GTI or 325i ??

[vdubGTi]

I am trying to make a decision which one I should buy:
an 05/06 325i
or an 06 GTI 5 door.
Can someone give me some reasonable comparisons between the two cars (not edmunds.com s...). I currently own an 04 1.8t and I am happy performance wise but not comfort wise. I am waiting to test drive a 5 door. Can someone help me please?

[GTi Fanatic]

well i tried to write a comparison of these two cars and realized i havent driven either one.

some things that should be considered are:
FWD vs. RWD
price:name ratio
warranty, price and availability of parts
reviews of the car i.e. car of the year= gti best coupe = 3 series.

with the introduction of the 5 door gti to the states and the versatility of the hatch... IMO the gti is a good all around car

[Das_Meister]

Top Gear BBC awards


GTI: 2005 Best car of the year

BMW 3 series: 2005 ugliest car of the year

I personally don't think the BMW is all that bad.

[MAlby7]

Depends on what you're looking for. The BMW is more money but it is also a lot more refined. It has more technology that the GTI by large amounts. Things like brakes that dry themselves when it's raining outside, and brakes that change pressure when you're coming towards a stop to make the braking more smooth. It also has power seats, memory seats, power folding mirrors, better sound system, and convenience features that the golf doesn't have.

On the downside it is much more expensive, has poorer gas mileage, and costs more to fix once the warranty is up, although in it's defence, the 3 series has free scheduled maintenance for the first 4 years of ownership.

[cmdrfire]

(BMW has...) brakes that change pressure when you're coming towards a stop to make the braking more smooth.

The GTI's brakes are servo-assisted resulting in a braking based on amount of pressure placed on pedal and speed of application of pressure (for instance, if I slam the brakes hard the servo-assist will apply maximum safe braking; if I'm braking gently and gradually increasing, the servo assist will do the same).

The GTI is a nicer (and more unique car) I think, and apart from little luxuries (fully electronic seats, which are sadly EU only (not even the UK!) and a somewhat bigger boot) the GTI is better. My friend has a 325 (I think it's an early 05 one) and I can beat him straight-line; I think the GTI produces more torque, though I'm not 100% certain on this.
The leather seats on the GTI are also much more comfortable than the leather BMW seats (at least the 05 ones, I don't know if they're changed much), and space for rear passengers is also greater in the GTI (my friends find more legroom in my car than in the BMW, and more headspace, and I have my seat pretty far back).
Plus, the GTI has DSG as an option. The BMW tiptronic nonsense is a bit naff.

[vdubGTi]

Thank you everyone. I think I will stick to vdub. However, does anyone know the difference between the mkIV and mkV seat size and comfort? Because I hate the seats in the mkIV.