Autopia.org - View Single Post - Comments appreciated--128 vs. GTI

PCG · 05-11-09, 05:39

I could probably go on for days about this topic, but I'll try and keep it simple. I currently own a 07 GTI and my only experience with a 1 series was a 128 test drive, which really isn't enough to gain a lot of insight, so I'll mostly comment on the GTI.

Reliability:
Since VW reliability was touched on in this thread I'll start with it. My GTI has been mostly painless for 2.5 years and 22k miles. A few early rattles that disappeared with time or were fixed, a few ECU updates and other odds and ends recalls that didn't slow me down and were taken care of during oil changes have been my only issues. Can't speak for the BMW as I don't own one.

Rarity:
This is a big one for me. I LOVE the 3 series and a lot of other cars but in some areas 3 series seem as common as an F-150. Luckily for you it seems like both vehicles you are looking at are fairly uncommon. Score for both vehicles and part of the reason I own a GTI and like the 1 series.

Driving:
The GTI defines "all-arounder" and it's pretty good at almost everything. It's not fast, it's quick, it's not the best handling but it's very good, and so on and so forth. Just a fun FWD driving machine, simple as that. Willing, capable, but forgiving. Like almost any FWD without a limited slip it loves to spin that inner tire while accelerating. It's my number one handling complaint by a long shot. If the R32 (w/ awd) was out back when I bought my GTI I might own one, especially if it was a little less expensive. The new GTI has "XDS" but it remains to be seen just how effective it is at reigning in the spinning inner tire. The BMW feels like a RWD car. And I'll be honest I miss it at times. The 128i is also not "fast", but it's definitely quicker then the GTI and really no slouch compared to many cars. Neither car's clutch or transmission is a stand out but I can't really fault them either.

Interior Quality:
A few rattles early on on my GTI otherwise it's tight and comfortable. Interior quality is somewhat subjective and you could find someone to argue either side. The BMW feels higher end to me, but not necessarily higher quality. A GTI with the leather seats feels very different then one with the cloth sport seats. Be sure to sit in both. Not sure the difference will be as noticeable in the new GTI but in the MK5 they felt very different to me.

Random thoughts:
When I think about my next car my heart always comes back to the 1-series. Don't take that as a fault or criticism of the GTI, it's just that life is short and you only have so long to drive so many vehicles. The 1 series wasn't out yet and even if it was optioned how I wanted (and I probably would have wanted the 135i) was more then I wanted to spend at the time. It's funny because as different as these cars are layout wise (FWD versus RWD) and also price they are definitely cross shopped.

I'm sure you'd love either, but I'd go for the BMW. Especially since it sounds like you want it.

05-11-09, 05:39	#49 (permalink)
PCG Registered User PCG is offline Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Newport, RI Posts: 15	Re: Comments appreciated--128 vs. GTI I could probably go on for days about this topic, but I'll try and keep it simple. I currently own a 07 GTI and my only experience with a 1 series was a 128 test drive, which really isn't enough to gain a lot of insight, so I'll mostly comment on the GTI. Reliability: Since VW reliability was touched on in this thread I'll start with it. My GTI has been mostly painless for 2.5 years and 22k miles. A few early rattles that disappeared with time or were fixed, a few ECU updates and other odds and ends recalls that didn't slow me down and were taken care of during oil changes have been my only issues. Can't speak for the BMW as I don't own one. Rarity: This is a big one for me. I LOVE the 3 series and a lot of other cars but in some areas 3 series seem as common as an F-150. Luckily for you it seems like both vehicles you are looking at are fairly uncommon. Score for both vehicles and part of the reason I own a GTI and like the 1 series. Driving: The GTI defines "all-arounder" and it's pretty good at almost everything. It's not fast, it's quick, it's not the best handling but it's very good, and so on and so forth. Just a fun FWD driving machine, simple as that. Willing, capable, but forgiving. Like almost any FWD without a limited slip it loves to spin that inner tire while accelerating. It's my number one handling complaint by a long shot. If the R32 (w/ awd) was out back when I bought my GTI I might own one, especially if it was a little less expensive. The new GTI has "XDS" but it remains to be seen just how effective it is at reigning in the spinning inner tire. The BMW feels like a RWD car. And I'll be honest I miss it at times. The 128i is also not "fast", but it's definitely quicker then the GTI and really no slouch compared to many cars. Neither car's clutch or transmission is a stand out but I can't really fault them either. Interior Quality: A few rattles early on on my GTI otherwise it's tight and comfortable. Interior quality is somewhat subjective and you could find someone to argue either side. The BMW feels higher end to me, but not necessarily higher quality. A GTI with the leather seats feels very different then one with the cloth sport seats. Be sure to sit in both. Not sure the difference will be as noticeable in the new GTI but in the MK5 they felt very different to me. Random thoughts: When I think about my next car my heart always comes back to the 1-series. Don't take that as a fault or criticism of the GTI, it's just that life is short and you only have so long to drive so many vehicles. The 1 series wasn't out yet and even if it was optioned how I wanted (and I probably would have wanted the 135i) was more then I wanted to spend at the time. It's funny because as different as these cars are layout wise (FWD versus RWD) and also price they are definitely cross shopped. I'm sure you'd love either, but I'd go for the BMW. Especially since it sounds like you want it.