MyE28.com

When I first got my 535 and a friend rode in it his comment was... "It's like a 4 door Z28"

tn535i wrote: Mar 30, 2021 6:11 PM When I first got my 535 and a friend rode in it his comment was... "It's like a 4 door Z28"

With my obvious BMW bias, and by the late 70s the CamBird twins did handle pretty well on smooth pavement, but I hear that comment and think insult!

By the late '70s I wasn't paying much attention to cars like the Camaro and Firebird, because I knew how far they had fallen from their performance peak almost 10 years earlier. It was downright depressing to see what they had become with their goofy tack-on graphics and wheezing, strangled V8 putting out less than 1/2 HP/Cu. In. The "malaise era" indeed. That's what first drew me to BMWs; they weren't nearly as quick as the muscle cars I grew up with, but at least they were fun to drive and unpretentious.

Voltswagen

glowell222 wrote: Mar 04, 2021 7:53 PM I had a 2012 Golf TDI, one of the EPAgate victims. (Still waiting for anyone at EPA to be held accountable for not catching on to this at all).

It was a great car. It handled fantastic, clutch and shift action was just superb, got great fuel mileage, was hackable so I could turn off all of the stupid USA nags and nannies, was reliable, and was not ostentatious. I thought about and test drove the GTI, but it was too "boy racer" for me, trying too hard and I didn't like the interior: no choice in interior color or materials. It handled exactly like the TDI, a bit better with low profile tires, TDI had a better ride. GTI had more power, but so what? I wasn't driving on the Nürburgring, and the TDI got up to 80 mph about as well as anything else out there.

I had one of those EPAgate cars, a Jetta TDI Sportwagen. Bought it new for $32k, drove it for 7 years, then sent it back to the factory in exchange for a $26k check. Took that money, and bought a slightly used E90, which is now worth half what I paid. What I should have done was used that money for two more well sorted E28's, which would have held their value or appreciated at today's prices. Oh well....

Sparkeysf wrote: Mar 30, 2021 9:03 PM

glowell222 wrote: Mar 04, 2021 7:53 PM I had a 2012 Golf TDI, one of the EPAgate victims. (Still waiting for anyone at EPA to be held accountable for not catching on to this at all).

It was a great car. It handled fantastic, clutch and shift action was just superb, got great fuel mileage, was hackable so I could turn off all of the stupid USA nags and nannies, was reliable, and was not ostentatious. I thought about and test drove the GTI, but it was too "boy racer" for me, trying too hard and I didn't like the interior: no choice in interior color or materials. It handled exactly like the TDI, a bit better with low profile tires, TDI had a better ride. GTI had more power, but so what? I wasn't driving on the Nürburgring, and the TDI got up to 80 mph about as well as anything else out there.

I had one of those EPAgate cars, a Jetta TDI Sportwagen. Bought it new for $32k, drove it for 7 years, then sent it back to the factory in exchange for a $26k check. Took that money, and bought a slightly used E90, which is now worth half what I paid. What I should have done was used that money for two more well sorted E28's, which would have held their value or appreciated at today's prices. Oh well....

Similar here: paid around 25k, put 80k miles on it, sold it back for almost $19k. Used that to get my E28, update the garage, and fund all of the E28 refurb I have been doing over the years. I am happy with the E28, and I miss that VW as well.

You might want to consider a used 2015 Golf R DSG if you can find one in very good condition. Ours has 35k miles on it and other than getting rid of the 19" wheels and going with 18x8.5 Neuspeed wheels and Michelin RS3+ tires, which significantly improved the 'R's country back road performance at speed, the vehicle has been great and is certainly a keeper. To date it has delivered 28.3 MPG and those of you who know me also know I have a HEAVY foot!

I am currently driving a 2019 Audi RS 3 also with 18" wheels/tires, also SIGNIFICANTLY improving its country back road performance. The Audi is superior, but the Golf R still puts big grins on this old face! and is an amazing vehicle in its own right... given the 30+ years I spent in my much modified 1983 E28!
-Rod

LarryM wrote: Mar 30, 2021 8:42 PM By the late '70s I wasn't paying much attention to cars like the Camaro and Firebird, because I knew how far they had fallen from their performance peak almost 10 years earlier. It was downright depressing to see what they had become with their goofy tack-on graphics and wheezing, strangled V8 putting out less than 1/2 HP/Cu. In. The "malaise era" indeed. That's what first drew me to BMWs; they weren't nearly as quick as the muscle cars I grew up with, but at least they were fun to drive and unpretentious.

Road & Track tested the last of the carb Corvettes in 1981, with the 190 hp L48 350 and they got 0-60 mph in 9.2 seconds. The same magazine got 8.2 seconds out of their e12 528i. Both cars had an 8.2:1 comp ratio and 4 speed manual transmissions, both cars weighed 3,400 lbs and used 91 octane (RON) unleaded. So I don't know where the Corvette's extra horsepower and torque went? However, if you were to put the two cars side by side, many would think the Corvette was faster, especially with a 180 cube displacement advantage, and two extra cylinders!

Sparkeysf wrote: Mar 30, 2021 9:03 PM

glowell222 wrote: Mar 04, 2021 7:53 PM I had a 2012 Golf TDI, one of the EPAgate victims. (Still waiting for anyone at EPA to be held accountable for not catching on to this at all).

It was a great car. It handled fantastic, clutch and shift action was just superb, got great fuel mileage, was hackable so I could turn off all of the stupid USA nags and nannies, was reliable, and was not ostentatious. I thought about and test drove the GTI, but it was too "boy racer" for me, trying too hard and I didn't like the interior: no choice in interior color or materials. It handled exactly like the TDI, a bit better with low profile tires, TDI had a better ride. GTI had more power, but so what? I wasn't driving on the Nürburgring, and the TDI got up to 80 mph about as well as anything else out there.

I had one of those EPAgate cars, a Jetta TDI Sportwagen. Bought it new for $32k, drove it for 7 years, then sent it back to the factory in exchange for a $26k check. Took that money, and bought a slightly used E90, which is now worth half what I paid. What I should have done was used that money for two more well sorted E28's, which would have held their value or appreciated at today's prices. Oh well....

I have one of those Wagens. A 2014 I bought for $11k with 45k miles from a VW dealership in Salinas. Had the DSG serviced and lifted it on Tiguan springs and a GTI rear sway bar. Love it and even though fuel mileage is down due to the tuning it still gets 37-38+ on the highway. Now has 70k miles...a fantastic car especially at altitude!

I currently have a 2015 SE 6spd with the Sport package. I absolutely love this car, it’s APR Stage 3 using the R Is38 turbo with bolt ons putting down around 360whp and a tick under 400wtrq. It’s got 84000 trouble free miles even at 26 pounds of boost. The most significant change aside from power are lighter wheels shaving 7lbs per axle. I just added a rear sway bar to introduce some very moderate oversteer, in sport mode it really tightens things up and handles very well.
It excels at bringing a smile to my face every time I get in it, an excellent car. I will say there have been some creeks and rattles lately coming from random interior pieces. The build quality far exceeds the few hopped up Subaru’s I’ve had in the past. When the Stage 2 clutch needs to be replaced I’ll throw in a stage 3 clutch which will allow me to install aftermarket high and low pressure fuel pumps with an E85 tune that’s good for around 410-420whp.

David B wrote: Apr 24, 2021 9:34 PM I currently have a 2015 SE 6spd with the Sport package. I absolutely love this car, it’s APR Stage 3 using the R Is38 turbo with bolt ons putting down around 360whp and a tick under 400wtrq. It’s got 84000 trouble free miles even at 26 pounds of boost. The most significant change aside from power are lighter wheels shaving 7lbs per axle. I just added a rear sway bar to introduce some very moderate oversteer, in sport mode it really tightens things up and handles very well.
It excels at bringing a smile to my face every time I get in it, an excellent car. I will say there have been some creeks and rattles lately coming from random interior pieces. The build quality far exceeds the few hopped up Subaru’s I’ve had in the past. When the Stage 2 clutch needs to be replaced I’ll throw in a stage 3 clutch which will allow me to install aftermarket high and low pressure fuel pumps with an E85 tune that’s good for around 410-420whp.

OMG, those 2L mills blow up even in stock Audi S3s. This must be a very special motor.

The gen 3 EA888 has been a reliable motor. I basically just have a stock GTI Club Sport set up with a tune, larger intercooler, turbo back exhaust, 400hp is not breaking a sweat. The MK7 Golf R with an APR Stage 3 plus package ($5000) will put down over 500hp giving you a silly little AWD Golf doing 60 in 3.5sec, the quarter in 11.5 sec, that’s stock internals.

The earlier EA888’s had some issues but apparently have been resolved. There are cases of rear main seal issues on the Gen 3 motor causing the crank to become misaligned due to premature wear on the journals. I specifically bought mine used with enough mileage to know this wasn’t an issue, and is collectively rare.
The previous owner builds engines for Penske racing for the NSX campaign so I trust his judgment, my engine has completely stock internals. I have a good friend with an 2012 Audi A3 putting down 550hp to all four wheels but he has maybe 50k in that car and was a full engine out build. His wife drives it and has no idea it’s any different than her hybrid Lexus SUV.

David B wrote: Apr 25, 2021 7:29 PM The gen 3 EA888 has been a reliable motor. I basically just have a stock GTI Club Sport set up with a tune, larger intercooler, turbo back exhaust, 400hp is not breaking a sweat. The MK7 Golf R with an APR Stage 3 plus package ($5000) will put down over 500hp giving you a silly little AWD Golf doing 60 in 3.5sec, the quarter in 11.5 sec, that’s stock internals.

The earlier EA888’s had some issues but apparently have been resolved. There are cases of rear main seal issues on the Gen 3 motor causing the crank to become misaligned due to premature wear on the journals. I specifically bought mine used with enough mileage to know this wasn’t an issue, and is collectively rare.
The previous owner builds engines for Penske racing for the NSX campaign so I trust his judgment, my engine has completely stock internals. I have a good friend with an 2012 Audi A3 putting down 550hp to all four wheels but he has maybe 50k in that car and was a full engine out build. His wife drives it and has no idea it’s any different than her hybrid Lexus SUV.

I don't doubt what you say, but worldwide VW group's turbo 4 cylinder engines haven't always been the most reliable. Turbo failure is often the reason given for problems, although it's often not the actual turbo unit itself, but related hardware, although they are always upgrading parts. Still, getting 400hp from a relatively small 4 cylinder engine is a lot concerning durability. Although it is true these days they build engines strong so you can cram a lot of boost in there, but there is a physical limit. Not to mention the heat generated, which has to go somewhere. And in many cases there is emissions to consider.

The first gen 1.8TSI did have some issues, that has inadvertently followed the brand and this particular engine. Kinda like when people see my e28 or e23 and say (Oh that’s probably very expensive to maintain or repair). I say parts are relatively cheap and you can basically diagnose most anything with a test light or a multimeter.
The OP was asking about the current GTI, it has been a joy to own without any major mechanical issues for myself and the community of enthusiasts I am apart of. There is a ton of support for these cars, they are a hoot bone stock. If my GTI was my daily driver I would give it a super simple 280 or so whp by just adding an aftermarket down pipe and a tune and be done with it.

rodpaine wrote: Apr 02, 2021 12:21 PM You might want to consider a used 2015 Golf R DSG if you can find one in very good condition. Ours has 35k miles on it and other than getting rid of the 19" wheels and going with 18x8.5 Neuspeed wheels and Michelin RS3+ tires, which significantly improved the 'R's country back road performance at speed, the vehicle has been great and is certainly a keeper. To date it has delivered 28.3 MPG and those of you who know me also know I have a HEAVY foot!

I am currently driving a 2019 Audi RS 3 also with 18" wheels/tires, also SIGNIFICANTLY improving its country back road performance. The Audi is superior, but the Golf R still puts big grins on this old face! and is an amazing vehicle in its own right... given the 30+ years I spent in my much modified 1983 E28!
-Rod

Rod,

As a Golf R owner, have you ever compared its quality to a standard, late-model Golf or GTi? It's an area of contention among Golf owners, but some feel the German-manufactured cars are simply better made than the ones assembled in Mexico. One reason production of the next gen Golf is being shifted to Europe is allegedly because Europeans, at least, believe the Mexican-built Golfs are subpar.

Even if you don't necessarily need the extra HP and AWD, better quality control and reliability might be good enough reasons to buy an R (if there is indeed a significant difference).

tn535i wrote: Mar 30, 2021 6:11 PM When I first got my 535 and a friend rode in it his comment was... "It's like a 4 door Z28"

Nice. But I go more ambitious; I thought especially my 533i with the lighter flywheel and earlier cam was a four-door 911

Those glory days were great when our cars could run with or smoke all the domestic toys like Monte Carlo SS, etc. Anyway to return to topic I am pretty sure unless I get some type of Element pop-top or something my DD to give Maxine a rest will be a MK6 GTi, well-sorted and with records of course.
I loved all my old A1 A2 V-Dubs.

LarryM wrote: Apr 29, 2021 12:57 AM Rod,

As a Golf R owner, have you ever compared its quality to a standard, late-model Golf or GTi? It's an area of contention among Golf owners, but some feel the German-manufactured cars are simply better made than the ones assembled in Mexico. One reason production of the next gen Golf is being shifted to Europe is allegedly because Europeans, at least, believe the Mexican-built Golfs are subpar.

Even if you don't necessarily need the extra HP and AWD, better quality control and reliability might be good enough reasons to buy an R (if there is indeed a significant difference).

Wow. Those mileage figures are awesome. With the EAT chip I would say I'm about 20 overall, maybe a bit less for my is. And yes I hear you on the R and the build quality, etc but I'm not THAT swayed by it when I consider how much more it would be -- like a '13 R is more than twice the price of entry for the cooking variety GTi

SeattleGuy wrote: May 12, 2021 4:12 PM

tn535i wrote: Mar 30, 2021 6:11 PM When I first got my 535 and a friend rode in it his comment was... "It's like a 4 door Z28"

Nice. But I go more ambitious; I thought especially my 533i with the lighter flywheel and earlier cam was a four-door 911

Those glory days were great when our cars could run with or smoke all the domestic toys like Monte Carlo SS, etc. Anyway to return to topic I am pretty sure unless I get some type of Element pop-top or something my DD to give Maxine a rest will be a MK6 GTi, well-sorted and with records of course.
I loved all my old A1 A2 V-Dubs.

LarryM wrote: Apr 29, 2021 12:57 AM Rod,

As a Golf R owner, have you ever compared its quality to a standard, late-model Golf or GTi? It's an area of contention among Golf owners, but some feel the German-manufactured cars are simply better made than the ones assembled in Mexico. One reason production of the next gen Golf is being shifted to Europe is allegedly because Europeans, at least, believe the Mexican-built Golfs are subpar.

Even if you don't necessarily need the extra HP and AWD, better quality control and reliability might be good enough reasons to buy an R (if there is indeed a significant difference).

Wow. Those mileage figures are awesome. With the EAT chip I would say I'm about 20 overall, maybe a bit less for my is. And yes I hear you on the R and the build quality, etc but I'm not THAT swayed by it when I consider how much more it would be -- like a '13 R is more than twice the price of entry for the cooking variety GTi

Funny you should say that, because Car and Driver said the 1985 e28 Hartge H5S they tried was like a 4 door Porsche 911. Great minds think alike!

e12euro wrote: May 12, 2021 4:37 PM
Funny you should say that, because Car and Driver said the 1985 e28 Hartge H5S they tried was like a 4 door Porsche 911. Great minds think alike!

No way. A C/D story on a vintage Bimmer that I somehow missed??? Wow. Thanks I'll look for that. Does anyone have the damn OneLap or Cannonball when they rolled an E28 M5? THAT's the one I need LOL. Might have been the one they shot in full droop I'm sure y'all have seen that one.

Anyway, to compare an A1 or even A2 VW to a MK5/6/7 is to compare an '02/tii to our cars and beyond. The DNA is still there (more for VW IMO as to post E34) but they really are completely different experiences. I just hope before I "retire" I can have me some older DNA. Speed means so little to me, even on my bikes. Been there, done that. Well except if I take a track day but even then I don't want the latest and fastest. It's well above my riding level to be completely honest.

PS: And we all know the lesser Porsche range more approximates the OG 911 experience than a contemporary 911.

SeattleGuy wrote: May 12, 2021 5:58 PM

e12euro wrote: May 12, 2021 4:37 PM
Funny you should say that, because Car and Driver said the 1985 e28 Hartge H5S they tried was like a 4 door Porsche 911. Great minds think alike!

No way. A C/D story on a vintage Bimmer that I somehow missed??? Wow. Thanks I'll look for that. Does anyone have the damn OneLap or Cannonball when they rolled an E28 M5? THAT's the one I need LOL. Might have been the one they shot in full droop I'm sure y'all have seen that one.

Anyway, to compare an A1 or even A2 VW to a MK5/6/7 is to compare an '02/tii to our cars and beyond. The DNA is still there (more for VW IMO as to post E34) but they really are completely different experiences. I just hope before I "retire" I can have me some older DNA. Speed means so little to me, even on my bikes. Been there, done that. Well except if I take a track day but even then I don't want the latest and fastest. It's well above my riding level to be completely honest.

PS: And we all know the lesser Porsche range more approximates the OG 911 experience than a contemporary 911.

Here is the C/D article. Sadly, I think Hartge went out of business a couple of years ago. BMW's own M cars being so readily available has limited the tuner market.

Car and Driver March 1984 Hartge H5S

Many think this is the best Golf GTi of all time.

Golf GTi 16v ad part 1

Golf GTi 16v part 2

e12euro wrote: May 13, 2021 12:51 PM
Many think this is the best Golf GTi of all time.

Golf GTi 16v ad part 1

Golf GTi 16v part 2

That's my personal favorite generation of GTi. They were still fairly simple, analog cars with a sweet, responsive, NA engine.

LarryM wrote: May 14, 2021 11:43 PM

e12euro wrote: May 13, 2021 12:51 PM
Many think this is the best Golf GTi of all time.

Golf GTi 16v ad part 1

Golf GTi 16v part 2

That's my personal favorite generation of GTi. They were still fairly simple, analog cars with a sweet, responsive, NA engine.

And remember how people were disappointed with the next generation? A heavier, larger Golf with the same engine carried over, and softer suspension. They tried to fix the problem with the first VR6, but most still preferred the Golf GTi 16v above.

What surprised me in the ad, was that they said the Golf used high tensile (strength) steel in its structure. I had read that the Mercedes 190 and even the 1982 GM Camaro & Firebird also used some high strength steel. It was originally used because after the fuel crisis, designers wanted to cut weight and maintain strength.

I have a friend in Germany who was partly responsible in 2014 for me buying a 2015 Golf R, still with us. He runs the RING in Germany in his 2019 Golf GTi TRS and loves it. You might want to take a look at his web page and perhaps contact him directly. <https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMaody66>
-Rod

Kenny Blankenship wrote: Apr 09, 2021 1:51 PM

Sparkeysf wrote: Mar 30, 2021 9:03 PM

glowell222 wrote: Mar 04, 2021 7:53 PM I had a 2012 Golf TDI, one of the EPAgate victims. (Still waiting for anyone at EPA to be held accountable for not catching on to this at all).

It was a great car. It handled fantastic, clutch and shift action was just superb, got great fuel mileage, was hackable so I could turn off all of the stupid USA nags and nannies, was reliable, and was not ostentatious. I thought about and test drove the GTI, but it was too "boy racer" for me, trying too hard and I didn't like the interior: no choice in interior color or materials. It handled exactly like the TDI, a bit better with low profile tires, TDI had a better ride. GTI had more power, but so what? I wasn't driving on the Nürburgring, and the TDI got up to 80 mph about as well as anything else out there.

I had one of those EPAgate cars, a Jetta TDI Sportwagen. Bought it new for $32k, drove it for 7 years, then sent it back to the factory in exchange for a $26k check. Took that money, and bought a slightly used E90, which is now worth half what I paid. What I should have done was used that money for two more well sorted E28's, which would have held their value or appreciated at today's prices. Oh well....

I have one of those Wagens. A 2014 I bought for $11k with 45k miles from a VW dealership in Salinas. Had the DSG serviced and lifted it on Tiguan springs and a GTI rear sway bar. Love it and even though fuel mileage is down due to the tuning it still gets 37-38+ on the highway. Now has 70k miles...a fantastic car especially at altitude!

I admit I am looking for another Golf. Mine was the 2012 model and was not able to be "fixed", and VDOT told me I may not be allowed to register it again if I kept it. Willing to chance it now, though, since nobody really seems to care at this point.

I owned a 2015 Golf (Mk7) manual for 3 years and now it's my wife's car. It is really good as far as new cars get, I chose it over buying a used E46. It had the same IRS and practically the same motor as the GTI just detuned/smaller. I went with the Golf because it was $8k (30%) less and I liked how the 5 speed felt better than the 6 speed, but I'm not particular about power so I'd generally recommend the GTI to other people. The Golf/GTI has brake torque vectoring (the performance pack added in-diff torque vectoring but I've never driven it so I can't comment). If you've never felt brake torque vectoring, it, its awesome. It rotates the car on power like RWD does. The only problem is apparently it's bad for the track because you can overheat your brakes, but if you're track driving I don't know why you'd get a GTI for it.

I drove a 2019 Civic Si and the civic had a better engine note and a slicker shifter, but everything else about how the car drove was inferior to my 2015 Golf, despite being 30hp more powerful and 100 lbs lighter. You cannot go wrong with a Mk7(as long as it's not diesel).

One caveat- If you're looking at an automatic GTI, I'd check out the Chevrolet Bolt. If you can stand the seats, I actually think the Bolt is more fun to drive than a two-pedal GTI, and it is much better if you have a long commute. Less money on gas = More money for your BMW's!

e12euro wrote: May 13, 2021 12:51 PM
Many think this is the best Golf GTi of all time.

Golf GTi 16v ad part 1

Golf GTi 16v part 2

There is a younger guy where I work that picked one of these up a few months ago. He's half my age or less but shares that desire for simplicity and manual everything. The 535 is a large barge by comparison.

Yah man. There was also the GT remember that? You could do some 8V tuning on that pup too.
https://www.clubgti.com/forums/index.ph ... al.211395/

My friend had a Kamei special edition silver/blue 8V too it was cool.