£30k hot hatch battle: BMW M135i vs VW Golf R

[@howardgregory3888]

Having a mk8 Golf R myself whilst my partner has an M135i I think I’ve got all bases covered! BMW is better built with better quality materials and engine is quiet except when pushing hard. Ride is firm as are the seats. Brakes a bit grabby. The Golf, however, is the easier car to drive both fast and when pottering around town. Engine and gearbox work well together. Ride quality with DCC is good and brakes are far more progressive. Infotainment and haptic buttons are not great and I don’t think the 8.5 has fully addressed the problem. So on balance the Golf is easier to live with in my opinion but for a better made car go for the BMW! Either is preferable to a soulless EV though!

[@mickcundall4036]

Wouldn't want either but if i was pushed I'd take the BMW

[@RPicard1963]

Golf R all day and twice on Sunday!

[@arsenalmanchestersc2232]

100%. Nearly 500bhp on a stage 2 with the stock turbo. EA888.4 masterpiece

[@kennythomson4934]

Couldn’t agree more. Well said. However I’ve also got a 3 dr mk 7.5 with all the toys and that is a way better car.

[@100PROOF-G]

​@@kennythomson4934 agreed.

[@arsenalmanchestersc2232]

@@kennythomson4934 with a single head & upgraded internals, people have pushed that engine to 800bhp

[@JohnGuidetti751]

@@arsenalmanchestersc2232If your gonna do all that just get a better car lol.

[@sneeks]

I prefer the M135i

[@leccy9901]

I like both, the build quality on the bmw is just better. When you sit inside both the bmw feels better, but the golf drives better as a daily, it feels faster, and the sound is a lot better. Id pick the golf out of these 2. But its close. I had this choice early this year, eneded up in a 12 month old m240i and dont regret it at all.

[@markrhoden68]

Had a m135i fine car, but like most of this type of car, they are just so capable there almost dull there's so much grip. My car had a pan roof and red leather with options, which included a reversing camera and HUD, which helped lighten up the interior. Again, nice enough thing, but hardly my thing, hence now Z4 m40i

[@MC-gp1zg]

I’m on my second mk8 golf r and to be honest the infotainment and haptic buttons have had negative press but I find them both to be fine. But I would advise a 2023 or later as they have changed the steering wheels to fix a lot of error messages and is now fine. The bmw feels more front wheel bias and has less standard kit than the golf. Ie adaptive headlights blis ambient lighting different dashboard views to name a few.

[@crazyforiegner2]

And the bmw misses adaptive cruise control, self steering for the motorway

[@SquashysDaddy]

If you want performance, the golf is amazing but the poor infotainment system, the cheap interior hard plastics and the seats from toys R us means the BMW is the better car.

[@olley1ify]

@MC-gp1zg got my first ever bmw the m135i got it home and couldn't believe the cheeky basts charge via an app 200 quid for the adaptive lights to unlock ! Lol out of spite I wouldn't have got it if I knew that

[@MC-gp1zg]

@@olley1ify yes I’ve just swapped my 23plate Audi s3 for my golf r and Audi do the same. I had to pay extra to activate the adaptive cruise and auto hi beam even though they are fitted to the car. I’m happy with the golf. 👍

[@adn_guizar]

A fanboy of bimmers, but convinced about superior drive in the golf R.

[@AHG8R]

Some info imprecision @ 3:04 , 9:50 , 11:10 Non-PP cars do have the Magna torque vectoring rear differential, and it does send more power to the outer rear wheel quite nicely on bends and turns,a en can send the back out on roundabouts or heavy-throttled turns (even with ESC on). This is what you described as being pushed into the turn, it actually turns in due to torque vectoring. They just don’t have the software driving mode that sends excessive power to the outer wheel, causing it to lose grip on purpose (drift mode) and the mode where the gearbox bounces off the limiter and doesn’t upshift when in manual (Special mode).

[@shekk0r]

Every Golf 8R has the twin clutch rear differential (torque splitter), with or without the performance package. Yes, there is no driving mode "Drift" and "Special" without performance package, but you don't need those to enjoy the trick rear differential doing it's thing. Would be nice if you could correct that, around the 3:03 min mark.

[@motorpoint]

Yes, let me just edit the video -Tim

[@anderwsa]

Not many reviews on how this makes the R so much more the better beast, just see alot of acceleration video comparisons. The R can thrash this 135i in near every other scenario, twists, turns, hill climbs you name it.

[@jason8220]

I previously owned a 2021 MK8 R, 18 inch wheels with DCC. Had it for approx 3 years and had no end of problems with it (they are all very common and wide spread if you read the forums). The build quality in the MK8 is absolutely shocking. Everything creaks and rattles. No idea if they have improved this in the Mk8.5. (doesn't look like it as the interior looks exactly the same as the MK8 apart from the new ridiculously big info screen) I now own a 2024 M135i and the build quality is just on another planet to the VW. There are no rattles, squeaks or creaks at all and everything just works how it should. My M135i is on 19 inch wheels with passive suspension, and In my opinion although the setup is firm the BMW does a much better job of damping out the bumps then the VW in its softest DCC setting on 18's. The VW was very "crashy" when going over bumps. The engines do perform differently, the VW is more "explosive" at the end of the Rev range but the BMW has more torque (450nm to 400nm) and you can definitely feel this in normal driving which leads to a better driving experience in my opinion. Overall, in my opinion the BMW is just overall far more quality than the VW and I would never go back to a VW......and not sure what price list you are looking at but you definitely can NOT get either of these cars for 30K in the UK!!!!!!! Try 40K plus and you might be a bit nearer the actual cost!!!!!

[@Blubbaization]

I believe you in some points especially in the interior quality aspects but saying a 19 inch classic suspension m135i would be more comfortable than a 18 inch DCC set up ... i dont know. I owned a DCC GTI in the past and on comfort it was night and day to any classic suspensions I know. I would actually say in this bracket there is nothing better than the VAG DCC. I drove passats, 3er BMW, Teslas and so on and the only thing more comfortable were air suspensions e.G. Model S or Mercedes.

[@jason8220]

​@Blubbaization Have you driven a 2024 m135i on 19's ???? (obviously not the latest model just released). I have owned both and believe me, it dampens the bumps way better than a MK8 R Golf on 18's with DCC in softest setting!!!!

[@computerscience6579]

@@jason8220 I can confirm this one. I have 18 inch wheels bmw m135i and I have also test drove the golf 8 before making my decision... The m135i has a tougher past to beat than the golf R. Golf R feels super cheap and basic on the interior, where the BMW quality is on par with its highest end models like the x7 which is insane. Also driving both, average fold can tell no difference, and I found bmw to be more comfortable overtaking and the artificial kick in sport mode when pulling its soo nice and gets compliments all the time. Sure I would prefer RWD biased but in the end of the day, its a far better car than the Golf unless you are a teenager.

[@dasheddevelopments6125]

Drove the 135 and gear changes great, except when driving slow it felt clumsy on take off unless u use comfort mode. Randy beast in the corners with tail end out here and there.

[@fred3527]

Great comparison. So sad there is no longer a 140i.

[@tcecoleshaw]

The Bimmer is great until a R turns up to spoil the party.

[@Yhyujss]

BMW 1 series started going down hill after m140i when it comes out with F40 and really hit the bottom with the f70

[@andybrooks7908]

I bet that bmw on a dyno produces 320+bhp bmw are very Conservative with power figures

[@olley1ify]

Hybrid tune do a video of an m135i on a dyno with a gpf delete I believe at like 340bhp lol

[@andybrooks7908]

@@olley1ify yea sounds about right

[@olley1ify]

@andybrooks7908 I went from a tuned cupra leon with revo to a golf mk7.5 to this m135i and I can tell you it's quick lol and the gear box gets slagged off but I prefer it ! Actually feels like your changing gear I like that

[@andybrooks7908]

@@olley1ify I'd love a m135i i bet if you remap it you'll get close to 380-400hp

[@olley1ify]

@@andybrooks7908 ecu locked on them past 2020 unfortionately lol have to send abroad to femto to unlock it more hassle than it's worth I think but yeah my plan was to re map it.. if I'd have known I might have got the golf lol

[@dean8367]

BMW is the better quality.

[@Bolter617]

M135i all day long... shocked by the presenters comments!

[@Blubbaization]

shocked that the Golf R is far superior in every performance aspect? Suspension, brakes, acceleration and features in terms of drift mode?

[@davidpalmer3131]

Interesting to know whether the recent facelift M135 (without the i) is any better. It looks a bit nicer from the front, but not too keen on the rear.

[@tovesorensen1957]

Not 100% sure because of the awesome English accent but did u say the R has no reverse camera? Mine has one that lifts and peels out from beneath the VW badge. Otherwise excellent review!

[@OhSoTimeless-yd4yn]

Golf looks better, has a stupid interior. BMW looks. frankly awful. but has a much better interior

[@markdean3217]

Tim Roddie is the best 👌🏼

[@olley1ify]

Went from a mk 7.5 golf r to m135i and love my bmw much prefer the gearbox ! Never tried the mk8 though! Didn't like the interior and everyone complained of fucked infotainment systems

[@Blubbaization]

I had a 7.5 Golf too (GTI with lots of mods) and the Golf 8 (test drove both, R and GTI) is far superior in every aspect aside maybe infotainment and interior quality. However it has more features like travel assist and so on. But the biggest thing to me was the driving performance, this is no match to a 7.5, understear actually does not realy exist anymore, the Golf R goes around cornes almost like a RWD car, you can not believe it unless you try it.

[@Yldarien]

The m135i sounds like a 150ps car. With pop an bangs from the speakers 😅

[@Blubbaization]

Some product years dont even have any pops and bangs at all and those are touring down like a tractor

[@hycharlison]

The “people’s car” in the end will remain as a legend Golf .. R model … and the series 1 no matter what will always be a series 1.

[@paulmichael3844]

This guy’s brilliant 😂

[@loganpadayachee6048]

Golf R anytime looks more premium and better resale value❤

[@JohnGuidetti751]

The interior quality of the BMW is night & day vs the Golf lol.

[@loganpadayachee6048]

@@JohnGuidetti751 oh really have you owned a Golf

[@JohnGuidetti751]

@@loganpadayachee6048 Yes nothing special interior quality wise. The front door card top material didn’t even match the back door card harder plastic. Exposed paint inside B pillar. As I said F40 M135i better quality interior. Previous gen S3 8V was a good quality interior. Mk8 and S3 8Y less so. So for you to say is more premium is laughable.

[@loganpadayachee6048]

@@JohnGuidetti751 Golf won Best Car of the Half Century. This accolade speaks volumes. What awards has BMW'S won absolutely nothing. It's way too overrated...

[@JohnGuidetti751]

@@loganpadayachee6048 You’re a very weird fanboy. Maybe just sit in a Mk8 to see the cost cutting. doesn’t even have a bonnet strut to lift the bonnet. Drivers seat electric but passenger side manual. Different materials front to back. Infotainment that doesn’t even work properly.. lol but you think that’s quality. You seem like the type of person who likes mediocre so enjoy.

[@rasherbasher8203]

❤❤yes

[@antoniolosito8431]

Golf Forever

[@stevieqman]

You are aware there is a new M135 ???

[@strzibnyj]

Golf as well, so that makes it a fair review of older gen.

[@jasontaylor5580]

He's sponsored by motorpoint a second hand dealership

[@Blubbaization]

which has basically the same power train, looks like a KIA pro Ceed and has even less sound (pops and bangs in the back door speakers).

[@LilGugaj]

Where can you buy this cars for 30k? Let me know so i can buy 10 because in my country Croatia new golf r is at least 60k

[@JohnGuidetti751]

The Uk.

[@jason8220]

@@JohnGuidetti751 Neither of these cars in the UK are anywhere near 30K, try 40K plus ??????????????

[@JohnGuidetti751]

@@jason8220 Cmon now this is used car prices on a used car channel.

[@jason8220]

​@JohnGuidetti751 Appoligues, I did not realise the review was purely referring to used cars as this is not clear from the review. In my opinion, its a bit pointless headlining the video as 30k cars and then not mentioning how old they would have to be and how many miles on the clock to obtain them for around this price! The review is fine and is all a matter of opinion, but the title is misleading in my opinion.

[@Blubbaization]

In Germany right now you can get a sub 50.000km M135i out of 2021 for around 30-32k. A Golf 8 R with also sub 50.000km is a little more starting at 35k up to 38k for a 2021 model.

[@BigBear59]

Nice presentation and I like the golf over the bm ….no doubt

[@computerscience6579]

golf front bumper looks like the normal non m-look bmw 118i... Plain ugly. I dont get how people like those. Plus golf R has the quality of a 10k skoda

[@pigeonpoo1823]

In a cost citting measure, BMW moved all the 1er chassis engineers and tuners into the design room and in retaliation they've made all BMWs look like sh1t! True story!

[@garyjohnson3751]

Why isn’t it the mk 8.5

[@JamesEasom-t3x]

Not released yet, that's why 😂

[@robinhughes8822]

If you don’t need space second hand gr Yaris

[@nadasaba]

M235cc gr Yaris now golf r Both golf and Yaris are better to drive and better looking Dash and ride in. BMW horrible Yaris is a better drive and fun But golf is good all rounder without offensive ride and crap dash with rev counter going wrong way

[@DjNikGnashers]

I'm a long time serial BMW owner, but I'd take the Golf. That shower curtain grill is horrible.

[@Stevieboy130664]

Golf looks SO MUCH better than the BMW. But then the normal Golf looks so much more cohesive than the normal 1 series. Having said that, the new 1 series that supersedes this one, with the smaller lights and lower front, does improve things significantly.

[@thesmudge3929]

Both cars are awesome, but I must say I think the golf has a much more attractive exterior.

[@DontPanicDear]

I’m normally more BMW than VW, from back in the E46 330i / 130i six pot era. IDrive is also great! I’ll always feel like BMW just gave up with this car, with its FWD biased mini 4pot platform and Toyota colab gearbox 😢 The 888 in the Golf is actually now the more credible power plant! I’m surprised the fun boot is on das other foot now, as I thought VW lost their sense of naughtiness when they killed the R32. Of the two, I’d have to buy the Golf like Tim. ……but would probably be irritated by the notorious unfo-tainment ness of it as a daily. Faced with options for a used daily this segment, I’d be off to drive in an i30N Fastback. More fun and also really roomy. Also has more BMW DNA than this 135i does 🤓 …..or head to Motorpoint, who seem to have a massive selection of the 128ti 😮

[@vr6gls]

Golf R for me. 👍🏾

[@Blubbaization]

I think the decision is quite easy here. The Golf is the far more fun and agile performance car with (yes actually) better sound and features. The BWM is more quality (interior) and has the better infotainment. So those two cars have different target groups, me for example would always go with the Golf R because I live in the country side with a lot of nice B roads and I love to go there quick and have fun. The BMW is more likely for a business guy who just wants a quick quality car for example for longer trips and day to day life but who is not so much interested in pure performance. You also did not mention, that the Golf R has far better (floating) brakes which are far superior especially if used hard.

[@computerscience6579]

Who would buy a car like m135i if is not interested about performance? Also you are acting like 20hp is a huge difference where golf R is 0.1 sec faster. Build quality on these things is insanely bad. Cracks and squeeck like a 10k skoda car

[@Blubbaization]

@@computerscience6579 Did I ever talk about HP or accelerations? The torque verctoring system and the suspension setup of the Golf R makes it way faster and therefore the better performance car. That the acceleration is also faster is just a little bonus on top. A skoda car is actually pretty closely priced to VW nowadays ;).

[@computerscience6579]

@@Blubbaization you are still acting like the little extra performance it has, is a dealbreaker and a reason to go for the R. If the added performance "feeling" then justifies the creaking and embarrasing qality interior, then by all means go for the R. Car is SO unappealing to me tho. I would rather own a citroen in that case and this is due to the group of people going after these cars, atleast in my area. (Teenage boys with daddy money.) I cant imagine passengers thinking about what the F are those cracking noises the interior is making on every turn. And it will only get worse after a couple of years. Golf R is capable well rounder, but has (atleast for me) alot of negative stuff. Plus mechanic advice to stay away.

[@Blubbaization]

@@computerscience6579 To make this clear, it is not a "little" performance, it is a lot more. The M135i is comparable to a Golf 7 R in terms of performance. If you want to have most performance / fun in the car the R is it. I don't mind the cabin and it is not that bad that most ppl say, did you actually drive one of these? I did and it was more than okay. I never said that the BMW does not have the superiour cabin / quality, that is not my point. And if you care for what other ppl. think or buy you can still buy your car as a "status" thing, but that is nothing I care for.

[@computerscience6579]

@@Blubbaization alot more 😂 Okay. Delusional

[@gottliebdee263]

4 cylinder is a complete failure for me. I’d prefer a slower 6.

[@bulkiestpyth0n165]

Prefer the new A35

[@gamingmadforever6363]

😂😂😂 but here it's not an option 😂

[@gianlucahead5397]

bmw unfortunately lose too much of his value. Some VW (golf & polo) can easily resell even after 10 years if in decent condition without any trouble and mantaining a decent price, as inflation will carry on going up.

[@jamieharper-c2b]

You can pick New golf r up for 30k so that’s a load of 💩

[@Ivorbigaone]

Bmw looks awful

[@simonehayes4911]

Both boring 5 door hatches

[@gamingmadforever6363]

😂😂😂so what you going for

[@orbytl2799]

hot hatches just look naff with 5 doors

[@JohnGuidetti751]

Grow up unless its a coupe what idiot thinks a 3dr hatch looks good.