M3 vs. GTI

FC · 03-24-2017, 09:45 AM

As you may recall, we were close to getting a GTI when my wife became smitten with the eGolf and the great lease deal made us get it. My wife felt the GTI was too sporty/boyish and it would primarily be her car. Fair enough.

It's early given that the eGolf lease ends in Jan 2019, but as I am hoping to get an M3 (after much waffling) and they go out of production in 2018, we are tentatively planning a potential ED trip for one in June 2018.

The waffling resumes now because while I can talk myself into spending M3 money, there is always a GTI on my shoulder saying "You are not really going to spend over twice as much as I cost on an M3, are you?"

I drove the GTI and liked it. It wasn't perfect but it was quick and fun. Reviews (including reports on reliability) are glowing. That translates into the streets, where GTI's seem to be spawning everywhere. 5 people at work have one. I don't care that much about exclusivity.

The question is: Given that I'd drive it 5k miles per year, and not always in traffic-free country roads, why get an M3 when there is a perfectly good GTI, or worst-case, an R (with the benefit of AWD)?

Admittedly they are in totally different categories, but the ~$35k premium weighs on me. My wife is puzzled by why I'd even consider the GTI (she found it unrefined) and looks forward to the trip to Europe. She is not particularly happy with the M3 price tag but is willing to spend the money. The M3 is a very nice car but also not my "I'd kill someone for it" dream car.

Thoughts?

03-24-2017, 09:45 AM	#1
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,264	M3 vs. GTI As you may recall, we were close to getting a GTI when my wife became smitten with the eGolf and the great lease deal made us get it. My wife felt the GTI was too sporty/boyish and it would primarily be her car. Fair enough. It's early given that the eGolf lease ends in Jan 2019, but as I am hoping to get an M3 (after much waffling) and they go out of production in 2018, we are tentatively planning a potential ED trip for one in June 2018. The waffling resumes now because while I can talk myself into spending M3 money, there is always a GTI on my shoulder saying "You are not really going to spend over twice as much as I cost on an M3, are you?" I drove the GTI and liked it. It wasn't perfect but it was quick and fun. Reviews (including reports on reliability) are glowing. That translates into the streets, where GTI's seem to be spawning everywhere. 5 people at work have one. I don't care that much about exclusivity. The question is: Given that I'd drive it 5k miles per year, and not always in traffic-free country roads, why get an M3 when there is a perfectly good GTI, or worst-case, an R (with the benefit of AWD)? Admittedly they are in totally different categories, but the ~$35k premium weighs on me. My wife is puzzled by why I'd even consider the GTI (she found it unrefined) and looks forward to the trip to Europe. She is not particularly happy with the M3 price tag but is willing to spend the money. The M3 is a very nice car but also not my "I'd kill someone for it" dream car. Thoughts?