Re: Help me decide!!
 

The Golf's been around for years and is pretty well established from a good company with a solid rep for reliabiity, BMW ? I used to work for them years ago, decent enough car but not as good as they would have you beleive.

Re: Help me decide!!
 

How does a similarly spec'd 1 series compare price wise ? If you are spending that much money go get a test drive in both of them, have a sit in them etc etc.

Re: Help me decide!!
 

Are you married ? :smt060

Re: Help me decide!!
 

Biggest problem I am seeing whilst looking at the BMW's is that they all have upwards of 100k on the clock and they clearly don't hold their money as well as the Golf....

I've driven a 1series before, certainly didn't dislike it. Might go and see if I can get a test drive of the GTi, even though it's petrol and I wanted diesel.......will have to see what the consumption is like.

Re: Help me decide!!
 

LOL! No! An if I was, it'd still be MY car....!

Re: Help me decide!!
 

The cars yours, I just wanna get to know someone with 13k to blow :p

Re: Help me decide!!
 

Golf.

The BM is just a German ford hiked up by people who think owning one means something. Out of the two I would say Golf but have a quick look at an A class Merc. Not too expensive and much better than a BM.

Re: Help me decide!!
 

MBK, I'll give you my opinion as I have driven the BMW 118D M Sport since Feb this year, brand new. I only Golf I have driven is a 03 plate for about a week.

+'s

Handles beautifully, so well balanced!
Comfortable being ragged the nuts off or pooting about
Build - better than any car I have owned
Dry/Wet Grip - Did I mention it handles soooooooo lovely.
Engine is sweet as, but then again it is brand new.
Interioir is easily cleaned, materials are well made.

-'s

Runflats - cost a farking bomb and most places will not repair if you get a puncture anywhere in the tyre
Servicing - if you want to main dealer it, expect £180 for an oil service! Although BMW Independant Garages will see you paying half that
Small - If you plan on carrying more than 2 people a lot of the time, good luck. I carry 4 (2 adults, 2 kids in child seats) and its a real aqueeze
Stock system - A3 was better. I have the BMW Professional Head Unit and it's OK til you crank it up, then the sound quality dimishes. Its not even that loud.

+/-

MPG - Expect 45+ driving completely within legal limits and sedately, or upper 30's driving more spiritedly. I'm sitting on 42.8 over 18,000 miles.
Variable Servicing limit - supposedly instead of set limits, it will tell you which servicing bits need doing dependant on how you drive it. Good if you are a sedate driver.
Rear wheel drive - I much prefer RWD in the dry/wet, but as soon as it touches ice/snow, forget it. Really. I got stuck in places that I saw crappy old 20yr old FWD's get past me on with no trouble, lol.
Dual zone climate control - sounded great when I bought it, but in reality is never used and I wouldnt miss it.

All in all, I find it a great car when I use it for work, but when I have to use it for family trips it does annoy the hell out of me.

Hope this helps. Some of my review wont be relevant if you are buying 2nd hand as it would depend on the mileage/optional extras you get with it.

Good luck

Re: Help me decide!!
 

I HATE Mercs...but I'll have a look..

I'd say the golf, I've driven that exact car and It's lovely to drive, not the fastest car in the world but has some poke.

The BMW... when the snow comes all you can do is look at it really.