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View Poll Results: What should I do? | |||
Get the current-gen F30 330i when there are good deals | 71 | 24.48% | |
Hold on to my Jetta for now, then get the next-gen G20 330i | 129 | 44.48% | |
Buy the Octavia VRS | 90 | 31.03% | |
Voters: 290. You may not vote on this poll |
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18th January 2018, 16:53 | #1 |
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| Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport I have a Jetta 2.0TDi Highline DSG that is completing 4 years this March. Below is the ownership thread of the same. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...omes-home.html The car has been wonderful and every time I take the car for a long drive, it still puts that wide grin on my face. So there is actually no reason to upgrade. But still, of late, I have been getting that upgrade itch. Not because there is any issue with the Jetta, but just to experience other high performance cars. Getting to mid 40's could also be a reason?! So, I listed down the requirements. 1. A sedan 2. A petrol sedan 3. 200+ bhp power 4. Space comparable to the Jetta 5. A budget of 45L on road. Can stretch to 50L 6. I would keep the car for 6 to 7 years, as it would become a depreciation disaster if I kept it for any shorter duration. Options considered: Octavia VRS - This is by far the best car one could get at this price point. The VRS which is about 20L cheaper than the 330i can provide almost the same amount of fun. BMW 330i - One of my dreams is to drive a BMW. At 252bhp/350Nm + 8 speed sport gearbox + RWD, this is one of my dream cars. Audi A4 - With the 1.4TSi engine + DQ200 gearbox, this goes straight out of the list with no second thoughts. Mercedes C class - The only petrol option is C200, which is not very exciting with the 180bhp/300Nm engine. Jaguar XE - This is a very good option with its 237bhp/340Nm engine and 8 speed gear box. I read many comparisons between the XE and BMW 328i where the reviewers praised the XE to be better in handling than the BMW. However, the biggest let down with Jaguar is the questionable service network. As I want to have a trouble free ownership experience for the next 6 years, this is mostly out of the list. Volvo S60 T6 - This was one car I had my eyes on for quite sometime. But unfortunately, Volvo has stopped selling the S60 T6 in India, and have replaced it with the S60 Polestar. Though Polestar looks tempting (if I could stretch my budget a little more), the 20" wheels make it totally impractical for a family car. From the above, I short listed the VRS and 330i. Between the VRS and 330i, VRS is the best in terms of VFM. 20L cheaper, it still would give almost the same driving pleasure as the 330i. But I have my reasons! As I have not had a chance to experience the quality of a luxury brand, I want to experience the 330i. I discussed with many friends and petrol heads and all of them have an unanimous opinion - if affordable, go for the 330i. On a lighter note, as I am already in my mid 40's, I do not want to postpone joy, that it gets too late (read I get too old) to drive a fast car. So, I am keeping VRS as a fall back option if something wrong goes with finance plans. I also considered going for the pre-owned option and have been checking (on and off) for good deals. But due to the very small numbers sold, it is very difficult to get a good low usage 328i or a S60 T6. The ones I found were either too old (more than 5 years) or had high usage (greater than 50,000 kilometers). Also, from TBHPian quickdraw's 328i ownership thread, I found that a used car can result in lots of maintenance head aches. Under this situation, I have several questions that I want to put to fellow enthusiasts. Most of my questions are based on the assumption that 330i is the car to go for. But I would also like to confirm that I am not missing some other options. Questions on the short list: 1. Is there any other petrol car that can satisfy my criteria that I am missing from the list? 2. Is there any reason I should not be dropping the A4, or C200 or the Jaguar XE from my short list? Questions on the 330i: Sport Line vs. M Sport: The 330i comes in two variants - the Sport line and M sport. I do not care much for the body kit or the leather seats in the M sport, but two things that stand out are the Heads Up Display and the 18" wheels. The M Sport comes with staggered setup with 255/40/18 in the rear and 225/45/18 in the front. This should result in fantastic handling compared to the squared 17" setup in the sport line. However, the 18" wheels would also mean smaller side walls which will result in a harsh ride. How harsh would be the ride compared to the 17" wheels of the sport line? I don't expect the same comfort levels as I would in the Jetta, but I do not want the ride to be too harsh that the family starts cursing me for the choice. I would like to get inputs on this. The Heads Up Display is the next feature that I love in the M Sport which is not there in the sport line. I have read reviews that the HUD is not of much use other than navigation, but I have also read SanthoshBhat's X3 review where he has mentioned HUD is very useful. Which would be the better choice - the sport line or the M sport? RFT vs. Tubeless: As I had read about RFTs being very harsh and many BMW owners changing to tubeless, I was also thinking about changing the RFTs to tubeless for the better ride. However, read SanthoshBhat's experience with a tire burst and many comments that RFTs are much safer than tubeless, I am of two minds. And if I were to choose the M-Sport, would the 18" coupled with RFTs make it impractical in terms of ride quality? BSI and Extended Warranty: My usage would be anywhere from 8,000 to 12,000 kilometers per year. Initially, I was thinking about getting both the extended warranty and BSI+ for 6 years for that total peace of mind. However, the SA who visited me told me that with my usage, I will not be able to use the BSI+ to its maximum advantage and I may be paying more on BSI than regular service. He said that BMW has a conditional service where the service interval is not fixed like 15,000km/1 year, but only based on usage. BSI is useful to people who have very high usage like 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers a year which can result in multiple services in one year. He also said that the only high value wear and tear part is the brake pads which would cost about 40K, but would last close to 50,000 kilometers. Also, I read in SanthoshBhat's and Karan's threads about service cost being quite nominal. So, now I am thinking to get the maximum extended warranty, but not the BSI+. Is this the right thing to do? Is there any other expensive wear and tear cost that I may incur (like a clutch) in 6 years? Pricing: The SA was telling me that usually they give discounts for cars stocked by the dealership which they want to clear. And as there is not much movement in petrol cars, they usually do not have stock and will have to order fresh from the factory. So, he has not given details on any discounts. I have read many BMW ownership threads where there is usually a 10% discount on OTR. Do BMW dealers offer standard discounts throughout the year or only during stock clearance? Should I wait for such a season? If there is going to be not much discounts, then would it be better to get the 2018 model (even if the cost goes up a little)? I believe 2018 models will come with digital instrument cluster. Please share your views on this situation of mine. Thanks in advance for all the inputs. |
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18th January 2018, 17:07 | #2 |
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| re: Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport One way to go would be to rent some of those cars on Zoom or Myles to get the upgrade itch out of your system Though if you're selling that Jetta let us Chennai bhpians know first |
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18th January 2018, 17:41 | #3 |
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| re: Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport 330i all the way, it's a proper upgrade and gets you into rear wheel drive, add 100+ bhp and two more gears, you can't go wrong. The current 3 is on its last year and is a good way to go premium, the reliability will be better, the electronics are new and BMW does have some good finance deals(8%). The discount will make up for the depreciation, the last cars are the newest ones in the resale market. Enjoy your drives now and move to something like the E/5/A6/XF/S90 when sporty driving isn't your cup of tea anymore. The RS is great but not much of an upgrade from the Jetta. I'm not sure about resale for petrol in Coimbatore, but that could change down the line. |
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18th January 2018, 17:52 | #4 |
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| re: Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport Some points I'd like to add. Since this is a long term purchase, consider cost of maintenance between skoda and bmw. Always buy the top end variant, no buyer's remorse later on. Brand value is so high with the BMW. You'll love the special treatment on the road and at a restaurant. I would go for TD before zeroing in on the 330i. The octy has a lot more features for cheap. And if you can keep the vrs for 3 years instead of the 6-7 because of low initial cost, you may get something really fresh for your next car. Reason I say this is because the BMW is outdated now, with the next gen coming up real soon. It'll feel bad to me atleast to buy a car that is outdated so soon. |
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18th January 2018, 18:22 | #5 |
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| re: Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport I would not rule out the Jaguar XE. It is a better looking car than a 330i imho. Also the fact that the 330i is outdated and is common on the road. The service network may be limited, but you have ample backing of the parent company, Tata Motors. Cost of ownership would more or less be the same - once you get into this league service & repairs are expensive. |
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18th January 2018, 18:32 | #6 |
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| re: Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport If you can stretch the budget, I would get the 330i. I would rule out the Jaguar XE as it does not suit one of your primary requirements. It's woefully short on rear cabin space and leg room. Do try it out for yourself first before ruling it out, though. P.S. See if the 330i is available in the GT body style. Sure, it may look bulbous and not as svelte as the regular sedan, but those frameless windows are to kill for, and the additional space makes it even more practical. |
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18th January 2018, 18:41 | #7 | ||||||
Distinguished - BHPian | re: Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport Quote:
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I think you've already made up your mind on the 330i. I think that is the right choice. Jetta to VRS won't be much of an upgrade unless you are only after performance and don't really care about the brand value and aspiration value. The BMW 3 series has a lot of heritage and for good reason. The F30 initially was criticised for being too soft, but I think BMW has fixed things in the LCI. It is close to the end of its lifecycle and generally by this time BMW tends to iron out tiny niggles and flaws and makes improvements to keep up with competition. Many of these these changes are under the skin and may not be visible on the surface. As far as depth of engineering goes, the BMW is quite a log way ahead compared to the VRS. Quote:
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With 17" you will get only marginally better ride. Both RFTs will give you a stiff ride. Switching to tubeless is something a lot of BMW owners have done not just in India, but abroad as well. Yes RFTs are safer, but my question to those who recommend RFTs over tubeless is - Would you switch to RFTs from tubeless on non BMW cars? 99% cars run on tubeless. If your Jetta is safe on tubeless, why not your BMW? The ride will be a bit stiff with RFT and you will need to slow down a bit more for bad roads. But it won't be that uncomfortable. If you find it bothersome, switch to tubeless and enjoy the ride . I am not sure if tubeless option exists for the 18" staggered set up. So you may need to check that out. Quote:
Don't believe the SA. Check for pricing trends on Team BHP. March will be good time to buy. The new 3 is expected by the end of this year if I am not mistaken. So discounts will flow. All these companies have targets to meet and inventories to clear. Talk to other brand dealerships as well and even if you are not interested in the A4 or C , be in touch with these dealerships and try to haggle and see what deals the season has to offer. Let the BMW dealer know that you are open to buying these cars and they are giving you amazing offers. Also if possible try to talk to neighbouring state BMW dealers as well and see what offers you can get. You can use all this to get your local dealer to fall in line. All the best Last edited by Santoshbhat : 18th January 2018 at 18:45. | ||||||
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18th January 2018, 19:23 | #8 | ||||||
Distinguished - BHPian | re: Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport Hi Graaja, Just recently upgraded from our Laura to a pre-owned 328i (with a new vRS booked as Plan B in case I couldn't find anything better). Reasons & requirements were similar (except the age, and the fact that I was looking for a car that could be easily tuned to 300BHP). Just some thoughts: Quote:
The new vRS though is a very very desirable car! In stock, it comes very close to the 328i in terms of performance and feel, and was a little better than the 328i in terms of handling (but the 328i is a pre-LCI vehicle which has a very soft suspension and heavier steering - just not as chuckable as the vRS). I haven't driven the LCI model too much but the suspension is stiffer and quite pleasurable. In my case, given I was looking to tune the vehicle in the near future it made sense to go the RWD way for better traction, and the fun of getting the tail to slip out. However, do keep in mind that the 330i is going to be smaller than the Jetta in terms of space (lower seating maybe, or could be the all black interiors), and practicality isn't a strong point (space saver eating up most of the trunk space, bottle holders are small, etc.). Quote:
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While I love the 18" wheels, you really need to be that much more careful with them and there is no doubt the ride will be harsher. Depending on your route, the 18" could give problems - a cousin in Delhi who had a 328i has gone through multiple pairs of tyres! Regarding the HUD - I primarily use Google Maps for navigation (more accurate), so apart from showing the speed / door open warnings, there isn't much else that you would miss. Personally - I'd pick the sportline over the M-Sport, and spend the balance on other accessories such as better tyres. Quote:
While RFT's are safer and better for a car that does a lot of highway drives - they are a pain to deal with on poor roads. Quote:
BSI just gives you that much more comfort because your out of pocket expenses are limited. It's a personal call and you can go either way on it. Quote:
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18th January 2018, 19:47 | #9 |
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| re: Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport
As far as I know, you will be around number 10 in the queue . Please be aware that there are at least 7-8 Coimbatore Bhpians who are eagerly waiting for graaja to find a worthy upgrade to the Jetta. And having seen it, it is one of the best maintained Jettas, anyone can find. |
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18th January 2018, 21:07 | #10 |
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| re: Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport The correct dosage would be a 5-series. All others will give placebo effect. At least test drive one before opting for others. 330i is good for upto 33 years |
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18th January 2018, 21:18 | #11 | ||||||||||||||||
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18th January 2018, 21:34 | #12 |
BHPian | re: Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport Hello sir, I would suggest the 330i GT.Here, in Bangalore, BMW dealers are offering good discounts on the GT which brings it to the 330i territory in terms of pricing. Do check with your dealer for discounts on the GT. Since the car does not sell as well as the 3 or 5 series, discounts are most likely to be offered. Regards Prathik |
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18th January 2018, 21:34 | #13 |
BANNED | The VRS is the most amazing package for enthusiasts today but BMW is joy. If you plan to keep the car for 5+ years it's best you stick to the bmw as, in general the long term reliability of the beemers is much better than the competition. At the same time I would suggest you should also consider used 530d's. The F10 maybe a generation older but the 30d's experience is unmatched. Happy shopping! |
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18th January 2018, 23:06 | #14 |
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| re: Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport I had looked into the 330i vs XE25t options while buying my new car last year (settled on Superb 1.8TSI MT finally). Though both 2L produce similar power/torque (somewhat higher in the 330i), the similarity ends there - 330i has way higher FE (compare ARAI numbers), as well as the faster acceleration - 0-100 as well as in-gear IIRC. The XE also cramped compared to 3 series though bigger on the outside. ZF8 Sport transmission in 330i is better callibrated than ZF8 in the Jag. Reliability of 330i is way better and BMW scores in service over Jaguar. Going for the Jaguar are much better and sporty styling, better handling and road hugging capabilities. It also has some features like 360deg view camera etc but depends on the trim level. https://www.autocarindia.com/car-com...parison-406577 18" wheels are not really meant for India ! Having moved from 15" on my Lancer (upsized) to 17" on the Superb, even 17" can fall heavily into some (not that big) potholes with jarring effect (happened couple of times). So, I would prefer Sportline 17" over Msport 18" wheels. Last edited by lancer_rit : 18th January 2018 at 23:15. |
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18th January 2018, 23:55 | #15 |
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| re: Replacement for my VW Jetta - BMW 330i or an Octavia vRS? EDIT: Booked the 330i GT M-Sport Do you really want to go for a FWD vRS when your heart is set on the amazing RWD 330i? We enthusiasts are going to push you for the BMW all day long, sir. I really reckon you to add a poll to this thread to make it easier for you to decide your next steed. |
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