Which one do I choose???
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking for some thoughts/opinions on two cars I’m trying to decide between: VW Golf R Black Edition and BMW X2 M35i.
Both would be new purchases, and they’re very close in price (monthly pcp payments are within £20 of each other ) My wife chose one and I chose the other — we’ve both test-driven them and like them, so we’re struggling to choose.
For the most part it’ll just be the two of us however every so often we have our grandson (hence the need for 4 doors).
I know it’s a bit of a first-world problem and we’d be happy with either, but we need to make a decision soon, so I’d love to hear what the PH community thinks — particularly around real-world ownership / overall satisfaction etc
Looking for some thoughts/opinions on two cars I’m trying to decide between: VW Golf R Black Edition and BMW X2 M35i.
Both would be new purchases, and they’re very close in price (monthly pcp payments are within £20 of each other ) My wife chose one and I chose the other — we’ve both test-driven them and like them, so we’re struggling to choose.
For the most part it’ll just be the two of us however every so often we have our grandson (hence the need for 4 doors).
I know it’s a bit of a first-world problem and we’d be happy with either, but we need to make a decision soon, so I’d love to hear what the PH community thinks — particularly around real-world ownership / overall satisfaction etc
The only one I ve actually driven is the X2 M35 that they gave me as a courtesy car when my wife s iX3 went in for some work doing. Personally I thought it was absolutely dreadful and couldn t wait to get hers back - and that s from someone who d far rather be in something petrol powered than an EV! It sounded like something was rolling around in the boot between each gearshift. Probably not what you want to hear .
Edited by Crumpet on Sunday 18th January 07:59
I nearly went ahead with a Golf R Black Edition very recently brand new but it would have been bog standard. Have instead gone a different route with a nearly new GTI Clubsport with some nice extras and am really pleased with it so far. Had a Golf Mk7 for five years prior. The R’s are great but I do think the Clubsport is more engaging to drive and its just as fast, apart from obviously stationary launches.
What spec are you looking at on the R? As the one I nearly bought was standard there was no DCC. My Clubsport has this and it’s well worth it.
What spec are you looking at on the R? As the one I nearly bought was standard there was no DCC. My Clubsport has this and it’s well worth it.
AddyT. said:
I nearly went ahead with a Golf R Black Edition very recently brand new but it would have been bog standard. Have instead gone a different route with a nearly new GTI Clubsport with some nice extras and am really pleased with it so far. Had a Golf Mk7 for five years prior. The R s are great but I do think the Clubsport is more engaging to drive and its just as fast, apart from obviously stationary launches.
What spec are you looking at on the R? As the one I nearly bought was standard there was no DCC. My Clubsport has this and it s well worth it.
Hi… I’ve spec’d it up with the DCC and a few other bits and pieces - however I haven’t gone with the £3.5k exhaust system upgrade What spec are you looking at on the R? As the one I nearly bought was standard there was no DCC. My Clubsport has this and it s well worth it.
Personally, I would go for the Golf, based on the fact the BMW looks like a small SUV while having none of the redeeming / practical features of an actual SUV. The fact it sits a few inches higher up (which is an attraction for some), might also not play to its advantage as according to Whatcar (can't believe i'm quoting Whatcar here) "The M35i struggles to contain vertical body movement over undulating roads."
AddyT. said:
I nearly went ahead with a Golf R Black Edition very recently brand new but it would have been bog standard. Have instead gone a different route with a nearly new GTI Clubsport with some nice extras and am really pleased with it so far. Had a Golf Mk7 for five years prior. The R s are great but I do think the Clubsport is more engaging to drive and its just as fast, apart from obviously stationary launches.
What spec are you looking at on the R? As the one I nearly bought was standard there was no DCC. My Clubsport has this and it s well worth it.
Sorry for the slow reply. Good shout on the DCC for sure. I would be the same on the Akrapovic and it is a lot of money. If you are open to it I would recommend test driving a Clubsport to see if you like it but not sure if you definitely want something with 4wd? If you want to stick to your guns then definitely go for the Golf over the BMW! What spec are you looking at on the R? As the one I nearly bought was standard there was no DCC. My Clubsport has this and it s well worth it.
Of course there is no universally right answer and personal preferences and requirements prevail. However, when in similar situations myself, I ve done a repeat round of test drives and often the winner becomes apparent very quickly. It s not much different to doing a second viewing when buying a house - you notice different things second time around.
Edited to add; try and do it without a salesman or your choice is clouded by whichever unwanted passenger is less annoying.
Edited to add; try and do it without a salesman or your choice is clouded by whichever unwanted passenger is less annoying.
Edited by FlyVintage on Tuesday 20th January 08:34
FlyVintage said:
Of course there is no universally right answer and personal preferences and requirements prevail. However, when in similar situations myself, I ve done a repeat round of test drives and often the winner becomes apparent very quickly. It s not much different to doing a second viewing when buying a house - you notice different things second time around.
Edited to add; try and do it without a salesman or your choice is clouded by whichever unwanted passenger is less annoying.
Ideally that's what we'd have preferred, however for all of the test drives that we've done over the last few weeks (bar Merc) the salesman has come with us - all giving more or less the same story about insurance etc (even insisting on sitting in the front passenger seat). Was quite annoying - whereas Merc in effect said here's the keys, see you later Edited to add; try and do it without a salesman or your choice is clouded by whichever unwanted passenger is less annoying.
Edited by FlyVintage on Tuesday 20th January 08:34
Forrest1 said:
FlyVintage said:
Of course there is no universally right answer and personal preferences and requirements prevail. However, when in similar situations myself, I ve done a repeat round of test drives and often the winner becomes apparent very quickly. It s not much different to doing a second viewing when buying a house - you notice different things second time around.
Edited to add; try and do it without a salesman or your choice is clouded by whichever unwanted passenger is less annoying.
Ideally that's what we'd have preferred, however for all of the test drives that we've done over the last few weeks (bar Merc) the salesman has come with us - all giving more or less the same story about insurance etc (even insisting on sitting in the front passenger seat). Was quite annoying - whereas Merc in effect said here's the keys, see you later Edited to add; try and do it without a salesman or your choice is clouded by whichever unwanted passenger is less annoying.
Edited by FlyVintage on Tuesday 20th January 08:34
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff