Need new car, getting rid of the GTI. *Update: Bought BMW 135is*

[Ciber]

I'm about 23 months into my 36 month lease and i must get rid of this car since i can't stand all the issues with it and the dealer's incompetence. I escalated the whole mess up to VW's CEO's assistant, who offered me a month's payment for all my trouble... lol.

Needless to say, i'm done with VW forever.

Soo, i'm thinking about getting a 135is. What do you guys think? I prefer small coupes and the 135 seems to be the only one around with a real engine, and i don't care for the 3 series since it's too big. Please no suggestions to get an ancient E46 M3.

Thanks.

Update 12/12/12:

Bought a BMW 135is, will be delivered on saturday. Here's the specs:

Space Gray Metallic
Coral Red Boston Leather
Glacier Silver Aluminum trim
Premium Package
Technology Package
7-Speed double clutch Transmission
M Sports leather steering wheel with paddle shifters
Heated front seats
Harman Kardon surround sound system
Anti-theft alarm system(Yes, this is an option... lol.)

I'll post some pics and comments when i get it. Amusingly enough, VW corporate called me when i was at the BMW dealer, offering to "help" me deal with the VW dealer... I told her not to worry that i was in the middle of buying a replacement car haha. I can't put into words how glad i am to be rid of that stupid GTI and the shitty dealer.

Update 1/29/13: Finally got around to picking up the car:

It was raining so did not get to play with it much, it had 11 miles on pickup. The suspension/run flat tires are definitely harsher than the AMG suspension on the SLK with Pilot Super Sports. The exhaust note is awesome.

Update 1/30/13: Pics: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gu8529q5kt2brh5/L8AwGTm1_d

 

[dbk]

brz

 

[amdhunter]

I'm about 23 months into my 36 month lease and i must get rid of this car since i can't stand all the issues with it and the dealer's incompetence. I escalated the whole mess up to VW's CEO's assistant, who offered me a month's payment for all my trouble... lol.

Needless to say, i'm done with VW forever.

Soo, i'm thinking about getting a 135is. What do you guys think? I prefer small coupes and the 135 seems to be the only one around with a real engine, and i don't care for the 3 series since it's too big. Please no suggestions to get an ancient E46 M3.

Thanks.

135is would be all sorts of freaking awesome. I'd be jealous as hell.
The BRZ would be nice, but I'd be worried about it being anemic.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Small RWD coupe -

Genesis 3.8
5.0 Mustang

 

[cbrsurfr]

What kind of problems did you have?

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Small RWD coupe -

Genesis 3.8
5.0 Mustang

Can the Mustang really be considered as "small"? :hmm:

 

[Phanuel]

Can the Mustang really be considered as "small"? :hmm:

Sure! For an American car, 5 liters isn't a 'big' engine! :awe:

 

[Ciber]

What kind of problems did you have?

*Coolant leak
*Sat radio broke multiple times, took them 8+ months to replace the radio.
*Aerial antenna replaced
*New radio seems to have been tuned by Beats audio or something, no amount of EQ tweaking seems to fix the booming bass.
*Dealer never answers the phone
*Dealer rarely fixes issues on the first visit
*Dealer has yet to give me an estimate on a scrape on the side of the car(Car has been in like 4 times
*Dealer never has loaners
*loose shifter
*Bluetooth is basically useless(module replaced once or twice)
*iPod integration is horrific and basically doesn't work(cable replaced multiple times)
*Random engine warnings
*Random broken bulb warnings
*Intermittent noise coming from right passenger footwell blower
*Clanking noise coming from engine bay

I'm sure i'm forgetting some stuff.

 

[Ciber]

Can the Mustang really be considered as "small"? :hmm:

One of my employees has a Mustang GT, and the engine sounds great, but i don't like the styling and the interior is terrible.

 

[DaTT]

One of my employees has a Mustang GT, and the engine sounds great, but i don't like the styling and the interior is terrible.

Bite your tongue!!! *shakes fist*

In all seriousness, having bad dealership experiences is awful....isn't there another dealer you could have used?

 

[Ciber]

Bite your tongue!!! *shakes fist*

In all seriousness, having bad dealership experiences is awful....isn't there another dealer you could have used?

They all seem to be horrible based on reviews i've read. I'm in manhattan and all the other dealers are a pain to get to in general.

 

[Arkaign]

Small RWD coupe -

Genesis 3.8
5.0 Mustang

That's a weird combo. The Mustang V6 w/track pack performs just like the 3.8 Genesis (close enough, both within hairs on grip, handling (figure 8/track times), 0-60, 1/4, braking. The 5.0GT is a whole 'nother ballpark entirely, power-wise.

 

[Arkaign]

Anyway, if the 3-series is too big, the Mustang is similarly sized. If you can afford a 135, that will punch the ticket for small + fast + higher quality interior.

The Mustang is a value sportscar, there will be some compromise with the interior, even though I think it's perfectly functional (and visibility is heaps better than the coffin that is the Camaro, the prime rival). That said, it's notably larger than a 135.

 

[amdhunter]

Small RWD coupe -

Genesis 3.8
5.0 Mustang

Genesis is absolute garbage. Sit in one for 5 minutes and feel the rattly plasticness. I was so disappointed after sitting in a track model in dealership.

 

[amdhunter]

*New radio seems to have been tuned by Beats audio or something, no amount of EQ tweaking seems to fix the booming bass. - They put the wrong speaker in the front door. The non-Premium radio comes with speakers that fit in the same area - with much higher sensitivity and lower response.

*loose shifter - I had the same issue on my 07, eventually the shift linkage disengaged.

*Intermittent noise coming from right passenger footwell blower - did you check the AC filter?

 

[MagickMan]

I'd say FR-S or BRZ, but dealers are gouging on them right now. So I'll qualify the recommendation with "if you can get one for MSRP + DC".

 

[cyclistca]

What year is your GTI?

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on one.

It seems VW's are so hit or miss. You either have liitle or no problems or tons of problems.

 

[Volkswagen]

VW's are great for the most part or at least the ones me and my friends and family own
The problem here sounds like the stealer ship that the OP takes his vehicle...Dealer makes a big difference- if I was you I would visit another dealer.

 

[Ciber]

*New radio seems to have been tuned by Beats audio or something, no amount of EQ tweaking seems to fix the booming bass. - They put the wrong speaker in the front door. The non-Premium radio comes with speakers that fit in the same area - with much higher sensitivity and lower response.


*loose shifter - I had the same issue on my 07, eventually the shift linkage disengaged.


*Intermittent noise coming from right passenger footwell blower - did you check the AC filter?

They only replaced the head unit. I have the autobahn package with the Dynaudio setup.

i Did not check the filter. My friend is going to take the car(he lives in nj, more dealer options), so i don't care to deal with it any longer.

 

[Ciber]

What year is your GTI?

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on one.

It seems VW's are so hit or miss. You either have liitle or no problems or tons of problems.

2011 GTI Autobahn 4 door. I'd stay far far away.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

2011 GTI Autobahn 4 door. I'd stay far far away.

I loved my GTI and my Jetta TDI, I'd get another without hesitation. Your dealer sucks/you got a lemon. Shit happens.

 

[Throckmorton]

Get the 135is, with a manual transmission, and buy it don't lease it

 

[ballmode]

G37 or 135

 

[Arkaign]

G37 or 135

I personally love the G37, but OP says 3-series is too large. If anything, the G, even the coupe, is a fairly large vehicle.

I can't really think of any analogue to the 135. It's kind of in a world of it's own.

 

[power_hour]

FR-S / BRZ are sweet rides. Might be a bit weak in power but its well designed. That would be my first choice over any BMW. Especially if your tired of dealer drama.