03-16-2017, 07:20 PM | #23 |
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We've got a late 2015 E81 X1 with the M sport package - it's not the 3L turbo 6, but it's pretty decent. The steering feel is awesome and it's decently capable in turns. No interest in the FWD based replacement that is current now.
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03-16-2017, 07:25 PM | #24 | |
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That was just the start, DSG failed twice, subframe mounts, body creaks, leaking rear window washer, discolored calipers, wheel center caps would launch off...I could go on and on. Great little car dynamically but piss poor reliability.
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Previous Cars: 2008' 135i, 2010' 328i, 2013' 328i, 2016' M235i, 2017' X1, 2019' M240i, 2019' X3, 2021' M3 Comp, 23' Camaro SS 1LE, 24' Lexus IS500 Current Cars: 23' Tesla Model Y Performance, 11' BMW 335I. Coming Soon: 25' BMW M2 Manual |
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03-16-2017, 10:41 PM | #25 | |
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Living in the Bay area there are a few of their target market driving them around, elderly mainland Chinese who buy them in Gold, but I can't imagine they're big sellers here in the US (I assume that in China they do better as they seem designed for that market's taste in cars with the long wheelbase) If they gave us the actual wagons with the 6 cylinders I'd have been all over those, but the 4 cylinder is just too expensive for what it is. We actually considered the VW sportwagen, which again is only offered in the most basic low end package here with the 1.8 TSI - apparently with a APR ecu tune it gets up to GTI performance levels, which is tempting for 21k (massive discounts from the formerly cocky VW this year) - add some 18's and lower it and it would be a nice enough little FWD dog hauler.. but my wife didn't like the look Last edited by Mr Carrots; 03-16-2017 at 10:48 PM.. |
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03-16-2017, 11:37 PM | #26 |
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Danke
I appreciate everyone's input - I am not sure what I was thinking -- my 228i has been such a tight and reliable machine. I will wait it out and probably look at the VW R in a couple of years after mine is paid off (given it's still made in the Fatherland). I have to say though, if you haven't test driven one of these Rs, you gotta try one out. It's a tight, planted, and responsive car. It's such a good bang for the buck!
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03-17-2017, 04:02 AM | #27 | ||
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At this point it's either stay happy with the Stage 1 wagon until the wheels fall off or I've gotta come up with $125k for an E63 or what $175k for that super sexiness Porsche just dropped? For a 5 mile daily commute both seem a little excessive.
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03-17-2017, 01:49 PM | #28 | |
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We DO get the E400 wagon here, with the TT 6 which in theory should be good for pushing 400+ HP after an ECU tune.. sadly it was out of our price range (one income and a bay area mortgage doesn't leave much for nice second cars!) but it might be worth considering? |
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03-17-2017, 02:03 PM | #29 | ||
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Perfection, at least for what we need, would have been a 335 or 340 wagon with Dinan Stage 2. Once you start looking at crossovers the Macan S is a spectacular car and I have very high hopes for the new XC60. Those are too tall for dad though sold the Macan after 6 months. Still miss it absolutely loved it. Btw sorry for thread jacking!
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03-17-2017, 10:05 PM | #30 |
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My 2016 Golf R is now at just under 22,000 kms of use, picked up in November of 2015. First ever new car for me, and second VW (had a 2012 GTI which gave me no problems).
The R is a phenomenal value for the money here in Canada. Got mine for MSRP of ~$43k CAD as sort of an early adopter up here. With a sunroof, which I still miss, it would be the perfect daily driver. It's faster off the line and up to sane speeds than darn near anything I'd encounter on the road, while mostly flying under the radar to anyone except car enthusiasts. |
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03-18-2017, 08:57 AM | #31 |
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Chris Harris has a "golf r versus 235" video from several years ago. He chose the 235.
If you need 4 doors and money is not a concern, I would take the R ( or in Europe, a 140 hatchback). Need 4 doors and money is an object: gti. I had one and loved it. Best dollar for dollar car around. Otherwise, I think the 230 and 240 are a better choice. |
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03-18-2017, 10:01 AM | #32 | |
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03-19-2017, 09:28 AM | #33 |
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I have a 2016 GTI Autobahn, leather, tech and I'm getting rid of it because I find it painfully uncomfortable. It took about 3 months to find a seating position that wasn't excruciating, and I haven't been able to find a position that is anything better than bearable. If someone moves my seat (no memory), I'm screwed for the next week trying to get it back.
It did have a problem in the beginning with the rear sensors cutting out - (VW Canada and dealer) fixed by removing foam material from around the sensors which was apparently hanging on to excess moisture. Other than that, no issues. This experience has taught me that before any long term commitment, it's a very good idea to take the potential vehicle for at least a 24hr test drive. Even if that means renting. |
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03-19-2017, 09:42 AM | #34 | |
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I've been unable to find a really good position that doesnt leave my right leg hitting the WRONG place in the center console which over longer drives end up creating a screaming/tearing burning pain in my calf.........I can drive my 2 series for 3-4 hours without this ever being an issue.......45 mins in the VW and I'm wishing for some advil. I'll need to rent one for a couple days to see if there have been significant enough changes to mitigate this issue for me but otherwise I love the car My biggest concern about the R is the longevity/cost of the haldex/awd over time.....like 200k |
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03-19-2017, 12:47 PM | #35 | ||
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03-19-2017, 03:05 PM | #36 |
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03-20-2017, 09:36 PM | #37 |
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I traded my '16 M235i for a '17 Golf GTI Sport and couldn't be happier about it. In a lot of ways I like the GTI better (it's more "me" than the M235i was). And yep, got it for ~$23K. The R is not remotely worth the added cost to me, I have zero use for AWD in a street car. For that kind of money I would (obviously did) buy a BMW. In an ideal world I would have had the option of an M135i and had the BMW's drivetrain with most of the VW's practicality.
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03-24-2017, 11:57 PM | #38 |
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Shopped the M235i vs my 2016 Golf R and ended up with the Golf R with DCC/Nav and DSG.
Much like some can't justify the 40k for the Golf R over the GTI, the M235i was tough to justify for another 8-10k over the Golf R. The Golf R was just under 40K and I was looking at 48k or so even after USAA discounts. Second after price was the hatch. I love having a hatch and it is my only car. I don't have access to a SUV anymore to haul things so I rely on filling my hatch which I do about every other weekend. I was concerned the M235i would be tough to deal with when I needed to haul stuff. I also wanted to test drive Xdrive vs RWD, but they didn't have any to drive and I prefer AWD these days. I do wonder sometimes if I made the right choice since my previous car was 2008 R32 so it feels like a minor change going to the Golf R. The M235i would have been a nice change. Then again when I fill my hatch and rear seat or fold down the seats to carry big items I wonder if I could have gotten by with the M235i. As far as reliability, my previous two VWs were trouble free so it wasn't a concern for me. My local VW dealers are pretty good, but wasn't that impressed with the one BMW dealership close to me which even had negative comments on here. It would be so much easier and tougher if BMW, Audi, and MB brought their hatches over here. I would love to cross shop the M140i, RS3 sportback, A45 AMG, and Golf R. I just don't know what I will go to next since the R400 was cancelled. |
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03-25-2017, 06:08 AM | #39 |
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Drives: M235i Convertible +LSD 2016
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I'm glad I went for the M235i 'vert against the hardtop as I've found that I have top down much more than I expected. Days like today (bright & sunny, albeit a bit cool) an otherwise mundane drive is transformed into something much more fun. I've had a convertible long ago, and I had to put the top up/down manually, so sub-20 secs is a luxury.
All I'd say about M235i 'vert luggage space is that I found it to be much more capacious than I expected. And that was coming from a 3 Series Touring. We ran it in on a summer road trip and carried three suitcases, a load of hiking equipment, a bag of boots and shoes, two boxes of stuff and a portable refrigerator - all with the top down. But the Golf R is a serious contender, especially if your geo doesn't have the M140i available. What I'd recommend is you try a 'vert on a nice day with the top down and see what you think. On an earlier post re space, one person took their typical luggage down to the dealer and tried it out on a 'vert and was similarly surprised that it fitted fine. Just make sure you have the folding rear seat.
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2023 Peugeot e-208 GT (electric) Last edited by msej449; 03-25-2017 at 06:15 AM.. |
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03-25-2017, 10:11 AM | #40 | |
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Ultimately, these are all fabulous cars and you can't go wrong with any of them. 228i vs. regular GTI or Golf R vs. M235i. The one BIG plus to the BMWs is European Delivery - the month I spent driving 4600 miles around Europe with my Mom are absolutely priceless memories. No regrets at all about the money I spent to have that car for 18 months, worth every penny.
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'11 328! Touring - Tasman on Chestnut, 6spd manual, factory upside-down "i" option '11 128i Convertible - Space Gray on Savannah Beige, 6spd manual, also '14 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon, '95 Land Rover Discovery, '74 Triumph Spitfire |
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03-25-2017, 10:26 AM | #41 | |
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03-27-2017, 07:29 PM | #43 |
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I love my Golf R but it really needs to be test-driven before a decision is made. I *need* the hatchback utility, and love the AWD, the standard features, and the unbeatable price in Canada, but it really isn't that exciting of a drive compared to RWD or rwd-bias AWD. It's pretty much the perfect daily driver in a city with tight parking, but it's no substitute for a fun weekend toy.
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03-27-2017, 07:40 PM | #44 | |
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