BMW 120d vs Golf GT Sport Tdi

[Suff]

Ok guys.. Im selling my current MY05 LIberty GT.. Looking at getting either a BMW 120d ex demo for 48k, leather etc or a New VW Golf GT Sport TDI...

BMW is a bit more. BUT its RWD.. and having driven AWD's for the last 5 years, I'm not to keen on getting FWD

Welcome your input guys.. or any other cars, under 50k diesel, auto.....

[mitch_gti]

I guess it comes down to personal preference.

Dont let anyone here sway your decision. Best bet would be to test drive both cars back to back for an hour or so each.

Personally i would be buying the golf. Im just not into the 1 series and it isnt practical at all.
Plus, its built in China.

[Suff]

lol.. not looking for swaying arguements, I have a wife for that!

I have already driven both.. and both have their pro's and con's.. the 120'd has a tiny boot, and no rear leg space.. but better brand, RWD etc.. the Golf, Nicer engine (esp after I chip it) I think, that with the leather and sat nav, the Golf has a nicer interior too.. but Im not such a fan of the exterior

[tinto]

since you're not fussed about 'ex demo', why not buy James' GT.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=17483

Everything you'd modify (chip, suspension, rims) all rolled into a single purchase with only 6kish on the clock.

[Backdoor]

agree with mitch_gti.

Drive both of them back to back. Both are good but only you know what suits you best.

Having said that, go for the VW and chip it

[Suff]

since you're not fussed about 'ex demo', why not buy James' GT.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=17483

Everything you'd modify (chip, suspension, rims) all rolled into a single purchase with only 6kish on the clock.

Everything bar an auto.. which I am keen to get.. I spend too much time driving in peak hour traffic.. although I must admit that James' is a very attractive proposition, which I am seriously considering!

[Mischa]

rwd is wasted on the 1 series imo. i bet the golf would be faster around a track too. and whats the beamer automatic tranny like?

buy the golf with leather, dsg, roof and xenons. then spend 1.5k on a chip, 2.5 on a full exhaust (to get rid of the diesel particulate filter) and another 2.5 on suspension and you'll still be at less than what a 120d would cost new, with a diesel that will eat GTI's and v8's for breakkie (think 240hp and 450nm)

[Preen59]

rwd is wasted on the 1 series imo. i bet the golf would be faster around a track too. and whats the beamer automatic tranny like?

buy the golf with leather, dsg, roof and xenons. then spend 1.5k on a chip, 2.5 on a full exhaust (to get rid of the diesel particulate filter) and another 2.5 on suspension and you'll still be at less than what a 120d would cost new, with a diesel that will eat GTI's and v8's for breakkie (think 240hp and 450nm)

Woo yeah! Who's ya Daddy?!

[BarneyBoy]

rwd is wasted on the 1 series imo. i bet the golf would be faster around a track too. and whats the beamer automatic tranny like?

buy the golf with leather, dsg, roof and xenons. then spend 1.5k on a chip, 2.5 on a full exhaust (to get rid of the diesel particulate filter) and another 2.5 on suspension and you'll still be at less than what a 120d would cost new, with a diesel that will eat GTI's and v8's for breakkie (think 240hp and 450nm)

There's a lot of sense in this.
When I looked at the 120i it seemed EVERYTHING 1/2 decent was an option - and what a massive options list!
It's all personal, of course, but a well optioned Golf is a much better buy IMO

[DSGMAn]

Golf all the way i say!

Unless you want to look like a slick real estate wanna be in your beemer

Either that or hold out for the 123d twin turbo - now that would make me switch to the BMW.....not the 120d.

[Suff]

this car will not be modified.. ever car I have had inthe past I have modified (nothing under 300hp so far) this car is just a daily.. there is a car in the pipeline that will be the weekend fun car.. the only mod to what ever car I buy will be a chip..

The BMW Auto 6 is very nice... my pref of RWD over FWD was highlited when planting it out of a corner in the test run with the Golf, inside wheel spun for a good second, then gripped, and thats on good dry tarmac...

rwd is wasted on the 1 series imo. i bet the golf would be faster around a track too. and whats the beamer automatic tranny like?

buy the golf with leather, dsg, roof and xenons. then spend 1.5k on a chip, 2.5 on a full exhaust (to get rid of the diesel particulate filter) and another 2.5 on suspension and you'll still be at less than what a 120d would cost new, with a diesel that will eat GTI's and v8's for breakkie (think 240hp and 450nm)

[Sharkie]

I'd rather the BMW.....

Better brand, RWD, the auto is better than the DSG (less sporty and slower to change but far smoother and without the twitchyness) and the BMW can be chipped as well. In fact makes more power chipped than the VW........

FWD is getting to me again, so RWD (or AWD - real AWD not 4-motion) is looking more attractive ever day.....

I might be a bit biased... so far have had 5 BMWs and 4 VWs and if the 320d or the X3 2.0d was available in manual would have 1 of those already.

Have to say that none have ever been a troublesome or bad ownership experience., so look at your requirements and get the best fit.

Look at the Audis as well ....

[gregozedobe]

Have you posted on a BMW forum as well ? You might get slightly different opinions there

If you want all 4 of performance, diesel, auto and RWD (or AWD) then your options are very limited. Skoda does diesel and AWD, but only in a manual 103Kw motor. Does Audi make a 125Kw TDI AWD ?

Personally I'd look at the BMW 3 series before the 1 series.

Also be aware that the VAG 125 Kw TDI engine seems to be prone to DPF problems if constantly driven in slow, heavy traffic. They seem to need regular 20mins+ runs at 2,000rpm+ to burn of the soot that builds up in the DPF.

Just buy the one YOU like best, don't worry about what the rest of us think (it is your money and you are doing the driving).

[jb747]

But the 1 series is so ugly.

Actually, I've looked at buying BMW a couple of times. I was interested in an X3 until I saw one. And I came very close to getting a 328 a while back.

In the end though, it was the way the salesmen treated me (and especially my wife) that really put us off. They were even worse than Audi (which I thought would be impossible). Sorry, but if they treat you like **** before you buy, then things aren't likely to get better afterwards.

And whilst some have issues with VW salespeople, the ones I've met have been good.

[razza]

Definitely the BMW. I would trade my GTi back for my 330CI at the blink of an eye if I could. Everything about the BMW is so much more refined....after all you are getting a BMW.
If the RWD drive is concerning you now it will concern you even more when you don't have it. The BMW was much more exciting to drive that's for sure.