2 Months in a Bimmer 330Ci - Good, but I want back in!!

[Mk5 GTian]

It's been a good driving experience, lovely car to look at, sounds wonderful all the time (I'll never tire of that straight six throb) and I arrive at my destination feeling a lot fresher and cosseted than I ever did in a Mk5 GTi

BUT

It's just not very exciting!! I miss the razor sharp responses (comparatively speaking) of having the power at the steered wheels. I miss the turbo shove on boost and instant acceleration. I miss the torque, and the handling is much better in the Golf than the Bimmer. Rear wheel drive just isn't very exciting unless you can hang the back out and when can you do that safely?

I can't wait to get back in a Mk5 GTi, and I'm a third of the way towards my ED30 budget. Can't come quick enough.

[berg]

interesting to hear your experiences

[GrayMK5GTI]

Ian,

Just a thought, have you considered trying a Focus ST or one of the other hot hatches as a comparison? I took out a Champ White Edition Civic Type-R (used to own one too) just for a go and was so surprised at how sharp it handled compared to a golf. Not very torquey low down the revs but was great fun to thrash and has the best gear change I've ever experienced.

Would certainly have another 

[Mk5 GTian]

Hi Graeme,

I have, but I miss VW ownership enormously. I've had 9 and I love 'em. Even when I drove a RS Focus Mountune 350, I looked down at the blue oval on the steering wheel  and thought "shame it's a Ford"!! Narrow minded I know 

[detailer]

Good lad, I l what you mean I had a 530d m sport. Had vw's all my life and went and bought the BMW. They are an awesome car don't get me wrong and the bold quality is equal if not slightly better then vw dee I say it, BUT the vw is better and more fun IMO 

[garrardrj]

For a relatively cheap car VW's are the tops when it comes to the passion of their owners and how their cars have such a great effect on them . Look at all the cars that it has produced over 50 years or so , Karmann ghia , split screen camper , mk 1 gti ,Scirrocco ,  Mk 5 gti etc . No other marque comes close for affordable passion 

[darren4]

Ian,

Just a thought, have you considered trying a Focus ST or one of the other hot hatches as a comparison? I took out a Champ White Edition Civic Type-R (used to own one too) just for a go and was so surprised at how sharp it handled compared to a golf. Not very torquey low down the revs but was great fun to thrash and has the best gear change I've ever experienced.

Would certainly have another 

The thing with the civic is as a everyday car it get's boring very quickly( dropping down gears for more power ect) reason i got rid of mine. Do miss that late night thrash mind 

[Saintsteve]

It's been a good driving experience, lovely car to look at, sounds wonderful all the time (I'll never tire of that straight six throb) and I arrive at my destination feeling a lot fresher and cosseted than I ever did in a Mk5 GTi

BUT

It's just not very exciting!! I miss the razor sharp responses (comparatively speaking) of having the power at the steered wheels. I miss the turbo shove on boost and instant acceleration. I miss the torque, and the handling is much better in the Golf than the Bimmer. Rear wheel drive just isn't very exciting unless you can hang the back out and when can you do that safely?

I can't wait to get back in a Mk5 GTi, and I'm a third of the way towards my ED30 budget. Can't come quick enough.

If only you'd listened   


Hope to see you back in a Ed30 soon Ian  

[Baz300]

Have you tried pressing this button?


I would say that on a dry hot day my 330ci would of easily out handled my Golf.

And the performance of a stage 1 gti is on par with the 330ci

[rf860]

I would say that on a dry hot day my 330ci would of easily out handled my Golf.

And the performance of a stage 1 gti is on par with the 330ci

Agree. I would say that most BMWs would out handle the golf. My previous 1 series coupe was far better for handling than the golf.

[Mk5 GTian]

It's been a good driving experience, lovely car to look at, sounds wonderful all the time (I'll never tire of that straight six throb) and I arrive at my destination feeling a lot fresher and cosseted than I ever did in a Mk5 GTi

BUT

It's just not very exciting!! I miss the razor sharp responses (comparatively speaking) of having the power at the steered wheels. I miss the turbo shove on boost and instant acceleration. I miss the torque, and the handling is much better in the Golf than the Bimmer. Rear wheel drive just isn't very exciting unless you can hang the back out and when can you do that safely?

I can't wait to get back in a Mk5 GTi, and I'm a third of the way towards my ED30 budget. Can't come quick enough.

If only you'd listened   


Hope to see you back in a Ed30 soon Ian  

Thanks Steve. I didn't want to sell my Golf, I had to do it because I needed to free up some cash to get my business going again and buy a van after 4 months off work injured. Not a day goes by when I don't miss it!! 

[Mk5 GTian]

Have you tried pressing this button?


I would say that on a dry hot day my 330ci would of easily out handled my Golf.

And the performance of a stage 1 gti is on par with the 330ci

My Revo Stage 1 Mk5 GTi was FAR quicker than my 330Ci. I'd compare the Bimmer as on a par with the Golf only when the GTi is running stock. In any weather, both my MK5 GTi's were also different league in terms of handling compared to the Bimmer.

In terms of handling, The BMW feels less communicative through the steering, and I don't feel anywhere near as confident throwing it into bends and roundabouts. 

[GTI5]

Have you tried pressing this button?


I would say that on a dry hot day my 330ci would of easily out handled my Golf.

And the performance of a stage 1 gti is on par with the 330ci

My Revo Stage 1 Mk5 GTi was FAR quicker than my 330Ci. I'd compare the Bimmer as on a par with the Golf only when the GTi is running stock. In any weather, both my MK5 GTi's were also different league in terms of handling compared to the Bimmer.

In terms of handling, The BMW feels less communicative through the steering, and I don't feel anywhere near as confident throwing it into bends and roundabouts. 

Interesting, do you think this was more of a feeling due to the FI power delivery vs the smooth inline 6 NA?

On paper both cars seem fairly even.

[Andy]

get it sold.and buy another gti