[pl228i]

So I am looking for my next vehicle and I am currently between an A3, 228i and a GTI. I understand all 3 vehicles are all different. I am considering the gti because for the money they cost its a very good buy. The car is practical and a lot of fun. Plus because of the diesel-gate fiasco I am getting a very aggressive lease. My only gripe with the gti is the fwd. I haven't been able to test drive a rwd 228i as no dealers in the northeast supply them during the winter :thumb down I did however drive the x-drive version, which i understand is heavier and is not the same experience as the rwd, but I liked how it handled. I could only imagine the rwd will be better.

2016 228i

Options:

-Alpine White
-M-sport package
-Cold weather package
-Lighting package

So as of right now the best offer on the 228i I got is as follows:

Sticker comes out to $37,945 and i am getting it for $33,375.

The sale price includes the bmw drive incentive($1000).

For leasing I am looking at a 36 month/12k and the payment comes out to $435 per month with a 1500 down (acquisition fee, first month payment & doc fee). taxes are included in the monthly payment.

It really all comes down to pricing and deal I get. I like all 3 cars, but I am getting a far more aggressive lease on the gti and a3.

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance !

[2Banger]

Would definitely pick the 2er over a GTI/A3.

I dont know but in Aus, you'd be comparing S3, Golf R incomparison to 228i prices... And even then i picked the 228...

Golf will always just be a golf, you're not racing 24/7 so much rather 2er... Only thing id really take over my 228 is a S3.

[bimmerfile]

Cars are essentially a big waste of money.
If you like all 3 equally, get the one which wastes the least amount..

[Viffermike]

The 228i is superior to either of the other cars. That said, the GTI can surely be had for what amounts to a steal right now -- if you buy one. I wouldn't lease one in a million years right now for the exact same reasons: residuals will be horrific because resale value will likely still be depressed in three years because of the model year the GTI will be.

What 2Banger says is correct, though: the GTI and 228 aren't direct competitors, and even at full pricing a GTI is $8K less than a similar 228i.

There's also the question of VW's business model regarding sales in North America. I was pursuing a PP-equipped GTI about this time last year. One basically can't be ordered because VWoA's business model heavily favors already-built cars on dealer lots ... which I find incredibly ironic now since a crap-ton of VWs are gonna sit on lots and not move an INCH because of Dieselgate ...

:: muffles a BWAAAAHAHAHAHA! to himself ::

Anyway ... bottom line: it sounds like financials are determining your purchase decision more than anything. Honestly ... the GTI, which really is a phenomenal car in its class, is the best deal of the three in that regard IF you buy one ... and in the Northeast, well, it's gonna be the safest as well because of the FWD. Hate to say that, but it will.

[mfourn20]

Where are you? I might swap out my 228 lease. Mine is rwd and a manual. M-sport, premium, tech, hk, winter package. Plus a set on snow tires and rims. $429/no all in (RI tax)

I test drove those 3 as well. A3 and Gti were very vanilla. At the time I was looking the gti was brand new and the lease price was the same as the 228 which had an msrp of $12k more...it didn't make any sense.

[MikeG12]

I have a 2014 228i optioned the exact same as what you are considering and the same color too. Before that, I had a gen V GTI, and test drove the A3 twice. GTI's are very good practical cars but the engine sounds terrible compared to the 228 and not nearly the power. With FWD, a quick take off just lights up the tires. The A3 was better but not as sporty or quick as the 228. The 228 with 8 sp auto is quicker than my old E36 M3 and handles about the same too. Engine is much more refined than the VW 2.0T and has less lag. You won't go wrong with any of them, just figure out your priorities.

[pl228i]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

The 228i is superior to either of the other cars. That said, the GTI can surely be had for what amounts to a steal right now -- if you buy one. I wouldn't lease one in a million years right now for the exact same reasons: residuals will be horrific because resale value will likely still be depressed in three years because of the model year the GTI will be.

What 2Banger says is correct, though: the GTI and 228 aren't direct competitors, and even at full pricing a GTI is $8K less than a similar 228i.

There's also the question of VW's business model regarding sales in North America. I was pursuing a PP-equipped GTI about this time last year. One basically can't be ordered because VWoA's business model heavily favors already-built cars on dealer lots ... which I find incredibly ironic now since a crap-ton of VWs are gonna sit on lots and not move an INCH because of Dieselgate ...

:: muffles a BWAAAAHAHAHAHA! to himself ::

Anyway ... bottom line: it sounds like financials are determining your purchase decision more than anything. Honestly ... the GTI, which really is a phenomenal car in its class, is the best deal of the three in that regard IF you buy one ... and in the Northeast, well, it's gonna be the safest as well because of the FWD. Hate to say that, but it will.

I just believe the gti is a really fun car for what it costs. Its almost 10k less than the bmw. My previous car was a 2011 gti lease, so thats why I want to try something else. I'm looking for a more luxurious and grown up car as the gti seems like a boy racer car.

[pl228i]

Originally Posted by MikeG12

I have a 2014 228i optioned the exact same as what you are considering and the same color too. Before that, I had a gen V GTI, and test drove the A3 twice. GTI's are very good practical cars but the engine sounds terrible compared to the 228 and not nearly the power. With FWD, a quick take off just lights up the tires. The A3 was better but not as sporty or quick as the 228. The 228 with 8 sp auto is quicker than my old E36 M3 and handles about the same too. Engine is much more refined than the VW 2.0T and has less lag. You won't go wrong with any of them, just figure out your priorities.

Yeah the new mk7 gti has come a long way from the mk5 IMO. I came out of a mk6 lease not too long ago and was blown away by the performance and interior of the new gti. I definitely agree that the bmw is more refined. Theres definitely something to think about here.

[pl228i]

I made a small pro and cons list for both cars:

228i

Pros:
-Rwd(fun factor)
-50/50 weight distribution
-carefree maintenance(brake pads and rotors included)
-bmw badge(more luxurious than vw)
-like the exterior more. coupe>hatchback

Cons:
-2 doors(less practical)
-n20 engine doesn't seem anywhere near as responsive in terms of power as a stage 1 mk7 gti
-less practical(backseat seems small)
-almost 10k more than the gti

MK7 GTI

Pros:
-very nice interior( under some aspects i feel it might be slightly better than the 228i)
-aggressive pricing bc of dieselgate
-fun factor( car is like a street legal go-kart)
-dsg
-stage 1 tune transforms this car into an animal
-vcds aka vag-com (can customize the car on my own, since I already have the cable)

Cons:
-fwd
-shorter warranty(3ys/36k vs bmw's 4yrs/50k)
-exterior design isn't as nice as the 228i IMO

[pl228i]

What about the sale price I am getting for the 228i? Can I do better or is that as good as it gets? What about the $435 monthly lease?

Any insight would be much appreciated.

[Vegetable]

I've said it and I'll say it again, the 228i is the most bang for the buck in the fun department of any car with an MSRP less than 35,000.

[mfourn20]

Originally Posted by pl228i

What about the sale price I am getting for the 228i? Can I do better or is that as good as it gets? What about the $435 monthly lease?

Any insight would be much appreciated.

Yes, I think you can do better. My car had an msrp of 45k and I pay 429 for my lease all in. I put $2k down...so not much more.

[Cyberdemon]

I feel like the real part of this question is "how much do you care about RWD?"

For some of us - we care a lot. We want ass swinging shenanigans to be a pedal push away.

The GTI is a great car, very practical - and you're right, if you're getting a stupid offer because of diesel gate then that may be worth it if you like it just as much as the 228.

For me the RWD handling characteristics were part of what I signed up for, and the GTI goes like it's on rails but the occasional chance to be a hooligan is enough to make me love the 2.

[uberspeed]

Originally Posted by pl228i

I made a small pro and cons list for both cars:

228i

Pros:
-Rwd(fun factor)
-50/50 weight distribution
-carefree maintenance(brake pads and rotors included)
-bmw badge(more luxurious than vw)
-like the exterior more. coupe>hatchback

Cons:
-2 doors(less practical)
-n20 engine doesn't seem anywhere near as responsive in terms of power as a stage 1 mk7 gti
-less practical(backseat seems small)
-almost 10k more than the gti

MK7 GTI

Pros:
-very nice interior( under some aspects i feel it might be slightly better than the 228i)
-aggressive pricing bc of dieselgate
-fun factor( car is like a street legal go-kart)
-dsg
-stage 1 tune transforms this car into an animal
-vcds aka vag-com (can customize the car on my own, since I already have the cable)

Cons:
-fwd
-shorter warranty(3ys/36k vs bmw's 4yrs/50k)
-exterior design isn't as nice as the 228i IMO

Both can be had with Stage 1 power so that's more of a push, no?
Way back when I had Stage 2 with FBO and other goodies on a VAG 1.8t, yes it was fun but nowadays I just enjoy RWD too much to go back to FWD. Apply your own value scale to each bullet point

[crqflier]

Your 228 deal seems really good to me - purchase price. Only missing track handling... Would be a great car. Can't imagine regrets post purchase.

For most folks $10k is a fair amount of $$. So if that's the case for you, it's not like the GTI is crap and no doubt a fun car, so you won't go wrong. You "might" pull next to a 228 at a light and think, hmm coulda had... Maybe not.

Btw, getting a "more mature" car is way, way over rated - unless your job is toting clients around every day. And in that case, the 228 is no go anyway. Get whatever you like that fits the budget.

[pz619]

For me, FWD is a non-starter. This might not be as important to you.

It sounds like you have a pretty good Pros vs Cons list. You'll just need to weigh the values. As mentioned early, you can get a stage 1 tune to the 2er as well.

With that said, there really is no better time to get into a VW than right now, for obvious reasons.

[Ubryaj]

I'd spend a little more for the track handling package. Kind of not the best time to lease the 2 series though with residuals where they are... And a VW might seem like a good buy now, but only if you plan to keep it forever.

[BarryJI]

Originally Posted by Ubryaj

I'd spend a little more for the track handling package.

Agreed. For me the THP was the only must-have option and if it did not exist I would not have bought the car. Without it, the 228i is a very capable small luxury coupe. With it, it's a high performance car. If a high level of performance optimization means anything to you, get the THP.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

Agreed. For me the THP was the only must-have option...Without it, the 228i is a very capable small luxury coupe. With it, it's a high performance car. If a high level of performance optimization means anything to you, get the THP.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by mfourn20

Yes, I think you can do better. My car had an msrp of 45k and I pay 429 for my lease all in. I put $2k down...so not much more.

When did you get your car though? Lease programs have gotten significantly worse than when I got my m235 in May 2014.

[Tpeterson]

Originally Posted by BarryJI

Agreed. For me the THP was the only must-have option and if it did not exist I would not have bought the car. Without it, the 228i is a very capable small luxury coupe. With it, it's a high performance car. If a high level of performance optimization means anything to you, get the THP.

It's a must have option if only for the tires and and the brakes.

[mfourn20]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

When did you get your car though? Lease programs have gotten significantly worse than when I got my m235 in May 2014.

Had it since August of 2014...hadn't noticed that they've gotten worse...thanks!