 is one of the THE most over rated cars ever in my opinion. Numb, not very quick and devoid of character. I think it was only so highly rated because expectations were so low after the downward spiral of the utterly awful mk3 and Mk4 (I was unlucky enough to own both).
The Mk5 is one of the THE most over rated cars ever in my opinion. Numb, not very quick and devoid of character. I think it was only so highly rated because expectations were so low after the downward spiral of the utterly awful mk3 and Mk4 (I was unlucky enough to own both).
I can't really speak for the practicality of either car when it comes to kids or passengers but from a driver's perspective, I loved the 130i. That straight 6 sounds glorious, it was nimble and I would certainly describe it as capable.
As for the GTI, a friend of mine has an immaculate ED30 and it looks really smart. He has had it remapped and it's certainly quick but I haven't had the opportunity to drive it sadly but it seemed more than capable when he was following along some B Roads.
As for the GTI, a friend of mine has an immaculate ED30 and it looks really smart. He has had it remapped and it's certainly quick but I haven't had the opportunity to drive it sadly but it seemed more than capable when he was following along some B Roads.
I personally own a MK5 GTI with DSG and it is great fun and fairly economical.
i get 240 miles out of a full tank. bear in mind i live in London, and 90% of the time i'm stuck in traffic but when i have the chance to drive it, it's great fun!!!! :-)
def go for one with leather interior, sunroof & DSG!
in terms of space its fantastic. I'm 6' and fit comfortably in the back seat when i'm not driving the car. you can comfortably fit 3 people in the back @ 6'.
i get 240 miles out of a full tank. bear in mind i live in London, and 90% of the time i'm stuck in traffic but when i have the chance to drive it, it's great fun!!!! :-)
def go for one with leather interior, sunroof & DSG!
in terms of space its fantastic. I'm 6' and fit comfortably in the back seat when i'm not driving the car. you can comfortably fit 3 people in the back @ 6'.
danp said:
As above, I need 5 doors for family duties etc, but would like something that's as enjoyable to drive as possible. 130i is probably pushing it in terms of practicality, but I can buy a roof box if needed!
So which of the above would you buy? Or is there better.
Budget 8/10k, I don't like big, heavy, inefficient cars so looking at medium hatches. Currently have an EV1 Civic Type-S (the square looking one) which is brilliant but I'd like something quicker.
So which of the above would you buy? Or is there better.
Budget 8/10k, I don't like big, heavy, inefficient cars so looking at medium hatches. Currently have an EV1 Civic Type-S (the square looking one) which is brilliant but I'd like something quicker.
DoubleSix said:
I'm 6 foot.
But why on earth do you have to put the seat behind the driver?
When using it as a family car it makes it considerably easier for the passenger to tend to the nipper. When not using it as a family car it's not an issue. Take a look at cars with kiddie seats, lots of other people have the same idea.But why on earth do you have to put the seat behind the driver?
bga said:
DoubleSix said:
I'm 6 foot.
But why on earth do you have to put the seat behind the driver?
When using it as a family car it makes it considerably easier for the passenger to tend to the nipper. When not using it as a family car it's not an issue. Take a look at cars with kiddie seats, lots of other people have the same idea.But why on earth do you have to put the seat behind the driver?
Far more important to have the baby behind the passenger seat so you are unbundling on the pavement side and not standing in the road trying to undo baby seats etc
Even in our larger cars we have the baby seat on the nearside for this reason. Common sense tbh.
You seem to be making really poor trade-offs (safety vs conveinience in the latter case). Both in choice of car and reasons for it! Sorry.
Edited by DoubleSix on Friday 10th October 16:17
Kolbenkopp said:
Room wise I guess you will need to try the 1er out. It's defo not an A2 in that respect. But the engine is IMO worth some compromise, especially as you'll have the rest of your life to drive around in FI 4 pots, while big NA engine in small car is done :-/.
Totally agree. - It seems as if our choices are becoming increasingly constrained so it would be prudent to enjoy something like the 130i whilst you can!
Kolbenkopp said:
Room wise I guess you will need to try the 1er out. It's defo not an A2 in that respect. But the engine is IMO worth some compromise, especially as you'll have the rest of your life to drive around in FI 4 pots, while big NA engine in small car is done :-/.
A2 is pretty narrow, with the false floor removed it's just about OK for small buggies etc, managed a week away in it with two young children, so trying to convince myself a 1er is fine so that I get that engine ;-) I can buy a roof box for holidays if needs must!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff