VW vs BMW
So how does BMW's new 300hp, 300 lb/ft RWD twin-turbo 135i Coupe compare to the R32? On paper, it doesn't. And on our regular commute, the BMW is more comfortable, quieter and more flexible. It's also better equipped - but at a price!However, the canyons are a great equalizer and you need a cohesive package in order to succeed on these incredible roads.
Initially, we struggled to take the RWD platform to its limits after driving the VWs all day, but eventually the BMW came into its own. It's huge six-piston front brakes provided astonishing power, and while the cars appear to be similar weight, the BMW is better balanced front to rear. It also has a longer wheelbase and wider track, making it more stable. With wider tires and more power, the BMW should have had it all its own way.
But you can make an R32 dance on the limit of adhesion. And get on the power sooner thanks to its AWD. So we were staggered to see just how close these two cars were as we came to the end of our chosen canyon. Given more straights, the 135i would've demolished the VW, but throw in some hairpins and the R32 is right there again. In fact, the R32 is probably easier to drive at 10/10ths, whereas the BMW requires a little more commitment to take it to the limit on these roads.
Economy
Out of interest, we zeroed all the trip computers in the cars prior to the canyon runs. We then took a leisurely drive home along Highway 1 before hitting city streets for a few miles. The following mpg figures were recorded by each car but with a variety of drivers. They reflect some pretty hard driving, but are disappointing nonetheless.
Stock GTI: 12.1mpg
Modified GTI: 12.5mpg
R32: 11.5mpg
135i: 12.3mpg
This was closer than I expected. The last time I drove the R32 it was at 6000ft in the Alps and the VR6 was wheezing for oxygen. Back down at sea level in the hills around Malibu, CA it was a different animal altogether - crisper, more agile, more responsive.
Our day in the hills was full of surprises. The first surprise was getting reacquainted with the stock GTI. I couldn't believe how good it was. The car was fast and nimble; fun to drive, just as it had been the first time I drove it.
In the city, the stock GTI is ample for any occasion. It did the job well and costs thousands less than the other cars here. But in the hills, the tires started to slide and the brakes overheated as it fought valiantly to keep up.
The modified GTI, on the other hand, suffered none of these deficiencies. It was pretty much how I'd build a GTI, only the owner had opted for super-wide rear tires that were compromising the car's agility. Some drivers found it understeered excessively, but if you drive it differently the extra grip rewarded you with phenomenal cornering power.
Given the extra horsepower and incredible braking, this is probably the VW I'd drive home. After all the performance parts, it's probably no cheaper than an R32, but it looks sharper and won't sting you at the fuel pumps like the 3.2 VR6.The R32 itself was shockingly good. My recollections of a dull tool were shattered by the sharp acceleration and incredible cornering. Allied to that wonderful exhaust note, the R32 takes a worthy second place. Only its tendency to understeer robbed it of outright victory, and perhaps with better tires and stiffer suspension, it could have taken first place.
Its brakes were easily as good as the GTI's aftermarket Brembos, but not as powerful as the BMW's six-piston brakes, that really stood out as something special. However, the BMW's impressive spec didn't humiliate the R32 by any means. Admittedly, the twisting canyon roads didn't allow the 135i to get into its stride, constantly diving on the brakes and struggling for grip on the gravel-strewn exits, but that may also be a lack of familiarity with this RWD chassis on our part.
Given that the BMW offers more comfort, power and huge tuning potential, it's going to be the car to beat in this sector. In the showrooms, we suspect the 135i will beat the R32 comprehensively. But those informed individuals who choose to purchase the VW and know how to extract all its performance, will not be disappointed by their decision.