VW to BMW??

[mr_quick]

I'm brand new to these forums, but I've read them for quite some time. I currently own a 2009 VW GTI and I'm looking into purchasing a 1M. The 1M is significantly more expensive than the GTI. (About 2x what I pay a month).

The GTI is a real bang-for-your-buck, but is the 1M worth double, in terms of driving pleasure? If I get an 1M it will be completely barebones, AW and I will accept ED. I've never been to Germany and it seems that people love the ED.

I haven't seen any locally to testdrive, so I'm worried about diving into the 1M blindly.

I know people are going to tell me to google review and I've read and watched every review possible on the 1M.

Any suggestions????

[///1M]

I see mr_quick seeks a quick answer!

:-)

[1978.530i]

A nicely equipped 135i might be an excellent middle ground choice for you.

[Traverner]

Even if you don't want to settle for a 135i, you might as well test drive one. Much will be in common, so at least you can feel better about your choice.

I came from a 2011 GTI to a used 2008 135i. I wish I could afford a 1M right now.

[cooler2442]

Yes it's worth it, but you need to choice quickly unless you like paying more than MSRP because Allocation's are almost gone it seems.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by mr_quick

I'm brand new to these forums, but I've read them for quite some time. I currently own a 2009 VW GTI and I'm looking into purchasing a 1M. The 1M is significantly more expensive than the GTI. (About 2x what I pay a month).

The GTI is a real bang-for-your-buck, but is the 1M worth double, in terms of driving pleasure? If I get an 1M it will be completely barebones, AW and I will accept ED. I've never been to Germany and it seems that people love the ED.

I haven't seen any locally to testdrive, so I'm worried about diving into the 1M blindly.

I know people are going to tell me to google review and I've read and watched every review possible on the 1M.

Any suggestions????

We have a 2008 GTI, getting a bare bones 1M, white just like you said.

It's the wife's car and she loves it. It will be very hard for you to find ED MSRP at this point, but might be possible with patience and perseverance. We like the GTI but they are on two different planes. Fun per dollar is no contest, the GTI wins. You could get a brand new GTI and a 2003 M3 for the same money. Trading it in for 1M is a tough proposition. This is my midlife crisis, wanted ED for 25 years and I'm OK financially. What stage of your life are you in? Got some money in a retirement account? Own your home? If so, get the 1M, it's a more extreme machine. If you don't own your home or have some money set aside for retirement, then enjoy that awesome little car and put the 25K into something else.

Good luck. Hope that helps somewhat.

[carchrism5]

I'm going to agree with most people on here about the bang for the buck on the GTI, it is a great car and I almost bought one but opted for the MKV R32. I went through the same thought process of how much fun the R32 is, and is the 1 M really worth the higher price. Since you don't have snow in FL you could actually drive the car year round so I would say 'go for it'. I mean worst case you do know that if for any reason you buy the car and find it to be too expensive you know you can sell it in a heartbeat (that is assuming you can get an allocation now which could be a challenge).

[hwelvaar]

GTI is FWD. 1M is RWD.
If you want to (learn to) go sideways, and have extra fun in winter time (well, not in Florida), and don't care to spend a few extra $$ on tires, well the choice is easy.

If you're more comfortable with (safer) FWD, GTI seems good value.

[davett]

My DD is a '11 GTI, love the car but I'm getting a 1M and passing the GTI to my son

[Whteverjklasdf]

the 1M is substantially better than the GTI (the legendary hatchback that can't lose! haha), but probably not twice as much. There is always a diminishing marginal return for the next extra buck spent on cars.

but if you can afford it then it can't be wrong.

[sjw985]

I just sold my 2003 Mustang Cobra last weekend and will be trading in my 2010 GTI if I don't sell it privately before my 1M arrives.

Obviously I haven't driven one yet but I thought the 135i was a dramatic improvement on the GTI. And from a power to weight perspective the 1M has pretty close to the same motivation of my old Cobra.

German handling + near Cobra power + a lighter weight tuned M3 chassis = no regrets in my book.

[lavaletta]

I wonder how many people responding to this post have actually driven a 1M?

I own a 1M, have owned a 135i Sport for the last three years, and have hundreds of miles behind the wheel of a 2008 GTI.

There is, simply put, no comparison whatsoever between the GTI and the 1M. The 1M is a massively more serious performance car than the GTI which is, by comparison, slower than a wet week. In my view the 1M is, if anything, MORE than twice as good as the GTI. It is in a different class altogether with respect.

PLUS, on top of that, the 1M is NOT in my view just a beefed up 135. It is a totally, utterly, different car to drive. It's feel, performance, urgency, and stability are totally different. You will not get much of an idea about the 1M from test driving a 135. That said, the 135 is a fabulous car in its own right. It is however a much softer car than the 1M. So much so that I think the 135 would actually suit a lot of people more than the 1M. It certainly does not have the very firm ride that the 1M has.

[hlmiii]

Originally Posted by lavaletta

I wonder how many people responding to this post have actually driven a 1M?

I own a 1M, have owned a 135i Sport for the last three years ... That said, the 135 is a fabulous car in its own right.

This.

Especially "a totally, utterly, different car to drive. It's feel, performance, urgency, and stability are totally different. You will not get much of an idea about the capabilities of the 1M from test driving a 135." (bold added)

[b33g33]

I'm not going to get into the discussion about is the 1M worth 2x the GTi mainly because I've never owned or driven a GTi. My daily driver is a B5 A4 with APR stage2 upgrades that compares well against the GTi.

If you want a 1M, you need to go find a dealer that has an allocation and put down your deposit ASAP. They are running out fast and even the hole-in-the-wall dealers are wising up to the fact that these cars are rare and jacking up the prices.

Consequently, ED will be tough to negotiate as well. Stealers make less money on ED and, on a car where there could potentially make over MSRP, short-term greed will win over the potential gain of a loyal customer in the long term.

Good Luck.

[ESC OFF]

I've had 3 GTI's and both 2004/2008 R32's in the past, Traded the 08 R32 for a 2010 3.2 A3 and traded that for a 2010 135i...(I'm currently awaiting a December allocation 1M). At a minimum go test drive a 135i, manual of course, if you can live without the hatchback you will not be dissapointed, if you like the 135i...go find a 1M if you can, it's worth it!

[AJN54135i]

I had a 2008 Volkswagen R32 and I recently sold it and bought a BMW 135i. The 135i is so much more fun to drive. It is much faster, handles better, and not to mention it looks a lot better in my opinion. I love my 135i its an amazing car. I can't imagine what the 1M is like. You should really get it you won't regret it.