Comments appreciated--128 vs. GTI - Page 3

Accumulator · 04-09-09, 09:20

Hey, Moe- IIRC you've been thinking about this for a long time, and this car's likely to be a real keeper, right?

I'd give some thought to that both when deciding what to buy (the BMW is kinda what you've always planned on, right?) and how to option it.

I for one would *NOT* buy a color that'd be a PIA on a regular basis. Some people really enjoy this detailing stuff, and I guess most Autopians enjoy it a lot more than I do, but I'd want something that's easy to appreciate without constant hassles. Black? Hey...I drive a metallic black DenaliXL for my year-round dog-hauler and I'm always saying that it's no biggie (oops...that's some kind of Freudian slip huh? That vehicle is *huge*). When it comes down to it, "clearcoat is clearcoat and marring is marring", and it's just not much different from my silver vehicles. But that's *ME* and consider how I wash every time. Honestly, I bet you'd have a happier next-few-decades if you buy an attractive low-maintenance color. I'm sure glad my Jag and the Audis are silver, even if it *doesn't* really make much of a diff in my case.

Oh, and I'd avoid pearls as it's just about impossible to color-match any repair work. Yeah, I know...but I never thought I'd deer my irreplaceable S8 either

Mark77 · 04-09-09, 11:06

I would get the GTI, a hatchback is very practical, like mentioned earlier, you can get a decent sized TV or furniture in a hatch but not in a coupe or sedan.. That is one reason hatchbacks are so popular here in Europe, practical and fun to drive :-) But I can suggest a Volvo V50 T5 also, I have one and it's fun to drive, practical and has not given me any problems yet..

connorb850 · 04-09-09, 05:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey, Moe!

BMW's four-year, cover-almost-everything plan is inviting. I had a pleasant experience with the BMW dealer I visited last fall.

From what I've read in Roundel (BMW Car Club America magazine), things like fluid changes have suddenly been extended or eliminated from service when BMW introduced the 4 year/50k mile maintenance plan. So yes...almost everything is covered, but less is actually done in terms of maintenance. If you plan to keep the car for a long time, it might be wise to step-up the maintenance.

That said, I would probably chose the 128 over the GTI.

Hey, Moe! · 04-09-09, 09:18

I understand that, for instance, the oil-change interval is rather long. I have heard of many owners getting "extra" oil changes done on their own dime (rather, about 100 bucks).

I can understand that, if you are going to keep it a while, or just want to do what's right by the car.

Accumulator--you're pushing me away from black, are you? I understand your concern. I had an '02 Focus (divorce mode) which I ordered black. I was OK with it, though it did not seem to be a hard paint.

I would never, ever get a larger vehicle in black. I did my brother's gray Tahoe, and then told him to find a detailer.

I liked the Black Sapphire Metallic because I wanted to special order a Terra interior (a Priority One option), which is the color of a football (think Saddle Brown). I'm not sure which other colors it would look good with.

That said, I am leaning toward the 128. I still welcome comments.

themightytimmah · 04-10-09, 12:18

I've got a GLI now and I absolutely love it, but in your case I would probably go for the BMW. The VW's are fun, but traction can be a problem and I find myself wishing that I had RWD on a fairly regular basis. Also, if you're planning on keeping it for a long time, the BMW will probably be more reliable (although both brands can be very expensive to keep on the road).

Hey, Moe! · 04-10-09, 09:29

I wanted to post this issue here because I felt it would not be brand-biased, unlike messing with BMW and VW forums.

The anticipation of getting a new car should be a fun thing. I know when I ordered my Trans Am a very long time ago, the anticipation should have made my hair fall out (it was longer then).

This new car is a landmark for me, because I know that I will, for the first time since that Trans Am, have the time to really enjoy driving it.

Since I am going to keep my Focus ST (a great car for a fun daily driver, why did Ford USA stop building them?), the new ride will be doted over, and will not be allowed out of the garage during winter weather.

Yes, Accumulator--I have thought about this for quite a while, maybe since my high-school drivers-ed teacher bought an E21 Bimmer (that's a long time ago). BMW doesn't have any pearl paint options for the 1-series. I'm still torn over Black Sapphire Metallic, because it would match the black/terra interior.

Going the VW route is inviting, since it will be less expensive. Having owned three VWs I enjoyed (Scirocco, GTI, and Jetta), I gravitated back there for a comparison.

To those who were worried about practicality, it is a non-issue. This is hunting and fishing country, and I have plenty of neighbors with pick-ups.

In either case, finding a dealer to work with is key. It won't be like my local Ford dealer, where I walk in, the owner looks at me, and says, "I know. You want to drive the new Shelby we got in yesterday. Here's the keys." It will take a little push for me to leave that atmosphere.

So, come May 29, I have some test-driving to do, and a decision to make. When I do the deal, I promise to learn to post a few pics, along with the Focus, since it doesn't look anything like a vehicle with 70K miles.

I do thank everyone for all their good advice. I do subscribe to a few other online forums, according to my interests, and this fourm is, by far, the one with the best manners (remember, I'm a teacher).

Thanks, everyone!!!

cheeba · 04-17-09, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by slicknickis3

How is it as practical?? Well for starters it's only got 2cu ft. less cargo space than the oh-so-practical hatch

Haha, like numbers tell the whole story - I fit a 50" projection (note: not LCD or plasma) into the back of my old MKIV Golf. I've also had the following in the back: a fridge, 8 wheels with tires, 7 interior house doors, an 8' Christmas tree, etc . . . obviously none of that stuff would fit into a 1 series.

Hey, Moe!, everyone can post their subjective opinions - including myself - but you didn't specify any of your desires. Are you adversed to simple modifications? For 1/2 the price difference between the GTI and 128, the GTI could have a ton more (reliable) power and far superior handling. FWD has its limitations, but properly setup, most people would never get close to them.

lecchilo · 04-17-09, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheeba

Haha, like numbers tell the whole story - I fit a 50" projection (note: not LCD or plasma) into the back of my old MKIV Golf. I've also had the following in the back: a fridge, 8 wheels with tires, 7 interior house doors, an 8' Christmas tree, etc . . . obviously none of that stuff would fit into a 1 series.

Hey, Moe!, everyone can post their subjective opinions - including myself - but you didn't specify any of your desires. Are you adversed to simple modifications? For 1/2 the price difference between the GTI and 128, the GTI could have a ton more (reliable) power and far superior handling. FWD has its limitations, but properly setup, most people would never get close to them.

I really don't want to sound like some BMW elitist but where are you getting the "ton more reliable power and far superior handling" from? Yes you can chip it but what's with the superior handling haha...

XRL · 04-18-09, 08:56

GTIs chipped tend to have at least 250whp. The 128 would probably put down around 200 whp. Handling is a moot point, they're both good handling cars, but with the 128 you have RWD and so you can drift it through a corner. With the GTI you can just drive it like a madman and never worry about losing control because it's FWD.

Accumulator · 04-18-09, 10:06

Hey, Moe- Having given this some more thought and giving consideration to my experiences over this last winter with the Denali, maybe you'd do OK with the sapphire black after all.

Heh heh, I get the feeling that a some people are kinda missing the overall point here; you're after a kind of heirloom/keeper rather than something you're gonna be thrashing at 9/10ths, right? I compare your situation to how I feel about my S8 and the Jag...not exactly the hottest tickets in town but cars I simply *love having* year after year.

Handling/performance/etc.-wise, my Jag is simply a *mess* compared to a lot of the "better" cars that I've had, but those have come and gone while the JXS continues to brighten my life. A similar, perhaps *better* example might be my wife's A8, which she simply wouldn't trade for a new [anything].

Oh, BTW, I thought of you the other day on the 30-somethingth anniversary of my first Trans-Am. I sure do remember the anticipation of getting that thing!

cheeba · 04-18-09, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by lecchilo

I really don't want to sound like some BMW elitist but where are you getting the "ton more reliable power and far superior handling" from? Yes you can chip it but what's with the superior handling haha...

I didn't state a ton more reliable, I stated a ton more (reliable) power; which, means a ton more power, that is still reliable. Meaning it is a mild upgrade that will not make the engine any less reliable.

Every BMW I've driven - other than an E46 M3 - handled like crap stock. This isn't to say that it handle like crap compared to other vehicles, but compared to how it could possibly handle. Even RWD Bimmers are set up to handle for the majority of society - they have mushy damping, bad turn in, and far from neutral handling.

The point was that a set of coilovers, rear anti-sway, and some bushing/bearings would make the GTI have far superior damping and neutral handling. Of course, you can set it up to have oversteer/understeer if you want it to. A little bit of on-demand, controllable oversteer is nice

Yup, Accumulator, that's why I asked him what he wants, which Hey, Moe! has never really stated. I also don't think people that aren't out driving 9/10ths need to be afraid of mild modifications. I think anyone technically inclined and fairly discriminating (read: someone who is into detailing!) would be an ideal candidate for some simple bolt-ons.

Futhermore, in regards to warranty, many dealers are okay with mild mod's as long as the owners are responsible about it.

Accumulator · 04-18-09, 04:33

cheeba- Eh...I might be out to lunch here, or just putting too much weight on my own experiences and what I *think* I've inferred about Hey, Moe! based on his posts here. I could be *way* off-base

On the stock/not...I have a fair amount of serious experience in both, and IMO most good cars already handle a lot better than most drivers can readily exploit without intense and on-going training, especially on the street. At Tony Scotti's Vehicle Dynamics Institute most well-trained people work *very* hard to use at least 80% (min. threshold for certification).

Don't get me wrong, a lot (most?) of my vehicles have been modified, with suspensions/brakes usually happening first; like you, I prefer *very* neutral handling that wouldn't be right for most folks (my first M3 went off to Ray Korman as soon as I got it). Heh heh, I actually think that you and I might be of *VERY* similar opinion on this stuff. I'm just being kinda a wet blanket here in an attempt to keep this on-track for Hey, Moe!.