F40 BMW M135i or MK7.5 Golf GTI Perf?

[Lewis H]

Hi everyone,
I'm really stuck on what car to buy and could use some help. I'm torn between the BMW M135i F40 and the MK7.5 Golf GTI Performance. I’d love to hear from people who’ve owned or driven either (or both), what were your experiences like?

What would you personally go for? I'm really struggling to make up my mind.

Thanks in advance!

[neverlifted]

I'm biased, have a Mk7 Golf GTI PP. It is a really good everyday car; more relaxing fun than some mild exotica (e.g Vantage and Artura in my experience) on really undulating Pennine/moorland roads imo.

[zedx19]

M135 is more a GT type car, GTi more hot hatch, depends what you want out a car. I went GTi route and have had it 5 years, with no intention of swapping, one of the longest times I've kept a car. Only other car I've kept longer was a 306 GTi-6 which was equally brilliant at doing everything.

[culpz]

zedx19 said:

M135 is more a GT type car, GTi more hot hatch, depends what you want out a car. I went GTi route and have had it 5 years, with no intention of swapping, one of the longest times I've kept a car. Only other car I've kept longer was a 306 GTi-6 which was equally brilliant at doing everything.

You’ll mean the 6-pot M135i. OP means the 4WD 300BHP Golf R/S3 rival.

Speaking of which, why a GTI Perf and not a R? Or what about a Seat Leon Cupra 290/300? I had one of the latter and loved it. I funnily enough now have the new F70 M135 and really enjoying that also. IMO, the BMW is the better car overall, but the Cupra was way more fun to drive.

[RandomCarChat]

Golf for me, cabin is much nicer and it's chassis is much better in standard trim than the BMW.

[Lewis H]

culpz said:

You ll mean the 6-pot M135i. OP means the 4WD 300BHP Golf R/S3 rival.

Speaking of which, why a GTI Perf and not a R? Or what about a Seat Leon Cupra 290/300? I had one of the latter and loved it. I funnily enough now have the new F70 M135 and really enjoying that also. IMO, the BMW is the better car overall, but the Cupra was way more fun to drive.

Yeah, I was considering the M135i 4WD, 4-cylinder version. I know it’s a bit controversial, haha.
I was mainly looking at the GTI instead of the R due to insurance costs, the GTI and M135i are about half the price to insure compared to the R.
As for the Cupra, my dad used to have a PFL 290 ST Black Edition. It was a great car and I really enjoyed it, but since I’ve already experienced it, I’m leaning toward trying something different (even though they’re essentially the same underneath). That said, it’s definitely not off the table.

[duckson]

On my second M135i F40 as I find it a good all rounder, can't compare it to the Golf as I haven't had one but my wife had a Leon Cupra 290 & 300 at the same time and personally (also the wife agrees) prefer the M135i (interior, infotainment, ride, 4WD (kinda) all superior).