F55/F56 F56 vs VW GTI?
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 182
Likes: 4
The roads in my area are average and my hearing is fine 
I'm definitely aware if my car is making unusual sounds, rattles, etc... and my Mini is quiet and solid.
The only rattle I get is when I close the rear boot and the license plate rattles a little because the dealer only mounted the plate with the top two screws, which I'm fixing this weekend.
I'm definitely aware if my car is making unusual sounds, rattles, etc... and my Mini is quiet and solid.
The only rattle I get is when I close the rear boot and the license plate rattles a little because the dealer only mounted the plate with the top two screws, which I'm fixing this weekend.
Last edited by DAVIDLEERAD; Jan 14, 2015 at 02:28 PM. Reason: posted twice
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Portland, Oregon
Has anyone seriously cross shopped these two cars? Personally, I cant stand the look of the VW. Its choice of one interior, bland exterior looks etc. But the test magazines all are raving about it. One even said "the interior was as solid as an S class Mercedes" The Minis interior is beautiful, but S class solid -no. It seems to be every bit as rattle prone as the R56 from early reports. I know the Mini starts out with a lower msrp, but by the time you load up on the accessories, its in the low to mid $30,000 range, similar to the GTI. Any thoughts?
GTI = Lower 0 - 60mph
GTI = More Torque
GTI = Quicker 1/4 Mile
All that aside, buy what you like.
Number on paper don't make the driving experience, if you enjoy the MINI more so than the VW, get it.
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
That's impossible! Unless you live in a place where roads are very good, or your tolerance to noise levels are very high (tough guys that don't care of minor stuff), or (hopefully not) your hearing is not so good.
I am hearing very small rattles here and there in my 2015 F56 with 500 miles on roads that I think are in pretty good condition. This is with a 16" wheel. I think the panels connection points use too much plastic that it is prone to rattle here and there. I drive very gentle, trying to get good fuel economy.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 837
Likes: 22
No, not in the US. The Mk VII's are new this year. I'm not sure whether they are the 2014 or 2015 model year since that seems to be arbitrarily set be each manufacturer. The Mk VII's hitting dealers last June is what started me looking at buying a new car, so I can keep that straight pretty easily.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 837
Likes: 22
It was much more than one year "late" to North America.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,602
Likes: 107
From: Arizona
Is that a cassette player in the GTI? Where's the ashtray? I'm digging the Tartan Plaid upholstery. Get some fuzzy dice hanging and a plastic Jesus on the dash and I'll buy one tomorrow.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Frederick, MD
If you knew what you were talking about, you'd know that Europe doesn't prescribe to the same model year cycles the US does. The Europeans change the model years of cars at the first of the year on the model year, the US, can legally do so up to a year before the actual model calendar year (ie a 2015 can come out as early as january 1, 2014). Hence the "model year" cycle you insist upon citing as your "proof" is useless. The MK7 Golf wasn't widely available to most of Europe until early 2013, it launched in the US a year and a half later (not three) and since this thread is talking about the MK7 Golf GTI not the regular Golf, that model was only a year late to our shores. May 2013 in Europe vs May 2014 in the U.S. 1 year.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Frederick, MD
I understand your logic behind that but in reality the MK7 GTI is more on par performance wise to the JCW. The MK7 R (with DSG) is putting down 0-60 numbers well below 5 seconds. Price wise though, that is an accurate assessment.
Technically I guess you could say the Golf R should be compared against the GP. It gets fuzzy since there are multiple performance versions of the MINI.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 837
Likes: 22
You lost me at "prescribe".
If you knew what you were talking about, you'd know that Europe doesn't prescribe to the same model year cycles the US does. The Europeans change the model years of cars at the first of the year on the model year, the US, can legally do so up to a year before the actual model calendar year (ie a 2015 can come out as early as january 1, 2014). Hence the "model year" cycle you insist upon citing as your "proof" is useless. The MK7 Golf wasn't widely available to most of Europe until early 2013, it launched in the US a year and a half later (not three) and since this thread is talking about the MK7 Golf GTI not the regular Golf, that model was only a year late to our shores. May 2013 in Europe vs May 2014 in the U.S. 1 year.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,387
Likes: 14
From: Near Buffalo NY
I agree, makes no sense because the golf exterior is very "serious" and understated. I think the golds are nice but a bit dull looking. Drive an f56 for a little over an hour today, not a bad looking car with the right color, interior is nice but I'm not a fan of the gauges.
That dirty Catholic schoolgirl thinggy!!
I can see the reto chic...
Last edited by ZippyNH; Jan 17, 2015 at 01:19 PM.
The new MQB platform the new golf is built on does make for some nice improvements...the engine change is nice...but I remember a VW dealers's salesman telling me that folks buy vw as a LIFESTYLE BRAND, an image...
MINI has chosen to go more plush, VW spartan, but generally lower prices...
Funny how mini and vw drivers make fun of each others reliability....reminds me so.ething about the saying of folks living in glass houses....
That and folks make it like a religious debate....or Mac vs PC...
But you can also we in this debate how the typical mini buyer has shifted...
Early on, they were mostly cash sales, as 3rd cars, then financed, now lease deals to folks "reaching" trying to get the most car for the lowest payment...much as vw and BMW has done for years....
I like to look in my review mirror and see what types of cars **** me off the most...things like late braking or excessive tailgating or "bullying"....
VW for years has been near the top...with Subaru and BMW, with the odd SUV/pickup sharing the lower spots...
But recently, I am seeing more mini folks being the impantent jerks...kinda gets me mad...but I think it speaks volumes to the average maturity level of the buyers, both in age and in $$$.
..look at the cat-less craze...most reasonble owners would not consider it...
But seems epdimic here....
Yeas...I am shopping for a new car for the wife (possibly making MY car the trade)...and debating my mini's future, as do I sell it and maybe get a stopgap car while I wait for the " F" SERIES REFRESH....or just move on....