[jayson]

Hey guys,

I am in the market for a new daily driver. Would like a 135, but I typically buy cars for the long term - and the fuel pump issues / turbos have me concerned from a maintenance perspective.

That being said, I have been somewhat seriously looking at the 128i, but then I came across my local VW dealer that has a CPO 08 R32 with only 7000 miles on the clock. Considering that I can get this OTD for a couple thousand less than a new 128i, I am seriously considering pulling the trigger.

Any of you guys have experience with both of these vehicles? Thoughts?

[footie]

The R32 is not a match for the 135i, but it's more than a match for the 130i M/Sport so logically it's better than the less powerful 128i. It looks sportier, it drives sportier, it got a sweet engine note and it's got the option of the DSG gearbox if you prefer.

To me it's a no brainer.

[Garduna]

I think he's asking about a 128i vs a vw r32, NOT against a 135i.....

[footie]

Originally Posted by Garduna

I think he's asking about a 128i vs a vw r32, NOT against a 135i.....

Did you bother to read my reply?

The R32 is not a match for the 135i, but it's more than a match for the 130i M/Sport so logically it's better than the less powerful 128i. It looks sportier, it drives sportier, it got a sweet engine note and it's got the option of the DSG gearbox if you prefer.

To me it's a no brainer.

[Garduna]

Originally Posted by footie

Did you bother to read my reply?

lol I was still half asleep, so sue me

[bdkevoIX]

R32 no question.
But for a fun DD, I would also consider hatchback Subaru Sti?
Not an ultimate performance machine, but reliable, practical and more fun to drive than R32.

[SLEEPYDUB]

R32 is fun, but only in Auto

Id still however choose a 2004 6speed .:R32 over the MK5 .:R

[Bimmer-Bob]

I say the 128i...it's a bit more "grown up" seeming, if that makes a difference to you. And I'm not super familiar with the R32's performance, but even if it does beat the 128i on paper, cars are much more than spec sheets. There are intangible qualities that only you can really judge. Esp. since you're talking about this car being a DD, I don't see how you can base this decision on performance alone. One more thing, there is a video on YouTube that puts these cars head-to-head, and the R32 only comes out on the track by several 10ths of a second. And the reviewer preferred the RWD handling offered by the 128i.

[BMW269]

130i Hatch is much better than Golf R32. Much more reliable, better engine, very good handling. Golf R32 is slightly faster than 130i around the track thanks to AWD, and sometime still slower. So it mainly depends on the driver and driving skills. 130i will be faster with LSD. It will be more just so: AWD>RWD, AWD=RWD with LSD.
130i Hatch > Golf R32, unless you prefere AWD over RWD.

[footie]

As they come from the factory the R32 is not only quicker, better but is by far more special looking both from the outside and behind to wheel. Part of this is the note the engine makes, the 128i is too refined to be sporty.

Plus out on the back roads the R32 will comfortably walk away from this Beemer, with or without a slip and throw in some rain and it's game over.

[BMW269]

I would not expect anything else from you footie. But then offtopic: Which do you like more? Wich is faster on straight and on ring? Golf R or Scirocco R?

[Bimmer-Bob]

Looks are subjective. I don't think the R32 looks very sporty. It just looks like a tuned Golf, which is basically what it is. I'm sure it's a blast to drive and performs well, but IMO the Bimmer looks much nicer. And I'm definitely a VW fan - I think I would just feel too old to drive the R32 (FWIW, I'm in my early 30's).
Here's a link to a print review comparing these two cars in addition to the YouTube vid I mentioned before:
http://www.motivemag.com/pub/feature...agen_R32.shtml

[imported_Nomad]

I'd choose the R32 over the 128i; it is a cult classic. In addition, my MKV GTI had a better interior than my 135i did and actually was more fun to drive; however, it was APR stage II and on Koni yellows. I was not impressed with BMW when I owned one. It is not that it was bad; it just did not live up to the hype. The reality was much different than the perception. Regardless, whatever you choose, you will have a fun vehicle to get from point A to point B.

[footie]

0.4s according to whom you talk to. Sounds like they never tested it out. Having compared the 130i hatch with the R32 we found the Golf to be 0.2s quicker to 60mph and dead even at 100mph. Now the last time I looked the 130i was a bit quicker than it's little brother.

[BMW269]

I said this, because it would be interessting to see an objective comparision between Audi S3 (there is no RS3, do you know if there'll be any), VW Golf R, VW Scirocco R, Ford Focus RS, Renault Mégane RS (it is said to be yet a 275 hp version) and BMW 135i (M1 would be unfair as to expensive and of course much more powerfull and fast).

[jayson]

Great responses all around, thanks for the thoughts. Honestly I was looking at the 128i because it is a bit more "mature" and falls outside of the typical pocket rocket scene. I am 31 years old, and am looking for that right balance between performance and luxury. R32 is an awesome car, but it has a little bit of that "College Kid D-bag" connotation, as compared to the BMW's "Yuppie D-bag" connotation. (hah). On paper though, I do like the R32's AWD, especially considering that I live in the northeast and have seen all of this snow over the winter. I don't know, it is def. a tough decision, and something that I am going to have to think about for a while.

Perhaps I do need to take a second look at an STI at this point as well...

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by jayson

Great responses all around, thanks for the thoughts. Honestly I was looking at the 128i because it is a bit more "mature" and falls outside of the typical pocket rocket scene. I am 31 years old, and am looking for that right balance between performance and luxury. R32 is an awesome car, but it has a little bit of that "College Kid D-bag" connotation, as compared to the BMW's "Yuppie D-bag" connotation. (hah). On paper though, I do like the R32's AWD, especially considering that I live in the northeast and have seen all of this snow over the winter. I don't know, it is def. a tough decision, and something that I am going to have to think about for a while.

Perhaps I do need to take a second look at an STI at this point as well...

Both the R32 and STi are college-kid cars. There are quite a few of them who drive them as such.

I'd even say the M3/(R)S4/C63/IS-F are college kids' cars' as well (at least at the universities I've visited/the one I attend in California). There are quite a few on campus along with your expected American cars like the Camaro, Mustang, Charger, Challenger, etc. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. The 128i isn't very prestigious, but I would buy it for the RWD drive over the R32.

[footie]

You didn't mention the possibility of snow in your opening comments, in that case the R32 is by far the wiser choice. If you haven't already driven each then my I suggest you do soon, also if possible try both a manual and dsg of the Golf as the gearbox changes the character of the car with the dsg making it feel more mature, civilised and a tad more luxurious. Another plus of the R32 is the seats, again it's proper Recaros like Audi. All small touches but they all count.

I don't know if you get the Scirocco Stateside but if you do I would consider it too, classy to look at and a hooter to drive as well.

[b0bab0i]

R32 for sure!

[Bimmer-Bob]

Have you driven 'em both yet? All our opinions don't mean anything compared to how the cars make you feel. Curious on what you end up with.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by jayson

R32 is an awesome car, but it has a little bit of that "College Kid D-bag" connotation, as compared to the BMW's "Yuppie D-bag" connotation.

Hahahahaha! +1

[ianbiz]

Id have a MK5R over a 128. Very cool car. VWVortex for more info