I currently own a 2002 1.8T vw GTI and I am becoming increasingly annoyed with the car with little things breaking and also sqeaks and creaks inside the car. I went to the local autoshow last night and have been looking at Mini Cooper S and S Works since they came out and always would have loved to drive one. Has anyone owned a GTI like mine and made the switch and never looked back. Would I expect to see more or less insurance costs. I would take the higher costs of the Mini over the GTI if it outperforms it anyday, being under BMW now I would expect the Mini to have a better quality build than my sometimes pesky VW. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love the car and can't stop modifying it but I would like something with better handling, more fun, less maintanence, better quality. I'm not too worried about it being as fast as my car, as I am fairly sure it would be comparable.

Any advice anyone could give me would be great

 

Mechanically, MINIs are probably better than your VW. VW (and especially the Mk IV cars) have a pretty bad reliability reputation.

Still, the MINI is not like a Japanese car in the reliability and build quality departments. You will probably have a similar amount of rattles.

If you want super reliability, look at the new Civic Si. If you want a reliable, super fun car with a great owning experience, get a MINI.

If I had made a formal list of the new cars I was considering, it was the Mazda 3, Mk V GTI, Civic Si, and the MINI.

I did test drive the Mk V GTI several times, but it wasn't even a close decision.

 

Hi VR, I currently have an 06 MCS and an 06 MkV GTI. Previously, I drove a MkIV Jetta 1.8t for many years.

If you haven't test driven one, the MkV's are amazing - better than the MkIV's in every respect. The 2.0T engine is incredible and DSG is the real deal.

All of that said, I am also loving my MCS. The MCS is actually my daily driver and my wife drives the GTI.

It is really a mixed bag in terms of "build quality" in my view. The VW outshines the MINI is some respects (it is smoother and far more comfortable ergonomically, especially the seats), but the MINI just fits like a glove and is willing to do whatever I tell it to.

Another potential factor is the MkVs are available in four doors.

If you are thinking about an R56 MCS, then I would think the differences between the two are going to be even more minimal and it may just come down to style preferences (both engines will be turbos, the cars will have the same type of steering mechanisms, etc). Several reviews I've read of the new MINI indicate that it is much more "GTI-like" in overall feel than the R53s for good or ill.

Last thought, my impression is that VW is going in the right direction on reliability (no problems on the 06 GTI at ~12k miles - could not say the same with 00 Jetta).

Good luck in your decision!

 

I had a 00' GTI VR6 - the Mini is by far a better car IMO... the handling is what sets it apart - power is similar - (just do a power to weight ratio on both vehicles... the GTI's are heavier by a bunch)
I'm on my second Mini S now and would recommend them to anyone - I haven't had any problems at all on either to speak of... and scheduled maintenance is included - they are a bit more money than a VeeDub but I say its worth it... go for it~

 

Thank you all for your advice and information. I have been looking at the 04,05, and 06 MCS and MCS Works Coopers. I am not a huge fan of the newer body style Coopers (07-). Yes my GTI is a MK4 99.5-05 I have an 02 and even though I have not had too many problems with it, there have been enough. I know I need to go drive a new Mk5 GTI and a 04-06 MCS to compare the two. Although the 2.0T GTI is around 22-25k I have seen many nice MCS with around 30-40k miles for under that price, in fact there are 5 MCS for sale within 5 miles from me all at the same BMW dealership. I have seen a few people recommend getting an 04 and up because of initial problems with the first model years? Also what year was the LSD becoming available?

thanks again

local autotrader search

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...fyc=__Uw%2C%2C__


the gray one that has 33,877 miles on it I have been looking at for a while now 20,999
Will most BMW dealership fully service Coopers even if they do not sell them brand new?

 

BMW dealers in general won't service MINIs.

The new GTI and current MINIs are basically the same price new. GTI may even be a bit more expensive with options.

My wife drives a 2006 A3 (same as the GTI in the engine and transmission department) and while it is very nice, the MINI is much more fun.

 

See that is another issue that I am considering in buying a MCS, I did email that dealer to ask if they will service them. I do not have have a local Mini dealership near me. I would have no problem taking it to another small specialty shop it is just always nice to have a local dealer to source parts from and have support ect. Thats why I own a VW. Dealer right across from that BMW dealership. I have seen many nice A3's but the cost is way to high IMOP for what you get. Audi's are just luxurious VW's. I am hoping the dealer shows some interest I have been in to look at that silver one a few times and nobody even came out to greet me or anything.

 

For a fair review from an independent source, read here http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=3370

and remember that is a 06 JCW

Best of Luck!

 

Hey VR, I meant to address your insurance question. Of course, we're all different, but in my case, the MCS works out to a few dollars less than the GTI per month.

Dealer support is an issue. I put off test driving a MINI myself for a long time because the closest dealer is about a 30 minute drive away, but once I finally did - I knew this had to be my next car. However, if I didn't live in that reasonable distance from an actual MINI dealer (who has so far been excellent in support), I'm not sure I would have taken the plunge as easily.

I also drove an A3 for about 10 months (long story, I still miss that car ), and I totally agree the MCS is MUCH more fun to drive than the A3. But, the GTI is tuned a bit more aggressively, though the components are all basically the same as I understand it.

I'm probably not helping, but my main advice would be to drive both.

 

I had the exact same GTI (2001.5 1.8t, Rave Green). I put a very expensive custom suspension on it to try to get it to handle like a small sports car should but it just couldn't do what I wanted it to do. However, I was able to chip it and do some other things to make it incredibly fast.

Unless you go very extreme with your mods, you won't ever get the kind of power you can get from the 1.8t engine, but the handling of the MINI is so incredibly superior that you won't care about that. However, the simple and easy power mods on the MCS make the car plenty powerful and very well balanced.

I have never ever once wished I had my old GTI. . . .

 

Good article

 

i went from an 01 gti glx vr6 with eibach sport shocks, struts, and sway bars front rear and upper stress bar, and now have a 2006 mcs, and while i do love the mini i miss the refined feel of that vr6 engine, it is just wonderfull. I had very few problems with the gti and none mechanical/engine related but the warranty was a hassle even for the little things and the dealer was a huge reason i chose to not by the new MK5 GTI. My local Mini dealer, just in the couple of times i have dealt with them have lapped the VW dealer twice. Having been in vw circles over the past four years that is the big draw back to the VW's the dealers are the weak link.

so i do look back fondly on my GTI, but the Mini and its warranty and dealer service are great and i have no regrets. good luck on your decision!

 

the mkV GTI looks like an egg on wheels...I know my best friend has a white one UGH! :/

 

you nailed it! fits like a glove. Exactly. I just love driving this car. Somehow, I feel "connected" to it....

 

i own a 2003 turbo S bug then a 2004 jetta 1.8t and never had a major problem with them bought a 2003 mini and a motor replace was in the shop for 4 months but i love my mini