I doubt there will be many super deals, Audi can't sell the RS3 too cheap or it'll screw up the S3 market.

Buying cars is the law of diminishing returns.

Spending £40k instead of £30k won't get you 25% more performance, toys or space.

What it will get you is a more capable car that's less of a common sight on the roads.

 

You can buy a perfectly good new car for £12-15k, over this you seem to get less and less for the more money you spend.

Comparing an aftermarket tuner to an official manufacturer product is also rather pointless.  Different market.

 

If I was planning what to buy in the next year or two for a super-hatch I'd be most interested in the Ford.

Doesn't need to be expensive.

My recent experience shows that Ford have VAG licked when it comes to fun.  That's what a super hatch should be about.

Not bragging to your mates how many bhp you have, how fast it goes round the ring or even how much you spent.

That's why there isn't another fun hatch I currently want instead of the ST.

You've rediscovered the "Law  of Diminishing Returns", it seems to apply to everything!

 

Would you consider an ST / RS focus if you needed a bigger hot hatch?

 

We don't have a clue what to buy when it's time for the Octy & Superb to go, we need to downsize to two vehicles,

( +1 house....) so it would have to be practical but fun to drive.

Another largish estate would probably suit our needs, but we don't like the current Octy vRS, it's unlikely

that the new Superb will have any decent petrol engines, so maybe a new Golf R wagon would work for us, +

a rented Transit as & when required. 

I sometimes wonder if they should invent a car called the     <insert model name of choice> ENTROPY It's how I feel sometimes when I look at how much I've spent on cars over the years Mind you, my trusty Suzi just sailed through it's 3rd MOT today and that can't lose hardly any more money Oh and it's fun to drive on the right road.......or lane......or beach......or field

Had I ride in my mates 2013 M135i...........................just paying for the engine & rear wheel drive.....the rest is not better than my Golf!

 

In fact I did a long drive last week in my car with said mate & he couldn't believe the gadgets that my car had compared to his.

 

the list of items he said the BMW doesn't have (& my Golf has) which annoys him:-

1. oil temp display

2. analogue coolant temp display

3. sync for dual zone climate (turn one heating knob the other syncs

4. full MFD colour display which shows sat nav, phone, audio, driving data etc.

5. nice touch screen for infotainment/satnav

6. better shoulder padding in seats

7. more space because of less intrusive central tunnel

 

As for the spec of my car it's very similar to the interior spec of an "R", same sports seats, same electronic goodies (I have spec'd mine to beyond "R"), same colour inside. I also have the LED DRL's & Bi-xenon's. 

 

The 1series is not a BMW as such...............basically if you think of it as a Golf type hatch but with rear wheel drive & a big engine.......

 

personally I can't see the point unless you like paying for the badge & the extra insurance & running costs...........................

 

 

The 1series is not a BMW as such...............basically if you think of it as a Golf type hatch but with rear wheel drive & a big engine.......

 

personally I can't see the point unless you like paying for the badge & the extra insurance & running costs...........................

I'm not so sure that all that spec stuff is totally correct, but the 1 series is most certainly a BMW. The next version, at least in my mind, wont be a proper BMW, more of Mini with a cap tip to BMW styling.

 

Btw, I keep reading this "you can't sync the dual zone" but in most BMWs you simply hold the Auto button for a sec

Edited 16 February, 201511 yr by Lady Elanore

2. VW analogue coolant temp display

I'm not sure that can actually be called an "analogue guage" given that it spends most of its time when the engine temp is between 60C and "just boiled" lying to you!

I'm not so sure that all that spec stuff is totally correct,

 

 

 

Well having sat in his M135i I can vouch for his list of "gripes" where my Golf is better.......ok his is a 2013 model so have they improved it since then?.............

 

When he went through all the stuff his central binnacle does (he paid for the bigger screen as well)...........it was short........mine binnacle does loads of stuff.....basically duplicates the main infotainment screen to a small concise list.............but still loads of info................

I'm not sure that can actually be called an "analogue guage" given that it spends most of its time when the engine temp is between 60C and "just boiled" lying to you!

 

Dial style gauge instead of digital number display then.......as for lying....never had any problems with previous VAG temp displays..............

Well having sat in his M135i I can vouch for his list of "gripes" where my Golf is better.......ok his is a 2013 model so have they improved it since then?.............

 

When he went through all the stuff his central binnacle does (he paid for the bigger screen as well)...........it was short........mine binnacle does loads of stuff.....basically duplicates the main infotainment screen to a small concise list.............but still loads of info................

Well I would think that it could be argued just as much the other way if you wanted to be pedantic. How good is your power display? how good is your Torque display etc, besides, I didn't buy my car for the gadgets, I bought it for the way it drives (and sounds ) I happen to like RWD and love the engineering that goes on behind the scenes on a BMW.

 

I went from an Octy to a 123D many years ago, and had to pay quite a bit for options that were definitely cheaper on the Skoda, but even though BMW didn't bang on about it, It had regen braking, a variable blind that could coverer the radiator, Stop/start, intelligent decoupling of things like the alternator (and the oil pump too if memory serves?), residual heat pump for the acclimate control when the engine was switched off,  the list went on and on. All this in a  car from 8 years ago. oh and it had 100% more turbos than the VAG 2.0tdis at that time

Well I would think that it could be argued just as much the other way if you wanted to be pedantic. How good is your power display? how good is your Torque display etc, besides, I didn't buy my car for the gadgets, I bought it for the way it drives (and sounds ) I happen to like RWD and love the engineering that goes on behind the scenes on a BMW.

 

I went from an Octy to a 123D many years ago, and had to pay quite a bit for options that were definitely cheaper on the Skoda, but even though BMW didn't bang on about it, It had regen braking, a variable blind that could coverer the radiator, Stop/start, intelligent decoupling of things like the alternator (and the oil pump too if memory serves?), residual heat pump for the acclimate control when the engine was switched off,  the list went on and on. All this in a  car from 8 years ago. oh and it had 100% more turbos than the VAG 2.0tdis at that time

 

My MKI Fabia which was 14yrs old had a clutch which disconnected the aircon pump (made it's pulley wheel freewheel) when the accelerator was under hard loads....... :p

 

The golf has stop/start & masses of other "eco" things as standard...........as for the sound of the M135i............to quiet.............mate wants to rip out the sound deadening but it's on a lease contract.........

 

Torque display?............I think oil temp display is more important.................if you want to play top trumps with torque displays then you are getting the wrong car............you need a GTR..............sorry that's "just" a big Nissan.........

Had I ride in my mates 2013 M135i...........................just paying for the engine & rear wheel drive.....the rest is not better than my Golf!

In fact I did a long drive last week in my car with said mate & he couldn't believe the gadgets that my car had compared to his.

the list of items he said the BMW doesn't have (& my Golf has) which annoys him:-

1. oil temp display

2. analogue coolant temp display

3. sync for dual zone climate (turn one heating knob the other syncs

4. full MFD colour display which shows sat nav, phone, audio, driving data etc.

5. nice touch screen for infotainment/satnav

6. better shoulder padding in seats

7. more space because of less intrusive central tunnel

As for the spec of my car it's very similar to the interior spec of an "R", same sports seats, same electronic goodies (I have spec'd mine to beyond "R"), same colour inside. I also have the LED DRL's & Bi-xenon's.

The 1series is not a BMW as such...............basically if you think of it as a Golf type hatch but with rear wheel drive & a big engine.......

personally I can't see the point unless you like paying for the badge & the extra insurance & running costs...........................

I guess it depends what you want from a car. If you want a cheap to buy/run car with a touchscreen and plenty of rear legroom then a diesel golf is a decent bet. Spec it all up with the toys and gadgets you want and you're away. But all of that to me is just window dressing.

If you want a car with real soul, performance and driving pleasure the M135i is several leagues ahead. They aren't even comparible imho.

Yes it doesn't have a touchscreen or oil temp display and no you can't sync the dual zone climate. But really I couldn't care less when I hear the straight-six sing and feel the adrenaline rush from driving it.

And of course the M135i is a "proper" BMW. It has a straight-six upfront and RWD - the classic BMW configuration.

In my opinion the 1-series interior feels way upmarket to anything in a golf. The fit and finish just feel far more expensive, more in the same league as Audi and Merc interiors. Yes, I'm sure there are bad ones out there (maybe your mates car has issues), but on the whole they are fantastic.

Each to their own and all that! It's great to have so much choice in the hatch market :-)

My MKI Fabia which was 14yrs old had a clutch which disconnected the aircon pump (made it's pulley wheel freewheel) when the accelerator was under hard loads....... :p

 

The golf has stop/start & masses of other "eco" things as standard...........as for the sound of the M135i............to quiet.............mate wants to rip out the sound deadening but it's on a lease contract.........

 

Torque display?............I think oil temp display is more important.................if you want to play top trumps with torque displays then you are getting the wrong car............you need a GTR..............sorry that's "just" a big Nissan.........

Didn't think the Golf had Stop start 8 years ago? I'm comparing the fact that BMW goes about relatively quietly with nice engineering touches. My new car has full LEDs as standard and an anticipatory gearbox (very clever) as standard and of course the almost legendary near 50/50 weight distribution. But I say this not to make a 'Top Trump' point, but to show the irrelevance of many of these things (not the 50/50 of course) if you are mostly interested in how the thing drives. I love the fact that all the safety systems regarding traction can be turned off, I may never use the facility, but I like the thinking that went into giving me the option. I looked at the Golf R and have read many reviews, many of which say it is a better all round car than the BMW I've ordered, but I didn't buy it purely for speed or all round excellence, I got it because it is a great thing to drive and feel more special than the Golf. Plus if the car is not loud enough then there re plenty of after market pipes out there than make it sound stunning, something the 4 pot Golf will never really be able to match.

 

The point about displays is totally a game of Top Trumps. I grant you oil temp and oil pressure are both very useful (the BMW adds oil level), but honestly there are so many nanny systems in place that you don't need much more than warning lights. I also believe any fool who treats a cold car aggressively wouldn't bother to take heed of a dial and in fact deserves all they get as a consequence.

 

No for me, it's the last chance to buy a new seriously quick small hatchback with the right end being driven next time it will most likely be FWD or FWD/Haldex I guess, but at least I was there at the end :(

Edited 16 February, 201511 yr by Lady Elanore

I guess it depends what you want from a car. If you want a cheap to buy/run car with a touchscreen and plenty of rear legroom then a diesel golf is a decent bet. Spec it all up with the toys and gadgets you want and you're away. But all of that to me is just window dressing.

If you want a car with real soul, performance and driving pleasure the M135i is several leagues ahead. They aren't even comparible imho.

Yes it doesn't have a touchscreen or oil temp display and no you can't sync the dual zone climate. But really I couldn't care less when I hear the straight-six sing and feel the adrenaline rush from driving it.

And of course the M135i is a "proper" BMW. It has a straight-six upfront and RWD - the classic BMW configuration.

In my opinion the 1-series interior feels way upmarket to anything in a golf. The fit and finish just feel far more expensive, more in the same league as Audi and Merc interiors. Yes, I'm sure there are bad ones out there (maybe your mates car has issues), but on the whole they are fantastic.

Each to their own and all that! It's great to have so much choice in the hatch market :-)

I agree about the fit and finish, although I have always had a soft spot for blue dials (loved them on my mkIV Golf ) Tom, my old 1 series could sync the zones, have you tried the press and hold for a sec Auto button?

 

The sad thing is there won't be any more 6 in line engines for the 1 and 2 series soon. I've had V6s before and always hankered after a straight six (I nearly bought a Jag many years ago, but the 30 something year old woman I was, shouldn't have a XJ6 I don't think)

Edited 16 February, 201511 yr by Lady Elanore

I agree about the fit and finish, although I have always had a soft spot for blue dials (loved them on my mkIV Golf ) Tom, my old 1 series could sync the zones, have you tried the press and hold for a sec Auto button?

No not tried that will give it a go but not particularly hopeful. The conclusion from everyone on BabyB is that it can't be done on the F20/F21. It was hoped they might update that for the LCI tho! :-)

Didn't think the Golf had Stop start 8 years ago?

I love the fact that all the safety systems regarding traction can be turned off, I may never use the facility, but I like the thinking that went into giving me the option.

 

 

 

Don't know what they had the stop/start, has now anyway!

 

As for turning off the ESC...........you can in an R if you have VCDS....................the code is in all the Golf MK7 ESC/ABS units.............

 

........In fact I have retro fitted the ESC OFF button to my GT spec & programmed it do the long hold = ESC sport.....but can also do ESC OFF if wanted................In fact I am the first person to do this mod as per factory fit as VW think that spending 12 seconds faffing with the touch screen is ok (have option in infortainment for ASR OFF).......now also have ESC OFF option in infotainment as well!

 

VCDS.........is great!................

No not tried that will give it a go but not particularly hopeful. The conclusion from everyone on BabyB is that it can't be done on the F20/F21. It was hoped they might update that for the LCI tho! :-)

 

This just explains a little "gripe" that should not be there on a BMW costing £34K................................how much is the BMW equivalent of VCDS anyway?....my mate has never invested as says it's expensive................& would it solve the problem?

Odd that gauges are such a big deal breaker lol

No not tried that will give it a go but not particularly hopeful. The conclusion from everyone on BabyB is that it can't be done on the F20/F21. It was hoped they might update that for the LCI tho! :-)

You can have mine if it's fitted I don't care what temperature the passengers are set at

Don't know what they had the stop/start, has now anyway!

 

As for turning off the ESC...........you can in an R if you have VCDS....................the code is in all the Golf MK7 ESC/ABS units.............

 

........In fact I have retro fitted the ESC OFF button to my GT spec & programmed it do the long hold = ESC sport.....but can also do ESC OFF if wanted................In fact I am the first person to do this mod as per factory fit as VW think that spending 12 seconds faffing with the touch screen is ok (have option in infortainment for ASR OFF).......now also have ESC OFF option in infotainment as well!

 

VCDS.........is great!................

Here we go  yes you can code stuff on both cars so what. You enjoy your Golf and I'll enjoy the, imho, better drivers car. Hopefully I won't have to modify it to make it the car I really wanted

Edited 16 February, 201511 yr by Lady Elanore

Here we go  yes you can code stuff on both cars so what. You enjoy your Golf and I'll enjoy the, imho, better drivers car. Hopefully I won't have to modify it to make it the car I really wanted

 

even if I spend £££ on a fancy car I'd still modify it.......................lightweight wheels etc,.................as just about most (sub £100K) are done to a budget & have compromises/cost cutting somewhere.........

 

As for the BMW being a better drivers car................................shame that most of the BMW drivers I see on the roads seem to be carp drivers....maybe they think the car will make them better drivers because it is supposed to be the best drivers car & magically they get better?.............. :think:

even if I spend £££ on a fancy car I'd still modify it.......................lightweight wheels etc,.................as just about most (sub £100K) are done to a budget & have compromises/cost cutting somewhere.........

 

As for the BMW being a better drivers car................................shame that most of the BMW drivers I see on the roads seem to be carp drivers....maybe they think the car will make them better drivers because it is supposed to be the best drivers car & magically they get better?.............. :think:

Well as I have said before on here, I once followed Shifty from a meet in his extensively modified VRs Furby (I was in my boggo standard 123D), it didn't even have any interior trim as he had removed it all and as most older Brisky folk will testify he was a very handy wheelsmith (God I'm sounding like Jeremy Clonkosn's sister). funny thing was I followed him relatively easily cross country and even he admitted he wondered about whether the mods had been worth it. For the money he had spent, he could have bought my car. I liked my Golf and my Octy and my Toledo and my A4 so I certainly don't have any axe to grind towards VAG, but of all the many cars I have owned, the BMW has impressed me most overall (I owned 2 of the first Impreza turbos when they first came out too, very quick, but weren't so good to drive as the 123D).

 

Don't get me wrong, I think modifying is a great hobby, I owned modified cars myself. But I got to a point where I could buy a car that did what I wanted without tweaking it (possibly swapping an exhaust here and there) but it was only because I could afford the car I wanted. If I had more money I would have a 911 on my drive, but until George Clooney realises he married the wrong woman, I am happy with my lot, as I assume you are

Edited 16 February, 201511 yr by Lady Elanore

This just explains a little "gripe" that should not be there on a BMW costing £34K................................how much is the BMW equivalent of VCDS anyway?....my mate has never invested as says it's expensive................& would it solve the problem?

I can forgive this little gripe. Not interested in paying to get it coded even if it could be done tbh, doesn't bother me enough. I'll just reach out an extra couple of cm and adjust it, or the passenger can :-) The whole beauty of climate control is you just set the temp you like and leave it there anyhow?

I bought the car for it's driving character, not all that other stuff (was 36k list but just over 29k with discount) Even BMW haven't quite mastered perfect just yet. Close to it mind you ;-)

No not tried that will give it a go but not particularly hopeful. The conclusion from everyone on BabyB is that it can't be done on the F20/F21. It was hoped they might update that for the LCI tho! :-)

 

I've seen a nice rubber band for sale just fix this problem

I can forgive this little gripe. Not interested in paying to get it coded even if it could be done tbh, doesn't bother me enough. I'll just reach out an extra couple of cm and adjust it, or the passenger can :-) The whole beauty of climate control is you just set the temp you like and leave it there anyhow?

I bought the car for it's driving character, not all that other stuff (was 36k list but just over 29k with discount) Even BMW haven't quite mastered perfect just yet. Close to it mind you ;-)

Perhaps the Golf Climate can't keep the temperature at the desired setting if the external conditions change?

I've seen a nice rubber band for sale just fix this problem

I'm only interested if it's an ///M performance rubber band tho! ;-) lol

I'm only interested if it's an ///M performance rubber band tho! ;-) lol

That'll cost extra sir. There are aftermarket bands available with M markings on them. They aren't quite as light and have a higher hysteresis loss, but they do the job fine

Edited 16 February, 201511 yr by Lady Elanore