We should arrange a mini meet.

I agree with the M135i a proper fast compact rear wheel drive real drivers BMW, with a straight six engine as only BMW can make. It's not an overweight tank like the current M3 either. 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds (Autocar road test) is unbelievably quick and no front wheel drive car could get near that. A proper drivers car has to be RWD or maybe 4WD, not FWD. sorry Octavia vRS fans....

When I pension off my current sports car the M135i is on a very short list.

Not sure a vRS is trying to be a proper drivers car.

Not sure a vRS is trying to be a proper drivers car.

Not sure it is either to be honest - it's a quick Octavia, not a hot hatch - it's physically too big to be chuckable, a prerequisite for a hot hatch. Not that there is anything wrong with the vRS. If the requirement is for a quick roomy family car then the vRS fits the bill spot on.The Golf GTi isn't quick enough to be a competitor for the M135i either even with the highly desirable performance pack. Probably the Audi RS3 comes closest and that's a lot more money than the BMW. Neither the Golf, Audi or the BMW are roomy enough to be a practical family car IMO, at least not compared to the Skoda.

Edited 26 June, 201312 yr by Timoctav

Not sure it is either to be honest - it's a quick Octavia, not a hot hatch - it's physically too big to be chuckable, a prerequisite for a hot hatch. Not that there is anything wrong with the vRS. If the requirement is or a quick roomy family car then the vRS fits the bill spot on.The Golf GTi isn't quick enough to be a competitor for the M135i either even with the highly desirable performance pack. Probably the Audi RS3 comes closest and that's a lot more money than the BMW. Neither the Golf, Audi or the BMW are roomy enough to be a practical family car IMO, at least not compared to the Skoda.

A45 AMG. Nothing more to add.

A45 AMG. Nothing more to add.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-mercedes-a45-amg-vs-golf-gti-vs-bmw-m135i

Yes, fine car better than I would have thought having just seen the above test, must admit forget about the AMG. Shame it's only a four cylinder engine though. The sound of a great engine really does the business for me - and a four doesn't make a good enough sound. I may still prefer the BMW, as it's the only one with RWD and that engine and 8 speed auto 'box. The Golf, just not quick enough, great car that it is, for me at any rate.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-mercedes-a45-amg-vs-golf-gti-vs-bmw-m135i

Yes, fine car better than I would have thought having just seen the above test, must admit forget about the AMG. Shame it's only a four cylinder engine though. The sound of a great engine really does the business for me - and a four doesn't make a good enough sound. I may still prefer the BMW, as it's the only one with RWD and that engine and 8 speed auto 'box. The Golf, just not quick enough, great car that it is, for me at any rate.

Agree, the A45 will be pretty mental but its 4wd, highly stressed 4 cylinder engine and if the current A250 AMG Sport is anything to go by it will be massively overpriced in the right spec (over 40k).

I think if you take an M135i with sport auto, remapped it with a downpipe, miltek exhaust, intake and bigger intercooler, also got a quaife LSD stuck on the back for 35k or so (talking used car with approx 5k of mods) - knocking on door of 400hp and well over 400lb/ft torque you've got one hell of a hatch.

Agree, the A45 will be pretty mental but its 4wd, highly stressed 4 cylinder engine and if the current A250 AMG Sport is anything to go by it will be massively overpriced in the right spec (over 40k).

I think if you take an M135i with sport auto, remapped it with a downpipe, miltek exhaust, intake and bigger intercooler, also got a quaife LSD stuck on the back for 35k or so (talking used car with approx 5k of mods) - knocking on door of 400hp and well over 400lb/ft torque you've got one hell of a hatch.

Or opt for the Merc to get something very similar in terms of real world performance (just better traction and handling plus something thats just as potent in the bad weather) and have it sealed with a three year factory warranty. The A45 AMG is a big surprise to me as Im usually more of a BMW than Merc fan purely due to the driving fun factor but I like it a lot. From what the initial reports are saying, the four cyclinder doesnt 'feel' stressed at all, in fact it pulls harder in the rev range from just about everywhere and pulls harder for longer once past the mid range.

Ive always thought of the VRS as more of an affordable GT than a hot hatch; more space, more supple, not as sharp so in effect a better long distance companion. I tried everything to make my mk2 VRS more endearing and failed. Hoping for big things from this new mk 3

Ive always thought of the VRS as more of an affordable GT than a hot hatch; more space, more supple, not as sharp so in effect a better long distance companion. I tried everything to make my mk2 VRS more endearing and failed. Hoping for big things from this new mk 3

Yes an affordable GT. That fits my thoughts for a vRS as well. To me more appealing than a Golf GTi - but then for some reason I've never particularly liked Golfs. An appliance with no soul, a bit of a "white goods on wheels" if you like. Think of a Miele washing machine and you think Golf. Or at least I do.

Yes an affordable GT. That fits my thoughts for a vRS as well. To me more appealing than a Golf GTi - but then for some reason I've never particularly liked Golfs. An appliance with no soul, a bit of a "white goods on wheels" if you like. Think of a Miele washing machine and you think Golf. Or at least I do.

Never, Miele are the creme de la creme of kitchen applicances imo - when I think of the Golf I think of a Bosch washing machine at best!

Just watched video eeerrrrm the A45 is 4wd, Golf fwd & BMW rwd - now thats how to compare an Apple with a Pear with a Tomatoe ( yes it is classed as a fruit).

Typical Autocar comparison, maybe one day they will actually be able to compare like for like cars !!!!!!!!

How about comparing the Octy vRS with a Vauxhall sygnum ?

Never, Miele are the creme de la creme of kitchen applicances imo - when I think of the Golf I think of a Bosch washing machine at best!

Well that's their reputation but we've been most unimpressed with our Miele washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher. Back to Bosch for us next time! Miele aren't even a Which? Best Buy anymore, not long ago they were the top choice - now Bosch is in the top spot.

Hmmm not sure what white goods have to do with Skoda Octavia vRS - we are steering this thread well off track!!

Edited 26 June, 201312 yr by Timoctav

Just watched video eeerrrrm the A45 is 4wd, Golf fwd & BMW rwd - now thats how to compare an Apple with a Pear with a Tomatoe ( yes it is classed as a fruit).

Typical Autocar comparison, maybe one day they will actually be able to compare like for like cars !!!!!!!!

How about comparing the Octy vRS with a Vauxhall sygnum ?

If that lame argument was to be followed they will never do any comparative tests... Those are all pocket rockets regardless of driven wheels, so totally suitable to test them together, as most sane people (that are in the market for such a device) will cross shop between the three. I don't think I've met a person buying a new car that had "MUST be RWD" or "MUST be 4wd" as their first and foremost criteria for deciding on what to look at or buy.

Just watched video eeerrrrm the A45 is 4wd, Golf fwd & BMW rwd - now thats how to compare an Apple with a Pear with a Tomatoe ( yes it is classed as a fruit).

Typical Autocar comparison, maybe one day they will actually be able to compare like for like cars !!!!!!!!

Disagree, AMG 45 and BMW M135i are both fast sports saloons competing in the same market and the Golf - just there I suppose as comparison with the best "hot hatch". If you were in the market for one you'd surely short-list the other.

Disagree, AMG 45 and BMW M135i are both fast sports saloons competing in the same market and the Golf - just there I suppose as comparison with the best "hot hatch". If you were in the market for one you'd surely short-list the other.

Totally agree. I find it very useful to know what a 30% saving would loose me compared to another similar car for example. I rate the Autocar (and Chris Harris/Pistonhead) videos highly.

Tim - bought lots of Miele appliances three years ago when we extended the kitchen - tumble dryer, oven, steam oven, induction hob, cooker hood etc never had a single issue - all look and work like new still. Bought a Siemens washing machine though due to the 10 year warranty offer at the time - four call outs needed so far!!

Free tickets available to Goodwood on the Thursday so you can see it in the flesh

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/goodwood-festival-of-speed/10139729/Free-tickets-to-the-Moving-Motor-Show.html

Done got two thursday tickets thanks for the heads up!

Has anyone had anything back from the Goodwood draw?

Tim - bought lots of Miele appliances three years ago when we extended the kitchen - tumble dryer, oven, steam oven, induction hob, cooker hood etc never had a single issue - all look and work like new still. Bought a Siemens washing machine though due to the 10 year warranty offer at the time - four call outs needed so far!!

Two call outs so far - washing machine programme went tits-up, and then we had a leak. Now we have another intermittent leak from under the machine. Washing machine and tumble dryer seem far too clever, and trip and fall over washing and drying times. Dishwasher priority is saving water not washing dishes. Not nearly as good as the 20 year old Bosch that preceded it.

Sorry to go way off track....

Slightly OT apologies but touching on a previous thread in this thread: Latest Autocar test with the AMG Merc, the 135i and the Golf GTI (since the R32 is not out yet).

http://www.carscoops.com/2013/06/mercedes-a45-amg-easily-beats-bmw-m135i.html

135i way last for body control! Ha. In quite a few tests the 135i is rated more as a GT cruiser than a hot hatch of note. And that is before you discuss the hideousness of what it looks like.

Let's hope the vRS has some of the GTI's handling charms transferred to it.

Slightly OT apologies but touching on a previous thread in this thread: Latest Autocar test with the AMG Merc, the 135i and the Golf GTI (since the R32 is not out yet).

http://www.carscoops...-bmw-m135i.html

135i way last for body control! Ha. In quite a few tests the 135i is rated more as a GT cruiser than a hot hatch of note. And that is before you discuss the hideousness of what it looks like.

Let's hope the vRS has some of the GTI's handling charms transferred to it.

I already posted this test in an earlier post on this thread..... each to their own but the BMW's engine and gearbox would swing it for me. You can't beat the sound of a six cylinder engine - four cylinders don't do it for me in high performance cars.

I already posted this test in an earlier post on this thread..... each to their own but the BMW's engine and gearbox would swing it for me. You can't beat the sound of a six cylinder engine - four cylinders don't do it for me in high performance cars.

Apologies... I thought that test you posted had the Audi S3 - I thought it was the CAR test see!

But I agree. Four cylinders don't do it for me sound wise either. Give me a 3 a 5 or a 6 (or above). But a four? Nah.

No worries.... yes six cylinders or above, there is nothing wrong with the sound of Lamborghini's V10 in the Audi R8....or Ferrari's V8 in the 458 Italia... :sun:

Different world sadly....

Desparately trying to steer back on track, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the Golf GTi / vRS sound, but it isn't particularly inspiring.

My simple test - would you wind down the window in a tunnel to listen to it at full chat - no.

Edited 27 June, 201312 yr by Timoctav

No worries.... yes six cylinders or above, there is nothing wrong with the sound of Lamborghini's V10 in the Audi R8....or Ferrari's V8 in the 458 Italia... :sun:

Different world sadly....

Desparately trying to steer back on track, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the Golf GTi / vRS sound, but it isn't particularly inspiring.

My simple test - would you wind down the window in a tunnel to listen to it at full chat - no.

The sound of most cars can be quite easily modified to suit your ears.

The sound of most cars can be quite easily modified to suit your ears.

Yup just get the XLR8 app for Android or iPhone. Job done. Works a treat in my car unlike the utterly useless Soundracer that costs 10 times as much and does basically NOTHING on my DSG car.