Yes sorry, it was rude... however midrange Beema baiting is too much fun M cars have my respect though.

 

No worries, if I was 15 I'd think a GTI was hot too. Unfortunately they lose their appeal after puberty

 

It's fit for purpose... that purpose being a car (310) that is 10k less than a 530i, much much quicker, better on gas, good build, and happily ferry around 4 peeps without issue - if I had a desire to lug around extra weight to create more CO2 I may consider your 530i... perhaps not.

Ed30 stage 1 is E46 M3 fast nothing less.

 

Here's a 340bhp Ed30 vs E92 4L v8 M3: - oh dear, where did all that money go?

 

I don't think I'd say better on gas, I have gotten 35 mpg before while doing 80-85 mph on the way to Las Vegas Not sure I would say "much quicker" either, 0-60 times are comparable, and the 530 can carry those same 4 people MUCH more comfortably - especially when they're like me (6'4")

2012 GTI 0-60 5.8 secs
2005 530i 0-60 6.5 secs

 

Bah, 0-60 times are such a ridiculous measurement; more down to the driver and driven wheels than overall vehicle performance, I left caring about that when I was 17 ... there's a reason the Mboard vids are from a roll; because that's what really counts in 'real world' driving performance.

If you really think a 530i could stay with stage1 ed30 when with just 30bhp more it can take a V8 M3 you are sadly mistaken.

Comfort perhaps but only if you don't have m-sport version which has a rock hard ride. Oh and the Golf can see 40 MPG when cruising - each there own... however, this thread was about stage 1 530d vs stage 1 Gti... about equal I would say, perhaps a nose to the GTi due to a better power to weight ratio.