Five door fun - 130i or mk5 GTI?

Five door fun - 130i or mk5 GTI?

Author
Discussion

danp

Original Poster:

1,603 posts

261 months

Friday 10th October 2014
quotequote all
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.

daemon

35,724 posts

196 months

Friday 10th October 2014
quotequote all
The GTI is probably the better all rounder.

But the 130i has a superb engine and is RWD.

Best to drive both and see what suits you.

JakeThePeg

4,076 posts

121 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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The sweetspot of the mk5 is probably the Edition 30, as I believe it has the S3 engine in it, plus 30hp over a standard GTI. (roughly what the new ones have now)

danp

Original Poster:

1,603 posts

261 months

Friday 10th October 2014
quotequote all
Thanks, yes must poke around and try them, the ed30 sounds good if I go for the mk5 Golf. Shame they didn't do a 5 door ep3 Civic Type-R.

shoestring7

6,138 posts

245 months

Friday 10th October 2014
quotequote all
The 130i has very limited rear leg room. If you are over about 5' 10" and the rear seat passengers have legs you'll be looking at a Golf.

SS7

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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I'd go for the 130i if you can live with the rather pathetic rear seats and boot. The engine is a masterpiece.

toon10

6,140 posts

156 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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daemon said:
The GTI is probably the better all rounder.

But the 130i has a superb engine and is RWD.

Best to drive both and see what suits you.
Pretty much this. They're both accomplished cars but go about things differently. The Golf is better looking but I think it's a case of testing both and seeing which one puts the biggest smile on your face.

danp

Original Poster:

1,603 posts

261 months

Friday 10th October 2014
quotequote all
We've just about coped with an Audi A2 so hoping that the 1er is no worse than that for room!

IanCress

4,409 posts

165 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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How about the Leon Cupra? Same engine as the ed30 with an extra 10bhp. Handling maybe not quite as 'fun' as the Golf, but it's grippy, safe and secure.

NorthDave

2,355 posts

231 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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danp said:
We've just about coped with an Audi A2 so hoping that the 1er is no worse than that for room!
I suspect it will be!

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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danp said:
We've just about coped with an Audi A2 so hoping that the 1er is no worse than that for room!
Also the 130i is also ripe for tweaking, a new diff transforms the car.

http://www.birdsauto.com/product-information/b1-dy...

The Golf is more practical but I think the 130i will be the more fun and in these days of diminishing cylinders i'd definitely be heading for the BMW.

S3_Graham

12,830 posts

198 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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130 if it was me. Really liked mine even with its flaws.

wibblebrain

656 posts

139 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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Practicality of the 1 series is underestimated. I've had a Golf and a 1 series and in terms of practical boot space felt that there wasn't really a lot of difference.

However I'm only 5' 7" and didn't need any prams etc in the back.

I much much preferred the BMW to drive over the Golf (120d vs 2.0 TDi GT)

bodhi

10,333 posts

228 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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The lack of space in the back of a 1-Series is massively overstated. I've personally travelled from Stoke on Trent to Bruges in the back of a 3 door 120d, and it was fine. I'm 6 foot 2 and the guy in the front seat was taller, no real issues. I've also managed to transport a 28" CRT in the boot of a 118d, that went straight in.

Having spent a lot of time driving Golf GTI's, and currently owning a 125i, I'd go for the 130i every time. Much more entertaining, and good lord, that engine in good.

DaveyBoyWonder

2,466 posts

173 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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I went from an Octavia vRS (with the same 2.0TFSI engine as the mk5 GTI) to an E91 330I M-Sport (with, I think, the same engine as the earlier 130i).

Obviously these two cars will be different to drive than the Golf or the 1 series but on build quality and the engine alone, the BMW would win hands down for me. The engine especially is an absolute beauty. yes, the TFSI can be fiddled with to get some serious power but the noise the six makes is epic.

shoestring7

6,138 posts

245 months

Friday 10th October 2014
quotequote all
danp said:
We've just about coped with an Audi A2 so hoping that the 1er is no worse than that for room!
It is, much worse. As I said /\, behind a driver of a bit above average height there is practically no leg-room in a E87 1 series. Why BMW thought a 5 door, two seater was a good idea I don't know.

SS7
PS Ride quality of a 130i MSport on OE spec. run flats is shockingly bad

Edited by shoestring7 on Friday 10th October 12:24

DoubleSix

11,691 posts

175 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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Pretty sure OPs thread title contained the word 'Fun'.

So it's the 130i then.....

carpetsoiler

1,958 posts

164 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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Sister's OH runs a 1-Series 5-door. He's 6ft5, and I've sat behind him when he's been driving with no issues at all (I'm 5ft10).

The 3-litre BMW engine is awesome, and makes the package quite special. Plus, if you so wished, it's quite easy to fit an LSD to them and have some proper fun. evil

danp

Original Poster:

1,603 posts

261 months

Friday 10th October 2014
quotequote all
shoestring7 said:
It is, much worse. As I said /\, behind a driver of a bit above average height there is practically no leg-room in a E87 1 series. Why BMW thought a 5 door, two seater was a good idea I don't know.

SS7
PS Ride quality of a 130i MSport on OE spec. run flats is shockingly bad

Edited by shoestring7 on Friday 10th October 12:24
Will have to go and see how bad they are for room, and yes have read that non run flats plus the Birds kit transforms them (at a price!). I'm getting old so would like a modicum of comfort. ;-)

DoubleSix

11,691 posts

175 months

Friday 10th October 2014
quotequote all
I use my 130i as a nursery run car and general daily.

No issues with our large rear facing child seat even though kiddo is nearly two! I'm sure the aperture on the golf is slightly bigger but really... a slightly bigger door or a straight six and rear wheel drive??