F80 vs GTI - Comfort?

[i_drive_cars]

Hi everyone!

I have a stock 2018 GTI currently and am looking to switch to another car. The GTI is an amazing performer and is great around town, but has been a little bumpy on rough CA roads and noisy on my longer trips (road and wind noise at 80 mph). My car has passive dampers.

An F80 is on my radar, but I've seen the many posts about how bad their NVH is, in lieu of how connected the driving experience is. However, it does have a longer wheelbase than the GTI and I'm curious how they compare.

If anyone has owned/driven both of these cars, any perspective on how overall ride/NVH/road and wind noise stack up between them?

[cotmfk]

My wife has a 2017 GTI (we've had since new). It is a great "all rounder." I believe it is the best bang for the buck possible. Love GTIs.

The M3 does have adaptive suspension as an option. The softest suspension setting is somewhat close to the stock GTI suspension in comfort/feel. The M3 is louder than a GTI (at least I think so, I haven't checked any actual dB readings...). If these are the biggest items to check off on a car purchase, I would probably avoid the M3.

Overall, I would say that you should drive one or two to check it out for yourself. See how it feels, and if you think it's something you can live with.

[SteveYem]

I daily drive our 2015 GTI (all stock) and I have an F80 as my fair weather car. The GTI is all around more comfortable in my opinion, even when compared to the F80 with dampers in 'Comfort' mode. I think the F80 chassis is a lot more rigid in general, so the ride is stiffer even when the suspension is set to its softest mode.

[cptclutch]

I have a MK7 and a F80 Comp and the GTI is definitely a bit softer overall and more comfortable, but I will say it feels like the compression damping on the GTI is too soft for big impacts and lends itself to some really bad bottoming out. The M3 seems to be more controlled over all types of impacts due to its more linear damping.

I can daily the M3 in sport mode no problem and want stiffer coilers in the future.

[OhmsLaw]

This is so interesting. I had a 2019 GTI SE in manual and a M3 CS. Not EXACTLY the same comparison, but I really enjoyed the GTI in 6speed. Short wheel base made it so easy to park pretty much anywhere, and the suspension was springy enough to where it was comfortable. Enough power for scooting around town and really practical. M3CS was a bit tighter on suspension, and wasn't as fun. Tons of power though! I think the biggest stark difference you'll feel is how much bigger and longer the car is. Parking will be interesting if you are used to teh GTI.