How do they compare?!

 

Which model/year R32 in particular?

It has come up occasionally: https://www.google.com/search?q=r32+...anmotoring.com

 

The MINI is a different car and will make you smile when you drive it. I would drive one of each then determine. But RKW is right, they are comparisons. Good luck.

 

All depends on you as the driver. I personally would love to have an R32, not so much the later model .:R. Unfortunately people who have a clean R32 think they're still worth over $15k.

If you don't smile driving an R32, you're doing it wrong. The magical sounds a 24v VR6 makes is next to the purr of a Ferarri 488, and if you add eargasmic turbo noises to the mix.....

I have a VAG love, so I am quite biased in the opinion of which of the two is best, but either of them comparably modified will be an absolute blast. Depending on what you are looking for in a car is what needs to determine what you buy, I have my R53, a stretched Honda Ruckus, and a big turbo'd MKIV Jetta TDI so I have a small array of differentiation to pick from, but still don't feel satisfied with the stable, but they all make me smile in their own way.

Power potential wise: the R32 wins
Handling potential: I'd say they're near equal with the MINI having the advantage
Comfortwise: The R32 gets my vote


To each their own, and based on what you want the car to do is what will determine which of these is best suited to you.

 

I have been looking at pricing for the older 02-05 R32's and they are nearly double or triple the price of a an R53 which is a shame, If they made an R53 all wheel drive conversion I would be set!

 

I drove both when I was car shopping in 03. I would probably have been happy with either, but I remember my impression then was that the power delivery of the R32 wasn't as smooth as the MINI and the handling was softer and slower. The R32 definitely had more power but it wasn't especially usable.

I'm obviously biased because I've owned an R53 ever since then, and of course with mods, there's alot of possibilities but my sister bought an 03 jetta the same year and in the 12 years and 150,000 miles we both had those cars, she spent much more on repairs than I did, and I think I had much more fun than she did.

 

For the price of a very liw mile 05 R32 you can purchase a brand new GTI, its crazy what people are asking... ill stick with my R53 with 28000 miles, I only owe 7k to pay it off and I love it.

 

while ive never been in an r32 1st gen, I have been in the 2nd gen. they are super comfortable, seats are amazing. but you only have the DSG option, but the 6spd in the 1st.


also the VR motors have almost no torque down low, and are very thirsty. but my god........ do they have a wonderful noise. its nearly worth having one just for that. I love my r53 and they are definitely cheaper. the going rates for r32's is crazy. when I bought my r53 the same dealer got in a r32 the next day, I was bummed since I didn't test drive it to make a super comparison. VW also has a much larger aftermarket support than mini. I just cannot see the value of a $15k r32 with 150k miles and most likely has rust (up by me)

 

Performance wise, how are the new GTIs? Do they compare to a cooper s at all? And are they all wheel drive?

 

We can let Matt Farah answer this one.

 

Thanks for the video, it seems the R at least is substantially better than the GTI, but for the money if one went new, the new Ford hot hatch is the best

 

The .:R has a steep pricetag new and for the price of a new GTI and slight performance mods you're going to out handle and out power the .:R for less than the cost of the .:R new.

 

Matt frequently talks on his podcast about how the R is a great car...but he forgets about its existence because it doesn't "press any buttons" for him...until he has the opportunity to drive it again, at which point he remembers how good it is again....and then promptly forgets about it the next day lol

Honestly, get an R53. Take even half of the money you didn't spend on the R32 and spend it on overdue maintenance, preventative upgrades (ATI Super Damper, Craven Strut Tower Defenders, PowerFlex LCA Bushings, etc), and put the rest into a supercharger pulley (+supporting mods), an intake, good brakes, good tires, and an exhaust.

The experience of the MINI, stock, is already fun. Intelligently modified, it's visceral. Makes sense why he misses his JCW R53 that he had to sell to start The Smoking Tire.

 

Awesome post

 

Totally agree with sarom on this. Get an R53 and spend the rest of your time grinning.

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Is there anything out there that compares value wise to a cooper s? Seems the regular GTI is the next best thing?

 

MK6 GTI isn't a bad handling car out of the box, but is a bit larger than the R53 and has a few more handling compromises than the R53. But again, mild suspension modification adds a world of difference to many VAG platforms. The first gen Miata's are phenomenal track day cars and can be found rather affordably, they have a vast aftermarket available for them as well.

 

I hate miata's, when it comes to small cars I only am interested hatchbacks.