[Lxnewolf]

2018 Golf R vs a 2014 m235i. Anybody have any thoughts? I am currently thinking about getting into a new golf, my warranty is out in a few months, and for the price this car is amazing. Would any of you out there get one of these? With the new virtual dashboard and all of the tech features, it's hard to not like it. I love the interior vs the m235i - it's just not as torquey. Obviously the engine does not sound as good, but it is a decent package.

I love the look of the new golfs, but the m235i is a good looking car, especially from the side and rear.

Someone help me decide - I don't want to be a brand snob but the fact it is a golf is just sort of - scary? What do you guys think?

[v4257]

I love my M235 - but the Golf is a great car; and the Golf-R is the best in the family.

First I would drive both and figure out which car I loved. If it was close - then price and warranty become factors.

Only you can decide how much:
[1] You like one car over another (within this - is interior more imp than cornering etc)
[2] How you weigh new car warranty VS car you love etc.

I drove both and for me it wasn't close - so I started hunting for the right M235x. A year in - I am happy with my decision.

[Ron Jeffries]

I test-drove a Golf R and really liked it. It was a bit too low to the ground for an old man, and frankly I liked the curvy-road handling better in the R than in the m240i I finally bought. One big issue for me was that the VW dealer in Ann Arbor was singularly uninterested in talking with me. This was probably a mistake on their part but having a convertible would probably have swung me to BMW anyway.

I agree ... you gotta try them both and decide.

[vandridine]

I am not sure of the price difference but the golf r and the audi s3 are the same exact car other than the look/tech available. I would take a look at the s3 to see which you like better.

[aerobod]

We have a 2016 R and 2017 M240i, both with manual transmissions. The R cost CAD$43K on the road, the M240i CAD$51K. The M240i is worth the difference and is the car I choose first in any weather. The R is a proper SUV (has sport and utility, vehicles normally called SUVs are SFVs in comparison - Sport Futilty Vehicles ), it gets to go to the shops, dump, airport, etc. more than the M240i or when we need to carry 5 people.

[TajoMan]

Golf R is very nice car for sure.
My brother has 2016 golf R and I drove several times.
It feels lighter (and it is lighter) and as fast as 235.
Interior looks and feels better than 235 for my taste.

Only thing is that it does not have silky I6 engine as in 235.

[Maynard]

This is a joke, right?

[B58togo]

Why would it be a joke? I had a tough time choosing between the R and M240i.

[snaketh]

Don’t all the 2018 V dubs come with 6 years warranty?

I was very close to choosing that over my M235i. If there was 6 years warranty at the time I might have.

I didn’t choose it because the car has a bit of a boy racer vibe to it. I don’t want my cars to stand out, but the R and the GTi aren’t all that different to the e-Golf grocery getter.

That combined with the fact you can’t get the 2 Door any more. The 2er also looks really nice, has 2 doors, more torque, better motor, and you can get the back end out.

The tech stuff you kinda get used to, it’s the way it drives that puts a smile on your face.

[JohnnyCanuck]

The Golf R is a nice car for what it is, but ... it's a front bias AWD car that primarily drives the front wheels. Haldex based AWD systems will understeer far more than xDrive will (not sure if your M235i is xDrive or RWD) and will give you that nose heavy feel of FWD . Test drove an S3 the same day I tested the M235i and the driving feel is vastly superior in the BMW.

Value proposition of the Golf R, however, is fantastic and we're considering it as a replacement for my wife's A3. But, as far as driving the car? The M235i all day long.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

The Golf R is a nice car for what it is, but ... it's a front bias AWD car that primarily drives the front wheels. Haldex based AWD systems will understeer far more than xDrive will (not sure if your M235i is xDrive or RWD) and will give you that nose heavy feel of FWD . Test drove an S3 the same day I tested the M235i and the driving feel is vastly superior in the BMW.

Value proposition of the Golf R, however, is fantastic and we're considering it as a replacement for my wife's A3. But, as far as driving the car? The M235i all day long.

And if you really want to look at a value option - ie versus A3 for wife - the GTI is no slouch.

[TajoMan]

Chris Harris did comparison of those.
This may help.

[mcompact]

Buy whichever car gives you the biggest smile; I considered a Golf R, but ended up with the 2er because I prefer RWD and also because the local VW dealers refuse to hire techs with opposable thumbs...

[JohnnyCanuck]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

And if you really want to look at a value option - ie versus A3 for wife - the GTI is no slouch.

She has a 2010 A3 and really likes the hot hatch form factor ... that limits the choices. GTi and Golf R definitely in the mix, along with the Q3. A shame that Audi doesn't bring the S1 or S3 Sportbacks to North America. Ideal cars for her.

[Sail Boat]

This may help!

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1454374

Had a '16 GTI with Performance Pack. Not the same as the R, obviously, but warranty with VAG is a nightmare.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Maynard

This is a joke, right?

Yes, I dont understand why its a joke either

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

She has a 2010 A3 and really likes the hot hatch form factor ... that limits the choices. GTi and Golf R definitely in the mix, along with the Q3. A shame that Audi doesn't bring the S1 or S3 Sportbacks to North America. Ideal cars for her.

Check the XC40 too that's supposed to be really nice, GLA isn't horrible for her situation either.

If you don't mind a CPO the 2015 X1 xDrive35i is probably the best thing that was recently sold in North America that won't break the bank and seems like it would suit the wife. U.S. at least for under $30K and under 15K miles I'd be hard pressed to find something better if you are looking in the hot-hatch / small CUV / whatever genre.

[Lew Carrum]

I looked at a golf r too, I loved the interior and the performance and the all round usability but seriously isn't a 140 with x drive more of a competitor here. I currently have a 240 and a civic for everyday jaunts but would not rule out the golf it is a very good car.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Lew Carrum

I looked at a golf r too, I loved the interior and the performance and the all round usability but seriously isn't a 140 with x drive more of a competitor here. I currently have a 240 and a civic for everyday jaunts but would not rule out the golf it is a very good car.

There is no 1-series in USA or Canada. Base models start at 228/230

[JohnnyCanuck]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Check the XC40 too that's supposed to be really nice, GLA isn't horrible for her situation either.

If you don't mind a CPO the 2015 X1 xDrive35i is probably the best thing that was recently sold in North America that won't break the bank and seems like it would suit the wife. U.S. at least for under $30K and under 15K miles I'd be hard pressed to find something better if you are looking in the hot-hatch / small CUV / whatever genre.

Hard to get into a GLA250 when it's now being used as a Car2Go all over the city and the AMG45 looks just a little too cheesy and is pretty expensive all said and told. She doesn't like the look of the X1 ... haven't checked out the Volvo, good suggestion.

[TajoMan]

Originally Posted by Lew Carrum

I looked at a golf r too, I loved the interior and the performance and the all round usability but seriously isn't a 140 with x drive more of a competitor here. I currently have a 240 and a civic for everyday jaunts but would not rule out the golf it is a very good car.

I would love to have 140 xdrive here in US.

[aozer]

I wish they had the 140i here with a 2 series front.