Golf Mk8 R or m135i xdrive?

[Pixelpeep Z4]

First world problems and all that - having a right mare trying to work out what to do for the best.

previously been WFH full time but since april 12th we have been doing blended working, which is 2 days in the office a week, with rumours this will increase at some point.

My commute is a 100 mile round trip of mainly A roads but 20% town driving

The Z4 is a fantastic car but i don't want to run it into the ground doing daily duties, and being the 35i the fuel isn't the greatest either. Fine for a weekend blast, not so fine doing 200+ miles a week!

been looking at selling the Z and going back to leasing for a few years while everything settles down. I have had the Mk7 R in 2014, then changed to the S3 in 2016 and had the Z and e-niro since - other half uses the e-niro for her daily commute.

Anyway - if i'm selling the Z, then i need something reasonably fun, but a tiny bit more practical - i was certain the Mk8 R was the one for me but noticed the m135i xdrive is coming in around £60p/m cheaper on lease, slightly better on fuel and on paper the cars seem almost identical in regards to equipment and performance.

Does anyone have any experience of the new 135? - i have the feeling it will feel a little more 'fun' than the sanitised R - i have a test drive booked for the 135 for next week but curious to hear other opinions while i wait

[Debaser]

I wouldn't describe the new Golf R as sanitised. It's good fun to chuck about, grippy, agile, fast, great brakes. It's also economical, practical, cheap to run.

However, spend some time in a new Golf, use the Navigation and Infotainment system, try adjusting the HVAC settings or stereo volume. Try driving without accidentally turning on the heated steering wheel. Get used to fking about turning off the lane keep assist every journey. Then do the same in a BMW.

[Jamescrs]

Havent experienced the 8R but I have the 7R and the 135i Xdrive and I don't think theres a great deal in it either way to be honest, so all other things being equal i'd go for the BMW as it's cheaper per month.

I'm not hugely enthusiastic about either car, previously I would have favoured the BMW for RWD but now I don't think there's much in it.

[MrAverage]

I have very little experience with either of these cars but....

I was absolutely convinced the M135i was going to be my next car.

On the test drive I was left completely underwhelmed, it was very grown up and comfortable which is good but it felt so dull, honestly it could have been a 120d but a bit quicker.

Also got put in my place by a 335d on the traffic light gp.

[anonymous-user]

I'm having the same conundrum, albeit with some used alternatives in the mix. The reality is that I really want to like the M135i, I like the interior, the ergonomics are good, and the exterior looks are passable. It just doesn't sound like a great hot hatch though. In contrast the Golf R sounds like a fantastic hot hatch and loads of fun, but it's let down badly by a low rent interior and an infotainment system that might drive me mad. I don't feel like it's somewhere I'd want to put my money, even though I've had two in the past (one leased, one bought).

Couple of comparisons to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeGbt4p8K8k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVw6sgWFmEo

[Pixelpeep Z4]

ajap1979 said:

I'm having the same conundrum, albeit with some used alternatives in the mix. The reality is that I really want to like the M135i, I like the interior, the ergonomics are good, and the exterior looks are passable. It just doesn't sound like a great hot hatch though. In contrast the Golf R sounds like a fantastic hot hatch and loads of fun, but it's let down badly by a low rent interior and an infotainment system that might drive me mad. I don't feel like it's somewhere I'd want to put my money, even though I've had two in the past (one leased, one bought).

Couple of comparisons to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeGbt4p8K8k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVw6sgWFmEo

To be fair - as others have said - touch screens in cars are flawed - when you go over a bump the button isn't in the same place as when you looked at the screen last, so you have to keep looking at it, taking attention from the road. I like the idea that BMW has the iDrive+touch screen. My S3 had a clicky wheel and much preferred it to the R's touch only affair.

Re Exhaust note - the R's is artificial so it might was well be as muted as the BMWs

From all the research i've done so far, i'm feeling the 135.. just something different to the VAG alternatives, and more grown up than the Civic Type-R

[Wagonwheel555]

I’m not convinced either of those cars is going to be significantly better than your Z4 on fuel unless you granny drive them but I would question why not get a diesel.

The problem is that it’s going to cost you money to sell your Z4 just to pay depreciation on a brand new car?

This doesn’t seem like it’s worth it for the financial benefit alone

[Pixelpeep Z4]

Wagonwheel555 said:

I’m not convinced either of those cars is going to be significantly better than your Z4 on fuel unless you granny drive them but I would question why not get a diesel.

The problem is that it’s going to cost you money to sell your Z4 just to pay depreciation on a brand new car?

This doesn’t seem like it’s worth it for the financial benefit alone

If i put 14k miles per year on my 74k mile Z4 its gonna be worthless in 2 years anyway. Plus, i'm not planning on buying, i'm going to lease.

I'm seeing 22mpg from the Z4 overall, so even if i get to the 30's that'll help - the S3 and R i had previously could manage 35 ish, and nudge 40 if you took some care.

[anonymous-user]

Pixelpeep Z4 said:

ajap1979 said:

I'm having the same conundrum, albeit with some used alternatives in the mix. The reality is that I really want to like the M135i, I like the interior, the ergonomics are good, and the exterior looks are passable. It just doesn't sound like a great hot hatch though. In contrast the Golf R sounds like a fantastic hot hatch and loads of fun, but it's let down badly by a low rent interior and an infotainment system that might drive me mad. I don't feel like it's somewhere I'd want to put my money, even though I've had two in the past (one leased, one bought).

Couple of comparisons to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeGbt4p8K8k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVw6sgWFmEo

To be fair - as others have said - touch screens in cars are flawed - when you go over a bump the button isn't in the same place as when you looked at the screen last, so you have to keep looking at it, taking attention from the road. I like the idea that BMW has the iDrive+touch screen. My S3 had a clicky wheel and much preferred it to the R's touch only affair.

Re Exhaust note - the R's is artificial so it might was well be as muted as the BMWs

From all the research i've done so far, i'm feeling the 135.. just something different to the VAG alternatives, and more grown up than the Civic Type-R

Sorry, when I say "doesn't sound like.." I didn't mean from an audible point of view. All the reviews seem to suggest it is more GT than hot hatch. That might be OK if what you want is something more grown up, which is obviously fine.

[Pixelpeep Z4]

have emailed selectcarleasing this morning asking about lead times and how long this offer is open for... I've watched a ton of youtube stuff and i really think the BMW is the one for me.

[anonymous-user]

Pixelpeep Z4 said:

have emailed selectcarleasing this morning asking about lead times and how long this offer is open for... I've watched a ton of youtube stuff and i really think the BMW is the one for me.

The prices look great actually, and options aren't daft money (though they'll obviously cover the full cost over the term). I'd want a colour, plus sun protection glass, lumbar support and split folding rear seats.

[Pixelpeep Z4]

ajap1979 said:

Pixelpeep Z4 said:

have emailed selectcarleasing this morning asking about lead times and how long this offer is open for... I've watched a ton of youtube stuff and i really think the BMW is the one for me.

The prices look great actually, and options aren't daft money (though they'll obviously cover the full cost over the term). I'd want a colour, plus sun protection glass, lumbar support and split folding rear seats.

I really begrudge getting any options on lease cars for exactly that reason!

Mine will be lease spec base white and zero options

[anonymous-user]

Lumbar and split folding rear seats would be an absolute minimum for me. My wife’s BMW doesn’t have lumbar adjustment and I find it uncomfortable doing big miles in it, and I can’t see the point in a hatch without the practicality of 40/20/40 rear seats. To be honest, they’re two options BMW really should be including as standard!

To be honest, if I go down the M135i route I’m more likely to go to Tony Lewis at Berry and get one of his nicely specced stock cars.

[Pixelpeep Z4]

ajap1979 said:

Lumbar and split folding rear seats would be an absolute minimum for me. My wife’s BMW doesn’t have lumbar adjustment and I find it uncomfortable doing big miles in it, and I can’t see the point in a hatch without the practicality of 40/20/40 rear seats. To be honest, they’re two options BMW really should be including as standard!

To be honest, if I go down the M135i route I’m more likely to go to Tony Lewis at Berry and get one of his nicely specced stock cars.

Hmm - just had a look.

40/20/40 is £3 a month extra
lumbar adjustment is also £3 a month extra

So, not the most expensive options, but i note the rear is 60/40 split as standard... surely that'll do?

[anonymous-user]

Pixelpeep Z4 said:

So, not the most expensive options, but i note the rear is 60/40 split as standard... surely that'll do?

Ah, didn’t realise that. Yeah, can’t think why it would be massively beneficial having 40/20/40.

[Mr Tidy]

Just wondering, but after an E89 35is a late M140i/240i might suit you better than the current M135i - unless it has to be a new car.

[Pixelpeep Z4]

Mr Tidy said:

Just wondering, but after an E89 35is a late M140i/240i might suit you better than the current M135i - unless it has to be a new car.

I want to lease as this is going to be a daily commute car and also the 2.0 turbo has the ability to be more economical (relatively speaking lol) when you're just sitting in traffic/in town etc.

I did test drive a few weeks back, just for sts and giggles, the new Z4 m40i - one hell of a machine, but those engines don't ever feel urgent right out of the gate- not great for round town, more of a motorway mile muncher.

[roadie]

You could also consider the lower power version of each car like the 128ti and GTI?

[Wonderman]

ajap1979 said:

Pixelpeep Z4 said:

So, not the most expensive options, but i note the rear is 60/40 split as standard... surely that'll do?

Ah, didn’t realise that. Yeah, can’t think why it would be massively beneficial having 40/20/40.

2 kids in the back and the load sticking down the middle I presume, 60/40 okay with 1 kid (or none obvs)

[ScoobyChris]

Pixelpeep Z4 said:

I did test drive a few weeks back, just for sts and giggles, the new Z4 m40i - one hell of a machine, but those engines don't ever feel urgent right out of the gate- not great for round town, more of a motorway mile muncher.

Surprised by that - my M140 feels plenty urgent enough and with a dab of the right foot, it goes off like a scalded cat. Great for the traffic light GP

Chris