Nice car Looks like you met Jan last weekend at SOW.

 

I'm a former VW guy, and had to ponder long & hard about making the jump from my GTI to the MINI. My mk IV V-Dub was a great car, had a nice interior, and was very reliable, even though I heard a lot of horror stories about VW quality. I heard worse about MINI quality and that scared me a bit, and truth be told the quality is pretty poor, at least with the electronics. All that being said I just loved the way the MINI looked, and was kind of turned off by the mkV VW's styling. In the end I bought the MINI, and it's been a great ride, would do it all over again in a minute, it's just a more driver's oriented car, and I never get tired of looking at it. Also the size thing has been no problem, even removed my rear seat for good last year since I never use it. For me & my girl there is plenty of room, even when we take it on vacation.

 

I agree the DSG is by far the best auto on the market. Better than cars at 100+k which is incredible. However, it's still not a manual if you so desire.

 

I was there, but sadly, I was too busy instructing and helping out the film crew that was there to really meet any of the Mini guys that came. My chill day became a work day really quickly.

In regards to the Mini/GTI decision, I really wish I could have both!

 

I am fortunate enough to be able to afford to buy most cars and having a dealers license makes it even sweeter...I chose the MINI because it has more personality & handling than most cars. Its just different than most everything else out there. Every time I get behind the wheel I am like a little kid. Not many cars do that for me unless we are talking 6 figures & to hell with that. I 'd rather have a nicer house or shop than drop that kind of loot. BMW managed to update the car in a means that still keeps its charm, but brings it into the 21st century. Each one is different & I applaud them for that. You can go to any MINI event and no matter how many of them are there, none of them look the same. You wont ever mistake one for another, I just dont think its possible & that is just from the factory! One drive for me and I had to have it, & I didn't know one thing about them which is very unlikely of me. Its how a car should make you feel if your passionate about them.

As for my gripes....well it just needs more torque which they addressed with the 2nd Gen. That car is actually really sorted for stock. I own an 02 mcs and its the worst out of the bunch. I have a laundry list of dealer fixes or annoying things such as the interior, steering, gps, sunroof, & ect. I've never had an issue with engine though and I pushed it well past where it should of went (27psi daily) & it held up. That wasnt completely reckless, but in the end I did try and blow it up & couldnt. I had picked up a newer engine with 11k miles on it and rebuilt it from the bottom up to take the abuse I was giving it plus much more. Needless to say the downtime sucks at the moment as its been down for a few months. I drive a well modded TT & although it used to be faster than the MINI, no matter what I do suspension wise, I cant get the thing to handle like the MINI. It is a better put together car for sure but it is no MINI. I get plenty complements from the TT but to be honest it doesnt return the favour like the MINI does.

Hands down...the MINI beats most vehicles for what it gives back to you all around. Sure its not perfect, but it sure keeps you smiling!

 

All,

This has been SUCH a great thread for me. I'm currently driving an 05.5 A4 3.2 Quattro, which by many posters' standards here is a HUGE gas guzzler (under 19mpg mixed, anyone?), but on the flip side seats four grown adults well enough, has wonderful styling, and the great all-weather driveability of AWD (which I've never had to use in lovely Socal, but what's an Audi w/o Quattro?)...

I've been contemplating trading the A4 w/my fiancee, which we may set aside for eventual baby duty (this is still at least 3 years away) and getting into something a bit more fun and fuel efficient for myself. As a consultant, I am sometimes seeing commutes of 50-60 miles in grueling LA or LA to OC traffic, and I'd love to get some decent fuel economy.

I see both the 5 door GTI and R56 MCS as appealing for a variety of different reasons, and this is without having driven either one...

GTI
+ 5 doors
+ DSG gearbox (a must for LA traffic, I think)
+ decent fuel economy, better than the A4
+ BBS wheels from A4 will fit on GTI
- rather blah styling
- "downgrading" from an Audi to a vdub
- GTI is not a much lighter car
- No LSD
- Torque steer

R56 MCS
+ Fuel economy!!!
+ Can be customized to be more manly (not a fan of the metro/fem rep this car has)
+ LSD
- Torque steer (not sure from reading threads if the LSD helps with this or not, seems the jury is out)
- Cost w/options gets out of hand very fast
- Would want the manual, will be a pain to drive in traffic

I think that might just be the tip of the iceberg, but as I've said, I haven't driven either car, though I did LOVE the A3, which I was originally shopping for before I got suckered into my A4 at $7k off MSRP... Remembering that test drive tells me that the GTI will be at least a safe and also more fun choice than the A4.

I've also been cross-shopping (at least on paper) the SI sedan, MSP 3, and all of the other cars that the mags have been doing comparos on.

I also agree with previous comments about the communities for both of these cars. Audiworld has been a pretty decent resource, but the vortex (whoretex) isn't quite as helpful as I'd like it to be. NAM is a really awesome forum, it seems, and the community seems very helpful. I think this is much more the case w/a niche car like the Mini over VW's, most of which are a dime a dozen (R32 excepted).

Argh, it seems like I have a lot of research still to do. Guess I'll have to get out and take some test drives!

 

One tid bit, I noticed you said DSG is a must (So I assume the R56 would also be an auto). The LSD (Unless something has been changed that I'm not aware of) is only available for the 6-Speed MCS, they don't offer it for the automatic .

FWIW I commuted 35 miles 1 way to and from Los Angeles every day in my MINI with no issues. It was a very easy and pleasant driving experience .

 

If you get the mini, don't get the auto...just don't! Check out my gallery for some subtle "manly" cues on making your mini more testosterone-esque.

 

Thanks for the replies! I would only get the DSG on the GTI as it's something that almost defines the platform. Any vehicle w/DSG will almost get that as a first option by me. Having said that, I don't drive stick regularly, but I think I'd love to re-learn to do so in a MCS.

 

I am totally confused. Both cars are apparently well made and fun to drive in there own way. I actually ordered my 2009 MCS with JCW and now in wait mode. I am only getting cold feet as tomy purchase when I read about ride quality for Mini. I am also an all or none type of person so of course I ordered with sport suspension. I drive to and from NYC ofter and getting feeling I might not like ride. But then again I did drive around in Wrangler for 3 years. Build quality on different web sites started getting me nervous too, but I think you will always hear more about problems than praises. Just wanted to chime in and also say this is a great thread.

 

KGuy,
don't worry about the cold feet. I just traded in my 06 GTI for a 08 cooper S with sport suspension. You will love it. The Cooper S feels more alive and willing to have fun when comparied to the GTI. Now the run-flats are harsh if you opted for them... but other than that I think you will be happy.