Golf R or 135i

[ar99]

Hi all,

Been reading vw watercooled for a while and it has been a great resource to have and at times very entertaining.

I am currently car less, spending the last ten years or so in Asia working and now finally back in Sydney I really did not think I would be looking for a car again. Especially when at the moment I have access to a number of cars to use when I need (work cars).

That pretty much changed for me when I heard news of the Golf R. I love 4WD turbo cars. My favourite car I ever owned was my silver Evo 3 (when it was the latest thing 10 years ago). I reckon I would still have it till now if it was not stolen back then. So much work went into it to get it just the way i liked it.

135i is probably the only other car I am considering at the moment, its just nice, with all the HPFP issues aside its hard to beat style, performance and just fun car to drive.

I wont go into why I like the Golf R - its just hot!

I have an opportunity at work to get a package that will enable me to purchase a car next year. My Delima is i am torn between 135i coupe second hand and the Golf R (new).

Right now you could pick up 135i 2009 at the same price as a new golf R. (around about)

Anyways there would be lots of answers that I would like to search for in the forum main ones being;

What is availability like for Golf R's for a January order..
What do you think the value of second hand 135i 2009 vs new Golf R be like in say 3 years..
Anyone using spacers yet on Golf R Talladega 19" if so what size? and pictures
I will be keeping an eye on ACC and compatible aftermarket lowered spring or coilovers as i am interested to see what manufacturers will do here..

I will most probably have a lot more tedious questions and hope eventually I will be able to return the favours



Great to be here,

AR

[G-rig]

Hard choice.

The 135i is really a step up category wise as you're getting a sports coupe, and i doubt you'd get the same build quality issues/rattles as the Golf. The engine is a pearler, 6cyl twin turbo and would have less lag plus RWD.

A DMS retune can give you 270kW & 500Nm what's not to like.

Quite a personal choice i'd be happy with either, the 135i may be more unique.

[triode12]

Hi all,

Been reading vw watercooled for a while and it has been a great resource to have and at times very entertaining.

I am currently car less, spending the last ten years or so in Asia working and now finally back in Sydney I really did not think I would be looking for a car again. Especially when at the moment I have access to a number of cars to use when I need (work cars).

That pretty much changed for me when I heard news of the Golf R. I love 4WD turbo cars. My favourite car I ever owned was my silver Evo 3 (when it was the latest thing 10 years ago). I reckon I would still have it till now if it was not stolen back then. So much work went into it to get it just the way i liked it.

135i is probably the only other car I am considering at the moment, its just nice, with all the HPFP issues aside its hard to beat style, performance and just fun car to drive.

I wont go into why I like the Golf R - its just hot!

I have an opportunity at work to get a package that will enable me to purchase a car next year. My Delima is i am torn between 135i coupe second hand and the Golf R (new).

Right now you could pick up 135i 2009 at the same price as a new golf R. (around about)

Anyways there would be lots of answers that I would like to search for in the forum main ones being;

What is availability like for Golf R's for a January order..
What do you think the value of second hand 135i 2009 vs new Golf R be like in say 3 years..
Anyone using spacers yet on Golf R Talladega 19" if so what size? and pictures
I will be keeping an eye on ACC and compatible aftermarket lowered spring or coilovers as i am interested to see what manufacturers will do here..

I will most probably have a lot more tedious questions and hope eventually I will be able to return the favours



Great to be here,

AR

I have driven both vehicles back to back and it wasn't the 135i that impressed me. Steering and car felt heavy and sluggish compared to the nimble R. The plastics in the 135i actually looked cheaper than in the R too. Look wise...it's in the eye of the beholder I suppose but the R doesn't looked like a squashed sedan.

My advice is to drive both back to back and then decide. I won't be surprised if you find the R to be the better car of the two.

[team_v]

I would go the 135i.

It is a step up from the R and the engine is a beast.
Also i doubt there is a 6 month wait fro the factory for one.

[guest12345]

The only problem i have for the 135i is the price!!! In the UK, the 135i and the Golf R are priced exactly the same, where in Australia the 135i is priced 20k above the Golf R!

Plus on the side note, the 135i i owned previously had alot of reliability issues, the car doesn't drive as great as some reviews indicate either, it is still a great car to drive. But i don't believe it deserves to get car of the year etc.

[Mr_Bob]

a 2nd hand car will do better than a new car when it comes ot resale
The majority of the depreciation is in the first 12-24months.

I haven't driven the 135 to comment, but I do enjoy driving my R

[ar99]

Hi, thanks for the feedback guys..
I had no idea the 135 was same price in UK, that really did sway my decision. I do understand that we pay a lot for our cars, so I kinda like the idea of actually getting value for money for once in OZ.
Driving them back to back would be a good idea and is on my list, however I do like the Golf better at this stage even with me expecting the worse wait time ever for one, hopefully next year wont be as long..

Golf R seems to be a hard car to beat in terms of all round performance practicality and looks, I have always enjoyed cars that look simple and smooth..

And yes second hand will always be a better buy, thats why I am considering the 135i though knowing they sell the same price to Golf R in UK kinda dropped that whole reasoning for me. As we all know cars don't make money, its just how smart you are at loosing less, and even with all the facts we tend to fail miserably when you want something.


Cheers,

Ar

[G-rig]

Definitely drive them both..

It doesn't really matter that they are the same price in the UK as you dont live in the UK.. But agree we get ripped here for cars.

[adzy]

Hi, thanks for the feedback guys..
I had no idea the 135 was same price in UK, that really did sway my decision. I do understand that we pay a lot for our cars, so I kinda like the idea of actually getting value for money for once in OZ.
Driving them back to back would be a good idea and is on my list, however I do like the Golf better at this stage even with me expecting the worse wait time ever for one, hopefully next year wont be as long..

Golf R seems to be a hard car to beat in terms of all round performance practicality and looks, I have always enjoyed cars that look simple and smooth..

And yes second hand will always be a better buy, thats why I am considering the 135i though knowing they sell the same price to Golf R in UK kinda dropped that whole reasoning for me. As we all know cars don't make money, its just how smart you are at loosing less, and even with all the facts we tend to fail miserably when you want something.


Cheers,

Ar

Just curious on this one as I too consider the 135i... Have you compared the R and 135i back to back in a test drive yet mate? Dont quiete understand how the Golf R could be a more involved/exciting drive than the 135i??
Anyone else owned/test driven a 135i?

[robbie]

135i because of its build quality and 1.5 seconds slower than the big brother M3 E92 and the sophistication of the twin turbo engine that pulls out 225kw at the rw which for a small sports car it is very unique. especially my dad owning bmw's for 20 years, they just keep getting better.

[shakespeare]

If I didn't have kids then the 135i would've been my choice, but as a 4 seater 2 door it's not as practical! The Golf 5 door is very handy and the R is awesome (having done 6000kms in 4 months I'm very happy) I do like the look of the 135i and you can't get much better than a BMW 6

[TomC]

Have you actually made a purchase yet ar99? I'd be interested to know which way you went and why.

I love VWs but I'd go the 135i. My old man's got the same engine (but in 3 series) and it's so strong. I think you'd find it a more entertaining drive than the R too. Having said that, day-to-day it might not be so liveable being smaller and firmer (the M suspension tune is ROCK hard!).

[gareth_oau]

if second hand isnt out of the equation, then why not also consider a slightly used Audi S3? Same running gear as the R, but a higher spec in may areas, but with a lower price because of the age. There are a few for sale over at ozAudi Australian Audi Car Enthusiast Forum that have had APR kits and all sorts added for extra fun.

I recently considered purchasing the current model M3, but frankly was incredibly disappointed at how basic/bland the BMW was inside, especially for an M. if you are considering a 135, then I suspect the problem would be even worse.

At least with the S3 (and to a lesser extend the R), the interior quality and pizazz is brilliant