Latest Golf GTI or 330d?

[Philz4mc]

Hi

The wife is pregnant with our first so need a car with 4 doors. Car needs to be big enough to accommodate baby paraphernalia, comfy, be reasonable on juice (I do about 6k to 10k pa) and fun to drive. Oh and it has to be something that the mrs would find ok so no big spoilers and skirting, as she calls it, which rules out the sensible choice of a WRX.

Currently driving a 2011 A5 coupe 3.0 tdi (240 bhp) which I’ve had since new – is a nice smart car but not much of a driver’s car so would like next one to be a bit more dynamic while retaining the comfy factor which the A5 is good at.

Went to Audi, BMW and VW on weekend. We shortlisted to Golf GTI (can’t have R as need to stick a towbar on car to take motorbike to trackdays), a 3 series and a 4 series gran coupe. Originally also had the A7 biTDI on there but I think I’m bored of audi and an rs4, which I do really like, is just too pricey for the little use I get out of the car.

Upon reflection I think the 4 series is too big a premium over the 3 series (I’ll get something 6 months to say 1.5 years old and not many used 4’s about) so I’m now down to a Golf GTI performance pack or a 330d or 335d.

Test drives booked for this Friday but I’m keen to hear any thoughts on pro’s and con’s or other suggestions and yeah I know I could wait until after I’ve driven the cars but I’m bored at work hence the post.

[Philz4mc]

Nope i meant a GTI. Yeah the 330d is probably a little better on juice but i don;t think they're a million miles apart + i don't do that many miles

[Philz4mc]

good advice. i've got a little bored of diesel too and really missed the fun i had in my z4mc which i owned before the A5. I know the GTI won;t be the same but its probably a good compromise between cost, practicality etc whilst also getting some of the fun back.

[Philz4mc]

z4mc was a great car. not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but that's what made it feel special. the 3.2 straight 6 has to be one of the best engines. if i didn't need 4 doors and something bigger then given how little i use a car i wouldn't hesitate to buy it again. never been in a s2000 but always fancied a go. enjoy.

[Philz4mc]

Hmm 330d might be too close to my current A5. Anyone had any experience of real life economy out of a 335i? Bmw were quoting approx 50mpg for 335d and 34 for the i from memory. Everything I read about the two always made me gravitate towards the diesel. 50% my driving is around town

[Philz4mc]

Hmm 330d might be too close to my current A5. Anyone had any experience of real life economy out of a 335i? Bmw were quoting approx 50mpg for 335d and 34 for the i from memory. Everything I read about the two always made me gravitate towards the diesel. 50% my driving is around town

[Philz4mc]

Out of the A5 im getting 34mpg with a fair amount of that being Central London driving. Think you guys might be right and maybe 335i is the way to go so I'll give that a test drive. Will be interesting to see how that compares to the gti. Will blow it away I'm sure but I like the idea of having something small and sporty and I was really impressed by quality of the gti interior and the leather

[Philz4mc]

We live and work in london so she gets a tube and I cycle to work. So just need a car for weekends and she'll use it when she's off with the baby occasionally hence need just the one car and I'm thinking black leather in the golf or 3 series as it should be child friendly.

[Philz4mc]

Thought id close this off. Test drove the gti and the r. Both great cars but found the gti a little under powered for what im used to and engine didn't have character im looking for. R is quick and the synthetic sound is pretty convincing. However I didn't find it exciting and its almost too good and safe.

Went to bmw next door. Shocking service but I did manage to test drive a M135i. Ugly looking thing IMO with not much room in the rear but that engine! Reminds me of my z4mc. Also the auto box works so well. I'm totally sold even if vw is better in some areas and looks prettier.

I can get one that's less than a year old for about £24k. Oracle finance quoted £398pm on PCP with £2k down at rate of sub7%. Vw had a used R they tried selling to me for £34k and almost £700pm. For me a no brainier.