Long time lurker, I finally test drove an S hardtop this weekend. I loved it. But, I did not purchase at the time due to a few lingering questions that I suspect a few of you have considered. First, although the seat felt quite comfortable for the test drive, just how supportive and comfortable is the seat for longer trips? I ask due to a lumbar back issue that occasionally looms. Secondly, although I do a fair amount of my own vehicular maintenance, I am concerned by the poor reliability issue of the S as the dealer is over one hundred miles from my location. My runner-up is the GTI and the VW dealer is about five miles from me. My wife currently drives a German manufactured Mk6 Golf TDI whose knowns are addressed -- supportive seats are the same as the GTI, suspension comparable, and has not seen the dealer, other than free oil changes, for the ~two years of ownership. So, given this scenario and your experiences, do I go with a more reliable and less expensive known or go with my passion?

 

Ah, the age-old debate: Trust your head or follow your heart? As a fellow VW and MINI driver (2000 Jetta TDI & 2011 Clubman S), I can empathize. I personally find the seats in my VW more accommodating, although after about a half-dozen hours in either car I start getting fidgety. The seat adjustments in the MINI are easier to use, in my opinion. I ordered the leather interior in the Clubman and so I've got adjustable lumbar, which is an improvement over the stock sports seats in the S.

As for the maintenance side, at 9k miles I haven't had to do much to the Clubman yet beyond a couple of "early" oil/filter changes. It's only been back to the dealer service (60 miles away) once, and that was for a leaky door seal. It took them two days, but they gave me a loaner to drive. Gotta say the access to the oil filter (via removing the coolant reservoir tank) is kind of a nuisance, especially since even after removing the reservoir the access is still inconvenient. A non-S is much better in that regard, since you don't have to work around/under the turbo.

 

I've done some long trips in my MINI with no discomfort due to the seat (or anything else for that matter). But that can be a very individual thing, so hard to say how it would work out for you.

I would not describe the reliability of the MCS as "poor". If something happens, you can always use roadside assistance to get the vehicle to the dealer during the warranty period. I'm pretty sure most dealers will provide a loaner for any extensive repairs.

As far as my own experience, my MCS has been the second most reliable car I've owned (after a Jeep Grand Cherokee).

 

I say go with your heart. Get the car that will make you happiest.
BUT.... the GTI is a fine car too.
Good luck with the decision.

 

Appreciate the feedback. Good news is that Mini will be opening a dealership in the area within 18 mos. May just wait a bit.

 

Really can't address long term reliability since my 2 cars have 6,200 and 5,100 miles. But other than the top replacement on the '10 due to the common wear spot issue, both cars have been trouble free.

As for the seats, I find the sport seats very comfortable for long drives. I have made tips in excess of 10 hours with no discomfort.

 

I love my MINI, its been a great car. Long trips no problem. But all cars break. The GTI is also a great car, I'd have to go with the dealer 5 miles away. Just think, a over 200 mile round trip every time you need service or work done on the Mini ????

 

The comfort of the seats really depends on which seats you get. Some have the lumbar adjust, but the stock seats don't. Personally I've never had and issue with my stock seats, but my father can't stand to ride in anything without lumbar support for more than an hour - Although, he does say that my R53's stock seats are more comfortable than my mother's stock R56 seats. Kind of got off topic there, but anyway...

100 miles from the MINI dealer would be difficult. Guess it just comes down to how badly you want a MINI Cooper. The reliability issues of the S are not nearly as bad as it may seem.

 

After my MINI S went away I got an '11 GTI Autobahn. I was interested in getting into a JCW hardtop, but I couldn't wait to order and the local dealers either didn't have the cars or didn't want to deal.

I found the stock leatherette MINI seats to be a little uncomfortable without lumbar support. Unfortunately you have to either mod your seats or spring for leather or leather/cloth to get lumbar. The base and leather GTI seats are heated with lumbar stock which is nice. The current GTI has a manual lumbar support sim. to the one in the Golf TDI and not the nice electric 4-way adjustable one the MK V's had.

The GTI I think is a better value. Cheaper to insure, gets 90% of the gas mileage and is faster/handles better stock for stock in my opinion. My GTI is way more comfortable, drives smoother, far quieter, etc, etc. Perhaps more important is the reliability so far. I think my MINI was in the shop about 3 times before 7000 dealer free miles which I now have on the GTI. In the end the MINI was in for repairs about 4 days per month of ownership averaged out over the time I had it. That being said, I do miss the MINI still, it was a fun car. There's something about it being a little unpredictable, rowdy, loud and so on that makes you feel a little more connected. The GTI is so neutral stock it almost feels boring to drive unless you drive about 3k rpms.

The GTI is a good car, but honestly there are a lot of other cars that do things better. I bought mine because there were very little options at the time since I had to return my car and figure something out between model years. My top choice would have been a CPO GTI or CPO A3, but I couldn't find the right one. If I could wait, I'd likely have waited for the Focus or Fiesta ST. Maybe even check out the Mazda 3 hatch with skyactiv.

 

I was between a TDI and MINI and I chose a MINI, but that was a tough call. At the time diesel cars in my area were selling super high because of gas prices, so I actually ended up with the less expensive choice. MINIs are great, but repair costs are high due to crammed engine compartments (driving up repair costs from labor) and some reliability issues. If you are pretty comfortable financially I guess it's no problem. They really are great cars and fun to drive. As far as seats, I have back problems but the (2003 R50) MINI's seats are very easy on me, whereas my wife's Nissan starts murdering me within minutes.