I currently am leasing a 2008 VW GTI. I really love VWs but since the pricing structure has changed so much with no individual options Im looking else ware for when my lease is up. I stopped by my local Mini dealer in Richmond VA and got a brochure and talked to one of the sales reps.

Im really liking the idea of no maint. costs for three years. The GTI now gets only oil changes for free. Not nearly as enticing as the Mini paid mant. I have been building a few different MCS online and though they spec out more than my current GTI its still less than a similarly speced 2011 GTI.

I have three main questions:

Is the sport suspension worth getting? Does this option lower the car at all? Im mainly looking at this from the point of lessening the wheel gap. Would it be better to just get a set of lowering springs?

How is the stock stereo? I like a good sounding stereo and the GTI has a very nice stock stereo.

What kinds of things are not covered under the maint program or is there some place that explains this whole thing in depth.

Thanks in advance and am looking forward to getting one if the cards are right.

 

Pheatton,

I just bought my MINI from Crown in Richmond and drove it home last week. Alex (sales) was a big help in getting me a car with the features that I wanted.

My previous MINI had sport suspension but my new 2011 MCS does not. Either way, you will feel every bump in the road. The sport suspension does make the ride maybe a little rougher and, if I remember correctly, did not roll as much in the corners. As far as lowering the car, maybe 1/2" if at all.

The stock stereo is okay. I turned the bass and treble up a bit to make it a little better for my tastes. While waiting for my car to arrive, I was able to drive a non-S Clubman. It had the HK radio and, in my opinion, it sounded much better than the stock stereo.

Never had a problem getting anything fixed under a MINI/BMW warranty at Crown. Seems to cover everything from bumper to bumper unless you modify the car and end up installing or doing something that they can prove damaged the car. Speak with Alex, he can give you more information on the warranty.

Good luck and let everyone know what you decide to do.

 

I'll try and answer as many of these for you as I can and I'm sure others who know more will add valuable info as they see your post. I actually had a similar debate when getting a new car a few years back and ended up extending a lease rather than getting the GTI (it was brand new at the time and too much money with no incentives available). Long story short, my brother ended up with a 2007 GTI, I eventually got a 2010 Mini S. The best part about the VW was the engine and tons of torque, plus standard limited slip differential. and plenty of room. I found the Mini to feel a bit slower, but when it comes to how they handle, the Mini was hands down the winner, and that was without the sport suspension. I'm sure you can do a search about the sport suspension features, but I don't think it lowers the height much at all. I think the JCW springs may lower it a bit more, but since you're looking to cut the wheel gap, aftermarket lowering springs are the way to go.

The VW's stereo is pretty good, but they're launching a major stereo change across the line next year as they partner with Fender Guitars, who are now venturing into sound systems. To their credit, fender has had a long-standing history of making great amplifiers so I'm interested to see what it turns out like. The Mini stock stereo won't compare to your old stereo. The Harmon-Kardon option in the Mini is definitely the way to go. Every time my brother is in my car he makes a comment about how he wishes he had my stereo, and I completely agree. Great system for a stock stereo.

The maintenance program doesn't cover things like tires or even tire rotations. Also, the maintenance program only allows you oil changes as required by your car's service indicator, which is on the long side (on the order of 15,000 miles. This seems too long between oil changes for many people, myself included, so you may want to budget for interm oil changes. Just something to consider. The most comprehensive maintenance program I've seen in the industry seems to be Volvo's which covers 5 years and oil changes every 7500 miles last I checked, but the C30 is a very different car in terms of the way it drives compared to the Mini or GTI.

Hope that helps and god luck in choosing a car. It's a fun decision but the process can be nerve wrecking.

 

Thanks for the info. I was thinking that from the perspective I have on the Sport Suspension its better to get just a set of springs it looks like. Thats one thing I can take of the spec sheet thankfully.

As for the stereo I guess I will just have to listen to both and decide which is suits me best.

If you don't mind me asking whats your spec and how much was the final price?

 

NJ, the GTI doesn't have a standard limited slip diff.. nor an optional one. Who told you that tale?

To the OP - I wouldn't waste $500 on the sport suspension, it's garbage just like the non-sport suspension, with extra harshness tossed in. And it still sits high like a 4x4. Put the cash towards quality aftermarket parts, and/or ditch the runflats, which are a huge part of the problem.

As others have said, you definitely want the HK stereo option, it's orders of magnitude better than the crummy standard setup.

The maintenance program is a joke. You get a couple of too-widely-spaced oil changes, and one actual "service" (or "inspection" in BMW/Mini jargon) that will occur before it's up, assuming you drive at least an average number of annual miles. That's about it. Not a whole lot is done at that inspection that you couldn't get done at a very reasonable cost from an indy shop, or as a DIY.

 

Yeah seems like the Sport Suspension really isn't worth it at all. Better to put that towards the H/K sound package instead.

As for the limited slip diff, the GTI does not have one. It has some electronic wizardry that works like one.

So the paid maint. does not cover your schedualed services, like the 30k etc? Any place that details what it covers and does not. Im going to see if I can make it to the dealer again on Sunday, if we dont get that snow they keep talking about. Still have not driven one in a very long time so it may turn out I dont even like it...

 

The maintenance program actually covers much more than just oil changes, althought you're going to find that there probably isn't a lot of things you're going to need to change in the first 36 months, 36,000 miles. It covers wiper blades, air filters, cabin microfilters, brake fluid, brake pads, etc. I think they even put windshield wiper fluid in. Bottom line is, other than tire rotations there isn't going to be much you're paying for those first three years.

http://miniusa.com/#/learn/MotoringService-m shows what it covers.

On my sixth Mini and have loved them all, obviously.

 

The sport suspension only gets you slightly thicker sway bars, no springs no lowering. And the rear sway bar isn't even 19mm which is what most people get aftermarket to reduce the understeer. I'd skip it.
I'd go with more stereo with that $500.
The maintenance think is mainly oil changes. They did my cabin filter and wiper blades mainly 'cause I asked them to. You won't get any brakes done, no tire stuff included. Anything else is warranty covered.

 

Thanks both of you. Im really hoping the Mini dealer here has one with the HK system. I would really like to listen to it before I order one. Its a shame they only have like 6 or 7 new MCS in stock.

 

Well went yesterday to Crown MINI and test drove a 2011 MCS. LOVE IT!! Went ahead and worked some numbers and it was close to where I want to be. The big issue is the one we are working off of is in Texas, so there is a $800 shipping charge. Plus they have a $500 processing fee...

Going to call them back today and work them again on the numbers. See what I can do.

What Im looking at is a 2011 MCS British Racing Green/White roof and mirrors, Sport Package w/ 17inch Conicals, HK sound and BT/iPod.

 

Pheatton - which salesman did you talk to? I don't remember the shipping fee on mine - but it only had to come from PA. There were some delays in getting the car transfered to Crown's inventory system and the actual shipment of the car. Apparently the company that was hired to pick up the car had a truck break down and delayed the car by about a week.

The one I got is a Steptronic 2011 MCS Horizon Blue/Black roof and mirrors. Cold Weather and Convenience packages. 17" Conical Spoke wheels and black bonnet stripes.

 

I was talking to Drew since he was the only one available at the time. The sales manager I was dealing with was Young Choe. I love going to buy a car, I worked for a dealer for 9 years before getting out of the biz so I know all the little tricks. Like when I give him a max payment and he comes back with one $10 over, stuff like that.

 

Ouch. I think the $800 transport fee is legit if the car you want is being traded from across the country, but I'd have a hard time stomaching that. And the $500 dealer fee? I'd go elsewhere and order one, you could probably have one to your exact specs in just 5-7 weeks.

 

Yep thats the first thing Im going to nail them about, shipping and processing fees. It is coming from Texas though. Never had to pay one ever....

Take those two out of the equation Im right where I want to be.


Update: Manager called me back, $10 over where I want to be. I told him set it up!

 

I also don't like the lack of individual options on the '11+ GTI and will need a new car next year, but fortunately the Golf R is coming out in 2 trim levels! If there's no dealer markup, it looks like way better value than a loaded S and will likely have way better resale value. Right now my R32 is worth considerably more than my S despite costing just about the same as my S.

btw, the '07 GTI has an open diff, no elsd or lsd.

 

Congrats!

How long did they say it'd take to get to Richmond? Mine took twice as long as they said so they hooked me up with some freebie accessories (shirts, mugs, stubby antena, etc.)

 

Well I talked to the Drew this morning. He said that they want me to come in on Friday and sign the paper work then since the lease deal expires that day. They will put me in a loaner until the car gets here. They are thinking this weekend or early next week.

Gotta take sometime this Friday morning and pull off my parts from the GTI.

I was able to track it down on the dealers site in Austin Texas - 2011 MCS

 

Excellent, grats! Since I am close to Austin, I should drive by and hide little surprises in your car

 

Im cool with that. Throw in some cool Mini paraphernalia!!

 

Keep watching that link. When it disappears from their website, you know it has been officially transfered to Crown and that it is on it's way.

Did you see this? Accessories. Mention it to Drew and see if he can hook you up.

 

Oh I plan on it. Got one printed out already. That could go towards the St. Andrews flag on the roof I wanted.

Oh how does your front plate bracket mount work? I asked them to leave it off so I could use the one that mounts in the tow hook mount.

 

To the OP, do the Mini S. I had a 2001 GTI VR6 modded and the Mini S comes with the handling I was looking for. I was suprised how good it can be flicked around in traffic and the twisties. Modding a Mini would only make it a beast.

 

After driving the MCS I was reminded of my much loved MKIV GTI 1.8T. I had a full APR stage one, including chip, intake and turbo back exhaust, H&R coilovers, and Nuespeed adjustable sways front and rear. That little car was ridiculous! It would chirp going into third gear and still take turns like nothing else I have driven.

No, I was not one of those morons who dumped their cars on coilovers, I had a nice two finger gap all around. No rubbing or anything on it.

Probably why Im straying away from VW, owners just aren't what they used to be anymore...

 

Hey when I went to get mine last week the dealer I worked with said there was a $1000 cash back offer.... see if its still valid to the end of the month. I pretty much got the cold weather package free.

 

You buy or lease? Im leasing.