[h8tow8]

Hi folks,

I'm new here, we sold my wife's car last week before SAAB mess became official (SAAB 9-3 Aero 2.8 Turbo).

Anyway, I'm torn between buying a New 2012 GTI or '07/'08 335i. I'm looking for some advice. My budget is set at $25K and I really love Beemers, thought a used 335i for around $25K could be great option if they go that low with reasonable miles and maybe some remaining warranty?

Like most folks buying these cars 2nd hand I'm scared of potential of having stuff go wrong. Really don't want to spend too much on maintenance and warranty related stuff which of course would be non-issue w new GTI. Thought I could get it chipped w APR's software and maybe high-flow cat/DP which should make it pull pretty hard from roll

Alternatively if I get beemer I could add JB and have some fun w that? I know they're totally different cars (small 4 banger vs. rear wheel drive 6). Any advice would be much appreciated.

Tks!

[spoolin]

If you have your heart set on a beemer I would shop around, good deals can be found on a car that the previous owner may have bought certified pre owned so you could have the remaining warranty. I looked around for a month and found the right one.

[335Power]

I think you're going to get a lot of biased opinions on this forum. I for one am going to vote 335.

[pjdizzle94]

its really your decision, but if i was you, id go for the 335i. This past summer i had the option between a new 335i or a new boss 302 and i chose the 335i. don't regret it at all.

[Pcemkr]

GTI is a good car, but the 335i is a great car.

[h8tow8]

True.. My only reservation is due to years ago I bought my first car a Used 1998 Audi A4 2.8 V6 (anyone remember those ) loved the ride and the thing just gave me endless headaches with things gone wrong just outside warranty to point where I eventually hated it.

Looks like it's pretty tough to brake a GTI.. and with $1.5K you get the things to Stage 2 which could be loads of fun but it'll never really beat that feeling you get when you sit in a beemer (my dad is BMW nut).

It's so hard to put your finger on it.. but Beemer leather smells better than anything else (personal opinion), when you grib steering wheel it just feels right and comparing apples to apples bone stock they just always seem to have edge on competition.

Anyway, think I'll shop around for a used 335i Coupe, really want some warranty to get me off to positive start.. will add JB right away and I'm sure I'm going to love it...

[illamint]

Have you driven both? My roommate has a '10 GTI and I have a '08 335i. While the GTI is a great car for the price, I just think the 335i is a totally different beast if you can stretch your budget a bit and find a solid used example (which isn't difficult, '08s should be dropping down into the 25-30k range now). It's a bit of a biased opinion, sure, but I think the difference will be obvious when you drive the two. Every dollar you spend trying to add more power to a GTI is money that probably would've been better spent just buying a 335i in the first place.

[pe90zzi]

Ive had both, and honestly get a 335 its one hell of a car. Way more fun than a gti, rwd vs fwd always wins. Quality is a million times better. 2 turbos comon! Thats got to put a smile on your face!

Btw buy mine! Hahaha

[chris b.]

Originally Posted by pe90zzi

rwd vs fwd always wins

this ^

[h8tow8]

Cool, I knew this is biased opinions but I think they're valid..

I bought long call options on Apple ($400 - $425 spread) expiring Jan. Got them when Apple traded $370 recently in Nov. Anyway, if Apple trades close to $425 come 3rd week in January (right after their earnings release), I would rake in $25 spread which on single option would $2,500 - my cost ($800). I bought 3 long options.

So if I hit my target, it'll be 335i for sure w mod money... if I miss oh well may have to get GTI after all..

[h8tow8]

A 335i like this one appears to be good value.. w low miles, if I can get some warranty I would love it. Although w/out GPS I figure that's just one more thing that could go wrong

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

If you spot any better deals lmk. Also I'm assuming 335i doesn't have DSG (double clutch) tranny like GTIs? Those things shift sooo swift, think you only get that tech w new 335is?

[J-Sin]

I've owned multiple volkswagens and only 1 bmw. Go with the bimmer. With the vdubs you never know when you'll get a bad egg. I happened to get a couple. Most recent was a 2009 TDi that I sold months after buying brand new.

[h8tow8]

Originally Posted by pjdizzle94

its really your decision, but if i was you, id go for the 335i. This past summer i had the option between a new 335i or a new boss 302 and i chose the 335i. don't regret it at all.

I was in Ford dealer not too long ago, saw black/orange Boss 302 sitting on floor... looks amazing but the interior always dissapoints heavily, guess you can't expect too much for that price but that's what I've always hated... interior is what you look and touch 99% of the time.

Heard 302 lap around Laguna Seca quicker than M3.

[h8tow8]

Originally Posted by illamint

Have you driven both? My roommate has a '10 GTI and I have a '08 335i. While the GTI is a great car for the price, I just think the 335i is a totally different beast if you can stretch your budget a bit and find a solid used example (which isn't difficult, '08s should be dropping down into the 25-30k range now). It's a bit of a biased opinion, sure, but I think the difference will be obvious when you drive the two. Every dollar you spend trying to add more power to a GTI is money that probably would've been better spent just buying a 335i in the first place.

Good point.. I just need to walk onto Bimmer lot and ask for test drive.. just hate the sales process, aarrgghhh.. maybe BMW sales folks are different, hate it when you have to sit down and go over whole sales pitch, love to do my homework... well from home... but need to drive it.

[J-Sin]

And yea BMW uses steptronic if thats the route you want to go. The DSG no doubt was spectacular but it is still new technology...I had my run ins with the flaws. If you can drive manual get it. Ignore your wife that refuses to learn stick and forces you to pay extra for that steptronic like I had to.

[h8tow8]

Originally Posted by aznm0nk3y

I've owned multiple volkswagens and only 1 bmw. Go with the bimmer. With the vdubs you never know when you'll get a bad egg. I happened to get a couple. Most recent was a 2009 TDi that I sold months after buying brand new.

Wow, really? You mean like a lemon?

[J-Sin]

Originally Posted by h8tow8

Good point.. I just need to walk onto Bimmer lot and ask for test drive.. just hate the sales process, aarrgghhh.. maybe BMW sales folks are different, hate it when you have to sit down and go over whole sales pitch, love to do my homework... well from home... but need to drive it.

When I bought mine they threw me the keys and let me go out by myself. Of course I was in Europe just outside of the military base that I was stationed. And they had my military id.

[h8tow8]

Here's what the folks are posting the GTI forums, looks like Stage 2 GTIs (which is really just a GTI w DP) can hang w 335i or xi I guess from roll... I don't want to start a war here... I respect 300hp stock a lot, just saying if that's true it's fairly impressive power for little GTI. Although I have no doubt that beemer will kill it from dig.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnGBKiP7ewA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCHeSmv5De8

[J-Sin]

Originally Posted by h8tow8

Wow, really? You mean like a lemon?

Like a bad lemon that you plucked right from the tree.

[Cryingsuns]

I have a 08 335i, and so far I like it, but don't love it. My water pump, oil pump had to be replaced. Then there is the never ending squeaking of my brakes, and or sensor, or whatever the hell it is, to be honest it has me wanting to sell my car cause it's so annoying and I've tried everything to fix it. It concerns me that there is no recall on the btw. Other than those issues it's a great car. So.... I might go with a brand new car with a new warranty.

[h8tow8]

Originally Posted by aznm0nk3y

When I bought mine they threw me the keys and let me go out by myself. Of course I was in Europe just outside of the military base that I was stationed. And they had my military id.

I love it when they do that.. I don't mind them running my credit and copy DL but getting keys and a little freedom allows you to really get to know whether the car will work for you or not.. I just feel bad going WOT w sales person next to me...

[h8tow8]

Originally Posted by Cryingsuns

I have a 08 335i, and so far I like it, but don't love it. My water pump, oil pump had to be replaced. Then there is the never ending squeaking of my brakes, and or sensor, or whatever the hell it is, to be honest it has me wanting to sell my car cause it's so annoying and I've tried everything to fix it. It concerns me that there is no recall on the btw. Other than those issues it's a great car. So.... I might go with a brand new car with a new warranty.

I hear you.. so annoying when breaks squeak... sends chills down my spine.. do you do your own brakes? My last Audi did that, replaced pads and put anti-squeal on there and that removed high pitch vibration completely... so rewarding when you get that right.

As for water/oil pump.. that sucks.. you prolly ended up paying ton for labor.. then again if it's '08 I'm guessing you had warranty.