Hi everyone. I have to say this is an awesome and mature forum, bravo! I currently drive a '12 Hyundai Veloster 6spd. I bought it last summer when I was commuting almost a 100 miles a day for work. Now my commute has been shortened to about 20 miles a day. I like the quirkiness and look of the car (from most angles at least) but would like a car with more power, a little more refinement and one rung up the class scale. I've spent the last day or two playing around on the Mini website exploring and building a Cooper Hardtop S 6spd with all of the options/packages. It ends up in the $32K range which is around where I'm looking price wise. Of course, the other car I'm looking at is the GTI with all of the options. I'm curious if anyone else has compared the two seriously prior to purchase. I'm also curious of how these cars do in the structural integrity/rattle department. I look forward to hearing from everyone in advance!

 

I've got 10,000 miles on my MCS, no rattles so far. The run flat tires and boxy shape give it above average road/wind noise at highway speeds, but not unbearable. Some of the packages might not be worth it, I'd ask about the comfort access and mini connected in particular to see how people like them.

 

Thanks! From what I've read while lurking, it seems that the more tech minded folks like the Mini Connected with Navi so that's something I def want. Basically, whatever I get I want literally all the options....aside from the JCW ones....seems to really degrade the ride quality from what I've read.

 

Regarding rattles, I had a few in my 70k '08 Mini Cooper S starting around 50K, but they kind of just blended into the background after awhile haha. Overall a MINI Cooper is not the quietest, softest ride by a long shot, but driver engagement is through the roof so that compensates a lot. So do aftermarket shocks like Koni FSDs, from what I hear.

That's where the main contrast with the GTI is imo. This has been repeated ad nauseum, but you really have to test drive a MCS and a GTI and compare that way, then decide. Happy shopping

 

Thanks! I really do need to go drive one of these when I have a day off as the closest dealership is 1.5 or so hours from me. I do realize that the ride wont be that of a Buick Park Avenue I just don't want something that feels like it's about to shake apart while driving down the road.

 

If you're looking for a less-choppy ride, leave off all of the "sport suspension" type stuff. The ride in my base ("Justa") Cooper with the Sport Suspension option (and 15" wheels) is not too bad, but it is definitely more choppy than with the regular suspension. The larger wheels will exaggerate the harshness of ride, as will run-flat tires.

Most of the JCW mods are not suspension-related, so they might be worth a look. But most of the stuff from the last page in the configurator program is dealer-installed, which includes the JCW suspension among other things. The cost listed on the website is just the cost for the parts; installation can add significantly to the total bill. I think the total for the JCW suspension when I was ordering my car would have been on the order of $3000; $1500 for the parts (what was listed on the website) and $1500 for the labor. That's why I opted for the factory-installed $500 sport suspension.

 

They way I configured my Cooper S 6spd was with the Sport Package but not the $500.00 sport suspension. I realize the run flats are a double edged sword so I may, depending on how they feel over some miles, put on a nice set of regular tires.

 

A MCS with 6 spd. tranny is an absolute blast to drive. I recently bought an '09 MCS 6 spd. and I am having a ball with it. I recently modified the suspension with a set of H&R sport springs (1.4" drop) mounted on the OEM shocks. I also stiffened up the rearend by installing a NM Engineering 22mm adjustable rear sway bar, NM Engineering adjustable sway bar links, and Helix lower control arms. The overall ride quality is still good. really bumpy roads are felt a little bit more. Body roll is negligible. It handles superb in the twisties.



The standard suspension that comes on the MCS is better than most, in my opinion. I would opt for larger diameter wheels and tires. My wife has the black 18" JCW R113s with Pirelli 205/40-18 PZero run-flats on her MCS. They handle quite well.



I opted to go with aftermarket wheels and tires. I chose Flat Black 18x8 KYOWA EVOLVE wheels with KUMHO AST 215/35-18 tires. The KUMHOs handle extremely well. The nice thing about them is that they are not expensive.




Good luck on your decision. We are very happy with both our MINIs.

 

I too seriously considered the GTI and MCS. I ended up with the MCS sheerly based on the driving characteristics. IMHO, it blows the GTI out of the water in terms of complete driver engagement! Just these numbers...

GTI: 200hp / 3000 lbs / 26mpg avg (friend's car)
MCS: 182hp / 2600 lbs / 31mpg real world avg (my car)

...speak so much alone! But quite seriously, both cars must be driven in order to truly understand which one is destined to have your name on the title.

As far as creaks, rattles, and unexpected sounds, I would say the VW would be marginally quieter. No complaints or awkward sounds yet here, but when I was looking last year at both cars and lurking on all the forums, the Mini folks had more to say regarding unwanted sound than the GTI folks.

Aha, now I remember! I was so close to picking up a GTI that I had a deposit on the car. Until I found a small oval plastic lens (I think it's called light in sight) for the top of the Mini's windscreen so I could see the traffic lights. Being 6ft, I could not see traffic lights when first in line at the crosswalk in the Mini due to the slight rake in the windshield. It was almost a deal-breaker for me because I love to be the first in line at a light, and if I had to awkwardly bend my neck every time while in the front...Well, it just didn't make sense. Thank goodness for enginuity!

Aaron

 

I think most folks that considered both vehicles (MCS vs GTI) and many of us did, would tell you you couldn't go wrong either way. Needless to say most of us on NAM have great reasons we chose the MCS and most of those on VW Vortex have great reasons for choosing the GTI. For me, the panoramic sunroof on the MCS was more appealing than the smaller GTI sunroof. Further, the smaller size of the MCS and better mpg were things the tipped the scale towards the MINI. I also looked around at MINI's and Golfs and lots of MINI's had stripes and Golfs didn't - I wanted stripes. Finally, I'm 50 and I have had great but practical cars most of life (minivans and SUV's to haul the kids, sedans with room for the family, etc.), and the MINI just seemed more fun to look at and drive and I was ready for fun. Call it a mid-life event if you want, but I have no regrets. I have other cars on my bucket list (Audi TTS, Porsche Boxster or 911 Targa 4S), but for now, my MCS puts a smile on my face every day. As a side note, we just purchased a new Hyundai Accent (I know, not a Veloster) for our daughter, and even though I didn't expect much, and it is not even close to my MINI, it impressed me. We also looked at Mazda 2 and Scion xD and the Hyundai was a much better car all around. It made the Mazda 2 feel and drive like an econobox that was designed and first marketed 10 years or more ago. Best of luck with your upgraded new vehicle.

 

I test drove a GTI before buying my MCS....however refined the GTI is....the fun factor is missing....it is heavier...and does not have the go cart feel

I went to a grad party Saturday.....3 people asked for rides in my Mini.....people love it!

 

Thanks for all the good advice! I agree, Hyundai has certainly came a long way. I actually worked for them for a while and working there persuaded me to buy the Veloster. Lot of bang for the affordable buck with those cars.

I have no doubt that the MCS will be more fun to drive than the GTI but, like many have suggested, it's going to come down to me driving all of them and making a subjective call. I messaged a local member here with an offer to let me ride in his car/pick his brain in exchange for buying lunch.

 

Highlander709, is 'the ville' as in Huntsville? Wow, small world if true!!

 

Lot'sa "Villes" out there, in my case, that would be Louisville.

 

Having owned a 2011 Mini Cooper S for exactly a year and going back into a GTI, I can say there are pros and cons. For me it was just the GTI is a nicer car to be in, IMO. Its quite, doesnt stand out(not a cop magnet) and given the right treatment can be amazing to drive.

Its all about personal preference in the end. I must say I drove three hours to the beach this weekend and never felt like I did driving the Mini for a long period of time.

 

I think compared to my best friends GTI, I prefer my MINI S.

His is fun, but mine still feels quicker, beats him in races ( I don't think he can drive as well) despite the extra HP he has. His doesn't have that go-cart fun factor like the Mini's do.

His GTI doesn't have a 6th gear, so MPGs are lower for him as well.

I have replaced the shocks to Koni FSDs and most of my bumpy road woes are gone...the OEM sport suspension shocks paired with Run-flats= crappy ride on bumpy city streets. Im good now though!

I love my MINI...I have a few more mods I intend on doing, but overall...great ride!

 

Thanks guys for the input! You all are really pushing me to drive down to the dealership and test driving one!

 

After owning both the VW and the MINI, I would not hesitate to go back to a VW GTi.
The GTi is a solid piece of machinery, excellent build quality and superb aftermarket support (much greater than the R56 currently).

- Erik

 

If you are thinking about optioning a MCS to $32K, have a look at the Golf R. I have seen some advertised for $33K, thats a lot more car for your dollar in my opinion. But yes, not the same driving feel as the MINI.

 

 

Yes, that is a brilliant piece of advice. A GTI is a nice car, a Golf R is a beast.

 

What do don't like about the Veloster? Don't they have a turbo version now?

Just curious.

 

I traded in a Honda Civic Hybrid for my MINI Clubman S at the time I had a long commute, but after driving my X girlfriend's mini it was a BLAST to drive. The Honda did what it was designed to do, get you there but it was BORING to drive. I wanted more room than the regular mini offered, when I saw the Club man that was the one for me! Also a side note my parents worked at dealerships there whole life, they told me to look at the dealer loaner fleet, I did this and found my MINI fully loaded and it had 7200 miles it, I went and spoke to the sales manager I had to wait 2 weeks for my MINI to become available.
The dealer usually rotates their loaner stock every 6months, mine had 7200 miles on it, they can't sell it as a new car now, it has been maintained by the dealership also. I was able to get 1 dollar off for every mile it had on it. My MINI listed out at 32k also and I got $7,200 off the price at a time when they were not dealing on the price, people were paying right near the list price and they were still flying off the lot!
I got a great deal and after my trade in I only financed below 14k. The dealer loaners usually have all the bells and whistles to show people what they are missing and entice them into trading in there MINI for a fully loaded one. This is just food for thought....
The Clubman offers a smoother ride also, I have non-runflats on mine now and it rides great!!

 

After driving my mother's in laws 2009 cooper, I traded my 2005 c230 Kompressor for my 07 r56 cooper S. Never looked back, never had regret. Love my little turbo!

We have two now in the family

 

i thought I heard they are releasing a more Velocetor next year. However even more powerful wouldnt compare to the fun of an "S". Minis go where you point them. They feel fast without actually being fast which helps not getting tickets. I even drove the 500 Abarth and two days later I bought a used JCW. Even that car is nowhere near as fun. however it does ride smoother.

A Subaru BRZ might also be an interesting option. I havent drove one of them yet.