Has anyone driven both 128i and GTI ?

[kart10]

I will be making a purchase this week.
Has anyone driven both the MK6 GTI and the 128i manual ? Could you please tell me how it felt, what you decided on etc..

I have driven both and I feel like both cars have different appeals.

GTI
- Feels very torquey on low end. Press on the gas and it pushes you back to your seat on low RPM.
Looks very sporty with the huff wheels.
Steering wheel is very sporty.
Pretty decent automatic transmission DSG so my mom could also drive the car
I also like the feel of the suspension. The vibrations of the springs feel very sporty.

BMW 128i (manual only)
The handling is very amazing. Inside looks very refined.
Suspension is decent - no sporty vibrations as the GTI has but still very good handling.
I wish I could get the xenons - the angel eyes look amazing.

The thing I was very disappointed with the 128i is the lack of low end torque. I guess it is a different tune than the GTI - linear build, rather than high low end.

The 128i looks good paper - 230 HP, 200ft/lb torque but the GTI feels much faster in general (could be that I had a GTI 1.8t before and it also has a lot of low end torque)

Eventhough VWs are very unreliable (changing sensors almost every year and whatnot) the GTI will have warranty and the 128 wont. Oil changes and basic maintenance would also be more expensive in the bimmer I presume.

I would appreciate any comments, inputs, advice as I will be making the decision very soon. I have been a lurker to these forums for a while but finally registered.

[Sara]

Get a 135. Put a tune on it

[kart10]

I would love to. But my budget limits me to these 2. I am in United States and roughly have $22K max, and I don't want to get a high mileage 135 either.

EDIT* I also test drove the 135 to get a feel of the car. Again, It looks amazing on paper: 300HP but it still was either missing the low end torque or it was too isolated. I can't figure out what I was missing, but I was very disappointed. Maybe it was not a long drive.

I am so used to driving the GTI - drove it for 5 years and it had plenty of torque that I am missing the most, and I can't find this on the BMW128i, but then again - it is a different tuned car that has amazing handling. I also want something different, maybe I will go with the 128.

[mmm def]

I owned a MK6 GTI, didn't like it at all. The performance is just ok..it has some decent torque, but it just felt soft, doesn't have the balanced feel of the bmw. I'd give up some straight line any day for the feel of the rwd 128. Also another thing i hated was the seating position, your legs hang down like you are driving a minivan.

[Raja Ventureshield]

what year are those cars?
you can get a 135i for 22k with less than 45k miles which INMO Isn't bad.

[kart10]

The 128i is 2008 with 30-45 K miles.
The GTI will be less than 30K miles and 2011-2012 with existing warranty.

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by kart10

I would love to. But my budget limits me to these 2. I am in United States and roughly have $22K max, and I don't want to get a high mileage 135 either.

EDIT* I also test drove the 135 to get a feel of the car. Again, It looks amazing on paper: 300HP but it still was either missing the low end torque or it was too isolated. I can't figure out what I was missing, but I was very disappointed. Maybe it was not a long drive.

I am so used to driving the GTI - drove it for 5 years and it had plenty of torque that I am missing the most, and I can't find this on the BMW128i, but then again - it is a different tuned car that has amazing handling. I also want something different, maybe I will go with the 128.

: The stock N54 135i was tested by R&T and C&D magazines to run 0-60 in 4.7 and 4.8 seconds. The car is noted by all reviews to have very good low end and mid range TQ. It does do this quite smoothly without alot of noise and fanfare. Maybe thats what you mean by isolated.

[kart10]

I really want to get the 135 and I can within my price range, but I am very scared of getting sucked in to heavy maintenance bills as the car will soon be out of warranty. I don't have that much worry getting the 128 since it is a NA engine. I think I will do an extended test drive on the 128i 6speed with the sports package and then decide.

[Artmasterx]

Maybe you should just get a cheap car to hold you over for a year or two and wait until they put the 4-cyl turbo in the 128i. Surely with the 328i getting it this year, the 128i will have to be soon... maybe a 2014 model coming in fall 2013? It would probably have much more similar engine characteristics to the GTi.

[mmm def]

Originally Posted by kart10

EDIT* I also test drove the 135 to get a feel of the car. Again, It looks amazing on paper: 300HP but it still was either missing the low end torque or it was too isolated. I can't figure out what I was missing, but I was very disappointed. Maybe it was not a long drive.

It's the flat torque curve..you don't get that rush of acceleration like you would a car with peaky numbers even though you are accelerating very quickly.

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Artmasterx

Maybe you should just get a cheap car to hold you over for a year or two and wait until they put the 4-cyl turbo in the 128i. Surely with the 328i getting it this year, the 128i will have to be soon... maybe a 2014 model coming in fall 2013? It would probably have much more similar engine characteristics to the GTi.

That 4-banger is definitely worth waiting for. Can't say the same for the hideous exterior of the car it goes into, though.

[SunnyD]

Do you want a FWD or RWD car?

[E36ic4Me]

I'd take the 1, but then again I'm a huge BMW guy. I can say this, I have owned five Volkswagens (including a newer 2011 2.0T) and although they can be fun and feel great (some of them) on the road, they are full of little issues. My 2011 ended up at the dealership on average of 1-2 times a month. Usually it was small electrical things (sensors, windows, mirrors, locks, connections, relays, fuses, etc) but a couple of times the problems were large. My rear struts failed at 17K miles. I had to have a new transmission installed at 35K miles. Because of the struts, my rear tires wore prematurely. I contacted VW of North America and they admitted fault for the struts and said they had no doubt it cause the tire wear/damage but they planned on doing absolutely nothing about it. So I had to buy new tires which was fun at $222 a piece. I'm not saying don't get the GTi but go in expecting bumps in the road. Look around on vwvortex.com (I'm an active member there) and you will see what I'm talking about. Also, look at actual VW owner's reviews on Edmund's web site.

[N 5 4]

My mkv GTI had full of problems. The FSI motor is a silent time bomb. Replaced within 12 months were: Mechatronics, diverter valve, cam follower, camshaft, coil packs, rack and pinion, and so on...

For the mkvi, I believe that mostly known engine component failures have been addressed (with TSI), but you never know what else will come up next. Then, like our direct injection motors, it's also known for intake gunk deposits.

You'll have lots of fun driving the gti; a simple Apr stage 1 tune makes it even a better experience to drive. Switching map profiles through the cruise control stalk is even über!!

I'd get the MKVI GTI manual over a 128i, but I'd get the 135i over the GTI.

[Greenkirby21]

Hi OP, I was in the same boat as you. Actually, I didn't know the 128i existed until my brother pointed me to it. I was set in stone in getting the MKVI GTI in 2009 when they weren't even in shore yet until I test drove both. I had a VW rabbit and was a VW fanboy and was going to get the new GTI.

First off, the 128i does come with xenons if it was packaged with the option. I know you are looking at used, so it might be harder to find one. If you get a 128i, make sure manual + sport package. Sport Package is a must. It gives you awesome sport seats and the sport suspension that comes with the 135i.

The 128i is quicker(stock vs stock). While the GTI can be tuned easily to 250 hp, it is pretty much a waste. My friend has one, and you can basically only use it when you are going in a straight line. FWD + torque steer = no fun.

I found it odd how you think the 128i is low on torque. While it is NA, to me its one of the best NA in terms of torque. It gets its max 200 torque very low in the RPM range, around 2000 which is great for a NA car.

Unfortunately, my 128i is automatic and I would not recommend it unless you get a tune. I drive it daily in manual mode because its shifts are a bit dull and the pedal feel isn't as good. The DSG on the GTI is awesome, although in the long run it can get very expensive to maintain. I do absolutely love the steering wheel on the GTI, it is very sporty and IMO better then some of the higher ranged Audis.

A lot of this can be fixed. You really shouldn't determine a car on small things like the steering wheel xD. You could always get a steering wheel like the GTI on a 128i(Autotechnic sells one).

Sound: I really loved the sound of the NA 6 engine compared to the turbo 4. Nothing wrong with the turbo 4, but its less refined.

Another thing is the power delivery. While I am 21, you can call me old fashioned because I like the power delivery of naturally aspired engines. My brother had a 135i, and it is a beast, although in the higher RPMS it tends to die off. I think the case is similar in the GTI.

On the 128i, the power curve is very linear. As you go up in RPM, the power goes up and you feel the rush as you go up. So yes, the GTI probably does feel faster because of its super low range torque, but to really enjoy the 128i you need to get it to 3-4k and its fun.

Suspension: Maybe it was me, but the 128i suspension felt much better and better handling then the GTI. Maybe you can't tell when driving on the street, but definitely in a track setting or hard drving where the RWD kicks in. A common problem people hate are the run-flat tires on BMWS. They make the ride more firm and annoying. Getting normal tires like michelin PSS will get you better handling and a better road feel.

Final Conclusion:

Without a doubt, both cars are amazing no matter which one you get. I got the 128i because it LIKES to be driven. It likes to be pushed hard and go through the rev range. I do not care about the gas mileage, and even with a heavy foot, I get 23 MPG everyday. I think the GTI would get better mileage. I am also a college student and the only ones that ride in my car are me and my GF so there is no point for having the extra seatspace in the car.

If you have any questions please let me know! Drive them both again and see what u like.

Edit: Both cars have pretty bad maintenance in terms of price because they are german. My 2008 VW rabbit oil changes cost as much as 128i(well if it wasn't free). I think its more up to your dealership. Also, at that point when I bought the cars, the 128i came with standard free maintenance while the VW didn't

[kart10]

UPDATE* I am getting a 2008 128i Sports Package + manual transmission coupe!! Time for a change. I test drove it the second time and I really felt the power after pushing it on the windy roads. I will get the financing results on Monday!

My plan is to first upgrade the headlights, I am looking into Depo Xenons with 4300K HIDs.

Then Air intake and a AA tune maybe.

Thanks guys. Just wanted to update you all!

[bozola]

BMW PE is a good first upgrade.
BMW M3 sway bar is a good first upgrade.

Congrats!

[Greenkirby21]

Originally Posted by kart10

UPDATE* I am getting a 2008 128i Sports Package + manual transmission coupe!! Time for a change. I test drove it the second time and I really felt the power after pushing it on the windy roads. I will get the financing results on Monday!

My plan is to first upgrade the headlights, I am looking into Depo Xenons with 4300K HIDs.

Then Air intake and a AA tune maybe.

Thanks guys. Just wanted to update you all!

There's a thread in the cosmetic section for the depos. Make sure you get the right kids and stuff to avoid error codes

Welcome and congrats!

[mmm def]

Smart move my man!