125d or Golf GTD?
Discussion
Looking for a second car and have the rather wonderful decision as to what to spend 15k on? GTD or Beemer?
The Golf is tempting as I had a GTI previously and loved it. Wouldn't what another petrol car as the GTI economy was woefully poor and sticking super unleaded in it made me cringe when I handed the money over. I've been assured the Golf handles well but I'm a little dubious about the torque of a pokey diesel motor and it being front wheel drive. Mk7's seem to be falling into that price range so it's very tempting.
The 125d seems to tick all the boxes but from some of the reviews out there it isn't quite as rear wheel drive as I think it should be. I am not a driving god and have no intention or getting sideways at any opportunity but I would enjoy it to 'feel' RWD most of the time. I quite like the looks as well, I want a 3-series as they age poorly and when leggy look like something an Uber driver would cane about in.
Thoughts and corrections most welcome!
The Golf is tempting as I had a GTI previously and loved it. Wouldn't what another petrol car as the GTI economy was woefully poor and sticking super unleaded in it made me cringe when I handed the money over. I've been assured the Golf handles well but I'm a little dubious about the torque of a pokey diesel motor and it being front wheel drive. Mk7's seem to be falling into that price range so it's very tempting.
The 125d seems to tick all the boxes but from some of the reviews out there it isn't quite as rear wheel drive as I think it should be. I am not a driving god and have no intention or getting sideways at any opportunity but I would enjoy it to 'feel' RWD most of the time. I quite like the looks as well, I want a 3-series as they age poorly and when leggy look like something an Uber driver would cane about in.
Thoughts and corrections most welcome!
It depends, equipment wise, a GTD gets a lot more standard kit but the BMW is a lot quicker, my mum has a 2015 120d m sport and its considerably quicker than the GTD I test drove! Has more traction as well.
My mums 120d on lease and it come with absolutely nothing, not even parking sensors! The golf comes with everything but leather seats as standard.
But then again if you're buying used, I'm guessing people who had 125d's would have specced the cars nicely.
I'd personally rather go for a golf gtd as its more unique, you can't get a 1.6 d golf with the GTD 's body kit where as you could get a 116d m sport that is identical to a 125d apart from an extra tailpipe!
My mums 120d on lease and it come with absolutely nothing, not even parking sensors! The golf comes with everything but leather seats as standard.
But then again if you're buying used, I'm guessing people who had 125d's would have specced the cars nicely.
I'd personally rather go for a golf gtd as its more unique, you can't get a 1.6 d golf with the GTD 's body kit where as you could get a 116d m sport that is identical to a 125d apart from an extra tailpipe!
ScoobyChris said:
Can it be any more RWD? What attributes are you expecting it to have that you think it doesn't?
Btw, 125d for me
Chris
Apologies, of course it behaves RWD because it is, I think some reviews have said it feels a bit inert and understeery (a bit like a FWD)- I take this with a large pinch of salt though.Btw, 125d for me
Chris
My gut says 125d - can you go wrong with 40bhp more? 😉
BMW 125d hands down for power and that feeling its not a Golf GTD (of which there are lots).
Golf GTD if you want to throw it at things and come out the other-side smiling like a cheshire cat.
We own a 2016 BMW 125d and it's brilliant.
Run a Golf GTD as a works car (one of three) , as its not mine I drive it exactly like that so I probably get more fun out of the golf but when I get back in the BMW it just has the edge for me. Both cars are great but BMW overall its better. Unless you live somewhere that has a lot of snow.
Golf GTD if you want to throw it at things and come out the other-side smiling like a cheshire cat.
We own a 2016 BMW 125d and it's brilliant.
Run a Golf GTD as a works car (one of three) , as its not mine I drive it exactly like that so I probably get more fun out of the golf but when I get back in the BMW it just has the edge for me. Both cars are great but BMW overall its better. Unless you live somewhere that has a lot of snow.
diehardbenzfan said:
I'd personally rather go for a golf gtd as its more unique, you can't get a 1.6 d golf with the GTD 's body kit where as you could get a 116d m sport that is identical to a 125d apart from an extra tailpipe!
But every other Golf these days its a GTD.... Yes you can get a 116 M Sport that looks like a 125d, but thats the point as its also a nice surprise when you realise its not a 116 but something which is brilliantly fast! When you drive BMW's its always a bit of fun to see who has the better model as from face value you cant tell. Like the new one series, if you have a single tail pipe its probably a 116 or 118 whereas a twin its either a 120 or 125. Same as the 3 series for 320 or 335. Only when you have bought a BMW will that become apparent and its even more fun when people spec without the badge. kmpowell said:
Just to chuck a small thing into the equation, do you need this second car to carry a buggy in the boot?
If so then it's worth bearing in mind the 1er has a very small boot space (and a narrow boot opening), in comparison to the MK7 Golf.
One series can fit an iCandy Strawberry two in, just about. Agree, Golf's boot is more practical. If so then it's worth bearing in mind the 1er has a very small boot space (and a narrow boot opening), in comparison to the MK7 Golf.
adeewuff said:
Apologies, of course it behaves RWD because it is, I think some reviews have said it feels a bit inert and understeery (a bit like a FWD)
Understeer is down to set up rather than which wheels are driven, unless of course you purposely want to lose traction and get the rear end to play.All road cars are set up to understeer, the 1-series even push understeers under a gentle throttle.
My Megane is more neutral than my M135i was for instance, ie it understeers less.
Both GTD and 125d will have similar understeer dialled into the chassis but the RWD benefits reside elsewhere : better balance of overall grip, engine behind the front axle so it should turn in and change direction better, uncorrupted steering etc...
Remember that VW also do the 1.4 TFSI petrol turbo in the GT spec - not quite as lary as the GTI but smart none the less, and loaded. Nav, radar cruise, parking sensors, privacy glass, paddle shift if you go for the auto, and with cylinder de-activation and stop/start it's quite frugal (150bhp / 180 lb/ft / 60 mpg combined). Handling is more agile than the nose heavy diesel, and the 1.4 is a great engine.
I haven't driven a GTD but I put nearly 40k on a 125d manual.
To be honest in standard form it never felt around 35bhp/40ft lbs stronger than the x20d cars I drove. The N47S1 is also a very rattly lump.
I put a Bluespark box on mine and it really woke the car up, as it worked the rear tyres harder and made it feel distinctly more RWD.
But likewise the benefits of RWD were somewhat muted by the awful numb steering.
In hindsight i'd have been just as happy with a 120d and some subtle power enhancement.
To be honest in standard form it never felt around 35bhp/40ft lbs stronger than the x20d cars I drove. The N47S1 is also a very rattly lump.
I put a Bluespark box on mine and it really woke the car up, as it worked the rear tyres harder and made it feel distinctly more RWD.
But likewise the benefits of RWD were somewhat muted by the awful numb steering.
In hindsight i'd have been just as happy with a 120d and some subtle power enhancement.
I had a 125d for around 18 months. I urge you to try to get a drive in one. It never ever feels like it's got 200bhp+. In fact, on the one occasion that mine did break down (EGR valve) I was given a 320d courtesy car and I swore that think felt equally if not more powerful.
The other thing, and indeed the thing that rules any current BMW out as an option for me is THAT steering. My god the current BMW EPAS is bad. So although the front wheels may be uncorrupted by handling power you will have absolutely no sensation of them actually being there or doing anything.
I have no experience of the GTD but I currently have a Mk7 Golf R. The golf feels bigger in every way inside, controls etc aren't quite as good quality as the BMW, BMW seats are miles better, Idrive pisses all over the touch screen thing in the golf.
Drive both and figure what matters more to you most. I have a hunch the Golf will feel more like a frugal hot hatch than the 125d. It never ever felt hot hatch like, not even with a tuning box fitted.
The other thing, and indeed the thing that rules any current BMW out as an option for me is THAT steering. My god the current BMW EPAS is bad. So although the front wheels may be uncorrupted by handling power you will have absolutely no sensation of them actually being there or doing anything.
I have no experience of the GTD but I currently have a Mk7 Golf R. The golf feels bigger in every way inside, controls etc aren't quite as good quality as the BMW, BMW seats are miles better, Idrive pisses all over the touch screen thing in the golf.
Drive both and figure what matters more to you most. I have a hunch the Golf will feel more like a frugal hot hatch than the 125d. It never ever felt hot hatch like, not even with a tuning box fitted.
I currently have a mk7 gti having come from a 120d Sport, for me the Golf is a better car in almost every respect
Unless you have a very generous budget (one that could get you a second hand M3) the standard spec is appalling in comparison to the golf.
I also thing the lower section of Bmw seats is flat and v poor (just had a 330d m as a courtesy car and it was no better) Standard nav is also much better than the standard Bmw nav, although prof nav is excellent
Having had 5 and 3 series I found the 1 very twitchy and didn't enjoy it's rwd traits as a diesel with a small power band is just not well matched to long hi rev slides...
The 1 series engine is better I'd say, but outside of that, room, fit and finish, looks etc I would absolutely go VW
Unless you have a very generous budget (one that could get you a second hand M3) the standard spec is appalling in comparison to the golf.
I also thing the lower section of Bmw seats is flat and v poor (just had a 330d m as a courtesy car and it was no better) Standard nav is also much better than the standard Bmw nav, although prof nav is excellent
Having had 5 and 3 series I found the 1 very twitchy and didn't enjoy it's rwd traits as a diesel with a small power band is just not well matched to long hi rev slides...
The 1 series engine is better I'd say, but outside of that, room, fit and finish, looks etc I would absolutely go VW
Edited by Chr1sch on Tuesday 15th November 18:28
OP i am in the same situation as you where i have a similar budget and looked at the GTD and 125d. Coming from a petrol GTI MK 5 i am wondering if the GTD has the power and feel that the GTI gives and won't just give a whack of grunt then be left wheezing as a GTI raced on ahead with it's broader power band. After driving an F30 320d with 184 bhp i was really not too impressed with its performance so thought about the smaller 125d and on paper it looks to be a good package.
The thing is i have seen quite a few owners saying they felt a lot slower than the 218bhp they offer. One was saying he was being outdone by far lesser powered cars including his pals 140 bhp scirocco even though a dyno gave pretty much factory figures. I don't know if there was an issue with the twin turbo set up not engaging one straight after the next or what but it put me off a 125d. I do see the appeal of a GTD but i will always see as a bit of a wannabe GTI. Yes it has all the suited an booted appearance but it just doesn't offer that last 10-15% of fun and power the petrol has to give. MPG is better in a Mk 7 than a Mk 5/6 by a decent margin of 18% i think,granted its no diesel but its not that bad compared to some petrol hot hatches. So GTI for me........Or maybe Cupra 280!! I hate buying a new car!
The thing is i have seen quite a few owners saying they felt a lot slower than the 218bhp they offer. One was saying he was being outdone by far lesser powered cars including his pals 140 bhp scirocco even though a dyno gave pretty much factory figures. I don't know if there was an issue with the twin turbo set up not engaging one straight after the next or what but it put me off a 125d. I do see the appeal of a GTD but i will always see as a bit of a wannabe GTI. Yes it has all the suited an booted appearance but it just doesn't offer that last 10-15% of fun and power the petrol has to give. MPG is better in a Mk 7 than a Mk 5/6 by a decent margin of 18% i think,granted its no diesel but its not that bad compared to some petrol hot hatches. So GTI for me........Or maybe Cupra 280!! I hate buying a new car!
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