RE: VW Golf GTI: Review

[anonymous-user]

Roma101 said:

Lagerlout said:

Golf will tend to hold 45-8% over three years compared to the BMW at 35-37%. Well that's based on a few websites and scouting second hand values. Golf's are one of the best cars depreciation wise, always have been and the new Mk7 GTI has diesel like economy compared to the 3L BMW. This will be a big factor in the second hand market.

I agree that Golfs hold their value well. However, looking at the second hand values of the 1Ms, they are holding their value incredibly well (i.e. almost no depreciation). I don't expect the M135i to hold it quite as well as an 1M, but it should be still be pretty strong.

Very different things - the 1M was an extremely limited edition, the M135i is a mainstream model. It's too early to tell but I would expect the 135 to have strong residuals because it's such a bargain new relative to the level of performance and the demand that will generate on the used market.

Personally I cannot wait for them to hit three or four years old because I'd probably be able to afford one then, based on my scientific sample of "me and what I think" that must mean there will be strong used demand across the board to chock up the prices

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 3rd May 15:30

[kambites]

I'd imagine both cars will be around the 40% after three years mark - neither is "special" enough to hold its value much above the norm.

[aka_kerrly]

Frp' said:

Did someone just suggest buying a Megane over a Golf Gti?

Oh dear Pistonheads, what has become of you. (Vera)

I'm sure the Golf owner will be gutted he doesn't have the Ring lap record and 2k in his pocket...

Ah the all important Nurburgring lap time.

It does frustrate me that on the one hand when it suits people start waffling on about how quick a professional race driver or test driver can get a (most likely modified) car around a race track like this is in anyway representative of what a car is actually like. Then on the other hand you have people who constantly criticise cars for being too harsh/stiff as a result of being tested far too much on the Nurburgring and not on real roads.

[havoc]

Becs has owned a MkV for 4+ years now, and I have to say it's a good Swiss Army Knife of a car...doesn't do anything badly, can be used pretty-much anywhere. They did get it spot-on...


But it does lack a little character...I just don't like cars with boring engines, and the VAG I-4 just seems to have been getting worse in that regard for a while (or at least, peak power keeps arriving lower in the rev-range, which to me is the same thing). It also doesn't get properly fun until you're doing silly-speeds (I suppose like most modern cars).

Would I own one? Personally no.
Am I glad we've got one in the house? Yes, as it's saved all the hassle of picking the right-spec 3-series with a manual 'box...

[nickfrog]

Lagerlout said:

No myth. I just traded a 1 series for an employee of mine and I'm afraid it was at 36%.

Would you say 36% is typical of 1-series value retention after 3 years and average mileage ?

If so, Autotrader seems to disagree with you, even allowing for haggling room and trade in value, not to mention private transactions.

[Alex]

Chris Harris said:

It's a completely ruthless engine: uncannily smooth and potent given its rated power and yet slightly lacking in any personality. In a car like this, that doesn't bother me one iota; others might not feel the same.

I don't feel the same. It would bother me a lot.

[Mike Roberts]

Lagerlout said:

No myth. I just traded a 1 series for an employee of mine and I'm afraid it was at 36%. I stand by the fact that Golf's trade higher, generally. You might get lucky with the 135 who knows. As a former CSL owner, values tanked in those very quickly indeed, then stablised at c. 50% and then have hardly moved. This is the exception, will a 135 do the same?

How is comparing an old shape 1-series which you clearly got bummed by the dealer when trading in, in any way a guide as to what an M135i will be worth? Was it a 135i coupe? I'm guessing not, what was it?

Incidentally I had a 135i coupe prior to this. I sold that at 5 years old for 40% of its invoice.

I stand by the fact the GFV on my M135i's 3 year PCP is 55%. That will be the absolute minimum I get for the car. If they're going for less on the open market, then fair enough, but I'd not expect BMW to be punting high without a good reason why, everyone had their fingers burnt with that when PCPs were invented.

The car will not stabilise like a CSL, it will continue to drop. It certainly isn't an M car, or a limited edition, it's just a very good car. Like the GTI.

Example of 3 year old 135i - still £20k+
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Edited by Mike Roberts on Friday 3rd May 16:11

[Tartan Pixie]

Surprised no one's mentioned the Korean competition yet.

From the magazine pics I didn't think I'd like the Veloster turbo but I saw one today in full recession white with all the options ticked and it looked really good, especially with the panoramic glass roof which would be a big selling point to me.

I've never driven one so can't say if it's as accomplished as the golf but at 22 grand base spec and an options list that's rather less eye watering than VW's (eg, £300 for leather seats) you've got a considerable amount of petrol money left over compared to a golf.

[Technomatt]

Frp' said:

Did someone just suggest buying a Megane over a Golf Gti?

Oh dear Pistonheads, what has become of you. (Vera)

I'm sure the Golf owner will be gutted he doesn't have the Ring lap record and 2k in his pocket...

No, I think you will find they suggested buying the Golf over the Megane....

[red355]

kambites said:

I'd imagine both cars will be around the 40% after three years mark - neither is "special" enough to hold its value much above the norm.

try and find a 3 year old mk6 GTI for 40% of 25k, so sub £10k. i'm prices will fade once the Mk7 is out, but they do seem to hold prices pretty well.

even our last of the Mk5s with leather & satnav (&60K) will prob fetch 40% of what we paid for it (17,500).

Ok that was a silly end of line price when the Mk6 was already out, not a new fresh to the market deal.

mmmmmmm wonder if I get a Mk6 GTI on a similar silly end of line deal

[moffat]

As everyone has said the M135i has the every hot hatch licked for the money except in looks. I hate it, not only does it look awful from the front, it looks like a fat VW Polo from the back.

I was gutted to see, especially as a previous owner of 2 135i Coupes which I loved.

BMW came so close to make the best ever hot hatch, but I could not buy it based on the looks alone.

The Golf looks fantastic and even better than the new S3 which is really boring. It's just a shame that it's price 10% too high. VW have lost the plot with their pricing.

The A45 AMG will be interesting, but I have the feeling it's going to be RS3 / 1M priced and I am also not convinced by the 4 pot engine.

[the-photographer]

red355 said:

kambites said:

I'd imagine both cars will be around the 40% after three years mark - neither is "special" enough to hold its value much above the norm.

try and find a 3 year old mk6 GTI for 40% of 25k, so sub £10k. i'm prices will fade once the Mk7 is out, but they do seem to hold prices pretty well.

even our last of the Mk5s with leather & satnav (&60K) will prob fetch 40% of what we paid for it (17,500).

Ok that was a silly end of line price when the Mk6 was already out, not a new fresh to the market deal.

mmmmmmm wonder if I get a Mk6 GTI on a similar silly end of line deal

Here you go, http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=us...

Out of 225 cars on PH, there are 24 from 2010, the cheapest being a £13,000 from a VW dealer. This would have been about £24,000 new.

Also, you've missed the run-out offer, it was dealer contribution and low finance.

[JonathanLegard]

aka_kerrly said:

Then on the other hand you have people who constantly criticise cars for being too harsh/stiff as a result of being tested far too much on the Nurburgring and not on real roads.

That always bugs me. Manufacturers test on the Nordschleife exactly because it replicates road driving conditions so well. How many Industry Pool sessions do you see on the F1 circuit just next door?

[Porsche997C4S]

Golf looks 10x better than the BMW 1 Series

[Bezza1969]

aka_kerrly said:

Frp' said:

Did someone just suggest buying a Megane over a Golf Gti?

Oh dear Pistonheads, what has become of you. (Vera)

I'm sure the Golf owner will be gutted he doesn't have the Ring lap record and 2k in his pocket...

Ah the all important Nurburgring lap time.

It does frustrate me that on the one hand when it suits people start waffling on about how quick a professional race driver or test driver can get a (most likely modified) car around a race track like this is in anyway representative of what a car is actually like. Then on the other hand you have people who constantly criticise cars for being too harsh/stiff as a result of being tested far too much on the Nurburgring and not on real roads.

I agree, I think VW have been very wise here. with how they have pitched this car. The Golf GTI appeals to a different demographic to the Megane RS. The Mk2 GOLF GTI, I remember being quite soft in standard form, whereas the Megane is the spiritual successor to all those edgy French hot hatches. This seems the ultimate swiss army knife car and I bet it will be as fast if not faster than the Megane down a very bumpy wet, british backroad, due to that nice supple ride. I don't care that anyone says about limited diffs and so on, if a car is too stiff and rides too harshly, you have back off on really bumpy roads, especially in the rain. As for only 217 BHP, don't forget, VWs tend to be conservatively rated. Autocar this week suggested that the Golf is as quick as the 247 Focus ST on the road....

Having said all this, personally, if the new upcoming Octavia VRS drives as well or nearly as well as this new golf, I will have that please! 3-4 grand cheaper with a bigger boot...no brainer for family man drivers like me!

[kikiturbo]

JonathanLegard said:

That always bugs me. Manufacturers test on the Nordschleife exactly because it replicates road driving conditions so well. How many Industry Pool sessions do you see on the F1 circuit just next door?

that is true but the ring is stil much smoother than your average british B road or a french mountain road.. That is why on those roads a good well damped but softer suspension with long bump and rebound stroke will be superior..

That is also why I absolutely hated the S3 when I drove it locally, but around munich it was quite nice..

[nickfrog]

Porsche997C4S said:

Golf looks 10x better than the BMW 1 Series

Fair enough but subjective. I find the Golf 7 so boring, I'd prefer if it was ugly. Recent Kias and Hyundais look better to me.
M135i on the other hand is in my top 3 of best looking current hatches, maybe at the top even.

Edited by nickfrog on Friday 3rd May 20:55

[va1o]

Love the MK7 GTI, a properly sorted car and you can tell it will be good without even driving!

Not sure why there is all this chat about the 135i, the BMW competitor to the Golf GTI is the similarly priced 125i

[gsrgeoff]

Was considering holding off ordering a new car a few months ago and waiting for this to arrive but do prefer 4WD.

BM 135i really is too ugly.

"Volkswagen claims the Golf will hit 62mph 6.5 seconds (6.4 for the GTI Performance) but such is the thrust from 2,000rpm it actually feels more urgent than that. It's a completely ruthless engine: uncannily smooth and potent given its rated power and yet slightly lacking in any personality".

Must be the same engine as they're putting in the Audi A4 / A5 as it's the same bhp/lbft figures - they do feel far quicker as it's an unusual engine which produces quite a bit more torque than power and right down at about 2000 rpm it's at full chat.

Feels like low down diesel torque, but doesn't run out of puff at 4,00rpm.

Hence I put a deposit on an A5 Quattro instead (with this 2.0 TFSi engine).

Edited by gsrgeoff on Friday 3rd May 21:10

[havoc]

It seems to depend on people's attitude towards engines.

- Those who see an engine as merely a means to deliver as much power as quickly as possible will like this car.

- Those who see an engine as the 'heart' of their car will go for an M135i...or possibly a classic ubersaloon with some cash left over for running costs...