BMW F30 320i or MK7 Golf GTI used buy

[jay6s]

Hi All,
I am looking for a family used car, max budget 14k must be petrol. I generally keep my cars for 3-4 years. I was all set on the BMW F30 in 320i M Sport (2013/14 model most likely) but with the new model coming out in 2019 I am worried these are going to drastically fall in price? I know cars depreciate but still a little concern. The other car I really like is the MK7 golf GTI (2013/14) seen some nice examples for 14k. I am no boy racer (in my late 30's) like everyone like a turn of speed, saying that the 320i is more than capable for me so it's not a contest of out right speed.

My question is BMW F30 or Golf GTI?
which one will hold its value better?
If it is the BMW what is better - Auto or Manual transmission?
Any advice much appreciated.


Thanks
Jay

[Locknut]

You have a family so go for the Golf. I have a F30 3 series and it is nice but not a very practical car. My car does not even have a folding rear seat! A while back I needed to transport a pair of arm-chairs for my daughter. They would not fit either in the boot or in the back seat. I borrowed my wife's Skoda Fabia (a cousin of the Golf), folded the back seat and it swallowed the chairs with no problem.

[gizlaroc]

We found my mate a 63 plate 320i Tourer, adpative xenons, nav with Harman, FSH but 100k miles but was £8k.

I reckon that will lose very little with his 12k miles a year over the next 3 years.Maybe a grand a year.

If you insist on a £14k car with 40k miles on it and you are going to double the mileage then you are going to lose a fair chuck more.

The 3 series is a nicer place to be imho.

GTi will lose money just a quickly, same with the MKIV, then MKV and MKVI.
They hold their money well, but then suddenly drop. Better to buy new with a big discount and finance it, that is where you tend to do better.

You can buy a new 340i Touring for £29k at the mo, I bet that would lose no less than a £14k 4 or 5 year old 320i.

320i maps well too!

[Smuler]

Tourer seems a very good shout.

I run a X1 and the “hatch” offers so much more scope than (even with folding seats) the boot of my M3 coupe.

3 series more interior room as family grows.

[gizlaroc]

They look so nice as well...

[jay6s]

Thanks for all the reply’s. I did look at the touring model seems to be hard to find an Msport model automatic within my budget of 14k.

If I get the saloon defintkey make sure has the option of fold down seats.

I agree think the bmw has a nicer cabin over the GTi but not by much.

[99Chimaera]

I've just recently bought a BMW 320d Xdrive M sport touring, which is very different to the Golf GTI it replaced,( not a mk7). I was looking at both prior to buying. The bmw is definitely has a much harder ride than my Golf, interior is much nicer in the bmw. I thought the Golf was more comfortable to be honest.

[gizlaroc]

Get it off the run flats, I don't care what anyone says, they ruin the ride and the amount of bite the car has when pressing on.

[va1o]

GTI is for sure the better buy between those two. It's more modern and more fun to drive. Also likely more practical for what you need

I'd only be considering the BMW if you could stretch to a 328i or 335i as they give a benefit in performance