I have always had a soft spot for VW's especially gti's, that said I am considering a Cooper S to take the
place of my current GTi a 02 1.8t. However I am also considering an 03 20th anniversary GTi along
with the S. Has anybody come from a GTi to a mini? What are your thoughts.
P.S. I also have a classic mini.
Thanksundefinedundefined

 

i have owned 3 vw's all of which i would take back right now over my subaru which i am trying to sell to buy a new 04 mcs




so basically i'm in the same boat as you

 

I've always liked the GTI, I was looking into the 20th anniversary GTI before the mini but the mini won me over...before the mini I had an old VW beetle

 

I test drove a GTI right after I test drove an MCS. The GTI had a horrible interrior (it felt like it was from the 80s), a huge throw on the shifter, and the clutch required so much leg work to be pushed in all the way that I had to sit dangerously close to the wheel. Needsless to say it was fast though (a 1.8T). I felt the MCS was a much much better experience than the GTI. The interior was very refined. The shifter, clutch and gas all felt very sporty, much more so than the GTI. And needless to say the MCS was fast and handled great.

 

Yes, I sold my 2000 GTI VR6 MkIV when I bought my MCS. They are very different cars. The VR6 GTI is faster than a stock MCS in acceleration and top speed, however it handles like a pig in comparison to the MINI. The getrag 6-speed transmission in the MCS is like heaven, the GTI's 5- speed was only adequate. Both cars have been reliable commuters for me. The GTI has a more comfortable rear seating area, and a much more useful hatch space behind the seats (double that of the MINI, I'll guess). The MCS is much more maneuverable around traffic, and doesn't look like every other hatchback on the road. I got leather interiors in both vehicles, and believe it or not, the MCS leather has held up better than that of the VW. Cold weather packages are similar in both cars, but VW has a five position bun warmer rather than the MINI's two position, advantage VW. I had the monsoon stereo in the GTI, wonderful. I didn't spring for the harmon kardon system in the MCS, and maybe I should have, the stock system just isn't as nice as the VW's was. Auto climate control in both, I'd have to say I prefer the MINI's but maybe part is because it is a smaller car and the temps can change more rapidly as there is less area to heat / cool. Sunroof is no comparison, MCS wins hands down. Overall, I prefer my MCS over the VR6 GTI (an R32 might be a different story though).
Another interesting point is resale value. I can probably sell my MCS for about what I paid for it today. I only got KBB wholesale price when I sold my GTI privately, but then it's hard to compete with the dealers who offer 0% financing for 60 months on new vehicles.

 

Thanks for the insight so far,
MGCMAN: I can understand your complaints about the poor handling characteristics of the GTi,
I addressed this by installing a full shine racing suspension, which is nothing short of amazing.
I have only been for a ride in a MCS but have yet to drive one just trying to asses the pros and
cons of both cars. The .:R32 is a great car but unfortunately out of my budget.
Wrkncacnter:I for one am partial to the VW interior over the MINI much more supportive
seats and very high quality materials especially in the 20th anniversary.
Keep the comments coming!

 

I owned a 2000 VW Jetta VR6. The suspension was modified (Bilstein/H&R/Neuspeed Rear Sway). I drove that car to take my first test drive in a Cooper with the Sport Suspension (not even the sport plus). After getting back into my Jetta, I realized it was a wallowing pig in comparison. Then when I got my COOPER S the difference between the two cars became even more evident.

The MK4's (Jetta/Golf/GTI) are really aimed at a totally different market. You can dump thousands of dollars into them, and they still won't perform like a MINI out of the box. That said, the 1.8T is a great engine, and I wish there were something like that available on the MINI.

The only VW I would consider trading the MINI for is an R32.

Dave

 

I sold my '00 GTI 1.8T when I got my '03 MCS. Other than the seat comfort/support and the cargo space, there is nothing I miss about the GTI. With similar levels of mods, the MINI is even faster in a straight line (of course in the corners, there is no comparison at all):

 

I sold my 2001 GTI 1.8t to get my 2003 MCS. I spent untold thousands modifying it, and even with the best custom racing suspension, it simply never got close to the handling of my stock MCS.

I agree with DiD when it comes to the fantastic 1.8t engine. It's the only thing my VW had that I would like to have transplanted into my MINI.

My GTI was a rocket-ship in a straight line after I had done the mods to put it around 210-220 hp, but I just didn't feel comfortable going around hard corners on three wheels!

 

Interesting graph I thought for sure the 1.8T would have the edge over the MCS.
Sharp looking GTi I love tropical orange, did you sell it privately or trade for the mini?
I was wondering if it would be difficult to sell the the GTi privately it seems as
though the market for these cars is saturated right now.
thanks everyone!

 

I had a '99 GTI, although I traded it in for a Cooper. Same HP specs, but the handling on the Cooper is far superior. I do miss the cool dash lighting on my GTI, but not much else...

 

I test drove a VR6 GTI before I got my MCS and have owned previous models. I like the GTI quite a bit and I was going to get another one. The interior is very nice and the quality is right on, 'cept maybe the coil pack, but that's for another forum. Plus the GTI is so fast. The power is plentiful so long as you use it in a straight line. 'Cause like others have said, it does handle like a turd. My buddy added some eibach springs on his 03 GTI to help tighten the handling and it is a vast imporvement. Of couse if you get the 20th anniversery addition you get the improved handling that the standard GTI is lacking. Anyway, yes I like the GTI but once I drove the MCS I was sold. Everything about the MCS is great. Interior looks great, may not be as high of quality as the GTI, but the trade off is worth it. The handling is incredible! And the power is good enough for me. If I really want more power I can always get a smaller pulley. I'm super happy with my purchase and I don't regret it at all. When I go to my buddies house and we compare cars, his seems almost kind of sad in comparison. The GTI just sort of blends into the landscape where as the MCS stands out and begs for attention. A 20th anniversery GTI would be a dope ride, there's no doubting that. I don't think you can go wrong with either car. Both are great in their own way. But for me, the Mini was everything I wanted and then some. You'll just have to drive one to truly understand. Good luck on your decision. It's a toughy but not a bad place to be.

 

I am a long time VW guy....... I have had a 95 GTI Vr6 (street car with spax / Koni suspension) an 85 Golf (set up for F-Street prepared auto-x.. read as unstreetable)
an 89 Fox and now my wife has a 98 Golf GL..(stock)

I look at the MINI (I have a Cooper not an S) as the Rabbit BMW Built.... as in you could take a Rabbit and put thousands of dollars into engine,suspension,interior mods and given enough money you would have a new MINI that looked like a Rabbit....LOL.... Both makes have that euro/german feel that I love. As far as the turns... only my old 85 could out handle my stock Cooper... I will say that my wifes Golf has a good bit more torque than the Cooper but otherwise the MINI is superior in every way....

 

grocerygrabber,

I ended up selling it privately for $10k in Feb, 2003. It had 72k.

The MkIV Golf/Jetta/GTI have a major design flaw in their front suspension. The A-arms actually point upwards rather than downwards, even with stock suspension. That means that the camber starts out bad and gets worse as the suspension compresses. Very odd design and not easily correctable.

Interestingly, the Audi TT, which uses the same chassis, has different suspension uprights that correct this flaw.

 

The MkIV Golf/Jetta/GTI have a major design flaw in their front suspension. The A-arms actually point upwards rather than downwards, even with stock suspension. That means that the camber starts out bad and gets worse as the suspension compresses. Very odd design and not easily correctable.

Funny you should mention that. I've been searching the Vortex for ways to fix the horrid handling of my Jetta TDI and it appears the Shine Racing kit works so well mainly because it doesn't lower the car, but actually raises the front suspension slightly - to help fix the messed up geometry, I suppose. The stock handling of the MkIV borders on unsafe IMO. I would have not expected to go from a '91 Integra (stock - basically a glossed over Civic) to an '03 Jetta and take a step back in the handling dept. :smile:

 

>>The MkIV Golf/Jetta/GTI have a major design flaw in their front suspension. The A-arms actually point upwards rather than downwards, even with stock suspension. That means that the camber starts out bad and gets worse as the suspension compresses. Very odd design and not easily correctable.
>>
>>Funny you should mention that. I've been searching the Vortex for ways to fix the horrid handling of my Jetta TDI and it appears the Shine Racing kit works so well mainly because it doesn't lower the car, but actually raises the front suspension slightly - to help fix the messed up geometry, I suppose. The stock handling of the MkIV borders on unsafe IMO. I would have not expected to go from a '91 Integra (stock - basically a glossed over Civic) to an '03 Jetta and take a step back in the handling dept. :smile:

 

My racing pal in England has always had GTi's and I have always been VERY impressed with them. His current one is a rocketship and has all wheel drive. It is a hottie......maybe the European version has a meaner motor but based on my experience, I'd be wringing my hands....and getting the MINI anyways......cuz of why, cuz I LOVE mine...... :smile:

 

Yep, the Shine setup is a must for anything close to good handling. Here's a shot of my friend Mike doing his best with what he's got:



His GTI is on Shine springs, Bilstein shocks, Audi TT uprights and subframe bracing, poly bushings, etc. Having driven several cars with the Shine springs, they are awfully stiff for street use, less comfortable than the stock setup in my MCS.

 

I replaced this:

and this:


with this:


I don't really miss the Jetta 1.8t, but I should've never sold the Rabbit(sold both at the end of last year). The Mini is the Rabbit of the 21st Century, though, so it's OK.

 

Please tell me you kept the Ronal Turbos.

 

I had the Shine suspension too. It was the best you could do with that damn solid rear axle.

Even with the Shine, it paled in comparison to the MINI

 

retrohasen: beautiful collection of cars.
It's a shame you sold your A1 GTi, what a prime example of my dream car.
Up here in the Northeast it's nearly immpossible to find a nice early GTi.
I wish I could have snagged that for myself.
Also do you know if the Ronal Turbos would fit on a MINI? I know the bolt
pattern is the same but I am unsure of the offset.
Good luck with your S!

 

>>retrohasen: beautiful collection of cars.
>>It's a shame you sold your A1 GTi, what a prime example of my dream car.
>>Up here in the Northeast it's nearly immpossible to find a nice early GTi.
>>I wish I could have snagged that for myself.
>>Also do you know if the Ronal Turbos would fit on a MINI? I know the bolt
>>pattern is the same but I am unsure of the offset.
>>Good luck with your S!



Thanks for the compliments.

The Ronals I had on the Rabbit were ET 28. I put them on and they stuck out about an inch past the fender. They did fit though with a new hub ring. I also had a set of BBS RXs from my 16V on for a while that were ET 35 and they fit nicely, but were 17s so I didn't need them when I got the S-Lites

The Rabbit is now on the east coast. I sold it to a guy in Maryland(he had it shipped all the way across the country). He is taking it to Waterfest, if you want to see it. You can check out my website for more pics of Rabbits at:

http://www.rabbitca.com/

I forgot about my 16V that I sold last September:


Hopefully I will have another Rabbit soon. Cabby this time.

 

>>The Rabbit is now on the east coast. I sold it to a guy in Maryland(he had it shipped all the way across the country). He is taking it to Waterfest, if you want to see it. You can check out my website for more pics of Rabbits at:
>>
>>http://www.rabbitca.com/





>>I actually have your site bookmarked I came across a while back probably from a link on the Vortex.

 

>>The Rabbit is now on the east coast. I sold it to a guy in Maryland(he had it shipped all the way across the country). He is taking it to Waterfest, if you want to see it. You can check out my website for more pics of Rabbits at:
>>
>>http://www.rabbitca.com/





>>I actually have your site bookmarked I came across a while back probably from a link on the Vortex.