BMW M235i v VW Golf R: Delivery miles
A tough choice with £30K or so to spend but there are discounts on both BMW and VW to be had
A Golf R that isn't blue? They exist!
You like 'em too, it seems. In our 2014 round-up, both cars featured in our Top 10 most popular road tests of the year (the Golf R in ninth place, M235i in seventh). Both are clearly heartland PistonHeads metal. And very much hot properties. In terms of list price, they're surprisingly close: the Golf starts at £30,150 and the M235i at £34,535. But there are currently great deals to be had on both. So how much will it cost you to get into one?
£30K for a five-door manual with some extras
There aren't many used Mk7 Golf Rs around but asking prices are still nudging £30K. This 16,000-mile car with optional £360 Winter Pack is up for £29,995.
But you can have your very own brand new Golf R for barely more than £28K - representing a healthy nine per cent discount off new - from one specialist broker which sources its cars from within the UK dealer network.
Your entry point for a Golf R three-door with manual transmission (thank you for the choice VW) is £27,509, some £2,641 lower than the £30,150 list price. The discounted five-door R is £28,105 (versus £30,805 list), also a nine per cent saving.
Of course, you may prefer the DSG gearbox, and I really wouldn't blame you for choosing it. After all, it is 0.4 seconds faster to 62mph (4.9 seconds) and has slightly better official fuel and CO2 figures. To you, that'll be £28,797 for the three-door (£31,565 list) or £29,393 for the one with rear doors added (£32,220 list).
These are build-to-order prices, brand new from the factory. The catch is there's a wait for delivery - but it's far from extreme at 12 to 16 weeks. And of course you can specify your own choice of options, the mileage will be genuinely zero and you'll be the first owner in the logbook.
100 miles and £3.5K off...
And what of the M235i Coupe? BMW's entry list price is £34,535 for the manual or £36,080 for the auto. The cheapest used one in the classifieds has 5,730 miles on the clock and is up for a smidge over £30K at £30,800.
But for just another £195 you could get your backside into a delivery-mileage manual example from an official BMW dealership in Glasgow. At £30,995, you'll be saving £3,540 off list.
And just like the Golf R, if you go for automatic, the acceleration figures stack up slightly better. This auto M235i in Alpine White, also from an official UK dealer (in Yorkshire) is not completely new (it's a demonstrator), but it has low mileage. It can be yours for £31,872, or £4,208 off the list price.
 |
 |
 |
 |
[N.B. The keen amongst you may recognise the blue M235i. It is an ex-press car, as used by Autocar and What Car? and seen in the pic above. The advert doesn't mention it so we thought you should be aware given the thread from the 997 GT3. Now you know!]
its a very comfy GT car thou for those who want to huge distances very quickly
We looked at a Golf before we bought the M135i and even the wife said "it's a bit boring!"
Nothing to ad, you said everything I would have said.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
BMW for me please, if I weren't saving for other things or had 30k to spend on a new car! Golf R estate/wagon is tempting, but I'd rather just get a 2nd shed estate as use would include bikes, hillwalking gear, and tip trip debris being slung into the back on a semi-regular basis.
The engine and gearbox (I tried the 8 speed auto) in the BMW do feel a step above the VW in my opinion. However the Golf nailed everything else for me, a much more practical rounded package for me. I think if like me, you're restricted to one car, then you'll struggle to beat it as a do it all device for the money.
I managed to get just a smidge under 13% off my Golf R, but the lead times quoted in this article are very hopeful, you'll be looking at more like 6-7 months to get into a Golf R now unless you can get in on a build slot of a cancelled order. I ordered mine at the back end of August and should get it early March...
The Golf R is such an accomplished all arounder.. after stamping on the pedal the pace that follows is truly astounding for what is a Golf, for £270 a month inc vat. Never thought id say this but I cant imagine id enjoy the manual as much as I did with the DSG, it adds to the overall wow factor of its acceleration atleast. and the noise, sounded like an oldschool 4 pot rally car, enhanced or not.
However. it got a bit boring..the novelty factor wore off quite quickly. it lacked the charisma and personality that my slower, heavier R32 had.. and I believe this would be exactly the same story comparing the R with the 235 which seems to be the more entertaining and rewarding drive.
but for every day driving, an all rounder which can still pull your pants down when you want it too, id still have the R. and the fact that at one point you could have one for under £300 inclusive of vat on a contract hire deal. Astonishing car for the paper!
I still look back at my aging Z4 Coupe when I park it and it still gets compliments from clients and Joe public.
I can't see myself turning to look back at the bland Golf or the bulbous, squashed 235.
Lovely exhaust noise from startup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJFfv8lQCsk
Stonking engine in all gears. No lag, and shove from very low rpm, and then it sings with a wonderful howl all the way up to 7k rpm. One of the true great engines IMO. And in the 11k miles we've done it has averaged 32 mpg.
My wife has demanded that it stays with us for a very long time.
RWD straight-six vs. 4WD four-banger at approximately equal money will always be a no-brainer for me.
I would still hold out for the M2 though. The disappointing M3/4 leaves an enormous opportunity for that car to hit the target big time.
And even kill the residuals on the much-coveted 1M...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff