Golf Gti or 130i

[Andrew[MG]]

I'm looking at getting something newer to replace the FTO and was considering both of these. I know they are both quite different cars but they tick the boxes of being sporty, not having too high insurance group (17 - I'll be parking on street) and aren't too silly to tax. I'll be looking to spend about £8k in about 3 months time which I realise will only get me the lower end of either of these cars.

With the Gti I'd probably want to remap it next year once I've had it for a while. With the 130i I might want to add lsd next year as this should make it a much better hoon mobile.

I'll not be doing any commuting miles as of next month but it does mean the car will be left sitting on the street most of the week.

Any thoughts, opinions or alternatives?

[Andrew[MG]]

You get bumped to page 5 pretty quick these days!

[Andrew[MG]]

Xavier259 said:

Don't forget the OP said it'll be parked on the street for most of the week...

...and R32 Golfs are pretty prone to getting nicked.

That + my Glasgow postcode are not good for insurance prices.

If I take commuting off of my policy will it make much of a difference?

I thought the BMW would have been more popular and wasn't expecting the R32 recommendations.

[Andrew[MG]]

snorkel sucker said:

I had the same question 2 years ago

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... help - which, not what, car!&mid=87481

I went for the 130i

I'm beginning to agree with you. It's not going to be in daily use so I'd rather get more smiles when I do take it out for runs!

If I wasn't going to be parking on the street then I'd go for a proper 2 door sports car and not a hot hatch. Needs must though...

[Andrew[MG]]

FamilyDub said:

Have a poke around my GTI at the next Blythswood meet.

If it's 130i or R32, I'd go 130i... More power, faster, cheaper to insure, won't get nicked, lots more economical on fuel/tax.

You know more displacement and cylinders trumps a GTI.

I knew you were going to catch me posting this thread! Reading some more threads on here I'm going to be looking more at the 130i even though it's not a great looker. A nice set of BBS would certainly improve it though...

[Andrew[MG]]

I went and looked at a 130i today and was quite impressed overall. The car has a nice stance to it, the seats are comfy and the driving position is good, there was also decent enough room behind the drivers seat. The only thing I didn't like about it is the tiny rear window. All going well I'll find a nice, lower miles example over the next couple of months.

[Andrew[MG]]

FamilyDub said:

Spec? Where was it?

I remember Olie (OlberJ) saying he had a mate in sales in a BMW garage... Would have been the Hamilton one, I think?

It was this one http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011... To high mileage but it's the closest one for me to have a look at.