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Buy MK6 GTI, 335i,or something else? Opinions

What car should

  • MKVI GTI

    Votes: 14 35.0%
  • 2007 BMW 335i

    Votes: 8 20.0%
  • Something Else

    Votes: 18 45.0%

  • Total voters
    40

BP11

Banned
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL


in all seriousness, OP, you're either going to end up with a shit box, or a high mileage beat-to-hell 'kinda fast' car.
 

czirrfb

Banned
Ok so that answers my question in the other thread, with a stage 1 I should be able to take a S2000, sweet! I gotta get a CAI asap!
 

inegrin

New member
GTI is fun, 335i is precise, it's a matter of preference

I didn't read the whole thread but can provide

OK, I have both a 2013 GTI w/30K and a 2007 335i convertible w/70K. I love having both because they offer completely different feeling driving experiences and it's nice to switch off between them. Assuming comparable condition, the answer is what you prefer and how you like to drive.

The GTI is a zippy light feeling car you can really throw around, generally a lot of fun.
The 335i has a much heavier, very predictable feel. It's handling is very deliberate and precise, but not nearly as much fun.

I do all the maintenance on both cars myself so I don't find one is particularly more expensive than the other. If you plan on using dealer service the BMW will be much higher but you can find independent specialists/tuners that are more reasonable. The dealer also recommends some outrageous services like changing all the belts and hoses at 60K or so (which I didn't do) for many thousands of $$. Like most vehicles, if you stay on top of the fluids, and watch everything else you should be fine. However the 335i does have some quirks you should be aware of. The runflat tire are horrible and both rear wheels cracked on mine. I replaced all tires and wheels with aftermarket conventional tires and now it's fine, haven't had any issues since except no spare. The RWD is horrible in the snow if that matters to you. I hit a curb in the 335i and did some damage to the front left suspension, to the tune of $8K to fix, chassis components are aluminum and had to be replaced which is actually a good thing, no bent frame worries. Once repaired, good as new, no strange tire wear, pull or anything.

I find the seating in the 335i much more comfortable and adjustable than the GTI but that is a matter of preference.

Even though the 335i is 3.0L/300hp twin turbo I don't find it much faster than the 2.0L/200hp single turbo in the GTI in practical driving. This is probably mostly due to the lighter weight and agility the GTI has compared to the deliberate nature of the 335i so it just "feels" as fast. I do mostly highway driving and average 23/24 in the 335i and 29/30 in the GTI.

Both of my cars are white, the 335i is more difficult to keep clean. It just generates more tail soot and brake dust than the GTI.

The 335i sports package has a stock baffle on the tail pipe that gives a cool throaty sound when it kicks in, especially with the top down. You don't get that in the GTI.

That's what I can think of for now, but I'm sure there are a lot more observation I can provide.
 
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