Golf R Estate or 340i Touring discuss
Discussion
I love cars and driving is still my favourite thing to do in the world and the time has come to make a car change and want to make the right decision. I've narrowed it down to the cars above as the final contenders (neither of which I have yet driven).
As with most money comes into the decision and with the Golf R estate's now down to 23ish K its a tempting second hand purchase. The trouble is yes I could have the same fun in one without the 19" Pretoria alloys, sunroof and DCC, but as its not naturally the most hansom of estates I feel the 19" wheels are a bit of a must. And for that feel good factor in walking up to the car, but decent spec cars are 27ish K. With every review being brilliant about the Golf R and in years gone by having owned a Manual MK5 GTI that ran at 250BHP and a DSG Edition 30 I have a soft spot for the Golf. The remapped manual GTI was the better car of the two with brilliant memories of drives across Wales and Scotland. They both proved to have the best chassis when pushed hard out of I think any car I've owned. And I think this will be the case for the Golf R if I drove one. VW have a way of managing to get malleable supple chassis into their cars which wins me over.
Unfortunatly my experience with BMW hasn't been so successful in the past. Having only owned an e46 manual 330d Touring the car didn't seem to hold up to being driven in a spirited fashon. It seems so strange as all I ever read about them was that they were bomb proof and after large bill after bill I reluctantly moved on. I've driven lots of other BMW's over the years but unlike the fast golfs they to me always seem all about the engine and not the chassis, leaving me impressed but not in love. In an Ideal world I want both and the petrol BMW straight six is an engine that I have always wanted to own and as of yet haven't. It seems strange that it's hard to find even a review on the 340i which is rather annoying, so I would love to hear from owners and there thoughts. Prices for early second hand ones are now down to low 30s so another 10k on top of the entry Golf R. The other thing that puts me off the 340 is carrying all that extra weight over the R. Feeling it under breaking and round corners. I have most of my fun on B roads and worry it will be similar to our current over weight fast German barge where I fear brakes cooking and unnecessary tyre wear.
But buying new is where my confusion comes in. If you go on Coast to Coast Cars you can get 9k off a new base spec 340i touring from memory, bringing the new price down to about 33K. And buying new you get the lower BMW finance compared to used. The Golf on the other hand you only get 4.5ish grand off bringing it down to 30.5k you again get the lower new car finance rate of VW. So if buying new the BMW seems to win as you get such a discount. By the way I tend to buy my cars on PCP and pay off the lump sum so I end up owning and going on to sell privately (it just seems to work with my limited man maths) so big discounts work for me.
So in conclusion so far is I think its not worth buying a new MK7.5 Golf R estate, but it is worth buying a new 340i with such a hefty discount, but not a second hand BM. Then it comes down to a new low spec 340I touring for 33k or feeling happier spending less on a well speced R after a bit of haggling for around 25k.
But which will be more fun in the long run???
As with most money comes into the decision and with the Golf R estate's now down to 23ish K its a tempting second hand purchase. The trouble is yes I could have the same fun in one without the 19" Pretoria alloys, sunroof and DCC, but as its not naturally the most hansom of estates I feel the 19" wheels are a bit of a must. And for that feel good factor in walking up to the car, but decent spec cars are 27ish K. With every review being brilliant about the Golf R and in years gone by having owned a Manual MK5 GTI that ran at 250BHP and a DSG Edition 30 I have a soft spot for the Golf. The remapped manual GTI was the better car of the two with brilliant memories of drives across Wales and Scotland. They both proved to have the best chassis when pushed hard out of I think any car I've owned. And I think this will be the case for the Golf R if I drove one. VW have a way of managing to get malleable supple chassis into their cars which wins me over.
Unfortunatly my experience with BMW hasn't been so successful in the past. Having only owned an e46 manual 330d Touring the car didn't seem to hold up to being driven in a spirited fashon. It seems so strange as all I ever read about them was that they were bomb proof and after large bill after bill I reluctantly moved on. I've driven lots of other BMW's over the years but unlike the fast golfs they to me always seem all about the engine and not the chassis, leaving me impressed but not in love. In an Ideal world I want both and the petrol BMW straight six is an engine that I have always wanted to own and as of yet haven't. It seems strange that it's hard to find even a review on the 340i which is rather annoying, so I would love to hear from owners and there thoughts. Prices for early second hand ones are now down to low 30s so another 10k on top of the entry Golf R. The other thing that puts me off the 340 is carrying all that extra weight over the R. Feeling it under breaking and round corners. I have most of my fun on B roads and worry it will be similar to our current over weight fast German barge where I fear brakes cooking and unnecessary tyre wear.
But buying new is where my confusion comes in. If you go on Coast to Coast Cars you can get 9k off a new base spec 340i touring from memory, bringing the new price down to about 33K. And buying new you get the lower BMW finance compared to used. The Golf on the other hand you only get 4.5ish grand off bringing it down to 30.5k you again get the lower new car finance rate of VW. So if buying new the BMW seems to win as you get such a discount. By the way I tend to buy my cars on PCP and pay off the lump sum so I end up owning and going on to sell privately (it just seems to work with my limited man maths) so big discounts work for me.
So in conclusion so far is I think its not worth buying a new MK7.5 Golf R estate, but it is worth buying a new 340i with such a hefty discount, but not a second hand BM. Then it comes down to a new low spec 340I touring for 33k or feeling happier spending less on a well speced R after a bit of haggling for around 25k.
But which will be more fun in the long run???
Have you looked at the company new-car-discount?They can supply the R estate for £28,778,so a saving of £6,641
https://www.new-car-discount.com/car/volkswagen/go...
https://www.new-car-discount.com/car/volkswagen/go...
Edited by Billyray911 on Friday 14th April 02:01
I have the Golf R Estate. I think it's achillies heel in terms of driving enjoyment is that it is a bit too capable with corners for sensible road use.
It might lack a little feedback, but you can push it very hard through corners and rarely get to it's limits.
Have you looked at lease prices for either? Over the first 2-3 years it'll probably work out much cheaper than PCP.
It might lack a little feedback, but you can push it very hard through corners and rarely get to it's limits.
Have you looked at lease prices for either? Over the first 2-3 years it'll probably work out much cheaper than PCP.
I have a 340i Touring and it's great.
Buy what you like. They are very capable cars but also very different. I didn't even thought about the R when I bought my 340i.
R - 2.0T 4 pot, 4WD, a bit less refined on the interior. Smaller?
340i - inline 6, RWD, lovely ZF 8 speed (yes I like manuals but try this auto and it's brilliant), a more grown up car, mine with all the spec is a great place to be and looks great I don't think a golf is in the same league.
As a driver's car neither is the best to trash on a B road but in different ways competent enough. For me the 6 cylinder sounds better and lovely power delivery right to 7000rpm, doesn't feel turbocharged. If you opt for the MPPK+MPE then it's even more epic!
For the discount available even if the R would be faster A to B I think the BMW will feel the better car to be in and to drive.
It all comes to personal preference. Enjoy your choice. Nice choice to have!
Buy what you like. They are very capable cars but also very different. I didn't even thought about the R when I bought my 340i.
R - 2.0T 4 pot, 4WD, a bit less refined on the interior. Smaller?
340i - inline 6, RWD, lovely ZF 8 speed (yes I like manuals but try this auto and it's brilliant), a more grown up car, mine with all the spec is a great place to be and looks great I don't think a golf is in the same league.
As a driver's car neither is the best to trash on a B road but in different ways competent enough. For me the 6 cylinder sounds better and lovely power delivery right to 7000rpm, doesn't feel turbocharged. If you opt for the MPPK+MPE then it's even more epic!
For the discount available even if the R would be faster A to B I think the BMW will feel the better car to be in and to drive.
It all comes to personal preference. Enjoy your choice. Nice choice to have!
Thanks everyone all interesting reads.
Appreciate neither car is a proper drivers car but I forgot to mention in my rant that its a car that has to cover several bases, otherwise the list would be far longer.
Bases are:
-Wife has to drive it regularly.
-Main family car
-Has to carry two kids bikes and luggage for four on the odd week away
-Fun and fast
-Not crazy running costs otherwise it would be a C63 or RS4
Appreciate neither car is a proper drivers car but I forgot to mention in my rant that its a car that has to cover several bases, otherwise the list would be far longer.
Bases are:
-Wife has to drive it regularly.
-Main family car
-Has to carry two kids bikes and luggage for four on the odd week away
-Fun and fast
-Not crazy running costs otherwise it would be a C63 or RS4
spookly said:
I have the Golf R Estate. I think it's achillies heel in terms of driving enjoyment is that it is a bit too capable with corners for sensible road use.
It might lack a little feedback, but you can push it very hard through corners and rarely get to it's limits.
Have you looked at lease prices for either? Over the first 2-3 years it'll probably work out much cheaper than PCP.
Leasing is something I haven't looked into do any of you happen to know which are the most competitive companies to look at, as I'm a bit green to leasing cars?It might lack a little feedback, but you can push it very hard through corners and rarely get to it's limits.
Have you looked at lease prices for either? Over the first 2-3 years it'll probably work out much cheaper than PCP.
11jhw said:
Thanks everyone all interesting reads.
Appreciate neither car is a proper drivers car but I forgot to mention in my rant that its a car that has to cover several bases, otherwise the list would be far longer.
Bases are:
-Wife has to drive it regularly.
-Main family car
-Has to carry two kids bikes and luggage for four on the odd week away
-Fun and fast
-Not crazy running costs otherwise it would be a C63 or RS4
The Golf R does tend to attract attention of thieves,more so than the bmw,so,I would certainly look into this and budget for some additional security-especially if you leave it on the driveway.Appreciate neither car is a proper drivers car but I forgot to mention in my rant that its a car that has to cover several bases, otherwise the list would be far longer.
Bases are:
-Wife has to drive it regularly.
-Main family car
-Has to carry two kids bikes and luggage for four on the odd week away
-Fun and fast
-Not crazy running costs otherwise it would be a C63 or RS4
Also,the B58 engine is probably more frugal than that of the R.Owners seems to be getting low 20's in the golf and even less so in certain circumstances.
The golf is slightly bigger as an estate,but I would certainly budget for a roof box for both.
CrgT16 said:
I have a 340i Touring and it's great.
Buy what you like. They are very capable cars but also very different. I didn't even thought about the R when I bought my 340i.
R - 2.0T 4 pot, 4WD, a bit less refined on the interior. Smaller?
340i - inline 6, RWD, lovely ZF 8 speed (yes I like manuals but try this auto and it's brilliant), a more grown up car, mine with all the spec is a great place to be and looks great I don't think a golf is in the same league.
As a driver's car neither is the best to trash on a B road but in different ways competent enough. For me the 6 cylinder sounds better and lovely power delivery right to 7000rpm, doesn't feel turbocharged. If you opt for the MPPK+MPE then it's even more epic!
For the discount available even if the R would be faster A to B I think the BMW will feel the better car to be in and to drive.
It all comes to personal preference. Enjoy your choice. Nice choice to have!
as a 340i owner - my sentiments to a tee!Buy what you like. They are very capable cars but also very different. I didn't even thought about the R when I bought my 340i.
R - 2.0T 4 pot, 4WD, a bit less refined on the interior. Smaller?
340i - inline 6, RWD, lovely ZF 8 speed (yes I like manuals but try this auto and it's brilliant), a more grown up car, mine with all the spec is a great place to be and looks great I don't think a golf is in the same league.
As a driver's car neither is the best to trash on a B road but in different ways competent enough. For me the 6 cylinder sounds better and lovely power delivery right to 7000rpm, doesn't feel turbocharged. If you opt for the MPPK+MPE then it's even more epic!
For the discount available even if the R would be faster A to B I think the BMW will feel the better car to be in and to drive.
It all comes to personal preference. Enjoy your choice. Nice choice to have!
11jhw said:
Leasing is something I haven't looked into do any of you happen to know which are the most competitive companies to look at, as I'm a bit green to leasing cars?
Whole thread on the Golf R leasing herehttps://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Personally I would go for the Golf R over the BMW especially if you are heading to Wales and Scotland.
Wife and kids and 4wd always gives you more confidence IMO.
Yes you could opt for a X Drive BMW but I just think the Golf R Estate is more rare, different and bigger.
Some of the deal which might appear in the near future would possible make buying one totally void.
SidewaysSi said:
If you love driving as much as you say, buy something actually fun. If you really need to, spend £10k on a standard Golf / 3 series and the balance on an Elise or something similar.
Sorry but the cars you suggest really are very dull indeed.
If the only (or near as damn it) time you ever get to drive a car is when you have the family with you, then unfortunately zero point having an Elise. This is where decent handling estates come into their own. Sorry but the cars you suggest really are very dull indeed.
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