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?

 

I work at a VW Dealer, each and every 2015 GTI have about 3 or more recalls.
The interior is not bad, definitely better than a subaru Wrx / Sti.

They rave about the new gen GTI because most think the styling looks better and the interior gotten some upgrades from the last gen.

Also the engine pushes a few more hp than the last, and when staged 1 it gets like 50 extra HP. So very little mod is needed to push even more horses.

Now personally i see recalls as in a companies FLAW when making the vehicle.
With 3 or more, that gives me a sick feeling in my gut.

 

I am cross shopping these cars currently undecided. Both are terrific and I've test driven both. They are priced basically the same (MCS and GTI) and the GTI is inarguably the better value for money offering more space and more power for the money. The MINIs especially the justa imo, have a bit more charm. The VW is very similar to driving say a fwd bmw 3 series, very grown up and rock solid. Very Germanic. So is the new mini but it's still a lot more darty than the GTI. both interiors are classy and full of well made materials, there is something about the simplicity of the GTI interior layout and the plaid that I love. Obviously the mini is more eclectic in his way. The GTI is stonkingly quick, and has an optional LSD to boot, making it more of the enthusiasts pick. The mini offers a myriad of customization. You feel the car is truly yours when you build one out. The GTI doesn't offer this and doesn't feel as special. Both are very refined and drive terrifically, I'd say the mini is more fun on a daily basis, with the GTI being a consummate, practical, effortless allrounder with a lot of performance with a little less fun. You really can't go wrong either way. And the bit about the s-class is a bit fanboyish, the GTI interior is one of the best in class but it's no s class... You pick the GTI with your brain and the MINI with your heart.

 

If connectivity and infotainment are important to you, stay far away from the Golf. It's primitive by comparison to the MINI.

 

What exactly did the recalls involve? Granted anyone would obviously prefer no recall versus the hassle of having to bring the vehicle back to the dealer, but BMW has a history of not recalling vehicles when they should have, and creating far more serious situations for their customers by instead waiting for a known problem part to break, thereby creating the need for unscheduled repairs. Futhermore I've never seen any evidence whatsoever of a correlation between the number of recalls on a vehicle and the overall reliability of the vehicle. My personal experience with different vehicles seems to bear this out. I would pay specific attention to the exact nature of the recalls. If a vehicle is being recalled because the brakes tend to fail, yeah, that's scary without a doubt. But if a vehicle is being recalled because engine software needs to be updated because of an emissions issue, that would be far less scary for most of us, I think.

 

The gti will be a good car but it just lacks character for me, id take the f56. Thats coming from someone who likes VW and doesn't care for the f56 styling much.

 

I will have to check when i get in work tomorrow.
I just remember there being a few recalls on the new gen GTI.

 

Couldn't agree more.

I ended up getting the F56. Yes, the VW was larger and more useful from a cargo/passenger standpoint (the F55 would be a better comparison, I guess), and despite what some have said, feature for feature, the VW is definitely a better value and less expensive. A 4-door GTI Autobahn DSG with Lighting stickers for $32,961 and my MINI F56 as configured had a sticker of $37,050. And the VW includes full leather and power seats.

However, the level of customization and character of the MINI is what won me over, not to mention the 3 years free maintenance (vs VWs 1-year) that includes brake pads and rotors. The interior in the VW is definitely staid German vs cheeky fun. I found the level of connectivity and the setup easier to use in my previous VW than in this MINI, but that could be due to the fact that I have not been able to figure out all the settings. I mean, my Bluetooth audio should automatically re-pair and play from where it was left off like in my VW, but so far I have not been able to make that happen in the MINI.

Sorry, I was digressing.

The MINI is a blast to drive and puts a smile on my face every time I get in, something that I didn't necessarily find/feel in the VW. And I love answering questions in parking lots and gas station (I have only had the MINI 2 weeks) - it does seem to draw some attention. I know I went overboard with options, but that was my call. Is it "worth" $4K more? It's all a matter of personal taste and opinion. For me, free maintenance, free car washes, free loaner cars, slightly better fuel economy and cheeky fun is worth every penny.

 

Anyone know what our 3 Year free main consist of?

For VW 10k - Oil, Tire Rotation
20k - Oil,Tire,Cabin Filter
30k - Oil,Tire,Brake Flush

VW Technology is LONG BEHIND and Outdated, compare to most manufacture.
Their radio technology is still in early 2000's

 

Yes, for MINI it is "conditioned based service" so it is calculated based on how the vehicle is driven.

Free services includes:

Oil/Filter changes (set internally to 10 months/10K miles max)
Wiper Blades (on an annual basis)
Brake Fluid (roughly 2 year intervals)
A/C Microfilter (same 2 year interval as BF)
Engine Air Filter (4th or 5th oil service)
Brake Pads and Rotors (as needed)
Vehicle Check (at 30K miles)
Spark Plugs (usually included under extended MPU - additional cost)
Drive Belt
Tire rotation/balance/alignment is NOT INCLUDED.

It is important to note that 2015 VWs, Carefree Maintenance is only included for 12 months/12,000 miles and include just an oil service and tire rotation.
(FYI: 2013 VWs have 3/36 maintenance and 2014 VWs have 2/24 maintenance)

 

Yea VW cheap out lol
But always i can almost guarantee the pads and rotors will not get changed out, at least from my local MINI Dealership.
My gal have a 2010 and she drives HARD, and she still haven't got her rotors replaced yet when they are all grooved up.

 

I don't tend to keep vehicles long (which is why I usually lease), but if I owned this vehicle, I would consider the extended maintenance plan. Costs about $1700 and extends the free maintenance for a total of 6 years/100K miles. If you had to replace pads and rotors front and rear it would more than pay for itself.

 

Lol, me too. I get bored very quick.... So i usually have it for about 2 years or less....

I did look at the pricing for the warranty. But they were all very pricey. I believe each and every dealership have different pricing for those packages....

I believe the extended warranty was 3k - 4k when i was signing my paper work


So is yours a lease currently?

 

Which Houston area dealership do you use?

 

At Mini prices maybe, but many dealer prices are much higher than indy shop prices or diy costs. I recently had my mechanic use my supplied front brake parts and I saved 40%+ off dealer and got better components, more suited to what I wanted. Free maintenance isn't "free".

 

Momentum Mini

 

VW announced at CES the introduction of their modular MIB II infotainment systems for the 2016 Golf and GTI. The base screen will be 6.5'' touchscreen with an optional 8'' display. Apple Carplay and Android auto with mirrorlink would put this beyond the iDrive in the MINI. But yes the current 5.8'' system is rather slow. If you do get a GTI definitely wait for the 2016's.

 

I find myself torn between these two cars as well. Both are great fun to drive, and each have comfortable refined interiors. Prior to the CES announcement from VW about the new infotainment options coming for 2016 I was leaning F56 but the lure of CarPlay has me interested in the GTI again. My main sticking point with VW is the dealership experience and in particular the service department. After owning two VW's in years past I'm just not sure I want to subject myself to the local dealerships available to me. Granted the VW dealerships are less than 30 minutes away whereas both MINI dealers are over an hour. That said the experience at both of those has been far superior to any of the VW dealers.

 

I owned a 2007 MK5 GTI and a 2010 MK6 GTI. Now I have a 2015 MCS, just so you see where I'm coming from.

In my opinion, the GTI is a better car. It has better cargo space, better passenger room, it's faster and it handles more precisely. It just goes where you put it on the road and grips better than my MCS. I also dig the weird plaid seats. The GTI feels more solid. You gently close the GTI hatch where the MINI requires a rattling slam (or it complains it's still open). The doors are lighter and you can just close them. My MINI is already rattling when cold (which service can't find).

However, the MINI is more fun to drive, has better electronic gadgets, has a HUD and is quirky as hell. It has style where the GTI is very plain. I also prefer the MINI clutch and shifter (except for the reverse mechanism which is idiotic).

I don't regret getting the MINI since I needed a change and VW eliminated their service 3 year/36000 service plan which MINI now has. When the 2016 GTIs are out, I will definitely give them a look because the current VW electronics are pretty weak. I heard the navigation is so slow it notifies you of turns after you pass the street. I never owned a VW with nav so I can't confirm.

These are just my opinions. I'm trying to be as honest and unbiased as I can (though it's obviously impossible).

 

We all have different likes & wants. I've been driving my MINI for 9 years. My plan was to buy a new one when they came out. Went to the dealer & did a thorough test drive. For me it drove OK, but seemed very watered down compared to my 2006. I realize things change. The R56 was watered down & the F56 is more so, progress I guess. What I couldn't get past were the looks of the F56. Didn't like the outside & when inside I didn't care for that either. All the infotainment stuff a MINI can have means nothing to me.
So long story short I'm looking at the new GTI. I'm sorry to be leaving the MINI brand, but they no longer make anything I'd want to buy.
You folks with F56 MINIs good luck & enjoy your cars.

 

I haven't experienced this in the least bit. It is inarguably better put together than the R56. We've had 3 R56s and my F56 has almost no rattles despite a very stiff suspension. Is it as solid as a Mercedes? Obviously not. But I would pit it against the GTI any day of the week.

 

This thread is typical for a "what car should I buy" thread. The OP asks and is never heard from again! What's also typical is all the different things people value in a car. One person is waiting for the the latest infotainment system on the 2016 GTI, the next guy doesn't car about it, doesn't like the softer ride, prefers his R53 and wants a GTI. some like winding up the R53's supercharger, some like the low end pulling power of the F56. Some like the softer ride and variable dampers, some want the JCW suspension and lower their car. Wife drove had a Mazda 3 some years back. Nice car, I had no problem with it. But the interior came in 3 colors: black, black, and black. The only option was an AT and a sunroof. We even asked about wheel choices and the guy looked at me like I was crazy. That part I like better about Mini. The choices.

 

Real race......
Head TO head 1 sec. faster f56S ..........!!!!!!

 

Not sure what you mean by that statement. Is Golf equipped differently than the GTI?

I got rid of my R56 JCW for a new 2014 GTI and it came with functional steering wheel buttons, touchscreen radio, NAV, center console interface cables for iOS and usb devices, built in bluetooth, and handsfree phone. All standard

My JCW had none of that. Those would have been options at order time.

Now I haven't driven the F56 but I do like the looks of it. Even the new 4 door. But, for me the GTI was what I preferred. And I am still smiling while I drive.

 

I believe he meant Golf as in the GTI, as GTI is a performance-trim Golf.

I haven't driven a GTI newer than '11, and I hear the latest model is a real blast to drive. I really liked the few that I drove overall... quick, responsive, quiet cabin, lots of space, excellent 6MT. My big complaint was the electric power steering. It felt so light that I was getting almost zero feedback even at high speeds pushing it fairly hard on some winding roads. It seemed to have quite a bit of body roll as well.

I know some are upset about the lack of a handbrake in the newest one, but I think I could overlook that if it had proper hydraulic power steering