Golf R.

nuff said.

2.0TSI motor > JCW 1.6L motor

 

I always try to take the 2 cars for a test drive down the same loop with some round abouts, down the highway, through some tight turns and launch them from some red lights, with windows up, down, radio on and off.

 

Phx JCW--Did you have a chance to visit the VW dealer? What's the good word?

 

I did....and I will have to say I was more than a little embarrassed for the sales team at the local VW here in Scottsdale.
They don't have a clue on the details of the R...one guy asked me if I wanted an automatic , the other guy said VW is only making 1300 units for N. America .
Their internal VW internet was down (i believe VWHUB) so they couldn't even tell me the suggested MSRP....I didn't have the heart to tell them what it was.
Good Lord I hate going into showrooms....nothing bothers me more then a sales person not having a clue about what they are selling.
I am going to go to another dealer sometime this week and see if I can do any better.

 

I went into my local MINI dealership several months ago, interested in an R53 they had on the lot. When I mentioned I had an R50 he said, "Which one is that again? I get all those codes mixed up."

*sigh*

 

Not to get off topic....but in what other industry can you get away with not knowing the product you are selling? (besides politicians, that is a given )

 

Would love to do that, but the R wont be here what looks like a couple more months. Was in a R32 the other day at the VW dealer and those seats huge you pretty well...and I would think the R's would be just the same if not better.

 

Anything in retail.

 

+1 there Quality, +1 indeed. The guy trying to sell you $2K of stereo equip was selling refrigerators last week.
So back to the debate, I see this as really classic apples n oranges, a VW isnt going to hold a candle to a JCW for pure "grin" factor, yes, it may be technically more competent on track day but you still have to live with it. I just dont see my 8yr old daughter laughing and poiinting "look dad, theres a red VW Golf type R. did you see it?" hmmmmmmmm. Applesauce, anyone?

 

I have a JCW on order, and am told Late November, early december - when did you order? What was the mishap that delayed it until the new year? I will be plenty-pi&&ed if my JCW is in the same boat - my only other car is a a classic mini, which has never even seen a snowflake and has 13" 45 series performance tires on it.

 

Not necessarily. It depends on the store. I did car audio retail for almost 15 years. If you go in to Best Buy, then yes. In a small specialty retailer, no.

 

Right now I am not very happy with the mini dealership, they said to give them 10 days to try and rectify the delay. It has now been two weeks and I left them a message to call me several days ago for an update and I have not heard from them. I still don't know the real reason behind this delay or whatever it may be.
So as of today I put 1k down on a Golf R, for some insurance. I was able to get a spot of the first allocation.

I haven't made up my mind yet, but the nature of the events in the last two weeks my make my decision for me.

 

So apparently Mini heard me ...I just got a production number today. Still don't have a clue what I am going to due right now. I went to talk with a local tuning shop (Goodspeed) here in phoenix to help me along with my decision. If it was strictly up to the tunability factor the R would be a no brainer, but I do know how much fun the JCW is to drive and the unique way it looks (in a good way for me)
I have deposits on both cars right now, and it looks like the my JCW would be deliverd in the late part of Dec, I have no clue on the R. They say it should be here Dec/Early Jan, but who knows until i have confimaton on production.
Just putting this out there as no one in my house really cares either way

 

Have you at least taken a GTI out for a drive? Do that then add a crap ton of weight and unzdersteer and you'll know what the R drives like. I took a Scirocco R on the Ring and absolutely hated it. Tons of lag, understeered like crazy and the brakes aren't anywhere near as good as even an S. It really isn't as good s it's made out to be. I thinks it more if the "grass is greener" syndrome and this was the Scirocco which is a beter car than the Golf version.

I'd pass. Hell, I did pass.

 

Two more things to consider:
How will resale compare? VWs do not hold their resale value as well as Minis.
How about reliability? VWs are really poor compared to any *** car, and still worse than any Mini you'll run acrosss.

 

I put a deposit down in August. I was expecting a Nov JCW hatch slot due to the Aero kit issues. I was then later told MINI are starting JCW in October so I should expect an Oct slot. So far I don't have a build slot - so getting close to end of this month already. I don't think this is a dealership fault - MINI/BMW don't seem to be communicating very well.

I'm hoping my car starts production soon - otherwise I may not be getting my car before xmas.

I saw some more pics of the Golf R - It's still not doing anything for me but I hope you make a decision that makes you happy in the end. I'm not really sure if either MINI or VW are going to win any reliability awards I am afraid.

 

Maybe general VW's don't but when you look at the R32 it has held it's value better than a comparable JCW...I ran KBB with a 2008 R32 and a 2010 JCW Hardtop and with each at 30k miles and identically optioned and they both came out at a retail value of $28k and some change.
Also, having read many post on here and comparing post on vwvortex it seems their are many more on here unhappy with the quality. Their have been several posters on here that obviously love the mini but will never buy another (their words). I know many people come onto these forums to complain but these were from members that had 1,000s of post. Kind of makes me think twice about the JCW. Trying to keep in open mind and weed out the fanboi's on both sides.

 

I really like the look of the Scirocco R. Too bad to hear about the handling issues you experienced.

 

My vote is for the 2012 Mini Cooper JCW!

I am surprised no one has posted any pic of either vehicle for a cosmetic comparison!

 

2012 VW "R"

Interior



Exterior

 

2012 Mini Cooper JCW

Exterior





Interior

 

 

I know it's sacrilege, but out of those particular examples I think the Golf (all black.) looks better than the JCW. However the VW interior is pretty boring.

 

I will agree the R isn't that special looking, and to me the JCW wins in the looks department. The end of the day, they are both special cars in their own right and because of that I dont think I will go wrong. Like you said, as long as I am happy....and I can say once that decision is made I will be

 

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