Used 330e or MK7 GTI

wallpapers123

Hi folks, posting after a long time, looking for a car upgrade at the moment, and I'm a bit confused as to which way to go.
After looking at a few MK7 GTIs (Manual) which I had almost made up my mind on getting one, there are also a few 330e (which has a bit more power than the GTI and rear wheel drive too) in the market at the moment for similar price with high-ish spec (18/19k euro) for 2016/17 models, with less than 100k miles.

From performance stand point I think(?) the GTI would be a better choice, but from an overall picture, the 330e is more car for the money and a much newer car.

I don't plan on tuning/modding either cars and would keep them as stock as possible.

maddness

The GTI will be a lot more fun to drive.

Heres Johnny

Just be aware the 330e you are looking at is the shorter range than some recent discussions here if the electric range is a factor for you. About 20kms decent estimate.

wallpapers123

Well the electric range is not a huge issue right now since there not much traveling due to COVID. The car will only be used on the weekends/ occasional road trips.

wallpapers123

maddness wrote: »

The GTI will be a lot more fun to drive.

Won’t the 330e be a more fun since it has more hp and rear wheel drive?

bazz26

You are also carrying around heavy batteries in the 330e that you say you really won't be using.

How did you narrow down your choice to these two cars, they are very different?

wallpapers123

bazz26 wrote: »

You are also carrying around heavy batteries in the 330e that you say you really won't be using.

How did you narrow down your choice to these two cars, they are very different?

Yes I know they’re very different from each other, but price wise they’re pretty close at the moment in used car market.

The mk7 GTI is my first choice, but in the same price the 330e is a lot more car for the price.

Staying strictly away from diesels since I don’t have heavy motorway usage.

maddness

wallpapers123 wrote: »

Won’t the 330e be a more fun since it has more hp and rear wheel drive?

And about 300kg more too.

carsfan2

I moved from a mark 7 gti to a 330e.
The BMW has better acceleration, has better fuel economy especially if you plug in regularly and is more comfortable on a journey. The VW handles better and is more fun to drive when you push it, also more practical with better boot and the benefit of a hatchback.
Lower, more sporty driving position in the BMW. I always felt the golf driver’s seat was too high, but it’s a nicer seat to sit in with standard lumbar support unlike the BMW.

wallpapers123

carsfan2 wrote: »

I moved from a mark 7 gti to a 330e.
The BMW has better acceleration, has better fuel economy especially if you plug in regularly and is more comfortable on a journey. The VW handles better and is more fun to drive when you push it, also more practical with better boot and the benefit of a hatchback.
Lower, more sporty driving position in the BMW. I always felt the golf driver’s seat was too high, but it’s a nicer seat to sit in with standard lumbar support unlike the BMW.

Interesting, you moved from a mk7 to a 330e..is the GTI really better than the 330e in everyday driving and weekend twisty drives?
On paper the 330e makes a lot more sense than the GTI.

PaulRyan97

Why not get a mix of both?

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/golf/fpa/202007291841437

wallpapers123

PaulRyan97 wrote: »

Why not get a mix of both?

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/volkswagen/golf/fpa/202007291841437

I did test drove it yesterday, didn’t like the overall driving experience of the car. Too much jerkiness with the regenerative braking and throttle response at slow speeds. And the engine makes a really bad noise when it kicks in.
But goes like rocket when you put your foot down with the DSG.

eljono

I test drove a 330e a couple of months before buying a Mk7 GTI. Was very impressed by the drivetrain but surprised at how quickly the battery gets used. The boot was also quite small because of the batteries and you can't fold the rear seats. The lack of practicality meant it wasn't a runner for me and the idea of plugging it in daily for so little electric range also put me off.

The GTI has been a pleasure to own, it covers off practicality, fun and comfort and I have found it relatively economical to own over the past 18 months.

User1998

wallpapers123 wrote: »

I did test drove it yesterday, didn’t like the overall driving experience of the car. Too much jerkiness with the regenerative braking and throttle response at slow speeds. And the engine makes a really bad noise when it kicks in.
But goes like rocket when you put your foot down with the DSG.

I had a mk7 GTE myself and agree that the engine does make a bad noise when it kicks in. Sport mode uses a sound actuator but that can be turned off in the 7.5. Regen breaking can be switched off too but I use it all the time and never use the actual break pedal. I upgraded to a 7.5 GTE and it’s far better than the mk7. Engine kicks in far less and you know when it’s about to kick in so you can just let off the accelerator slightly. The engine and electric motor seem to work better together in the 7.5. I highly considered a 330e but the out dated cabin, lack of radar cruise control in most, and the manual hand break turned me off it

carsfan2

wallpapers123 wrote: »

Interesting, you moved from a mk7 to a 330e..is the GTI really better than the 330e in everyday driving and weekend twisty drives?
On paper the 330e makes a lot more sense than the GTI.

No the 330e was the better car for every day driving if you didn’t need the capacity of a hatchback. The golf gti is more fun. The 330e was a lot cheaper to run day to day depreciation aside.

wallpapers123

Happy to report, just put down the money for the GTI.:D

maddness

wallpapers123 wrote: »

Happy to report, just put down the money for the GTI.:D

Excellent choice sir. Soon it might be difficult to buy anything that is not a hybrid or full ev.