BMW 125i M Sport Coupe or mk6 Golf GTi

[W12GT]

I need a car for commuting - mostly to the train station and occasionally to go out to see clients that are shall we say judgmental on turning up in something they deem too expensive.

So I want something that is a good drive, fun when on country roads, but also capable for longer motorway journeys.

I've now got short list of a BMW 125i M Sport Coupe or mk6 Golf GTi. Both cars are manual, BMW has leather, heated seats, cruise, sat nav , Bluetooth etc. the GTi is base spec except it has the 18" Monza II alloys. The GTi is in 3dr format.

I will very occasionally have to put my 2yr old daughter and newborn (well when he or she is born in the next 2 weeks in the car to take over to the grandparents if I am going into town). I know the golf is spacious but what is the 1series coupe like for rear facing baby seat space?

I really want something that can potter but also be fun when I want to break up a mundane commute.

Anyone had both? Pros and cons of each?

Cheers,
David

[DibblyDobbler]

The Golf - it's a no brainer

Classless image and way more practical - the rear space and boot space in the Beemer is very limited. Beemer could arguably be more fun but I don't think there would be a massive difference.

(ps - I have owned neither but been in both)

[AClownsPocket]

The Golf. It just does what it does with no fuss.

When was the last time you saw a Golf and felt judgemental or thought they were flash?

[Deerfoot]

Judging by your requirements I can't see a 125i Coupe being anything other than a right pain in the backside with your children, especially a new born.

The Golf will be more practical and that's where my money would go.

[FurryExocet]

With kids, especially a new born, a 3 door car is going to get annoying quickly. Getting a baby seat in and out of the gap is a pain. The Golf in a 5dr version would be ideal

[JackReacher]

I'd be comparing the golf against a 5dr 130i hatch. The golf would still be more practical but the engine in the 130i would make it feel a bit more special.

[Basil Hume]

I have an R32 5-door, with 2 kids (2 and 5).

The 4WD gubbins snatches around 65 litres of boot space over a GTI, with 285 in an R32.

Even with this smaller boot, we've had no problems. A roof box is used 3-4 times a year for extra capacity.

[Andy OH]

Having been there, albeit many years ago now (boys now 17 & 15), we had a 5 door Golf GTI when our two lads were very young and then went to a 2 door car (E46 M3) when they moved from car seats to booster seats.

As a couple of others have said you would benefit from a 5 door Golf rather than a 3 door, purely for practicality reasons.

[va1o]

Golf but as above go for 5dr, otherwise you might as well get a Scirocco. The 3dr will be impractical and harder to sell on.