[nero1943]

Hello guys,

I'm deciding on these two cars. I live in Taiwan Taipei with very bad traffic. The R32's price is $47,000 USD fully loaded ( DSG ) while the 130 ( MT ) with m package $ 6,6000 USD. That's nearly a 20,000 difference. I love bmw since I got my driver's license at 16.:thumbup: I really want a 130 but due to the huge price difference maybe I should give R32 a thought.

MK5 R32:

VR6 250hp AWD
much more space overall
GOLF 1.6, 2.0, diesel, golf +, golf 3D, GTi, R32 they all share the samebody style which makes it less unique on the road.
DSG is pretty decent if you are lazy on stop and go
after modding the R32 it looks quite good although it's everywhere in Taipei

E87 130i:

N52L6 265hp RWD
rear seats are pretty much useless
very unique and nice looks from every angle
50/50 weight distributions
on spec the auto tranny on the 130 is just like ordinary steptronic
even with M package you get less options compare with R32

Both car's performance are pretty much neck to neck. I've driven both and I think 130 felt more fun to drive. I gotta admit i'm very surprised with DSG. It's super fast! I like both cars. Does BMW worth that much more? I mean, yes people will know I drive a bimmer and probably get more head turns. 20,000 is a lot in my opinion.

p.s I might be able to get a deal on 06 130i probably 8k less if I am lucky

[AlexM]

If you want great drive/handling it's a no brainer - 130i. Also it depreciates less. If you're on a budget then don't consider R32 because you can get a GTI that is only an inch slower, handles great and again a LOT cheaper than R32, which is definitely NOT worth its price tag.

[aspiring335]

Originally Posted by nero1943

Hello guys,

I'm deciding on these two cars. I live in Taiwan Taipei with very bad traffic. The R32's price is $47,000 USD fully loaded ( DSG ) while the 130 ( MT ) with m package $ 6,6000 USD. That's nearly a 20,000 difference. I love bmw since I got my driver's license at 16.:thumbup: I really want a 130 but due to the huge price difference maybe I should give R32 a thought.

MK5 R32:

VR6 250hp AWD
much more space overall
GOLF 1.6, 2.0, diesel, golf +, golf 3D, GTi, R32 they all share the samebody style which makes it less unique on the road.
DSG is pretty decent if you are lazy on stop and go
after modding the R32 it looks quite good although it's everywhere in Taipei

E87 130i:

N52L6 265hp RWD
rear seats are pretty much useless
very unique and nice looks from every angle
50/50 weight distributions
on spec the auto tranny on the 130 is just like ordinary steptronic
even with M package you get less options compare with R32

Both car's performance are pretty much neck to neck. I've driven both and I think 130 felt more fun to drive. I gotta admit i'm very surprised with DSG. It's super fast! I like both cars. Does BMW worth that much more? I mean, yes people will know I drive a bimmer and probably get more head turns. 20,000 is a lot in my opinion.

p.s I might be able to get a deal on 06 130i probably 8k less if I am lucky

Have you seen the Top Gear episode in which they compare the R32 to the 130i? I was going to send you the YouTube link, but it's been removed because of copyright violation. They loved the handling of the 130i but said that in every other aspect the R32 was superior, and in fact it was very close for driver engagement / enjoyment. If you can live with less steering feel and moderately slower track times, then go with the R32.

[a burrito]

the r32 has a killer soundtrack but i would get the beamer.

[nero1943]

Originally Posted by AlexM

If you want great drive/handling it's a no brainer - 130i. Also it depreciates less. If you're on a budget then don't consider R32 because you can get a GTI that is only an inch slower, handles great and again a LOT cheaper than R32, which is definitely NOT worth its price tag.

GTi' with R32 difference is only $3,700USD

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by aspiring335

Have you seen the Top Gear episode in which they compare the R32 to the 130i? I was going to send you the YouTube link, but it's been removed because of copyright violation. They loved the handling of the 130i but said that in every other aspect the R32 was superior, and in fact it was very close for driver engagement / enjoyment. If you can live with less steering feel and moderately slower track times, then go with the R32.

Top Gear hates BMWs so you have to take their reviews with a grain of salt.

VW are not as reliable as BMWs. However, I would take the advice and get the GTI while you are at it. While the difference with the R32 is not as much as that, add that to the 20000 and it become 25,000 difference-go on a cruise for that money.....

[nero1943]

yeah I watched that top gear comparison video. Yeah when I drove the R32 I didn't really felt the steering as much compare with 130i. Actually R32 has faster track times in most of the 130 vs R32 comparison.

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by nero1943

yeah I watched that top gear comparison video. Yeah when I drove the R32 I didn't really felt the steering as much compare with 130i. Actually R32 has faster track times in most of the 130 vs R32 comparison.

Yeah - apparently VW really nailed the handling with the new generation GTI/R32/R36 (to come).

I think that the run flats do not flater the BMW's lap times. I also heard that somehow the rear suspension set up of the 1 series makes it tail happier than the other series and that also contributed likely to the lower lap times.

[ALPINE6SPD]

I would take the 130i for the fact thats its rear wheel as opposed to AWD. The R32 handles amazing but I like the RWD feel better. I would also never buy the new R32 (at least in the US) because you cant get a stick.

[SpecC]

i've always liked the R32 more than the 130i. personally the unique look of the E87 is pretty nasty to me but the R32 says GTFO UNLESS YOU HAVE MORE POWER
also AWD is always
just my 2 cents

[NFS]

Originally Posted by nero1943

Hello guys,

I'm deciding on these two cars. I live in Taiwan Taipei with very bad traffic. The R32's price is $47,000 USD fully loaded ( DSG ) while the 130 ( MT ) with m package $ 6,6000 USD. That's nearly a 20,000 difference. I love bmw since I got my driver's license at 16.:thumbup: I really want a 130 but due to the huge price difference maybe I should give R32 a thought.

MK5 R32:

VR6 250hp AWD
much more space overall
GOLF 1.6, 2.0, diesel, golf +, golf 3D, GTi, R32 they all share the samebody style which makes it less unique on the road.
DSG is pretty decent if you are lazy on stop and go
after modding the R32 it looks quite good although it's everywhere in Taipei

E87 130i:

N52L6 265hp RWD
rear seats are pretty much useless
very unique and nice looks from every angle
50/50 weight distributions
on spec the auto tranny on the 130 is just like ordinary steptronic
even with M package you get less options compare with R32

Both car's performance are pretty much neck to neck. I've driven both and I think 130 felt more fun to drive. I gotta admit i'm very surprised with DSG. It's super fast! I like both cars. Does BMW worth that much more? I mean, yes people will know I drive a bimmer and probably get more head turns. 20,000 is a lot in my opinion.

p.s I might be able to get a deal on 06 130i probably 8k less if I am lucky

The 130i may be slightly quicker on a track.

Personally I don't think that justifies the extra cost.

You'd have to drive both ... but the R32 would be the smarter choice.

You should also remember that the Golf GTi is 99% as good as the R32. So maybe you should think about one of those

[booforty]

R32 all the way, not a fan of the 1 series - R32 looks great too!

[Robin_NL]

130i, no doubt, 100% more fun. Period.

[younghov85]

it will cost less for aftermarket VW parts, so u can still have the r32 quicker than the 1-series. Also, the interior on the R32 is better, as well as the exterior. And its AWD so it might be a tad bit more exciting to drive. Go with the R32, dont follow the norm!

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by younghov85

it will cost less for aftermarket VW parts, so u can still have the r32 quicker than the 1-series. Also, the interior on the R32 is better, as well as the exterior. And its AWD so it might be a tad bit more exciting to drive. Go with the R32, dont follow the norm!

+1

I'd go with the R32 as well.

[AlexM]

Originally Posted by nero1943

GTi' with R32 difference is only $3,700USD

Nice, in my country it's almost USD 6.000 + huge mpg difference. IMO bimmer would be more fun to drive since it's almost perfectly balanced and a RWD for that matter, also i think 130i comes with standard M optik

[shipill]

Go with R32

[Robin_NL]

130i is 100% more fun. R32 is a dull car.New GTI is much better.

A few years ago I had a 120d(163BHP) for almost half a year.

Dry tarmac.Me on a small track. And 100% fun.Super well balanced chassis(same as E90/92)

[Greeney]

R32

[DFW_M]

$20k difference -- would not even think about it. Yes, we all love the Bimmer and yes, it would probably handle better, but definitely NOT worth extra $20k IMO. Not worth even extra $5k IMO...

[kyotousa]

Originally Posted by AlexM

If you want great drive/handling it's a no brainer - 130i. Also it depreciates less. If you're on a budget then don't consider R32 because you can get a GTI that is only an inch slower, handles great and again a LOT cheaper than R32, which is definitely NOT worth its price tag.

According to top gear R32 beats 130i in handling department
130i is fun to drive...but it can't beat a 4wd or something

I think even R32 even outrun 130i on the topgear track...

it's on youtube you can search

I'd say 20k part already set off the depreciate part. lol

btw Taiwan is a really weird BMW loving country...so you might take that into factor

[Greeney]

Here is the Fifth Gear R32 vs. 130i