E90 320D v Mk5 GTi..Can't decide!

djjuk

djjuk

djjuk

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Right, due to a promotion at work I am now in the fortunate position to upgrade my company Vectra to something a bit better ;) & after 3 years of driving it I am ready for a change!

Have narrowed my choice to the BMW E90 320D ES, or the Mk5 VW Golf GTi..Both in the same price bracket, & both have obvious pros & cons..So need some help deciding!

VW:

14366954483.jpg


0-60: 7.2
Top Speed: 146
CC Tax: £2013

Love the look of this car, VW have got it right it seems with the Mk5 GTi over the last few models thankfully. Performance is pretty good, & user reviews have been very positive so far. The option of DSG also appeals as a fun toy to have.

Downsides are some reports of poor build quality, which does suprise me tbh as normally VW are good in this respect. Also the badge snob in me says if I have the chance of a new BMW instead, would I really be happy with a VW on the drive for 3 years :eek:

BMW:

17555533351.jpg


0-60: 8.3
Top Speed: 140
CC Tax: £1865

Was not keen on the E90 when it first came out, but the shape is growing on me slowly. Performance is not too bad considering, & apparently the 320d does have a sweet engine. Not going to be as fun I would imagine as the GTi to drive.

Not really as exclusive as it once was, & as an entry level model, equipment & spec are not going to be great. However, it is not every day you get the chance to get a new BMW & again I am afraid the badge snob in me says it would be nice to have a brand spanking new BMW on the drive!

Conclusion:

I can't choose :confused: I am leaning more at the mo to the GTi, but would like your opinions!!

Cheers all!
 
If you could stretch to the 330d I would say it was a no-brainer (unless you start factoring in cars like the R32 or the A3)

At the choice you are looking at, I'd probably go for the golf, it's faster, it's going to be focused handling wise, and it has the option of DSG if you want an auto...

You could possibly look at the A3 TDi as an alternative if the VW badge is a problem, and it would cost less than the Golf in CC tax too :)
 
Dolph said:
If you could stretch to the 330d I would say it was a no-brainer (unless you start factoring in cars like the R32 or the A3)
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Unfortunately the 320d is the highest I can get to, would love the 330d but not an option i'm afraid.

Not overly keen on the A3 tbh, I knows it daft but the shape always reminds me of the old Nissan Almera for some reason :confused:
 
Have you looked at the 1 series (looks not to many people's tastes) or the VW TDi (in 170bhp variant, faster than the 3 series and available with DSG box if you want).

It just seems to me the two cars you are looking at are quite different apart from the fact they are both available to you. Different performance, different drive, different place in the range etc.

The better car out of the two listed is the Golf, but whether it's the better car for you is a different question...
 
Out of those two, the Golf GTI, for sure. I'd rather have a decent spec Golf than a pretty spartan 320d.

What about a Skoda Octavia vRS? You can get it with the same engine as the Golf, or with a 170PS turbodiesel, and it's cheaper than the Golf, so company car tax will be lower (or you can spend a bit on options :p).
 
OllyM said:
What about a Skoda Octavia vRS? You can get it with the same engine as the Golf, or with a 170PS turbodiesel, and it's cheaper than the Golf, so company car tax will be lower (or you can spend a bit on options :p).
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I thought about that too. Stunning cars, and with a remap, even faster!

But then i noticed this:

djjuk said:
Also the badge snob in me says if I have the chance of a new BMW instead, would I really be happy with a VW on the drive for 3 years :eek:
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So i doubt he would be happy with a skoda :p
 
OllyM said:
Out of those two, the Golf GTI, for sure. I'd rather have a decent spec Golf than a pretty spartan 320d.
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Yeah that's pretty much my thoughts at the mo, I also think that whilst BMW are no doubt great driving machines the GTi will be more fun whilst still being a refined drive.

Giving it some more thought just now, I do think the GTi is pretty much ahead in all areas, it is just the kid in me thinks it would be nice to have a shiny new BMW once in my life :p

The Skoda is no doubt a great car, but not for me. Defo going to be one of the above.
 
djjuk said:
The Skoda is no doubt a great car, but not for me. Defo going to be one of the above.
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You don't see the badge when you're in the driving seat ;)

And you can cover up the badges on the outside!
 
OllyM said:
You don't see the badge when you're in the driving seat ;)

And you can cover up the badges on the outside!
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You do, its on the Steering wheel and the speedo.


:p

Id love an Octy VRS. Got the Fab at the moment!
 
Why have they put such small wheels on the E90 base levels :confused: Really does look crap unfortunately.
 
I am going to echo the Octy vRS suggestions as well.

Identical chassis, transmission and engine to the Golf GTI but in a package that overall cheaper and imo better looking (more practical too as its bigger).

They do it in both the 2.0T FSI 200bhp model and also the 2.0TDI 170BHP model (different map to the one in the leon cupra TDI according to the people at loders).

Definately worth a look. And if you (not aimed directly at op) dismiss it because of its badge they you are just plain daft.
 
My parents have the Skoda Superb 2.5 V6 TDI 6 speed manual, and while its no TVR Tuscan, it certainly shifts, and still returns 50+ to the gallon :D
 
Got a MK5 GTI here, believe me compared to a 320d (which I have driven - yes it was a new one with 400 miles on the clock) the GTi is better in every dept!

Go test drive one properly and see what it can do, then drive a DSG and watch all those 'ultimate driving machine' fanatics disappear in your rear view mirror! :D
 
Sure i saw Top Gear recently where the Skoda and the Golf went head to head.. Slightly better handling from the golf but the skoda came up tops.. can always debadge it....
 
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