VW Golf R vs BMW M135i: Who builds the greatest hot hatch?

The 2021 VW Golf R is an extremely exciting and well-rounded hot hatch. But so too is the 2021 BMW M135i xDrive. So which one is better? In this CarGurus UK review, Dan Prosser puts these two 300 horsepower, four-wheel-drive hot hatches to the test to deliver the verdict.
BMW 1 series written review: www.cargurus.co.uk/research/B...
BMW
Pros
Latest model offers more interior space than its predecessor
Cabin is made from high-quality materials
Engaging to drive
Cons
Firm ride, especially if you choose an M Sport
BMW purists may be put off by the front-wheel-drive chassis
Not as practical as a Honda Civic or VW Golf
Golf written review: www.cargurus.co.uk/research/V...
Golf
Pros
Desirable image
Great to drive
Comfortable ride
Cons
Fiddly infotainment system
Rivals offer more interior space
Not significantly better than a Mk7 Golf
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[@ababbington1]

I have driven both of these cars and I don’t agree. If you spend all you time racing on private roads on your own then buy the VW. If however you spend most of your time going to work, supermarkets, school etc then the BMW is for you. The interior where you spend all of you time has a far better build quality and the instruments are much easier to use. The problem with motoring journalists is that they are bias because they always lean towards the racing capabilities of a car which simply doesn’t represent everyday driving for nearly everyone else.

[@oddities-whatnot]

Well said, good point. The BMW interiors are very solid, I like that sort of very dense rubbery material they seem to use on the entire interior, I had a 66 plate Cooper S which had the same material, very nice indeed, much better than Mercedes which rattle with all the cheap plastic or Audi that now look like a Seat inside. Too stark with all those big screens and hardly any controls.

[@ababbington1]

@@oddities-whatnot I have literally just bought a new M240 xdrive in Thundernight. I can’t tell you how happy I am with the car. The quality is there in and out but it’s a daily driver as well as a sports car. I won’t look at Mercedes, Audi or VW.

[@Simon-du7yx]

Remember when idrive came out and every reviewer slagged it off mercilessly for being too complicated ? Now they can’t sing it’s praises high enough

[@andrekleyn727]

Very thorough review w.r.t each vehicle's pros and cons. It's a difficult decision to make which vehicle to buy. In my book, both are amazing.

[@EastWood2004]

Great review,

[@joebalabuszko8863]

went looking for the bmw 135 i at local dealer in the usa. they did not know they existed. salesman went away to get info, came back, said they would not be sold in usa. i guessed later that was probably to keep from taking sales away from mini. a total guess. i have my 2nd vw. wife and i love it. fab car, a gti s . on our test drive, we were 200 yards from dealers parking lot, she said she loved it. we traded in a bmw x 3.do not miss it a bit. that was our 3rd bmw. 2 sedans, 1 suv. still have 1 bmw & the golf. all set for a long time. 2 happy drivers. your video was super well done, will continue to watch your work.

[@andrewmontague2636]

Really good, fair review 👍🏼

[@NoName-rs4us]

Yes it is.... Maybe one day other countries will take an example from U.K as well... DVLA stands for driver and vehicle licensing agency.... One office in the country. Number plates are connected with the car...you don't need to change plates when you buy used or new vehicle! and U.K have got counties too. No running around to offices and waiting in queue just to register the car. No unnecessary bureaucracy! No sale car tax on used cars either. Most of the time you sort out problems on the phone quickly. You don't have carry all paper work with you all the time that's what ANPR system is for....Common sense...ORDER!

[@fercitowow]

Great review, great result, Golf R is the driver´s choice!

[@tj9382]

It largely depends on the importance you place on your criteria. But for me, the BMW gets it because of its built quality and pure class and sexiness. On top of that, as someone else pointed out, so many people have a Golf R.

[@AbandonEarth911]

Golf R is a nice car, but very common.

[@hassyg4083]

wouldnt call bmw build quality lol

[@danstewart3894]

I cannot wait for the R to arrive in the states. Whether one tunes it or enjoys it as it is, one will not be disappointed.

[@scottroberts5529]

Hopefully we get the special mode and drift mode

[@Daveyboy_GolfR]

yep, outdoor Lane is correct, we're going to get all that the UK cars have except some minor cosmetic cabin things like the material on the seats I think. I have a 2015 mk7r that I paid $38, 900 before taxes and registration. There were no boxes to tick. Except one option. either get the DCC ($2500), or the non-dcc. But most of the cars that came from the factory were equipped with the DCC option, and it was a must have. The DCC option also came with nav, upgraded stereo and sub in the trunk. But at least VW was being reasonable and included all options as the R was already pushing 40,000 bucks. But now, we got a little more HP, a rear e-diff, akropovic exhaust, drift modes, those 19s and much more. But, if you want all those goodies now you got to pay. You want to send 80% to the rear, AKA drift mode, you got to pay for the R performance package, pay for the akropovic exhaust, pay for the DCC adaptive dampers, pay for those 19s you see in this video. Etc etc etc until you're looking at over 50 Grand. More like 55 with a bunch of stuff I haven't mentioned and taxes Etc. That's almost RS3 territory, and even more than the new m240i with 335 HP and 370 lb ft. Not the weak little 1 series hatchback in the video. And I love my mk7 R. Got everything done, APR ECU stage 2 and TCU and FBO. 0-60 in 3.52. The mqb platform is the greatest on the planet for modding. My first mod was a simple stage 1 APR ECU tune, and it bumped me up from 292 HP to 371 for a simple $699 and 10 minutes of my time, bringing me to 60 in 3.9 from 4.8 and the quarter in just under 12sec. Just with that one ECU mod. I love the new mk8r even more. Everything about it and was 100% sure I wanted it until I saw the pricing layout. It's just way WAY too expensive when you can get a barely used mk7.5 and save 20 grand. You want big power? Throw in a downpipe, and go stage 2 ECU tune, and some good rubber (cost You less than $2,500) and you've got yourself supercar acceleration without compromising on comfort or practicality. Even if you're tracking the vehicle almost exclusively, for 50-55k you've got better options. For 40K you don't and that's why the mk7/7.5R is the best overall performance car around the 40K mark.

[@stephen2649]

Very good review..

[@FaceliftGT]

Awesome as always review!, and Agree in your points..even as i have a MK8R home ;)..

[@PJSScotty]

Hanging onto my 2016 M135i manual, lot of fun. Forget a flashy dash, just enjoy the drive.

[@paulgray9989]

Ive just purchased a Tiguan R. The power definitely feels more than the quoted figures. I've always been a BMW fan and yes the interiors are nicer but Im well impressed with 2 litre engine.

[@johnwjeromejr]

The secret is slowly getting out that the new Golf R is considerably faster than the numbers indicate. At least two other reviewers are coming up with some startling numbers that blow its competitors out of the water.

[@onepunch9]

Yes they've put one on a rolling road and it was over 350bhp.

[@alexandercooper8743]

@@onepunch9 Yep at least 340 bhp, new Continental Turbocharger, improved gear ratios and upgraded 4 wheel drive with same Torque Vectoring Diff as in the new 2022 Audi RS3.

[@PapiAndrey]

@@alexandercooper8743 I can’t wait to see reviews of the new Rs3! That car is going to be insane when tuned

[@emiliospowerballer1441]

Yes, carwow actually measured 4 seconds dead from 0 to 60

[@mattyoz0]

@@emiliospowerballer1441 Don't go off carwow he uses the roll out setting.

[@TorqueDriven]

Yes subscribed🙌🇿🇦

[@kevinevans3237]

Good test drive of the two cars. I’ve had a mk7 Vw gti for the last 6 years the drive and engineering is 2nd to none, but a very big but is what has put me of from owning another Vw gti or performance golf is on the back wheel arches I’ve started to see rust forming, I was really hoping the bmw would win , as I’ve lost confidence in the build quality of the Vw, which after 21000 miles is developing rust. Does the golf mk8 come with better quality body work? But the engineering of the Vw has been a good experience, do you think I will enjoy that sort of experience with the BMW 135i m sport?

[@slen6293]

BMW all the way. That interior on the golf would drive me mad as a daily. BMW needs the 19” wheels though to compare on looks

[@ThisIsMTH]

Agree, but then ride takes a hit. Shame you can’t get 19s and adaptive.

[@mikeh9829]

@@ThisIsMTH the ride on the 19s is fine, although its even better with Michelin tyres than the Bridgestone ones. Mine are Bridgestone, but someone said the Michelins are better.

[@tomgray6716]

BMW cabin in the golf would be the perfect hot hatch. The poor quality of the golf R interior is enough for me to steer clear

[@jondonnelly4831]

Like other reviews have said, don't like the touch system, interior same as a rline golf, crap fake sound. It's just bad enough to stick with the old version.

[@nathantaylor8804]

If buying a hot hatch the interior is not my 1st concern to be honest, is just a hot hatch at the end of the day

[@skyscrapesthetower]

@@nathantaylor8804 A true car enthusiast 👏 A car in that price range better be like a Swiss Army Knife when I adventure around no matter day, time, or condition.

[@shauntompkins5061]

@@nathantaylor8804 exactly that! If I’m concerned about interior quality, I’m not buying a hot hatch.

[@JDDD33]

Same. And I own a mk7 R. Wouldn't buy the mk8 because of the interior.

[@shaheenevans]

Gearbox quote for BMW - drunk at a party is gold

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the Video Comparison. My choice would be the New Golf R

[@robertulph]

You have the akrapovic exhaust on that golf as well. Its not the standard one

[@Theurgicnick]

Had a mk8 R on order since end of September/ beginning of October….. Had two build weeks wiped from system and now who knows when I’ll get one. Playing the waiting game but looking forward to the day it arrives none the less. Can’t wait 😝

[@SKEGZ]

Honestly, golf r is a weapon, quickest in the segment. I'm not buying a hot hatch for an interior. That is secondary imo. This thing spanks everything in class including the bmw.

[@dirkdesouza5975]

Fantastic review,,,, I bought the Golf R

[@jermainerobinson7098]

Great video straight to the point this guy should do top gear 👏🏾👊🏽👍🏾💯

[@sammbaldwin6402]

Some cracking deals on pcp on these cars, I like the golf but it's interior let's it down a bit compared with the 135I

[@stupidthinking3905]

M 135i 👍👍👍

[@user-jz7tr8zb5h]

what choise ? 2024 new tesla model 3 highland sr (standart range) rear wheel driving or bmw 1 series m sport (any engine) ? thanks

[@grahamsalmons2027]

None of these tests report soaring insurance premiums because Golf R is one of the most targeted theft cars out there. The lack of illumination on the ventilation controls, poor plastics quality and difficult infotainment system would irritate the crap out of me: I just don’t spend enough of my time hooning to make me forget these things.

[@gymhead]

Insurance is no more than my old insignia 2L turbo vxr line... £550 for the year!

[@grahamsalmons2027]

@@gymhead I take it back then! Cool!

[@TravelWithPreston]

@@gymhead 1600 for my 1L polo

[@Francloy1]

I can't upvote you more than once

[@darknightbegins85]

May trade by challenger 1320 in for new golf R in a year when it comes to the states. I’m not paying dealer markup, but the performance numbers and interior and usability and rarity of the R in the states drives the appeal to me

[@joebalabuszko8863]

ps, the salesman at our vw dealer will be in touch when the r arrives. looking forward to the test drive. the good thing about temptation is, giving in.

[@kozamo9351]

I just want to know who the hell touches the infotainment screen that much when driving? I would go with the r seeing as it's a more fun car and I prefer everything about it over the BMW.

[@nindster]

Would be interesting to see how much they cost “as tested”. I suspect the Golf was dangerously close to an AMG A45. Just ordered a Cupra Formentor 310; I prefer the looks to the Golf, it is much better equipped and I got a really good deal. I also found the service at Seat/Cupra dealers (and Ford and Audi) to be far better than my experience with VW but I might have been unlucky.

[@krane15]

As you know by now, that would be true for the A35. But the A45 is nowhere close to it costing thousands more.

[@Supercarsofcheshire007]

The Golf R goes from strength to strength..... admittedly with some flaws.

[@krane15]

It has a lot of flaw. Unfortunately, they're not that kind that any owners can ignore since they're all right in your face. Class leading performance, and even fit and finish, but crappy interiors. The materials are down right cheap.

[@robertregan2305]

BMW M140i ALL DAY LONG 😋👌

[@man-of-the-world]

Well yeah, but you will get shown a clean pair of heels at the lights from the latest Golf R.

[@paultaylor9652]

Surely if it is going to be used as a daily, would you REALLY want to put up with looking at that awful dash and seat trim every single day, I'd rather put up with the few flaws of the BMW. Neither are perfect but if it was my money it would be the BMW.

[@robertregan2305]

Well said brother 👏

[@HotHatchTV]

Take the leather interior, looks better. I don't have a problem with the dash, except that the should have used buttons for climate control

[@michaelcameron2292]

BMW is far better looks much better decor inside blows the Golf out the water Comfort sound win win

[@adrianbriggs2763]

Having driven both and used both as day to day.... the BMW rates in a huge new category over the R anyday everyday, the R is just too boy racer

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

I hate touchscreens

[@juraj_b]

As a current BMW 125i owner, I’d be happy with either but maybe bit more with m140i and its 6 cylinders 😏

[@krane15]

Which is dead. As is VWs VR6.

[@Francloy1]

I own a 135i but the 140i is a better car

[@gerardcolquhoun8963]

Great video, I would love to see how the new MK8 Golf GTI holds up against the BMW 128Ti. If you got make that video happen that would be great because I'm in to minds of which one to buy.

[@thet0ve]

I went with the 128ti, it’s an awesome hatch! Came out of a mk7.5 Gti and a mk7 previous to that. The 128ti feels way more alive. I also tested a Mk8 and that cabin is awful

[@gerardcolquhoun8963]

@@thet0ve your right the interior of the mk 8 golfs is backwards and the quality just isn't there. The BMW has that in the bag but not keen on the red accents on the 128ti, would of liked a choice to get them in black so it doesn't matter what colour you go for

[@thet0ve]

@@gerardcolquhoun8963 you can get them in black bud. If you choose red or blue the car naturally comes with black accents, any other colour and you need to request it 👍 Mine is the chavvy white with red accents, at first I wasn’t impressed but it’s grown in me massively and it’s immediately recognisable as a 128ti. If that matters to anyone of course

[@gerardcolquhoun8963]

@@thet0ve any sign of Remus doing a sports exhaust for it?

[@thet0ve]

@@gerardcolquhoun8963 I’ve asked Motech about this and they say it’s coming. The stock exhaust is pretty good when driven in, I get a load of pops and bangs in sport mode with the exhaust fully opened up. Remus would be amazing though 👍

[@jankapan8893]

Its a shame you did not try the bmw launch control....

[@ThomasWilliams89]

I can't decide which one I want.

[@alwynmcmath]

Both these turbo four pot bland wagons bore the Shizzle out of me. But I can watch Dan Prosser all day long 👍

[@fuhrerpolizei86]

I see Mk8 golf R, I click in to watch and click like! Bonus to see it win the M135i!

[@bandgeekforever100]

Honestly, I like the looks, and cabin, of the Mk7 and Mk7.5. The cost of the Mk7 will go down in the USA when the Mk8 hits the market. From what I've gathered. You can take the Mk8's diff, or even the Audi Quattro system, and put it in the older Golf Rs. Might be slightly pricey. But it's sure worth a close look

[@wannabegolfin24-72]

One KZbinr priced it out at $7500-$10k...I'm drawing a blank on his name.

[@blackcatsarenopussies]

Back when Golf used to be the benchmark for ergonomy. Mk7 will go down in history as the best of all times

[@malt2585]

I’ve bitten the bullet and ordered a new Golf R with performance pack and DCC, I’ve seen a new Golf R on dyno and out of the box it hit 340bhp, what are they going to do with a stage one tune ??

[@reifenabhobeler4331]

It´s typically for VW to have much more HP than announced to get the testers say "wow, it´s fast for the HP". The testers would be less impressed if VW have only the announced power

[@shauntompkins5061]

Which would I choose? I do use reviews as a base for my decisions - as I did when I bought my car - and I like the golf R and would choose it based on what I’ve seen - rated as the better car - but they’re ten a Penny, certainly around where I live and that’s enough to put me off actually choosing one. In theory though, it has to be the golf R.

[@shauntompkins5061]

@@MT-kx2uc car value doesn’t really come into it - in the UK at least - as the deals in them are really good - You can lease a golf R for £300 a month. The mk8 doesn’t look different enough compared to the previous generations so I’d still be saying, ‘oh look, there’s another golf R.’ I actually wouldn’t have either of these cars; I’ll stick to my FK8 Type R

[@Francloy1]

Nah. Build quality the Beemer wins

[@shauntompkins5061]

@@Francloy1 actually, I’d choose the bmw over the golf R too. I see too many of the golfs. And I think the bmw looks better.

[@arno7303]

Yeah i have the BMW... if it came out with a DSG style gearbox and the VW's active rear diff i would not be looking at the competition... however lol...

[@final_mile_music9713]

We can have it with manual in the US too!

[@MegaHollywood1971]

The “surge” forward from up shifting is INERTIA - not something BMW did 👍🏻

[@krane15]

Gimmick vs crappy engineering. Either way which is worse?

[@Andy-zt7ng]

Good review though.

[@Peter-lm3ic]

It all depends what one wants in a car, a boy racer or an all rounder?

[@krane15]

I feel confident in saying his point is that you can now have both.

[@modmod392]

MK 8 Golf R interior = VW Dieselgate pay back. 🙁

[@unexplainedwearenotalone3537]

Diesel gate never pay not Europe not US.

[@helenbaylis6837]

The auto gearbox is terrible compared to the DSG. The gearbox is one of the main reasons I sold my Alfa Quadrifoglio. That had the stupid lunge on upshift unless it was in Efficient mode. Bought a Golf R 7.5

[@johnroskruge2752]

What were the actual on the road prices as tested? And what options were fitted?

[@relentlesspursuit6894]

Well over 40k

[@ThisIsMTH]

M135i looks pretty standard to me: Sapphire black, adaptive dampers, privacy glass, maybe tech/comfort pack. Key thing is dealer contributions, which BMWs are very supportive. Monthlies are quite different vs that highly spec’d Golf.

[@relentlesspursuit6894]

@@ThisIsMTH BMW had to be aggressive on the pricing of these given its lack of appeal following the M140i. Golf R will also get better deals in time, it's a very crowded market place in the 300bhp, AWD, German hatchback segment

[@w00t777]

that Golf R cabin is enough not to consider it at all.... atrocious

[@wd9165]

The same can be said for the exterior of the BMW…

[@blue-ck9ns]

I hate the new Golf interior. Looks cheap. The old interior was much better...

[@gamingmadforever6363]

@@wd9165 100% what I eas thinking 🤔 👍

[@spoonfed7724]

Not far off from my Citroen berlingo van 😅

[@ColeBiggs97]

I've just ordered the new golf r mk8 in that colour but I'm not sure I like it anymore

[@ThomasWilliams89]

lol cancel transaction!

[@Josef8080]

The R better looking from the outside but the interior the build quality and solidness, technology is the 135i way better. The quality of riding also for the beamer. the stability the same are quite good or the BMW is better, The performance maybe is for Golf as the hp number suggested. I think the face lift of the M135i will be a difficult number for the R, AMG 35 and the S3 especially if they revise the steering feeling and the exterior layout and look

[@ThomasWilliams89]

when is a facelift of the m135i coming?? its only been out a couple of years.

[@mikem314]

Golf R anyday. 135 without the straight 6 is not the same.

[@spoonfed7724]

2 years later , the bmw you can pic up for 23k cheapest. Golf R still looking at around 30k still. Madness

[@Tigerex966]

For me, and just me, no manual no buy.

[@MarcraM82]

Why can't we get theses in manual anymore?

[@toddstevens8506]

Because fewer people want them and sometimes, like with the Golf R, the auto is better.

[@rongambol9910]

Like the Mk7.5 Golf R ironed out some flaws in the Mk 7, I’m hoping the Mk 8.5 will do the same to the Mk 8. I love my 7.5 and think I’ll wait for the Mk 8 update

[@adamj8099]

I'm in the same boat as you. I really like the look and what I'm seeing from the power in all the reviews of the mk 8 but the cabin of the 7.5 is just so nice and the 8 looks to me a little bit like a downgrade... Sort of. I'm wondering if I just wait for the 8.5... Price is concerning me though. I have a feeling it's going to be about $20k-$30k AUD more expensive than the 7.5 was.

[@rongambol9910]

Adam Jay I think you’re right on the pricing. At least in Australia, the Golf R’s come fully loaded - leather interior, adaptive dampers, 19inch wheels, rear camera in fact the only options available when I bought my 7.5 was sunroof and Dynaudio which I added. Total cost AUD63k - about GBP35k. The Mk 8 R is not expected to arrive in Australia until late 21. If the increases in the UK are translated to Oz, it will be more than I’m prepared to pay.

[@adamj8099]

@@rongambol9910 well the good news for me is my 7.5 will keep going up in price then. Haha. Used prices are insane at the moment.

[@swedishbob_7315]

@@adamj8099 Yes here in Oz we suffer from $$$$$$$ on all these SportsHatchs... Adelaide, Golf R is about $85,000, BMW i135 about $85,000+

[@adamj8099]

@@swedishbob_7315 no doubt man. I'm hanging on to my Mk7.5. Still a flawless experience at stock and I'm loving it. I actually have zero need to upgrade. If I ever needed less incentive to upgrade the prices in Oz are putting me off even more. Along with the rent prices... Killing me.

[@JustMe-pq7je]

GOLF R every time. love driving mine

[@Francloy1]

Love both German engineering, prefer the Beemer, would love to race for fun.

[@maxmorris4562]

I would go for the BMW, better handling

[@slen6293]

Massive, bundles, LOADS, effortless, MASSIVE, huge, oodles, brilliant, massive, out of this world, effortless and MASSIVE… 😂😂😂 this guy is a thesaurus and Chandler Bing in a human

[@nahnatsnotme937]

Watching this makes me miss my m140i😭

[@sapiei7541]

Me to i like vw r.. I feel like easy to handle.

[@kishanlolol]

appreciate the review, but i really don't get why the R is being compared to the likes of the S3, A35 and M135i, if those three were to be compared i'd get it but the R is simply a much more powerful car; it's clearly intended to compete with the likes of the A45 RS3. That being said, the quality of the interior of the Golf R is shocking, and for something that has a higher price tag it's sad.

[@EubanksDVDs]

Great review. BUT....£40 grand for a VW, I just couldn't do it to myself.

[@vancehibberd1546]

Not a bad effort from BMW for their 1st 4 banger 4wd hot hatch. Be good to see what the facelift version is like in comparison to the latest Golf R. The M135i is a couple of year old now. I would probably go for the golf "now" but will be interested to see the difference once the LCi is released. Good review

[@kidfreejones]

Me too. Golf R Mk8 just released here in Australia (supply is horrible though). But once LCi comes out be great to see how they compete and will decide after that :)

[@mars353]

Sitting so low in the seat that you feel like you’re sitting on the floor may appeal to you but I hate it. I would prefer that the seat itself be contoured so that I’m sitting in the seat rather than on top of it but a low seat height is a deal breaker.

[@seth1455]

Just thinking the same thing. He can have whatever quirky preference he likes, but it's unfair to judge a car by it

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

Me too, I like the better visibility you get with a higher seat

[@normblyton6582]

Both BMW and Volkswagen are great cars not doubt, i have owned 4 BMW's since 1998 the last being the M135i Xdrive and 1 Volkswagen GTI and would never deal with Volkswagen again ever, something sadly not mentioned in many reviews, it's something seriously worth considering. Reviews are just that, peace of mind is something else😊

[@krane15]

Why would mention never dealing with a car maker again in a review? You must have been thinking something different than what you wrote.

[@pauldewar626]

M140i

[@DjNikGnashers]

^ THIS ^ The best hot hatch, unfortunately not on sale.

[@TeaVR]

What’s with this sitting low thing? Cars like the NSX and McLaren F1 were designed to give great forward visibility. Why would you want to be so low that you can’t see over the steering wheel?

[@jondonnelly4831]

Dunno, in short so a Golf is perfect, it's a problem i'll never have.

[@joebloggs4191]

He means sitting in the car rather than on it! I had the previous gen 1 series, I know what he means. That car felt like you were low to the ground and felt way more sporty, I have a Golf 7.5 now and you sit much higher, not the same feeling.

[@Mr2pint]

I'm afraid I don't trust BMW after several ownerships - VW would take my money on this comparison 👍

[@AbrahamFarrell]

"The car has a slightly lazy feeling to it" 05:58. I think I've heard all of the reviews of the new Golf R and no one, simply no one has ever said that about this car. They all talk about how much quicker it feels than the last car. In every one of this guys reviews that I've listened to, he does this, says something completely contrary.

[@toddstevens8506]

How a car feels and how fast it goes are two separate matters.

[@sszhao11]

Turbo cars has a slight lag to build boost. And on regular drives boost is low, and with big turbo, lag is worse and turbo engine have lower compression, so overall so feels sluggish, when you want to thrash it it takes a bit to build boost and rev, then the car goes. I know from my GTI.other reviewer just review full throttle result

[@vk2jmv]

it is called a cerium grey coloured grille..not smoked ;)

[@Francloy1]

Lol

[@le5.24]

The bimmer is like 10 times more desirable. ok then you take the vw I'll take the other, as soon as I say that I bet you would change your mind.

[@augustinedennis4865]

Isn’t it encouraging to hear that the BMW May be catching up on the Golf R?

[@andrewmarsden1970]

Both great. Would choose the Golf R. But then I would select an Audi S3 over both.

[@alanwayte432]

Then you would be wrong

[@justsomeone9267]

@@MT-kx2uc On the road, on daily commutes it's not that noticeable, but it has a far better quality interior, so a better place to be in.

[@Francloy1]

Probably you are British then

[@jadedFk]

Having driven both I agreed the golf is more of a “drivers car” but the bmw is much better for everyday. Interior quality, comfort and feel. In reality where are you going take full advantage of the golf unless you are using it as a track car ?

[@scottswanson8520]

Stopped watching after hearing that DSG was only option in Golf R - the manual was the only reason I had an R on my short list. Thanks anyway.

[@stephengriffin4990]

R any day driving.

[@slugger7440]

Moving away from Piston Heads!?

[@CarGurusUK]

Thanks for the question. Dan is very much still working with PistonHeads - PH is part of CarGurus which is why you'll see him on both channels.

[@shanjanusman9974]

BMW for me

[@scottroberts5529]

He forgot to mention drift mode on that R

[@Daveyboy_GolfR]

Sure the golf R might perform better when you're giving it the beans. But overall, if priced the same, it's nonsense to get the R over the m135i X drive. And I'm an mk7r owner.

[@thepineappleburster4439]

agreed. I own the beemer and its terrific. except the gearbox sucks a bit when pushing the car.. but thats all. Cabin is topnotch for a hothatch and the pre opf sounds very nice. mk8 seems a bit meh on everything except power.

[@Daveyboy_GolfR]

@@thepineappleburster4439 yeah.... I'm not a big fan of the touch buttons on the steering wheel on the mk8, but yeah it's got some more power and the rear E-LSD, and the acropovic active exhaust (which is almost 5K extra lol). For $699 I put an APR stage 1 tune on my mk7R and brought it up to 379 HP. And then I did some other stuff but still just a simple tune got me under 4 seconds 0-60. And my mk7 Golf R was $38,900 us out the door including the adaptive dampers and active exhaust. Volkswagen is getting nuts with their prices. In the US we don't get the m135i so I'm looking into the m240i xDrive. I love the 2 series. And be it the one series or the 2 Series, there's so much more driver-oriented than the golf R. Steering, handling, cornering balance Etc is on a different level. Thanks for the reply

[@bh4560]

Im normally the drunk guy at the party! 🤣🤪

[@alanwayte432]

My wife has just swapped her mk7.5 for 135i why! She could not live with lower build Quality than previous Golf and the new Touchscreen that is seriously dangerous as you have to take your eyes off road to even adjust heating

[@paulanthony2024]

BMW all day ....everyone in the world has a golf r ...

[@AnthonyWilliams-vh1ds]

Shame they ruined the golfs face

[@PapiAndrey]

That doesn’t matter though, but maybe that’s because I live in the US so i can’t really relate

[@bh4560]

Clit cars! 🤣

[@augustinedennis4865]

Why?😂😂😂

[@augustinedennis4865]

And we know why,The R is superb,though a little more expensive.

[@gardz3256]

In Australia with similar spec, there is $15k between them.

[@jonathantaylor1998]

Hmmm... Not convinced... I get that the Golf R might be, subjectively, the more exciting car to drive down a twisty B-road... but for the other 99% of the time, when you're in stop-start city traffic, or doing 50 mph through roadworks on a motorway, the dreadful quality of interior of that car - the cheap-feeling seat fabric, the scratchy plastic door trims and those infernal, unlit touch-sensitive control buttons - is going to drive you bonkers...! So, is it really worth spending the extra £2k for 1% extra fun...???

[@michaelcameron2292]

No

[@Francloy1]

There's a fine car. But the other one is a BMW

[@A_guan]

I would love to see a comparison with the A45

[@alanwayte432]

Different price point

[@ryan2387]

With the new rs3.....the golf isn’t too far behind the A45

[@josevictorino7338]

Vw 🔝

[@MultiPorkpie]

About time they could do 250 mph

[@justsomeone9267]

Lol

[@davidhayes4814]

Would the BMW be better compared with the S3, which it matches in almost all ways.

[@Francloy1]

Nah. Beemer beats that hands down

[@dougmaverick4108]

North Americans are lucky as they get the M8 Golf R with either a DSG or a proper manual transmission. I'm going for a manual. SaveTheManuals.

[@Francloy1]

But the better one is a BMW. I own one wirh the orange seats, and it's, all things considered, the winner. That said, these more front wheel drive cars are really dangerous when putting your foot down quickly you need to hold on to them.

[@user-el2zj3pw5r]

Remap + tcu tuning would solve the problem for bmw

[@scottessex6122]

id be intrested to see the m135i on the 350bhp remap against the golf r ...