[bizzyqu]

My lease is up in the spring of next year (have loved my f30 335, and the e90 335 before it but want something different). The contenders are the Jaguar XE-S AWD, BMW M235i xDrive, Golf R, or GLA 45 AMG.

Any other suggestions? Favorite of the group?

What I'm looking for is:

• a lease in the 600s similar to what I'm paying now (MSRP of current car ~60k with a mid 650 a month lease), though a cheaper payment is always nice.
• Performance and handling with a 5 second 0-60 or faster
• A degree of exclusivity, that makes the car feel "special"
• I appreciate the utility of a hatchback
• AWD is really preferred because I live in the Northeast

[davis449]

Audi S3 should be swapped for Golf R considering how much money it appears you are willing to spend and that's what I'd go with.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by davis449

Audi S3 should be swapped for Golf R considering how much money it appears you are willing to spend and that's what I'd go with.

Not a hatch.

[pgviper]

Golf R seems to hit everything you are asking for.

[bizzyqu]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Not a hatch.

Pretty much this, though the RS3 hatch would be awesome if we got it in the US

[bizzyqu]

Originally Posted by pgviper

Golf R seems to hit everything you are asking for.

It does seem pretty great, though it is a second rate version in the US with no sun roof or led tails, maybe they will be nicer as a 2016 model

[davis449]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Not a hatch.

He listed the BMW M235i xDrive and the Jaguar XE-S AWD as an option so a hatch, obviously, is not a requirement. So if not a replacement for the Golf R, than at the very least, another option to add to the list that fits the bill for what he's looking for.

[bizzyqu]

Originally Posted by davis449

He listed the BMW M235i xDrive as an option so a hatch, obviously, is not a requirement.

I think because of swapping the Golf R out it seemed you were speaking to how they are on paper very similar cars but because the S3 isn't a hatch it isn't such a 1:1 switch. I saw the S3 at the NYAS though, it was nice but if I was going for that size and style car I would end up with the M235i.

[fecurtis]

GLA 45 AMG

LOL man I'm just kidding.

Sounds like a Golf R would be a good contender.

Test drive 'em all, you'll probably come to your own conclusion easier than you think.

Just don't bother driving a GLA, those things are just painful to look at. I've always liked Golf R's though.

[ShocknAwe]

Golf R would do it.

Or.. to throw an odd one out there:

X1 35i x-drive. Do some suspension work, proper wheels/tires, and tune it up.

[bizzyqu]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

GLA 45 AMG

LOL man I'm just kidding.

Sounds like a Golf R would be a good contender.

Test drive 'em all, you'll probably come to your own conclusion easier than you think.

Just don't bother driving a GLA, those things are just painful to look at. I've always liked Golf R's though.

have you seen the GLA45 in person? Its size is deceiving in photos, but it is pretty small and looks like a hot hatch imo. (I think it is actually classified as a car in the US because of how low it sits)

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by bizzyqu

have you seen the GLA45 in person? Its size is deceiving in photos, but it is pretty small and looks like a hot hatch imo. (I think it is actually classified as a car in the US because of how low it sits)

Yup, both a GLA45 and the standard GLA 250. Can't get over how they look.

[bizzyqu]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Golf R would do it.

Or.. to throw an odd one out there:

X1 35i x-drive. Do some suspension work, proper wheels/tires, and tune it up.

wow I just looked it up and the X1 35i isn't even listed on BMW anymore just the 28. I always thought the 35i was neat considering it had to be pretty damn quick, thats too bad if it got discontinued.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by bizzyqu

wow I just looked it up and the X1 35i isn't even listed on BMW anymore just the 28. I always thought the 35i was neat considering it had to pretty damn quick, thats too bad if it got discontinued.

It's still there.

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...rive35iRD.aspx

Driven them several times, once one that was lowered with coilovers and power modded. Very much a fast wagon/hatch.

[bizzyqu]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

It's still there.

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...rive35iRD.aspx

Driven them several times, once one that was lowered with coilovers and power modded. Very much a fast wagon/hatch.

Ah. I didnt see it in the build your own section. weird. "Build Your Own coming soon"

This will be a lease car though so not much room for modifications, and is quite far from the (I know obnoxious) exclusivity/special factor I want. (that factor is kind of the nature of the beast with lease cars I suppose, because aside from what comes from the factory it doesn't make sense to put additional money in these cars to individualize them)

[davis449]

Originally Posted by bizzyqu

I think because of swapping the Golf R out it seemed you were speaking to how they are on paper very similar cars but because the S3 isn't a hatch it isn't such a 1:1 switch. I saw the S3 at the NYAS though, it was nice but if I was going for that size and style car I would end up with the M235i.

I edited my statement accordingly because I saw how that came off. But I stand by the OP's apparent spending limit as justification for it being on the list. M235i is an ugly car, IMHO, and I'd rather have a S3 that's just as fast, has a better AWD system, and retains a dual clutch trans. (not that I think the ZF 8 in the m235i is a bad trans., I just much prefer dual clutches to conventional autos). It's not like there's an advantage the BMW holds over it anymore (i.e. it USED to be the steering).

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by bizzyqu

Ah. I didnt see it in the build your own section. weird. "Build Your Own coming soon"

This will be a lease car though so not much room for modifications, and is quite far from the (I know obnoxious) exclusivity/special factor I want. (that factor is kind of the nature of the beast with lease cars I suppose, because aside from what comes from the factory it doesn't make sense to put additional money in these cars to individualize them)

I see that too, odd.

Coilovers are easy to install and remove when the time comes. JB4/DP for power. Could probably do it all in a day. Or alternatively, get a used one 1 year off with CPO for super cheap. Hell of a lot less than 600 a month lease payment.

[bizzyqu]

Originally Posted by davis449

I edited my statement accordingly because I saw how that came off. But I stand by the OP's apparent spending limit as justification for it being on the list. M235i is an ugly car, IMHO, and I'd rather have an S3 that's just as fast, has a better AWD system, and retains a dual clutch trans. (not that I think the ZF 8 in the m235i is a bad trans., I just much prefer dual clutches to conventional autos). It's not like there's an advantage the BMW holds over it anymore (i.e. it USED to be the steering).

Well the M235i xDrive does have about 20+ more horsepower, 2 more cylinders, and .3 seconds on the 0-60 time. You are right it should be on the list but I have pretty much ruled it out (the S3 at least, jury is out on what the RS3 ends up offering) because of my personal preference for the M235i's appearance and specs.

edit: also doesn't the S3 have a haldex system like the golf r, which would mean it is FWD car for the most part (except when the rear wheels are needed for traction) as opposed to the rear biased M235i.

edit 2: can you explain to me why you prefer a dual clutch, I have never had one before but the ZF8spd in my 335i shifts incredibly fast, is there something else to a dual clutch the ZF doesn't offer?

[Red Bread]

The E84 X1 is out of production next month. The 35i finished production in February. There are still a few at dealers. Its a heavy sucker, I'd much rather have a Golf R. And I own an X1 35i...

[davis449]

Originally Posted by bizzyqu

Well the M235i xDrive does have about 20+ more horsepower, 2 more cylinders, and .3 seconds on the 0-60 time. You are right it should be on the list but I have pretty much ruled it out (the S3 at least, jury is out on what the RS3 ends up offering) because of my personal preference for the M235i's appearance and specs.

The difference in 0-60 is actually .1 seconds. The S3 will actually pull it off in 4.4 seconds vs. the "claimed" 5.0-5.1. You'll get better fuel economy with it, too. That's one thing I miss from my 2.0T, I had the power to dust "'x'35i" cars and I could get 30 MPG on the hwy. That's not to say I don't enjoy the crap out of my 1er.

edit: also doesn't the S3 have a haldex system like the golf r, which would mean it is FWD car for the most part (except when the rear wheels are needed for traction) as opposed to the rear biased M235i.

Yes, they are more FWD biased. However, the Gen IV and V Haldex systems are a completely different animal compared to the Gen II's the preceded it. The clutch is pre-tensioned so the transition of power when you need it is seemless. I never, and mean never had torque steer (because I have to guess that's what uneducated fools who dog Haldex are expecting when they see "FWD Bias" in an AWD system). Launching at the drag strip was a 4 wheel tire spin...that should tell you all you need to know. That car was a full APR K04 turbo conversion: 365 HP 380 ft./lbs. torque. Drove like the car was manufactured that way. I did not have Haldex software, but you can get it to make the car more rear biased. You would never know the difference in everyday driving\bad weather driving and even spirited street driving between a Torsen and a Gen IV Haldex. You would only want it changed on a track. That's coming from someone who owned a 50:50 Torsen Quattro before the Haldex (I've had a lot of hard street driving seat time in RS4's with the 40:60 Torsen split, too). I had pre-judgements of my own by comparison driving MKIV and MKV R32's...those were Gen II Haldex units. The Gen IV erased that from my memory.

edit 2: can you explain to me why you prefer a dual clutch, I have never had one before but the ZF8spd in my 335i shifts incredibly fast, is there something else to a dual clutch the ZF doesn't offer?

The dual clutches still shift faster. I like the jerkiness of the DCT in Sport mode and the overall "manual" feel of a dual clutch gearbox. It's a preference thing. I don't know why, but I just don't favor torque converters.

[improvius]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

GLA 45 AMG

LOL man I'm just kidding

What? These are no joke. Great performance and basically a jacked-up hatch. Should be a solid addition to OP's list.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by improvius

What? These are no joke. Great performance and basically a jacked-up hatch. Should be a solid addition to OP's list.

Still a Merc though. As much as I love them I'd never buy one until I hear about folks spending more time with them out of the service dept.

I really want to go drive the new S3. It's calling to me.